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Should You Use Software-Only Video Management Systems?
by John Honovich, IPVM posted on Oct 30, 2008 About John Contact JohnSoftware only has lots of the momentum. But should you use software only? While DVR/NVR appliances are increasingly viewed as antiquated, over 80% of end users still chose traditional appliances over software only. Are those buyers wrong?
Here are the key advantages of software only:
- Lower costs and more flexible for large camera counts (32+) within a high speed LAN (1Gb/s+)
- Lower costs for all IP camera deployments
However, appliances have advantages for certain scenarios:
- Less expensive for low camera counts (16 and under)
- Simpler and cheaper setup for Distributed stores/branches (e.g., bank branches, restaurants, convenience stores, small box retailers)
- Lower costs for Analog camera deployments
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