Latest, greatest DVRs

31 Jan 2010
by: By John Adams
Once upon a time there was a feeling in the industry that digital video recorders would be swamped by a new generation of NVRs. That hasn;t happened and when you check out the specifications of the latest DVR solutions, it’s easy to see why.

NETWORKED video surveillance solutions are taking the big end of town by storm but smaller systems continue to use capable DVRs. These latest DVR solutions don’t have the limitation of earlier systems. Instead the modern DVR has excellent specifications, is hugely expandable and often supports IP camera installations as well as analogue.

 

We’ve observed before in SE&N that the line between NVRs and DVRs is becoming increasingly blurred and it’s a truth that certainly applies to the upper echelon of DVRs. According to Geutebruck Australia’s Anthony Brooks, the highest specification DVR in the Geutebruck stable is the GeViScope hybrid server.

 

Brooks says the GeViScope has a redundant internal PSU (2 x 300 W) for digital storage and transmission of video and audio signals combined with multi standard compression and latest image analysis algorithms for up to 64 audio (stereo audio per channel) and 32 analgue video channels and over 50 IP cameras (depending on quality settings).

 

“This is a powerful solution,” says Brooks. “The GeViScope has digital video networking on TCP/IP basis of 1 GBit Ethernet onboard, compression rate per channel, 25 Fps network live-stream and 25 Fps live recording (DualChannel-Streaming) with up to 4CIF resolution @ 5MBit/s.”

Brooks says different function packages can be loaded to each individual camera channel including M-JPeg- and/or MPEG4-CCTV-compression, which is ideal to optimize system performance.

 

“Currently over 180 different IP camera drivers are installed on each GeViScope server,” says Brooks. “These cover quality manufacturers like Arecont Vision, Axis, Bosch, IQInvision, JVC, Mobotix, Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony.

 

“There are also numerous third-party integrations – the latest here in Australia include high level interfaces with Cardex and Pacom Systems.”

Other features of the solution include activity detection per channel, digital matrix functionality, plug-in board expansion of 4, 8, 12, and 16 video and audio channels. The unit’s video management functionality is based on internal programmable logic controller (GeViPLC) and the system used the best possible DSPs and the latest PC architecture. GeViScope is equipped with a redundant internal PSU for more operational safety.

 

“GeViScope is a flexible and modular system architecture that functions in combination with software based function packages,” explains Brooks. “It has dynamic user interface adaptations triggered by events or user profiles and integration of unlimited systems via network (LAN/WAN) using TCP/IP. There’s also picture replay fully compatible with MultiScope II plus and MultiScope III systems.”

According to Brooks, the latest DVR solutions pose unique problems for users and he maintains GeViScope’s management of video is its delineating feature when compared to the competition.

 

“Accepting it is a relatively simple task to capture/record video – the challenges of today are how we more efficiently retrieve, manage and disseminate the video we record,” he says. “As our databases hit petabyte size (1 Peta Byte means: 1015 Byte = 1.000.000.000.000.000 or 127 years continuous recording of one 2CIF video channel) we need to undertake careful consideration when developing the tools required to manage them.”

 

Brooks says the GeViScope supports seamless integration and migration from analog to hybrid to pure IP systems, as well as offering integrated solutions to address the demands of all involved, from the operator and the administrator to the investor. Not surprisingly, many GeViScopes find themselves in networked environments. According to Brooks, around 20 per cent of these units are installed in standalone environments while 80 per cent are networked.

 

“The GeViScope enterprise surveillance system offers numerous functionalities in a single video system platform: everything from image recording to a virtual matrix, handling analog and IP, standard and megapixel,” he explains.

 

“Intelligent video analysis evaluates the picture data and generates alarms in critical situations. Its sophisticated modular system is ideal for high performance. User interfaces, parameterization and alarm management interfaces — are all uniform ensuring transparency and user friendliness.”

 

According to Brooks, with GeViScope, intelligent video analysis algorithms are available for tailor-made expansion of system functionalities, while intelligent system monitoring and redundancy give maximum security.

 

“Open interfaces and freely configurable software development kits (SDKs) ensure the highest level of compatibility for maximum flexibility and we provide individual support from our development team if necessary.”

Brooks explains that when choosing a DVR solution there are certain features and functions that should be high on an end-user’s list.

 

“End user’s should be looking for backwards compatibility and openness for future expansions (futureproof investments),” Brooks says. “This includes compatibility with a wide variety of third party products. Ease of use is another big thing. You want a single operator interface for perfect operator guidance and assistance and you want a system that offers sensible use of resources (bandwidth, storage capacity, energy savings.

 

“This should include an Advanced Health Agent for central management of all key aspects of the system,” he explains. “This Health Agent monitors each DVR and reports on everything from software version, age of oldest video, bad sectors/blocks on a HDD, camera field-of-view changes, data throughput, etc.

 

“Meanwhile, polling intervals can be definable with a ‘push/pull’ design – as each NVR is registered with the central server and then reports as required (hourly, daily, weekly etc),” Brooks says.

 

“Lastly end-users should look for high performance – you want search results in less than 100 milliseconds – those are the numbers you should be looking for.”

 

According to Brooks, installers should focus on 2 key areas of functionality. The first being preconfiguration for easy installation and the second being system diagnostics for easier commissioning and maintenance.

 

“Installers and system administrators benefit from the fact our components allow them to manage numerous systems in the network easily: remote service and software updates, remote setup and alarm transmission via network,” he says.

 

“User rights assignment settings in the user administration centre enable the precise allocation of rights and responsibilities, so that every user has access to the information he is officially entitled to see.”

 

According to Brooks, while Geutebruck Australia’s business is 45 per cent DVRs, he says the trend is towards high end IP architectures including clustering and virtualisation – these bringing new challenges and possibilities. Brooks also believes analytics are advancing into centralized and decentralized video solutions.

 

Meanwhile at Omega CCTV, Aleks Stefanovic says the company’s highest specification DVR Brand is the GSP GQVR-7160CJ, which is part of the company’s flagship GQVR Series of DVRs. The GQVR-7160CJ offers users 400ips at 2CIF over 16 channels and a resolution of 704 x 576. The system has three x 1.5TB storage uses MPEG4 compression and is networkable.

According to Stefanovic, what delineates Omega’s DVR from the competition is features like 4 software matrixes for the 16-channel unit and 2 for the 9-channel.

 

“We have 4,6,8,9,16 channel versions, which is the highest number of variations on the market,” he says. “The system can also be integrated with our IP Solutions via our CMS Software giving an unlimited networking ability.”

 

Stefanovic says that 35 per cent of Omega’s business is in DVR sales, with about 60 per cent of Omega’s DVRs installed in standalone applications and 40 per cent used in network solutions. Stefanovic has no doubt what is driving the market from the perspective of end users and installers.

 

“From the end user’s perspective the market driver is price,” he says. “From the point of view of the installer it’s price – and specification if the installer knows what they are talking about.”

 

According to Stefanovic, the GSP GQVR-7160CJ is among the easiest of all DVRs to set up in terms of remote monitoring and event reporting. As well as offering easy implementation the unit is also extremely stable.

“I think the next generation of DVRs will offer improved functionality including dual streaming, real H.264, IP Inputs, POS integrations, 400 IPS and D1 on all 16 channels – as well as additional features we can’t mention at the moment,” Stefanovic says.

 

Pacom’s clear view

 

Over at Pacific Communications, Robert Meachem says the company’s highest specification DVR is a new Pacom brand model featuring H.264, a Clearview ISP1000 chip set, 400 x 400 at 4CIF with almost unlimited attached storage in addition to 4 HDDs internally.

 

“A good portion of our business is based around DVR’s,” Meachem explains. “Enough to keep us investing heavily in the technologies and our expectation is that Pacom DVR sales will continue to grow in 2010.”

 

“Ease of use is the number 1 differentiator between the Pacom DVR and the competition,” explains Meachem. “We hear this time and time again. The intuitive GUI is very simple. Besides this the complete platform of over 15 different Pacom configurations (models) all controllable by one head-end RAS plus software, means installers learn one DVR and know them all.

 

Additionally, we have more than a decade of support and experience in this area through our 16 branches and this gives integrators peace of mind that their investment in our product has longevity.”

 

According to Meachem, when considering the key issues impacting on choice of DVRs from an end user’s perspective one needs to consider the ease of ongoing use.

 

“Such ongoing use includes reviewing footage and involves the ease of changing basic settings within the DVR, such as enabling recording on motion detection, etc. and obviously the ability to have faith that the DVR will record and perform continually without fail.

 

“Another important consideration is how easy it is to view remotely and utilise features of a DVR while on or off site. All these features plus the cost effectiveness are considered during the decision making process,” Meachem explains.

 

“From an installer perspective the above also needs to be considered together with ease of installation and programming, being able to maintain and not compromise the security of the system by unauthorised users, cost effectiveness and importantly the reliability and credibility of the supplier to ensure they have the after sales support if and when required.”

 

Meachem says the issue of networking DVRs with other manufacturer’s analogue and/or IP cameras or integrating it with third party management systems is not as simple as it may seem.

 

“There are many third party IP and management systems and software solutions available in the market,” he says. “The Pacom range of DVRs has to date been easily and readily capable of networking in a large range of these third party edge devices and management systems that are available and we continually work with companies that we do not have integration into in order to offer the largest range of DVR integration in the market place. Around 70 per cent of our DVRs are installed in networked environments.”

 

Pacom’s Rob Rosa explains that one of the key strengths of the Pacom range of DVRs is ease of use.

 

“The RAS plus software that is supplied with all our DVRs is a simple yet powerful and effective remote monitoring and reporting tool. Our after sales phone support line can also assist with this, however it truly is a “step 1, 2 and 3” style set up,” Rosa says.

 

“Our DVRs have been specifically designed to have end users and installers in mind so that they can be quickly and easily programmed and set up. We can also tailor packages for multi-site setups via one easy USB key which has pre-programmed information and therefore can program a DVR for a specific site by simply inserting and pressing a few keys to download the USB data.”

 

Meanwhile, Meachem says the selection of purpose-built DVRs or off-the-shelf server-based NVR solutions comes down to application with issues like quality of manufacture and bench testing being vital.

 

“In terms of making a choice about solutions our view is that once you understand the application, then QC of manufacturing and testing of the unit is the key,” he explains. “Taking any old PC off the shelf and loading sophisticated software onto it is not child’s play. We have a rigorous QC process at our manufacturer and in-house prior to any DVRs leaving our warehouse.”  

 

According to Meachem there are exciting times ahead for Pacom’s DVR range.

“I don’t want to pre-empt the next 3 to 6 months, but installers and end users should be assured Pacom DVR’s are still and will continue to get faster, smarter, cost less, handle more storage and allow for simplistic transition and use of the new IP camera technology,” Meachem enthuses.

 

“The market is screaming out for the bridge between analogue and IP in the core volume market and we think we have a “real” solution.” 

George Moawad says that top of the heap at EOS Australia is the Samsung Techwin CT-SVR-1680 offering 400 images per second across 16 channels at D1 resolution.

 

The SVR-1680 has what Samsung Techwin describes as a 'Super Vision Recording Systems’ that provides D1 high resolution video real-time recording capability and real-time high quality network monitoring with multi-stream and CMS management features.

 

The SVR-1680 is equipped with a wide range of smart functions for user convenience and system reliability, enabling the user to have a premium quality recording and monitoring system at any time.

Other features include MPEG-4 compression, high resolution images (704 x 576, 704 x 288, 352 x 288), simultaneous MPEG-4/JPEG streaming, standard 1TB HDD, c Capacity for up to 4 Internal SATA HDDs and 2 front panel USB ports for easy back up & mouse control.

 

A DVD writer is included as standard feature, there’s ATM/POS transaction data recording and search, a powerful CMS support as standard (SNM-128S/P), sonvenient control with a remote controller and a mouse, thumbnail search, calendar search, bookmark function, built-in web server, RS-232C, RS-485/422, PTZ support (multi-protocol) and 16 channels audio recording.