NVR vs Blue Iris

Apr 4, 2018
26
6
Deland FL
I currently use an 8 port Dahua NVR with 8 external cameras and 3 Amcrest indoor cameras. I was given 6 Dahua cameras that are POE. I have a 16port poe switch. To changey Amcrest cameras to POE versions, I need to decide if purchasing a 16 port Dahua nvr or taking an existing I5 Gen 11 system and running BI. So I'm looking recommendations on the best way to go. The computer is dual nic'd it that aids the thought process.
 
There are so many existing threads for this and I'm too lazy to write up my take on it again. Without any specifics, there are pros and cons to both, and there's a pretty big polarization for one way or the other from different forum members. For myself, I'm running both in parallel because there are some things one does better, and vice-versa. I started out with NVR then tried BI. Huge learning curve for me, made worse by having to un-learn some of the NVR things. I thought I'd eventually go to BI only, and I am using it as my main platform now, but I find myself occasionally going to the NVR when investigating something in detail, and it's easier for me to use for remote access. I've resigned myself to using both of them indefinitely. I have a few more cameras than channels on the 16 channel NVR, so a few are usable on BI only. If you're at 14 cameras from the git-go, consider getting a 32 channel NVR for not a whole lot more dollars. Wish I had done that originally.
 
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Oh boy another BI versus NVR thread lol.

Here is the most recent thread with links to many of the similar threads and some thoughts.

At the end of the day it comes down to your personal preference. If you like the NVR then stay in the NVR world.

Thread 'Andy's NVR vs Blue Iris?' Andy's NVR vs Blue Iris?
 
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There are so many existing threads for this and I'm too lazy to write up my take on it again. Without any specifics, there are pros and cons to both, and there's a pretty big polarization for one way or the other from different forum members. For myself, I'm running both in parallel because there are some things one does better, and vice-versa. I started out with NVR then tried BI. Huge learning curve for me, made worse by having to un-learn some of the NVR things. I thought I'd eventually go to BI only, and I am using it as my main platform now, but I find myself occasionally going to the NVR when investigating something in detail, and it's easier for me to use for remote access. I've resigned myself to using both of them indefinitely. I have a few more cameras than channels on the 16 channel NVR, so a few are usable on BI only. If you're at 14 cameras from the git-go, consider getting a 32 channel NVR for not a whole lot more dollars. Wish I had done that originally.
Thanks for the response. I searched for the topic, but obviously had the wrong terms. I screwed up 7 years ago and only bought an 8 port NVR, which was fine as I only had 8 cameras, until the wife wanted watch the dog when she was out. So I bought 3 Amcrest interior cameras which only worked part time on wifi. Two years ago I purchased BI with the intention to run it, but the learning curve was steep and I was impatient. So I turned to here for information, I appreciate your input and have considered running both, but have yet to decide.