I'm currently debating on if I really need an NVR such as Blue Iris. I plan on having a four camera configuration. I have deployed two Reolink 5MP's so far these cameras have a record to FTP as well as record to Windows option. Also the Reolink Client software seems pretty solid. The only down side to not using an NVR would be that I would need to reverse proxy each camera for remote viewing vs just reverse proxing Blue Iris. So in short what advantage do I gain from moving over to Blue Iris?
Do you really need a NVR with a small deployment
- Thread starter agent0
- Start date
I am not familiar with iris and I personally would never run a camera security system on any windows platform.
I like dedicated nvr systems running Linux.
Security is better and if you get the right one you get good processing power that can provide maximum resolution on all channels. Some only like dahua record at the Max on a few channels making you pick which channels to record at the highest because their systems are not powerful enough to record max on more than 4 cameras at a time.
but it really depends on what you want and expect from your system
I like dedicated nvr systems running Linux.
Security is better and if you get the right one you get good processing power that can provide maximum resolution on all channels. Some only like dahua record at the Max on a few channels making you pick which channels to record at the highest because their systems are not powerful enough to record max on more than 4 cameras at a time.
but it really depends on what you want and expect from your system
Check this out. Much easier tan messing with any pc based system and this company is second to none in lifetime support.
www.getscw.com
4 Channel NVR - 1080p to 4K; Stunningly Easy to Setup
SCW's 4 channel 4K NVRs feature plug and play PoE with a 3-year warranty and free world class US based technical support. Get it now!
www.getscw.com
$349, are you getting a discount to promote them? Even my 8 camera Hik NVR was cheaper. You got money to burn?
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
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Check this out. Much easier tan messing with any pc based system and this company is second to none in lifetime support.
4 Channel NVR - 1080p to 4K; Stunningly Easy to Setup
SCW's 4 channel 4K NVRs feature plug and play PoE with a 3-year warranty and free world class US based technical support. Get it now!
Hi @SecurityCams
seems a bit pricey for a 4 channel NVR... is there something I am overlooking to make this a value??
For about that price Andy will sell you a Dahua OEM 16 port NVR5216-16P-4KSxx NVR w/o HDD
( another example: B&H is currently selling a Speco NVR w/8 ports - Dahua OEM, no IVS for $130 with a 2TB HDD... BH #SPN8NXP2TB • MFR #N8NXP2TB )
fenderman
Staff member
- Mar 9, 2014
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There are lots of top notch enterprise vms like avigilon and milestone that run on windows. Contrary to the false assertions by linux snobs, windows is just as stable if not more stable than an NVR. Security on standalone nvr's is HORRIBLE, for you to say they are secure is a joke, constant backdoors and hacks. Way worse than on any windows system, but surely you dont expose your NVR to the net directly without a vpn server? I run of blue iris systems and the purr along just fine.
fenderman
Staff member
- Mar 9, 2014
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There are rebranded uniview, with limited selection. Blue iris is WAY more customizable and if you port forward or use the companies p2p service and think you are secure, you are nuts.Check this out. Much easier tan messing with any pc based system and this company is second to none in lifetime support.
4 Channel NVR - 1080p to 4K; Stunningly Easy to Setup
SCW's 4 channel 4K NVRs feature plug and play PoE with a 3-year warranty and free world class US based technical support. Get it now!
Setting up a pc based system is very easy and offers lots of benefits.
fenderman
Staff member
- Mar 9, 2014
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I suggest you download the demo and see for yourself. Its a night and day difference.
gpower07
Getting comfortable
fenderman
Staff member
- Mar 9, 2014
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Sounds like you never used decent vms other then the crap that ships from manufactures.
All of a sudden since I don't agree with a few of you here , I am a nut case and my credibility is in the tank and have no experience with VMS or other stuff you like. I don't like windows for security anything. If you like it I am fine with you making your choice and I won't insult you for it like you have me. I have been using MS products since the first DOS version , I know at least a little ................but...... you have a good evening
fenderman
Staff member
- Mar 9, 2014
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You didn’t simply disagree you made false statements. Hopefully it’s a result of incompetence rather than malice. Interestingly the owner of scw made similar false statements on the forum.
Stop ignoring the fact that that SCW nvr my by the Chinese iMovies Is absolutely not secure. It is not running straight Linux. Enough lying for the day.
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Blue Iris is camera manufacturer agnostic, so if you ever start mix and matching camera brands and don't want to juggle multiple manufacturer clients, Blue Iris becomes your one client.
Blue Iris also has its own built-in motion detection, something most NVRs don't have. BI's motion detection is usually a lot more configurable than the basic motion detection built into most cameras, which gives the possibility for reducing false positives. And if you have a pro-market camera (Dahua/Hikvision), it probably came with advanced motion detection (Dahua's is called IVS, Hik is called Smart Events) in addition to the basic motion detection. Blue Iris can work with both IVS and Smart Events. NVRs require the NVR brand and camera brand to match to use IVS or Smart Events, which stinks for folks who have both Hik/Dahua cameras in their system.
I think this is iOS specific, but I really like how BI motion alerts can include a 10-frame GIF in the push notification. It's like getting a mini-movie on my iPhone's lock screen (and my watch) when movement happens. In most cases, that's all I need to see ... no need to open the app to see more.
I started my system using Synology Surveillance Station as the NVR app. From reading threads here and seeing what other people were doing with their setups, I eventually swapped over to a Dahua NVR and then finally Blue Iris. That was over a two year period. If the Reolink client software is meeting your needs now, stick with it. If you ever start running into issues, then explore BI again.
Are these only setup to record motion?
to answer the question from @agent0 , I think getting 'something' (VMS or NVR) to store the feeds from the cameras is a very good idea. beyond say SD cards in the cameras.
@agent0, you should NOT be reverse proxy'ing to anything; you should have a vpn back to the 'site' that has the cameras. this is the same answer no matter what brand of camera or NVR you are using.
@agent0, if you just got the reolinks, and are still within the return window, i'd strongly suggest you read the numerous threads about why many people are unsatisfied with them.
to the larger group, @looney2ns , @aristobrat , @fenderman ,
my understanding is that for some limited subset of cameras with some specialized features (e.g. hfw7842hp-z ultra ai), that you will only get some of those more advanced features when paird with an appropriately feature enabled enough NVR. e.g. ANLP search, car search, (and IIRC the NVR signaling a PTZ to follow a car based on blacklisted tag seen fist by another camera..etc )
am I missing something with the more niche cases ?
@agent0, you should NOT be reverse proxy'ing to anything; you should have a vpn back to the 'site' that has the cameras. this is the same answer no matter what brand of camera or NVR you are using.
@agent0, if you just got the reolinks, and are still within the return window, i'd strongly suggest you read the numerous threads about why many people are unsatisfied with them.
to the larger group, @looney2ns , @aristobrat , @fenderman ,
my understanding is that for some limited subset of cameras with some specialized features (e.g. hfw7842hp-z ultra ai), that you will only get some of those more advanced features when paird with an appropriately feature enabled enough NVR. e.g. ANLP search, car search, (and IIRC the NVR signaling a PTZ to follow a car based on blacklisted tag seen fist by another camera..etc )
am I missing something with the more niche cases ?