Most Recent Reports on Video Management Systems

Testing Digifort's VMS (Version 6.3) on Mar 07, 2010
As video management software matures, more choices are emerging from around the globe. In the past year, we have heard increasing discussion about the use of Digifort, a company based in Brazil, no...

10 Keys for 'Easy to Use'' Video Management Software on Jan 03, 2010
In this report, we examine well established usability principles for software, how they are routinely violated and what can be done. Contrary to common suggestions, the answer is not more training,...

How Should Video Management Software be Evaluated? on Dec 28, 2009
In this report, we propose criteria to evaluate Video Management Software (VMS). Those selecting VMS software may find this useful. Moreover we plan to use this criteria for our upcoming testing se...

Why is Most VMS Software So Damn Hard to Use? on Dec 20, 2009
I am shocked at how damn hard most Video Management software is to use. At first we thought it was just one or two but now that we have done significant testing on a dozen VMS systems, it is becomi...

Testing EzWatch's Analog CCTV Kit on Nov 18, 2009
The future may belong to IP but the present is still dominated by analog cameras. In this report, we test one of the least expensive analog CCTV camera kits (EZKIT1/4-OUTDOOR) from online reta...

VMS / NVR / DVR 2009 Mid-Year Market Review on Jul 20, 2009
Over the first half of 2009, improvements in deployment simplicity was the strongest theme for video management systems. While few to no groundbreaking features were introduced, more than a dozen m...

Will IP Video Software Become Free? on May 31, 2009
In the past, video management was quite expensive. Now, increasingly, it is becoming free. Just a few years ago, it was commonplace for a 16 channel DVR to cost $10,000 USD. Today, many manufactur...

Should You Use Video Encoders? on Mar 18, 2009
Many people want to go IP but 95% of deployed cameras are analog. Encoders are the most common solution but is that the best approach?  What are Encoders? Encoders are appliances that convert ...

2009 DVR Comparison Guide Released Ver. 2 on Mar 10, 2009
This guide helps professionals select and evalaute DVRs by explaining the fundamentals of DVRs, examining the key differentiators among the best products and profiling a number of the leading DVR m...

Coming Battle Between DVR and IP Video Manufacturers on Mar 09, 2009
In the next 18 months, DVR and IP video software companies will compete head to head. They will add in each other's key functionalities and the distinction between these manufacturers will largely ...


Most Recent Industry Updates

Features IP Video Market's analysis on NVRs's recent events and is only available to subscribers of the Video Surveillance Professional Service.

Many VMS Systems Do Not Support 64 Bit Operating Systems on Feb 04, 2010
A growing practical problem is the lack of VMS software applications that support 64 Bit Operating Systems. As more and more PCs are shipped with 64 bit OSes standard, this blocks those computers f...

Using Virtual Machines to Test VMS Systems on Dec 30, 2009
If you want to try out new software, like VMS, and are concerned about creating problems with your PC, you should certainly use Virtual Machines. A verbose rant from a security consultant demonstr...

Most Agree that VMS Software is Too Hard on Dec 23, 2009
The reaction to our December 2009 criticism of VMS software poor usability has been surprisingly strong and positive. With over 1500 reads in the first 3 days during Christmas week, the sheer...

The Case Against Hybrid DVRs on Oct 11, 2009
A number of IP Video manufacturers object to hybrid DVR systems, contending that they are essentially tools of incumbents manufacturers to delay and scare the move to higher value pure IP systems (...

Survey of Asian Hybrid DVR Manufacturers on Oct 11, 2009
Given the large number of DVRs produced in Asia, it is not surprising that Asian manufacturers would be keenly interested in the development of Hybrid DVRs. A recent article by ASMAG surveys the o...

80% of Systems Use Megapixel Cameras on Sep 21, 2009
3xLogic reports that 80% of their systems sold use at least 1 megapixel camera. Given that they are a hybrid DVR vendor, there are some important lessons here. Usually, when peopl

Virtualizing VMS Software on Jul 28, 2009
Over the last few years, virtualization has been one of IT's hottest trends. Virtualizing multiple applications onto a single physical server has helped to reduce equipment and energy costs.  ...

Hybrid NVRs Slowing Move to IP Video on Jul 08, 2009
Adding IP camera support to DVRs ('hybrid') will slow the motivation to move to IP video software. An anecdote this week that supports this: I was emailing with a major retailer who explained their...

IP Video Software Price Points on May 26, 2009
Two important points about IP video software - tiering price levels and the value of enterprise management. MSRP around $100 USD seems to be the common price point for IP video software licenses w...

Price Points for Hybrid DVRs Examined on May 13, 2009
Over the last few years, the MSRP of 16 channel enterprise DVRs were in the $7,000 to $9,000 range (AD, Verint, March, etc. - products that offered 3rd party integration, centralized management, et...

Complexity of IP Video Software? on Apr 26, 2009
One of the interesting dynamics I see in the industry is between those who are used to deploying DVRs and those who deploy IP video software. As someone who has deployed both, I find IP video to be...