We have seen this before: in the beginning of any new application, PC-based systems are in favour as they offer greater flexibility to make changes as market requirements evolve.
The CCTV industry faced the same scenario when it first evolved from analogue to digital a little over ten years ago. PC-based Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) emerged into the market. Years later, once the functional requirements of DVRs stabilised, embedded DVR solutions then emerged to provide a much more stable, easy-to-use and cost-effective video recording and management platform instead of taking chances that the PC operating system might crash at any time.
Now, when it comes to IP video surveillance, we’re pretty much facing the same scenario again.
PC-based solutions have dominated the market. However, now that IP surveillance systems’ functional requirements have stabilised, embedded Network Video Recorders (NVRs) are emerging as an alternative for IP video surveillance management platforms.
Let’s look at some of the key advantages of deploying embedded NVRs by way of explaining why we believe they’re now beginning to gain market share in the EMEA region.
Stability and reliability
Embedded NVRs benefit from stability that comes with the use of Linux code which is optimised to run only applications relevant to specific video management and surveillance tasks required of the unit.
In other words, the embedded operating system contains only the software components necessary for the prescribed functions required of the NVR.
The precise architecture of the embedded NVRs makes them much less prone to crash than their PC-based NVR cousins.
Ease of set up and use
Embedded NVR controls are also fully embedded in the unit. The controls actually form an integral part of the front panel of the NVR rather than being reliant on a software-based adjunct, as is the case with PC-based NVRs.
The advantage of this is that the embedded NVR’s usage is restricted to the deployment for which it’s intended. Put simply, it’s very difficult to make a mistake when using an embedded NVR as opposed to PC-based NVRs which rely heavily on the design of an on-screen GUI for controlling the unit (which in itself creates a greater potential for end user error).
Embedded NVRs generally have operating panels based on the most intuitive design principles. LED signals, digital inputs and outputs, push button controls and dials are all arranged in an ergonomic way.
Sensible panel layout replicates the ease of use found in a PC but does not expose the operator to vulnerabilities that come with running video management software over Microsoft Windows on the desktop.
In short, the familiarity of this PC environment can lead monitoring staff away from key surveillance tasks and into other less productive desktop applications. With embedded NVRs this is simply not an issue.
If end users want to centrally manage all embedded NVRs in different locations then mature video management software meets that need as well.
Better value proposition
Today’s embedded NVRs can deliver high quality decoding, preview (live view) and playback functionality, all highly efficiently and at a price which PC-based NVR equivalents are struggling to match. This is because the processing power required to perform all these activities demands the use of a relatively expensive high-end professional PC.
Over the years, embedded NVRs have overcome their perceived shortcomings in terms of storage capacity and types of storage medium through use of devices including IP-SAN, eSATA, NAS (network attached storage) and Fire Wire.
Furthermore, embedded NVRs can also support interfaces to conveniently integrate with other systems, such as alarm systems and access control systems as well as PTZ remote control systems (previously one of the biggest advantages of PC-based NVRs).
Energy efficiency issues
Embedded NVRs are increasingly designed for low power operation. They generally operate on 70 W or below. By contrast, a PC capable of running an NVR runs on nearly four times that at 250 W. If you add a large enterprise-class monitor to this, total power usage could easily exceed 350 W.
For end users aiming to reduce operating costs and/or reduce their carbon footprint, then, the 70-80% power savings inherent in embedded NVRs certainly seem compelling.
Compactness
An embedded NVR comes in a single, compact enclosure. By contrast, a PC-based NVR is a peripheral addition to a system involving a CPU, keyboard and monitor.
With all the components embedded in one box, the embedded NVR occupies less space and can be easily disguised in any location. This makes the embedded NVR the better option for clandestine or hard-to-reach remote location surveillance where the emphasis is on prohibiting unauthorised staff and intruders from gaining access to sensitive video recordings.
Going forward, NVRs will be playing a more significant role in the IP video surveillance world. We now believe that the embedded NVR is beginning to be seen as the preferable solution over the open architectured PC-based NVR. They’re definitely meeting an increasing need for enterprises to maximise the value of their existing surveillance infrastructures.
That’s not to say that PC-based NVRs don’t have their place in the video management systems market, as they are also now experiencing good demand. The two will sit side by side for some time to come.
However, embedded NVRs are clearly set for a bright future because they now offer a compelling mix of benefits including reliability, stability, ease of installation, ease of use, energy efficiency, cost performance superiority and compactness.
Tony Yang is general manager of Hikvision in the UK
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