Casino Systems

[PokerMunkee 0]

Anyone have experience with installing/buying/configuring a DVR/NVR system for a casino?

 

I work for a casino with about 700 analog and IP cameras. Currently we are using 3XLOGIC's Vigil system that we installed on Dell PowerEdge 2950s. The servers are coming up on 7-8 years old and a few have failed. We also need more hard drive space. It's time to start replacing them.

 

We've had sales people from Synectics, Guetebruck, and a couple others. By far the cheapest solution is to buy 4U OEM servers from 3XLOGIC and go with their latest version. But if we are going to change systems, now is the time to do it. I don't want a shared storage solution. I view it as one big basket that could fail and cause our casinos to close (must close if we lose 1hr+ of coverage). Our casinos are in the mountains over a hour away from a decent size city. So I like 3XLOGIC's DVRs that have 24TB local storage with 32 channels for recording.

 

Just curious what others are using out there and what they think works the best for them.

[survtech 0]

Currently using Honeywell Enterprise. We tested Geutebruck and loved its features but were concerned about their lack of casino experience so we went with IndigoVision. Installation will be completed by late December.

 

There's nothing inherently wrong with shared storage as long as you follow a few rules:

1. Always deploy a failover server that automatically takes over in the event of one going down.

 

2. Follow good storage practices:

a. Deploy redundant data paths (HBA's or network and Controllers)

b. Never use RAID5 for critical deployments - use RAID6 at a minimum.

c. Limit RAID sets (Logical Volumes) to 10+2 maximum. Break down large arrays into smaller Logical Volumes.

d. Intermingle multiple drive batches - the likelihood of failures due to bad batch(es) of drives will be reduced.

e. Don't trust storage manufacturers when they say they know video storage. Verify their claims.

 

3. Back up your system with sufficient UPS and generator power for emergencies.

a. Generators alone are not enough. Since they cannot take over immediately, UPS fill in is a must.

b. Plan on providing sufficient UPS power for at least an hour if a generator fails to start on utility power loss (happens more often than you think).

 

4. Keep the room cool. Redundant HVAC is a must and it must be generator-backed.

a. Use proper Server Room cooling techniques - put the equipment in hot and cold aisles for maximum effect.

 

We have been recording our cameras digitally for ten years (the first in the U.S. to go 100% digital) and learned the above lessons through bitter experience.

[PokerMunkee 0]

Good advice, completely agree with it. We have UPS backup for 1.5hrs but not currently on generator and room gets above 90F after 1hr+ of no A/C. No point at this point since floor isn't on generator either, very small market. Went digital in October 2004, sucked at first because vendor provided crap servers and they went out of business (Envision). So we bought 40 Dell PowerEdge 2950s and did it ourselves.

 

Just can't beat 24TB in 3U that does 32 cameras for under $6,500. We backup critical cameras (t-connectors) to backup DVRs so we have two exact sets of recording in case of major failures. I could see if you had 2000+ cameras and not enough rack space, then shared storage would be beneficial. I'd have to see how it was configured. The system has worked pretty good for past 8 years but having some issues with skipping, which I think is a mixture of motion detection issues and old hard drives. Don't have enough storage currently to go constant recording, which will happen on our next system. Do you guys use motion for any cameras?

 

Do you guys integrate interfaces into your system? POS? Alarms? I think I'm going to have our MICROS RES 3700 system interface in so agents can see receipts and footage on same screen. Never had need before but my as well use it. 3XLOGIC's Vigil is pretty simple, which works for our simple agents. The new systems have a lot of bells and whistles but it's pricey!

[survtech 0]

We are getting Dell PowerVault MD3260 RAIDs populated with up to 60: 3TB drives. That's 180TB raw in 4RU (Net = approximately 140TB after subtracting parity drives, hot spares and Windows overhead). Total net storage is >700TB.

 

We'll be getting eConnect POS Connect for POS and CIP Incident Reporting software in the bundle. Alarms will also be integrated, as well as Biometrica.

 

We didn't even evaluate Vigil as it's not a common VMS for casinos. We evaluated Avigilon, Dallmeier, Genetec, Geutebruck, IndigoVision and Pelco Endura. Milestone and DVTel did not respond to our request for evaluation systems. Based on previous experience with the companies, Synectics, NICE and Honeywell were not invited to our evaluations.

 

No motion. All 960 analog inputs will be continuously recorded at 4SIF @ 30fps @ 2.5Mbps to 3.0Mbps (PTZs with boost to 6Mbps). Plus 240: 720p IP cameras at 4Mbps.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Guest

[thewireguys 3]

eConnect POS Connect is a very interesting solution. I have spoke with them about a couple of projects we are working on. I just wish they where not so expensive .

Edited October 4, 2013 by Guest

[survtech 0]

We have already committed to eConnect because we are currently using the InfoGenesis POS system but are considering replacing it with Micros. Micros supposedly has its own Surveillance POS interface. It would be worth a look but we can't count on our F&B switching. eConnect claims it wouldn't matter which system we use and there would be no charge to switch their software. They even offered to install both interfaces.

 

Agreed though, it is pricey.

[EthanTurner 0]

Hi guys. Great thread. Thank you!

[Stefon22 0]

What a great topic! Thank you guys!