Question PC-based NVR vs stand-alone type?

[Frooby]

Hi all.

I already have the cameras - SimCam Alloy 1S models, which appear to work really well - and currently use their supplied phone App which also works well most of the time, but I'm frustrated by the small phone screen size, and it's also occasionally glitchy (like claiming 'no records', which is always alarming, until you log out and back in and there they are...)

So, I'm looking at using these same cameras (they have AI detection, and other such features) with either a PC-based NVR (preferred, as I already have the equipment, large screen, etc) or going 'stand-alone' NVR.

Are there any obvious pros or cons for going for either?

If PC-based is just as good, what are folk's recommendations? 'Blue Iris' seems to be mentioned a lot. SimCam also might be affiliated with 'Synology' (they certainly provide setup info for it) - could anyone suggest how they compare, please?

(The SimCam Alloy 1S seems to have all the usual features - WiFi, rtsp, IP, and lost of other letters that mean nothing to me, so I imagine it's compactible with pretty much anything?)

Many thanks.

 

[Alabalcho]

Check whether your cameras support ONVIF protocol (most already do), then you'll have better idea whether "standard" PC application will do the job, or you'll need something particularly made for these cams.

 

[Frooby]

Thanks. I'll check that.

 

[Frooby]

Hi again. As the heading - does anyone have pros and cons between these two software systems? Or is there a more obvious choice I've missed?

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi again. As the heading - does anyone have pros and cons between these two software systems? Or is there a more obvious choice I've missed?

Thanks.

Blue Iris will work and save directly to your PC.
A Synology is its own "PC".

I have a QNAP. My 2x (soon to be 4x) Reolink cameras save directly to that. Viewable in either the PC or on the NAS.

 

[Frooby]

Thanks USAFRet.

Synology is 'online', then, and not a downloadable system?

I've just been told by SimShine that their Alloy 1S does not support ONVIF - does that affect anything in this discussion?

Cheers.

 

[Frooby]

Hi. Apparently it doesn't.

This is bad news, isn't it...

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks USAFRet.

Synology is 'online', then, and not a downloadable system?

I've just been told by SimShine that their Alloy 1S does not support ONVIF - does that affect anything in this discussion?

Cheers.

A Synology is a whole NAS. Not just the software.
It is the hardware and its own OS.

I bought my Reolinks because they were known to be supported with my already existing QNAP NAS.
And it works VERY well.

No idea about that particular SinShine camera thing.
I recommend to discover and use whatever they recommend.

 

[Laura2333]

Maybe you can try RTSP? I have to say no-ONVIF is not good....

 

[USAFRet]

Maybe you can try RTSP? I have to say no-ONVIF is not good....

Whats wrong with ONVIF?
That's what my cameras are based on, and the image is very good.

 

[Laura2333]

Whats wrong with ONVIF?
That's what my cameras are based on, and the image is very good.

haha I mean ONVIF is great. If a camera is not ONVIF-compatible, which is not good thing. I also like ONVIF, so I can use many great home automation software.