Best NVR system (Synology vs. Vivotek VAST vs. others)

[MikeMiller 0]

Hi guys,

 

I am planning a setup with 5 ip-cameras (haven't bought them yet) and I am wondering what the best nvr-system for recording and playback might be.

 

My aim is to have a GREAT "PLAYBACK-SYSTEM" that makes it easy for me to watch the footage and navigate thru it.

"Live-View" is NOT important for me - I'll am sure that I'll BARELY use it.

 

Those features are important to me:

- easy setup

- Access nvr via VPN and watch footage on windows explorer, ipad or iphone

- Easy Multi-Cam Playback of ALL cameras at the same time

- double-speed (up to 8x) of all cameras

- dual-streams would be great on playback so I can watch footage on low bandwith

- a multi-screen playback feature of a selected cam would be great (if have heard of systems being able to split one hour up on multiple screens in 5-minute-windows...

 

Right now my eyes are on SYNOLOGY (which I have already tested) BUT I also found the VIVOTEK VAST solution (which seems to be a bit more feature-rich BUT also more complex to setup?).

 

Which system would you recon me to go for?

 

I am really looking forward to your tips

[Daryl733 0]

SYNOLOGY is not a NVR.

It's a NAS with NVR Addon Functionality.

It comes with 1 or 2 free camera licenses, and additional licenses needs to be purchased.

With those added in, it's normally a lot more expensive than purposed build NVR. Search for my another post, have some link for comparison to hardware+additional licenses cost for NAS and cost comparison to purposed built NVR.

 

- dual-streams would be great on playback so I can watch footage on low bandwith

You might want to do more research on that. Most system record only on 1 bitrate and playback using that bitrate. There are some systems that does transcoding while viewing live, but not too sure if they do transcoding while doing playback.

Some NAS and NVR also doesn't do transcoding while doing live view. They just handover the stream from the IP Camera directly to your viewing client. This means that dual stream feature depends on the IP cameras. Also if the IP Cameras (some cheaper one) supports only MJPEG, you'll be getting a MJPEG stream instead of h.264/5 stream. Due to the handover stream compatibility , I've also seen streams that can be displayed in monitor, and playback, but unable to view remotely live from the viewing client. Could be lesser now, but saw that before on some devices that mixed brands in implementation.

 

Also, do you intend to use SYNOLOGY for it's NAS function ? Or just the NVR ?

If you intend to use NAS, then just bear in mind that surveillance recording is a 24x7 job for the HDD. It'll degrade the performance of your NAS seeking/writing speed.

 

As for VPN, thought it's a better idea to utilise the VPN on your router function rather than the VPN feature in the NAS as it sits behind your router, you'll need to open up ports in your router for the vpn connection, etc. But that's just my opinion.

 

On the whole, unless you are going for just a simple 1 camera recording for your adhoc ip camera system and have already your synology in place, I would advice going for a purposed built NVR. Cheaper and more stable if you get the same brand of cameras as well. Less compatibility issues.

 

Not forgetting that most branded NVR have a separate LAN with POE port built in. That'll keep your video streams which could be taking up quite a large bandwidth depending on your cameras resolution off your home network. For Synology (with dual lan), you'll need to configure that and also get a separate POE switch. Not all Synology NAS have dual lan port as well.

[MikeMiller 0]

Hi Daryl733,

 

thanks a lot for your quick response! 

 

I'll actually need to buy ALL equipment new - the diskstation I have is only for trial purpose.

 

I am just looking for NVR functionality and need NO NAS functionality. So synology NVR216 might be an option, but I found DS216j to be cheaper (and probably as good).

 

For cameras I'd love to have dome-style cameras with IR and 1080p and a wide angle +90degree.

 

Option 1: Synology DS216j plus 4 camera license pack.

The software itself feels a bit unstable and I have the feeling that they might NOT be where the competition is feature wise.

Still this is a system quite easy to setup.

 

Option 2: Vivotek with VAST SYSTEM

If I'd get ONLY VIVOTEK cams then I could make use of their free VAST software (http://www.vivotek.com/vast/#views:view=jplist-grid-view)

 

I simply don't understand how a VAST setup would work? Let's say I have 5 of those (http://www.vivotek.com/fd816b-hf2/#overview). Do I then need to buy the extra Vivotek NVR (http://www.vivotek.com/fd816b-hf2/#overview) PLUS install a standalone-server with VAST Server installed? Sounds like a quite complex system. Am I getting this right?

Option 3: Annke package

On my research I also found this one here which looks really great: http://www.annkestore.com/annke-8ch-1080p-hd-poe-security-camera-system-w-8-x-2mp-dome-cameras-1tb-hdd.html.

BUT I have NOT found a online-DEMO to quickly check out how the playback software works.

 

Hmmm... this stuff is quite confusing.

 

The biggest problem is the lag of online-demos of the systems.

 

Any more thoughts about those options? Or other alternatives to have a look at?

[Daryl733 0]

If you go Synology Way.

$269.99 , come with 1 Camera License.

http://www.amazon.com/Synology-Disk-Station-2-Bay-DS216/dp/B0185ZU0O2

 

Camera Licenses @ $64.99

http://www.amazon.com/Synology-Camera-License-Pack-CLP1/dp/B001MJ0JAO

 

Total for 5 Cameras = $269.99 + 4 x $64.99 = $529.95

 

HIKVISION 8 Channels NVR - $270

http://www.amazon.com/HIKVISION-DS-7608NI-E2-8P-Network-Recorder/dp/B00VMNRZS4

 

Almost twice the cost of an NVR, and not including the POE Switches yet.

And 5 Cameras license compare to 8 Cameras.

[Daryl733 0]

Option 1: Synology DS216j plus 4 camera license pack.

You'll need NAS, Camera Licenses, and Cameras that the Synology Can support. Do read the supported list first.

 

Option 2: Vivotek with VAST SYSTEM

Basically you are purchasing IP Cameras with software. Almost all IP Cameras comes with Recording Software. You'll need to install the software on a PC to do recording, etc. So you'll need to consider the cost of 1 PC. Of course you can get their NVR, then it'll be like option 3.

 

Option 3: Annke package

Basically NVR with Same Brand IP Camera.

This is the setup I would recommend. NOT the brand though, there are tons of brands out there, you'll have to do your research. If you go with this or other brand is up to you.

[MikeMiller 0]

Can anyone give a recommendation on which brand to prefer?

 

I need to have a good nvr-playback-system that enables me to quickly scan footage. Without ordering the hardware I find it really hard to judge the quality of the NVRs as there are NO online-demos and NO good youtube-videos showing how playback works.

 

ZModo http://surveillance.zmodo.com/zmodo-8-channel-720p-nvr-system-with-8-hd-ip-cameras-2tb-hdd.html

ANNKE http://www.annke.com/

VIVOTEK http://www.vivotek.com/nd8322p/#views:view=jplist-grid-view

HIKVISION http://www.amazon.com/HIKVISION-DS-7608NI-E2-8P-Network-Recorder/dp/B00VMNRZS4/?tag=c24m-20

[TheWigglerSpot 0]

Can anyone give a recommendation on which brand to prefer?

 

I need to have a good nvr-playback-system that enables me to quickly scan footage. Without ordering the hardware I find it really hard to judge the quality of the NVRs as there are NO online-demos and NO good youtube-videos showing how playback works.

 

ZModo http://surveillance.zmodo.com/zmodo-8-channel-720p-nvr-system-with-8-hd-ip-cameras-2tb-hdd.html

ANNKE http://www.annke.com/

VIVOTEK http://www.vivotek.com/nd8322p/#views:view=jplist-grid-view

HIKVISION http://www.amazon.com/HIKVISION-DS-7608NI-E2-8P-Network-Recorder/dp/B00VMNRZS4/?tag=c24m-20

 

The software on all of these suck, collectively.

 

Synology has had frequent updates to their VMS (up to 7.2 I think) and for 549.99 for the 9 camera license + 100 for 2TB HD you are going to have a pretty good NVR set up. Main drawback is the no rackmount for Synology unless you get a true NAS, then spend about 450 for the same licenses.

 

Brutal anyway you slice it if you want good rackmounted NVR