Alternative to Blue Iris
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fenderman
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There are none in its price range and feature set. If you dont mind spending a few hundred dollars then there are other options. Blue iris is extremely stable. I run over 20 BI pc's. There is a simple trick to never having an issue. Disable auto updates. Manually install updates ONLY when there is a new feature you need and after that update release has been out for a two weeks.
Keep in mind that the expensive suites (milestone, exacq etc) have folks who experience issues as well - as with any other software. The difference is BI is updated at least monthly while other packages are updated yearly or every six months. You can mimic that effect by manually installing updates as outlined.
BI being Windows based is what makes me apprehensive to jump in....If it were Linux based maybe it, or more correctly put, your computer set up would be more reliable.
But BI'S fault perse.
I tried a BI demo on an admittedly underpowered Win10 laptop just to test it out and it failed miserably.
From reading around the forum, for BI to work well you need a pretty powerfully spec'd PC with latest high end processor(s), lots O memory and highly recommended to only record direct to disc and having the computer dedicated to only this task, limiting your options there somewhat and adding alot to your initial cost for setup. So a lot of considerations and tradeoffs for the added features vs. a good quality stable NVR which probably will have less features and less flexibility.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
But BI'S fault perse.
I tried a BI demo on an admittedly underpowered Win10 laptop just to test it out and it failed miserably.
From reading around the forum, for BI to work well you need a pretty powerfully spec'd PC with latest high end processor(s), lots O memory and highly recommended to only record direct to disc and having the computer dedicated to only this task, limiting your options there somewhat and adding alot to your initial cost for setup. So a lot of considerations and tradeoffs for the added features vs. a good quality stable NVR which probably will have less features and less flexibility.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
fenderman
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Windows is very stable, most vms software run on windows only with a few linux options. There is no problem running vms on windows.
The Demo version of BI does not support direct to disk. You dont need an expensive pc or lots of memory for most applications. Most of my 20+ BI installs run on i5-sandybridge/ivybridge or haswell systems. An i5-4590 haswell system is 300. For 500 you can get an i7-4790 system both with 3 year next business day warranties. 8gb of ram is plenty for 99 percent of BI systems as well.
You mention having to record direct to disk as a negative. Every NVR records in the same manner. Blue iris simply ALSO gives you the option to re-encode if you have a special need.
My blue iris machines are just as stable as any standalone NVR I have used.
Q™
IPCT Contributor
I just spent $850 for a Win10 Dell 7040MT i7-6700 system with a 500GB SSD system drive. Is that expensive? I remember spending $1,600 for an Ambra 486 system back in '91. Considering that is the equivalent of $2200 now, I wonder if perhaps we've lost perspective as to what is expensive and what is reaonable. Certainly Fenderman's $300 solution is more then reasonable, especially when considering that -- for me -- Blue Iris runs without intervention or issue. But then...I don't autoupdate anymore.
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Thanks for the input.
You can find a i7-4790 for $500?...With Win10 OS?
I found this but it is just the box. So something like this would be sufficient?
(Would still need cost of Windows, BI, POE switch, monitor,KB, Mouse maybe bigger HDD ...what else?... )
https://www.blinq.com/detail/electr...HPt5NJRkf1EsVCnMtZzy3xZFILwhyPcEoXBoCE9nw_wcB
In my case, I'm potentially planning for a 8-12 cam x 4MP system and would like room for possible expansion and consideration for future use of 4k cams.
Cost aside, could a system as above and \ or BI itself handle processing and throughput for that theoretical maximum and do it stable vs. a 4k ready NVR like for example the LTS LTS LTN8916-P16 4K I have seen discussed elsewhere here?
You can find a i7-4790 for $500?...With Win10 OS?
I found this but it is just the box. So something like this would be sufficient?
(Would still need cost of Windows, BI, POE switch, monitor,KB, Mouse maybe bigger HDD ...what else?... )
https://www.blinq.com/detail/electr...HPt5NJRkf1EsVCnMtZzy3xZFILwhyPcEoXBoCE9nw_wcB
In my case, I'm potentially planning for a 8-12 cam x 4MP system and would like room for possible expansion and consideration for future use of 4k cams.
Cost aside, could a system as above and \ or BI itself handle processing and throughput for that theoretical maximum and do it stable vs. a 4k ready NVR like for example the LTS LTS LTN8916-P16 4K I have seen discussed elsewhere here?
fenderman
Staff member
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The optiplex i7-4790 systems are routinely as low as 429, from the dell outlet with full 3 year next business day warranties. If you want more headroom the i7-6700 skylake systems have been as low as 560 on ebay with full 3 year NBD warranties. A system like that could handle 4k cameras. The likelyhood of you replacing all your cams with 4k in the next few years is close to zero. If you want basic recording the NVR will suffice, if you want lots of options it will not. Something as basic as reviewing motion alerts when recording continuously is not possible with that NVR via the mobile app or web interface.
Q™
IPCT Contributor
Here's the guy I purchase my machine from. My unit arrived in as new condition with a 3-year Dell warranty dell and shipped same day as purchase in the Dell OEM carton. A+++ transaction with no doubt.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/tking2002/m.html
http://www.ebay.com/sch/tking2002/m.html
As an eBay Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.
Q™
IPCT Contributor
Try this link...I originally edited it but my edit may have hosed sumptin' up...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/tking2002/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
http://www.ebay.com/sch/tking2002/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
As an eBay Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.
Not sure how this thread evolved into a hardware discussion. My original post was what is a software alternative to BI that will run on my current computer which is a Dell I7 with a terabyte of HD.
fenderman
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You still havent answered how much you are willing to spend and how many cameras you wish to record. Because if the answer is 60, there is no other alternative.
Milestone
Exacq
Sighthound
Avigilon
Once again, blue iris is extremely stable if you follow some common sense.
Q™
IPCT Contributor
Q™
IPCT Contributor
Ha. yeah ...Sorry for the drift!...I should have done a separate thread.
Thanks for the input and links.
The 4k thing yeah, prob only one or two and even that is down the road...I like flexibility of BI features it lists but was concerned too about a long history of Windows computer issues and babysitting...(not sure you can avoid updates forever b\c of security concerns0, total component costs and scalability...I just don't want to buy all that stuff and find out a year or two later I have to start all over with a NEW NVR solution if I upgrade # or MPs of cams because either my box of BI cannot handle processing the load.
Back on track to the OPs question of BI alternatives, here is another...
BlueCherry
Know anything about it?
I did not see that on listed by @fenderman above but I have seen a few references to it in other threads here and there with mostly positive comments. I am not familiar with it though but it appears to be cross platform for Windows, Apple and Linux.
http://www.bluecherrydvr.com
Per camera licensing but relatively reasonable prices IMO.
One time fee
4 camera license $75 ($50 for residential users)
8 camera license $120
12 camera license $175
16 camera license $225
24 camera license $325
32 camera license $425
64 camera license $650
Thanks for the input and links.
The 4k thing yeah, prob only one or two and even that is down the road...I like flexibility of BI features it lists but was concerned too about a long history of Windows computer issues and babysitting...(not sure you can avoid updates forever b\c of security concerns0, total component costs and scalability...I just don't want to buy all that stuff and find out a year or two later I have to start all over with a NEW NVR solution if I upgrade # or MPs of cams because either my box of BI cannot handle processing the load.
Back on track to the OPs question of BI alternatives, here is another...
BlueCherry
Know anything about it?
I did not see that on listed by @fenderman above but I have seen a few references to it in other threads here and there with mostly positive comments. I am not familiar with it though but it appears to be cross platform for Windows, Apple and Linux.
http://www.bluecherrydvr.com
Per camera licensing but relatively reasonable prices IMO.
One time fee
4 camera license $75 ($50 for residential users)
8 camera license $120
12 camera license $175
16 camera license $225
24 camera license $325
32 camera license $425
64 camera license $650
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fenderman
Staff member
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I dont know what all this nonsense about baby sitting windows pc's is all about. I manage lots of them and dont have babysitting issues. Its made up by haters. 4k is only 8mp so blue iris can easily handle the load if you get an i7.
Blue cherry is only used by 1 or two folks on the site so you cannot get a good representation of how well it works. It does not have a mobile client which right off the bat makes it not a viable option for me. It also is much more basic than BI. You are better off with an NVR at that point.
I'm not a hater toward any OS...just expressing my experiences and looking for fact...no bashing is intended.
Maybe I just have had bad luck with Windows over the years for my personal use, but I personally have wasted a lot of time regularly rebuilding, reloading fresh OS installs when nothing else solved the mystery of inevitable slow downs, freeze ups, BSOD and such.....Also read here stories of high CPU utilization, excessive heat, causing hardware or software issues when using Win\BI, so it really can be a legit concern when trying to make a decision here.
I'm not a big Apple fan either. I have an Imac...don't care for their GUI at all and a lot of un-intuitive functionality that Windows does very well in comparison...but in 5 years I've never had a performance issue with it or freeze up...unfortunately not a lot of good software NVR solutions for Imac.
I'll look into an i7.
I have read some people use a "server version" of Windows...Any advantages to that?
If I were to do a Windows \ BI solution It would be dedicated to just the cameras and not for other home use so I would not need all the other consumer bells and whistles that could be resource hog items.
Maybe I just have had bad luck with Windows over the years for my personal use, but I personally have wasted a lot of time regularly rebuilding, reloading fresh OS installs when nothing else solved the mystery of inevitable slow downs, freeze ups, BSOD and such.....Also read here stories of high CPU utilization, excessive heat, causing hardware or software issues when using Win\BI, so it really can be a legit concern when trying to make a decision here.
I'm not a big Apple fan either. I have an Imac...don't care for their GUI at all and a lot of un-intuitive functionality that Windows does very well in comparison...but in 5 years I've never had a performance issue with it or freeze up...unfortunately not a lot of good software NVR solutions for Imac.
I'll look into an i7.
I have read some people use a "server version" of Windows...Any advantages to that?
If I were to do a Windows \ BI solution It would be dedicated to just the cameras and not for other home use so I would not need all the other consumer bells and whistles that could be resource hog items.
fenderman
Staff member
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Most windows issues are user related. They generally revolve around loading crap software or malware onto the system. Like I said I manage 20+ BI systems and many office windows based systems. No problems because they are clean of garbage.
I dont know where you are reading these stories of excessive heat with BI. Simply not true. Modern intel systems run super cool. High cpu utiliztion is a product of using an under-powered pc or not properly setting BI, or both.
There is no advantage to server in fact its a disadvantage.
If you run ANY vms, its should be on its own clean system. That is simply basic common sense.
Q™
IPCT Contributor
+1 on this Fenderlicious quotation.
I run a mail server, RDP server, DB server, file server, BI server and a web server. All windows and all run without issue. The only complaint I have is Windows licensing which there is a lot to complain about IMO. But as far as stability, everything runs rock solid without intervention...so I have to agree this chatter is much the same as the Windows / Mac FanBoy stuff.