Recording highlights

Upgrade for Vi400

One of Videoswitch's fastest selling digital video recorders has been upgraded with a host of new features.

In common with all Videoswitch DVRs, the Vi400 Slimline has, since it was launched in January 2005, incorporated a built-in CD writer, removable hard drives and out of the box recording that can be easily set in terms of number of days.

Available with either 12 or 16 camera inputs, the Vi400 Slimline now offers integrated coax and twisted pair dome control as well as PIR wireless perimeter detection support.

"The Vi400 now has the same functionality as our top of the range DVR, the Vi600 Trident," says Videoswitch MD Roland Simmons, "The only major difference is the storage capacity of the two machines. The Vi400 can provide up to 500Gb whilst the Vi600 provides 1500Gb via three removable hard drives."

Reader Service No 102

Excellent Eneo

Security Installer Bench Tested the DXR1-09N DVR from Eneo in our December issue.

This is what our tester had to say about the product: "The DXR performs flawlessly and the few niggles we have are mostly concerned with secondary features… Otherwise it's all good news. Video performance on the higher quality settings is very good indeed.

"General design, control layout and build quality are beyond reproach… and it is very easy to set up and use with extra bonus points being awarded for the excellent on-screen displays."

Reader Service No 103

Recording hospitality

NT Security has launched a new high specification, competitively priced DVR for the hotel and hospitality industry, capable of operation either as a standalone system or as part of a network.

NT says the new NTS 3000 16 channel DVR offers "an easy way to upgrade to modern high quality, digital technology, with the functionality and ease of use of the familiar VCR".

The new DVR is Windows XP driven and is designed for reliable 24/7 operation, NT says. It is available in 250Gb, 500Gb, or 750Gb hard drive configurations or customers can choose their own configurations.

Standard features include a built-in CD/RW for managing archiving, motion detection on each camera, confirmation of motion detection activity via email notification to a PC, three to four second event pre-record function and 30-480fps recording speed.

Reader Service No 104

Heavyweight contender

The DX-TL5000 from Mitsubishi was Bench Tested in our November 2005 issue. Here's what we had to say:

"We have no problems whatsoever with the hardware and technical performance. Picture and sound quality are beyond reproach and at the limits of what the technology is currently capable of.

"Once it is up and running the DVR requires little or no intervention and it just gets on with the job of recording high quality images. The TL5000 is an important new addition at the top end of the DVR market and the expandable and highly configurable nature of the design ensures that it can form the basis of, or integrate easily with just about any size or type of installation."

Reader Service No 105

DS2 on DVD

Dedicated Micros has produced a new promotional DVD targeted at potential installers and end users, for its latest generation Digital Sprite 2.

The DVD covers the way the digital multiplex recorder builds on "the leading edge tradition of the Digital Sprite family," DM says. "It also underlines the improved capabilities which are now part of the new Digital Sprite 2 and the operational benefits. These include: remote alarm management and the ability to be linked to a remote video response centre, improved recording flexibility, enhanced local control, and compatibility with a broad range of traditional CCTV cameras and the latest domes.

"The DS2 is a versatile platform for smooth system integration, combining digital video recording, multiplexing and multi-user network viewing in one 'plug and play' box." Copies of the DVD can be obtained by calling 0161 727 3244.

Reader Service No 106

Nine channels from DM

We looked at the Eco 9 DVR from Dedicated Micros in our September 2005 edition. Our Bench Tester commented:

"Eco 9 mostly lives up to DM's claim for simplicity of installation, picture quality is very good indeed and the facility to copy recordings to CD is a simple and effective means of archiving and exporting images. Routine operation is very straightforward and remote viewing over a network is a definite bonus.

"The unusual nine-channel configuration also provides a useful alternative to the current crop of digital video recorders, which tend to have either 4 or 16 channels. DM rarely puts a foot wrong and whilst the Eco 9 has a few rough edges these are not enough to detract from what is otherwise a very competent DVR."

Reader Service No 107

Hitting the tracks

March Networks has teamed up with Wabtec Railway Electronics to produce VideoTrax, a rugged DVR created specifically for the railway industry.

VideoTrax is based March Networks' mobile DVR system. It has been hardened for the locomotive environment and features the ability to integrate with Wabtec's locomotive event recorders. It offers flexible configuration, including multiple camera and audio options, and easy to use data analysis and playback tools tailored for the rail industry.

It incorporates a patent-pending environmental control system. "To ensure applicability in international markets, the locomotive DVR was developed to locomotive systems integration standards," March Networks says. "Additionally, the compact size and rugged features of the system allow it to be applied in other rail and transportation environments for enhanced commuter safety and security."

Reader Service No 108

No complaints

The August 2005 issue of Security Installer saw a Bench Test of the Vivid DVR from Baxall. Here's what we had to say:

"From a performance standpoint there's very little to complain about – we're not convinced there's any real need for the very highest compression levels – otherwise picture (and sound) quality are at least as good and in some cases better than many rival DVRs using more traditional processing technologies. Moreover, it provides some seriously long recording times, and if this machine is anything to go by we should be seeing a lot more of JPEG 2000."

Reader Service No 109

Seeing the Lite

Vista has launched Vista Quantum, a new series of 'Lite' DVRs for smaller installations seeking a high quality but cost effective digital surveillance solution.

Vista says the Lite Quantum combines many of the features characteristic of high-end DVR solutions whilst retaining a clear focus on the needs and priorities of smaller installations. With 4-channel inputs, the Vista Lite Quantum is available in three models: Quantum4-80 (80GB), Quantum4-120 (120GB) and Quantum4-250 (250GB).

Other functionality includes: 100 Pictures Per Second real-time recording in medium resolution, or 50PPS in high resolution; MPEG4 compression technology to deliver small file sizes without compromising image quality; duplex operation allowing multi-screen viewing or playback plus simultaneous recording, backup and remote access; individual camera settings for record rate, image quality and alarms; 24 hour/7 day record scheduler; 4 alarm inputs and 1 alarm output; and Video Motion Detection alarm recording and post alarm function.

"The Vista Lite Quantum is particularly suitable for small retail and office premises, petrol stations, warehouses, schools and the residential market," the manufacturer says.

Reader Service No 110

Aver go

The DVR under our Bench Test spotlight in July 2005 was the EB1004 BAK DVR from AverMedia. While our tester had a few misgivings – it is designed to be a budget product – he said:

"There are a number of good points. Picture performance is very good indeed and it is extremely quiet in operation, which makes a welcome change to the constant droning of fans inside most current DVRs.

Once it has been set up it gets on with the business of recording video images with a minimum of fuss and bother, making it ideal for uncomplicated, small-scale commercial and domestic installations.

"It is also represents a cost-effective, no-frills replacement for a tape-based video surveillance recorder."

Reader Service No 111

New 9-channel DVR

CBC has launched a new Ganz 9-channel Triplex+ DVR. It's a high resolution model that allows play, view, record and remote access and archiving simultaneously.

It comes with a built-in multiplexer and telemetry. "The matrix element to the DVR enables the flexibility of switching any of the nine cameras to your chosen monitor," CBC says. "Wavelet compression makes it possible to archive compact files with high image resolution, allowing events to be backed up to removable media. Up to 1 Tbyte of storage is installed as standard using four inbuilt hard disk drives. If more capacity is required a further external 20 HDDs can be simply connected via Firewire, providing a total of up to 6 Tbyte.

"We have seamless integration with our C-Dome range of products – remote keyboard, dome and matrix. The user has the ability to control the DVR remotely either via RS-422 keypad or Ethernet via a standard web browser or client software which is issued under free license."

Reader Service No 112

Expertise shows

In May of 2005 Security Installer Bench Tested JVC's VR-616 DVR. Here's what our reviewer had to say about it:

"JVC has managed an effective blend of the old and the new, combining the huge storage capacity, picture quality and flexibility of hard disk digital video recording, with the convenience and ease of use of tape. It has neatly sidestepped one of the main pitfalls of HDD recording, namely a simple way to export and archive footage, with a removable hard disk drive, and export to CD facilities.

"The plus points far outweigh the gripes, and the VR-616 is precisely what we would have expected from a manufacturer with the experience and expertise that JVC has accumulated over the years. New multi-camera installations are unlikely to run into any problems, and those contemplating a switch from analogue VCR to the VR-616 should find the whole business relatively painless."

Reader Service No 113

QNAP's high standards

QNAP Systems has released a 'high-standard' MPEG-4 surveillance server, the VioGate-340. QNAP says it differs from DVRs in that it "adopts four sets of hardware MPEG-4 compression chip. Each channel supports resolution levels of up to 720 x 480 which can help identify the face of moving persons and car number plates," the company says. "Each channel can transfer 30 FPS instant image via the network with quality comparable to DVD. VioGate-340 is the only DVR model that supports Full-D1 resolution, 30 FPS, smooth and clear image monitoring in the current market.

"It is particularly suitable for integration in large-scale surveillance and can be widely used in hospitals, ports, schools and all convenience store chains. Viogate-340 supports up to 1TB storage capacity and smart recording technology to optimise disk space."

Reader Service No 114

Versatile performer

Panasonic's WJ-HD220 DVR was Bench Tested in our February 2005 issue. This is what we said:

"The HD220 comes across as a thoroughly competent and extremely versatile digital video recording device that will integrate easily with almost any small to medium scale surveillance system.

"Network operation and features like FTP Client and email notification further extend its appeal into the rapidly expanding remote surveillance market, and as an added bonus build quality is up to Panasonic's customary very high standard."

Reader Service No 115

COP that

COP has introduced new eight and 16 channel Triplex+ DVR with DC writers.

The non-PC based products can record incidents to CD, cab fitted with up to 800Gb of storage (two 400Gb HDDs), feature 100fps system wide recording, high resolution recording at 720 x 576 pixels, and have a 2000 event log that tracks the actions of users.

Both can record and playback a single audio channel, and users can playback, monitor live and connect over the internet concurrently. Users are also able to watch live and recorded images on a split screen at the same time, and can display up to three smaller images on top of the main display.

Reader Service No 116

Pelco quality

A year prior to this very edition that you're reading, we published a Bench test of Pelco's DX8000 DVR. This is what we had to say about it:

"Build quality is outstanding and well suited to demanding applications where security and reliability are a paramount concern. Video and audio performance are outstanding, and the alarm and search facilities demonstrate the many advantages of disk-based recording.

"The DX8000 has the built-in capacity to provide comprehensive monitoring and recording facilities for a very wide range of medium and large-scale installations and its networking facilities are most impressive, with almost limitless scope for expansion, access and control."

Reader Service No 117

Nine channel option

JVC's VR-609E, a nine channel DVR, will record high quality CCTV images at a speed of 50 frames per second.

"The DVR forms the heart of a modern security solution. They provide ease of playback with the jog shuttle dial facility and can be used with an IP connection to view images over the network. JVC have launched a new keyboard (GSC-2000J) which can be used to control field-based PTZ analogue dome cameras through the DVR," says Greg Gregoriou, Senior Sales Manager UK.

The DVR's triplex operation records surveillance images and enables the operator to play back recorded images in picture-in-picture mode and view live images at the same time. A 240GB hard disk drive facilitates internal storage. Still images can be captured and stored via USB. Using the removable hard disk slot and the IEEE 1394 connection to connect to external Firewire storage devices, the system can be expanded easily to over 1 terabyte.

Other features include motion detection, scheduled events, pre and post alarm recording and a choice of alarm triggers (including motion detection and extended alarm). The unit supports major European languages and is PAL/NTSC switchable.

Reader Service No 118

New software player

The DigiFend NVR software from Sicura Systems provides real-time recording and viewing capabilities from both analogue and digital video cameras in addition to IP cameras.

The software solution is completely scalable, and allows the existing network infrastructure to be utilised in the distribution of video signals.

Network recording functionality enables standard PC users to use IP (internet protocol) so anyone with secured and permitted network access and a password can use the application - it can be used over LAN, WAN or the Internet itself and from anywhere in the world.

The solution comes in a number of different packages suitable for a range of different user requirements.

The DigiFend NVR 1:1 provides single camera input and view from a standard PC. The DigiFend NVR 4:1 offers playback and recording of multiple surveillance points of up to 4 cameras. DigiFend NVR 16:1 provides multi-camera playback and access of up to 16 cameras; and DigiFend Enterprise powers enterprise-wide surveillance requirements with the ability to record hundreds of incoming video feeds.

The DigiFend enterprise provides up to 32 channel video playback.

Reader Service No 119

It’s all in Sistore

Siemens Building Technologies has introduced the Sistore AX range of digital recorders.

These are designed for standard video surveillance applications where up to 16 CCTV cameras are used, such as in post offices, petrol stations and other retail outlets.

The compact Sistore AX digital recorders are offered in three versions, for use with four, nine or 16 cameras.

A simple user interface, which includes remote-access software, is provided, virtually eliminating the need for user training, Siemens says.

All models in the AX range provide a choice of time- or event-driven operation and, as standard, full LAN/xDSL/ISDN connectivity and PTZ camera control.

The Sistore AX4 with 100ips also offers the customer the ability to perform "Real Time" recording.

“With an efficient compression algorithm creating small file sizes, the Sistore range can record continuously for up to one month at the equivalent of 24 hour time-lapse mode S-VHS quality,” Siemens Building Technologies explains.

Reader Service No 120