Exacq M Series Low Cost NVR Tested

Published Oct 12, 2017 17:04 PM

With recent cyber security issues hitting NVRs and cameras from low cost leaders Dahua and Hikvision, users are increasingly seeking alternatives to this low priced gear.

Exacq's M series NVRs aim to challenge low cost models from Dahua and Hikvision, building Exacq's VMS into a compact recorder with built in PoE, at a price point much closer than traditional PC/VMS offerings.

We bought and tested the M series NVR, examining the following features and how they compare to low cost models from Dahua and Hikvision:

  • Physical features
  • VMS features
  • Adding cameras
  • Camera compatibility
  • PoE budget
  • PoE monitoring and control
  • Throughput handling

Summary

In our tests, the Exacq M series NVR had several positives, including:

  • Solid throughput handling: We were able to record the specified 40 Mb/s throughput while simultaneously local viewing and remotely searching all channels of video, with no gaps in recording or dropped frames. This throughput was far more than enough for 8 channels in our tests, which averaged below 20 Mb/s.
  • PoE monitoring and reboot: The M series allows easy rebooting of devices via the Exacq client, as well as monitoring of PoE draw, features not found in typical low cost recorders.
  • Auto-discover multiple manufacturers: Multiple manufacturers' cameras were automatically discovered and added to the M series NVR without any configuration, including Axis, Hanwha, Panasonic, and more. Typical low cost recorders only automatically add the same brand of camera.

However, there are several key limitations compared to low cost models such as Dahua and Hikvision, as well:

  • Single recorder viewing: Only one M series NVR may be viewed at a time by default, a limitation of ExacqVision Start which comes loaded on the NVR. By contrast, low cost NVRs typically allow numerous devices to be viewed simultaneously, with limits typically in the hundreds of recorders. Users may view multiple M series NVRs by upgrading to Exacq Pro, but this license costs nearly as much as the recorder itself.
  • Limited storage options: Both 4 and 8 port M series recorders ship with 2 TB max, while Dahua and Hikvision recorders typically include options up to 8 TB, with many models supporting a second drive, not an option in the M series. Exacq says they have plans to introduce increased storage options before the end of 2017. 
  • Weaker PoE budget: Because of its 60W PoE budget, users may find issues connecting higher power cameras to the M series, such as outdoor IR domes, especially those with built in heaters. Many low cost models from Dahua and Hikvision include higher 120-130W PoE capacity and support for 802.3at.
  • Exacq Start lacks advanced features: The Exacq version included on the M series lacks several advanced features found in Dahua and/or Hikvision's recorders when used with their CMS software, such as multistreaming, access integration, maps, two-way audio, and more. These features may be added by upgrading to Exacq Professional, though this significantly increases cost.

Note: The M series runs a full version of ExacqVision Start, essentially unchanged compared to software only installs of the VMS. Interested readers should see our full test report of Exacq for more information.

User Interface Preference

Note that in this report we have not reviewed the user interfaces of Exacq, Dahua, Hikvision, or others. Since many features are similar, user preference and individual applications heavily impact which UI is "better" in a given install.

Exacq Better Cyber Security Record

Exacq has had few, if any reports of cyber security vulnerabilities/exploits, a notable advantage compared to Hikvision and Dahua, who have both had numerous vulnerabilities disclosed in the past few years (see Hikvision Backdoor ExploitHackers Globally Attacking Dahua Recorders, for examples of recent issues).

Potential Vs. Hikvision/Dahua

For those looking for a low cost NVR to compete with Hikvision or Dahua, the M series offers Exacq features at a moderate price premium, as well as broad camera model support, automated setup for some manufacturers, and PoE control, not found in low cost models.

However, its limitations, especially in multi-site viewing and storage options, as well as the lack of advanced features found in Dahua/Hikvision recorders and CMS, are likely to be showstoppers for some users.

Pricing

The 8 port M series NVR sells for about $600 USD online, moderately more expensive than 8 port Hikvision models, ~$400-500 with 2TB hard drives (DS-7608NI-E2/8P-2TB and DS-7608NI-I2/8P-2TB). However, note that comparable Hikvision and Dahua NVRs allow viewing of multiple recorders simultaneously while the M series requires an upgrade to Pro for this feature, and typically include higher PoE budgets, issues discussed below.

M series pricing is about $1,000 less than the next lowest cost Exacq series, the LC, which starts around $1,600. The lowest cost LC UNA model which includes PoE ports sells for about $1,700.

Physical Overview

The M series has two notable physical differences from typical PoE NVRs:

  • PoE, LAN, and WAN ports: In addition to its PoE ports, the M series includes two non-PoE ports, one used to connect to remote cameras (connected to switches outside of its on board ports) and one used for uplink to another LAN (labeled WAN) for viewing clients, which allows camera and management/viewing traffic to be separated. Typical NVRs have a single LAN port in addition to on board PoE ports and do not separate this traffic.

  • Long/narrow form factor: The M series NVR is longer than it is wide, opposite of the form factor of typical NVRs, which are typically closer to rack mount width (19"). This form factor makes it moderately easier to reach the back of the unit when rack mounted, as rear ports are closer to the back of the rack, but may seem odd to many users.

We review these physical features in this video:

Major Limitation: Single Recorder Viewing

Out of the box, users may view video from only one M series NVR at a time, a limitation of ExacqVision Start. By contrast, Hikvision and Dahua software/mobile apps allowing viewing of multiple devices simultaneously with no paid licensing, with limits of 100, 256, 500 devices or similar depending on which client or mobile app is used.

Users may view video from more than one recorder by upgrading M series channels to Professional, a ~$600 license cost (estimated street price), doubling the cost of the unit.

Other Advanced Features Lacking

In addition to multi-site viewing, the the M series/Exacq Start lack several other features found in typical Dahua, Hikvision, and other recorders, including:

  • No cloud access: While Dahua and Hikvision include free cloud access via their Hik-Connect and Easy4IP platforms, Exacq users must manually port forward (port 22609) or use VPNs for remote access.
  • No access control integration: Both Dahua and Hikvision have released access control product which integrates with video via their SmartPSS and iVMS software with no license fees. Access integration is available in Exacq, but requires the M series be upgraded to Professional.
  • No multistreaming: M series NVRs do not allow for multi-streaming out of the box (requires upgrade to Professional), while both Dahua and Hikvision's CMS softwares allow switching between full resolution and low resolution streams (manual only, not automatic).
  • No maps: Mapping is not included in ExacqVision Start (another Professional feature), but included in Hikvision iVMS-4200 and Dahua SmartPSS. 

PoE Budget/Issues

M series NVRs have a max PoE budget of 60W, enough to supply 7.5W (Class 2) PoE to all ports. This is lower than many PoE NVRs, such as Hikvision's 7608 or the Dahua N42B2P [link no longer available], which have 120/130W PoE specs. 

We had no issues powering typical indoor or compact outdoor models (small bullets/domes) in our tests. However, some larger dome models with heaters failed to power up due to higher power requirements. Users should be aware of this limitation and plan to use external PoE switches or injectors for these models. 

PoE Control/Monitoring

The Exacq client includes an additional menu when connected to M series NVRs for PoE monitoring and control. Users may see status of ports displayed as icons and reboot devices with one click (shown below).

 

Additionally, PoE budget and current draw are shown below, along with port status:

Some Cameras Added Automatically

For supported cameras (Arecont, Axis, Illustra, Panasonic, Hanwha), users simply need to plug the camera into the PoE port and the recorder automatically assigns it an address and adds it to the VMS:

Most Require Separate Configuration

However, other manufacturers' cameras must generally be manually configured and then connected to the PoE port. The message below is shown on the local interface of the NVR when unsupported cameras are connected, giving users instructions on how to connect. In our tests, cameras from Bosch, Dahua, Hikvision, and some Hanwha models required this process.

Driver Selection May Be Incorrect

In some cases, discovered cameras were added using the wrong driver. For instance, after manually addressing Hikvision cameras as directed (above), the NVR added them to Exacq via ONVIF, despite there being a direct Hikvision driver available. In these cases, the camera may be manually deleted and re-added as the proper driver, but there is no way to simply change driver without doing so.

Local Interface For Viewing/Configuration

The M series NVR has a local interface which may be used for viewing and configuration, but in our tests it was much slower to use than the Exacq Windows/Mac client running on better spec machines. For example, simply opening the Exacq client took 20 seconds on the local interface when under normal load (<40 Mb/s), compared to 3-5 seconds on multiple Windows and OSX machines tested. Adding cameras and changing from live to configuration or playback are similarly sluggish.

Note that there is a web browser included in the M series, but it is not openly shown or discussed as a feature. Users may enter the following command in a terminal (available on the task bar) to open websites, including all connected cameras, in the default browser:

xdg-open http://<ipaddress>

Note that this browser runs no plugins, so live video aside from MJPEG is unavailable and configuration may be limited for some features which require ActiveX, Flash, or other plugins.

40 Mb/s Recording Specs Accurate

In our tests, we were able to consistently record over 40 Mb/s, the NVR's recording bandwidth spec, with no gaps while both using the local interface for viewing and remotely searching all 8 channels of video. Note that other NVRs such as Dahua or Hikvision list higher throughput, but this is typically aggregate, including recording as well as remote viewing streams.

Cameras used for testing included 1080p, 3MP, 5MP and 4K. Average max bandwidth with smart codecs enabled was ~20 Mb/s. Cameras were forced to CBR streaming in order to test maximum throughput (40 Mb/s+).

Fan Noise

Fan noise of the Exacq M series was noticeably louder than typical PoE NVRs. We tested the M series with 4 cameras connected to the rear POE ports and live view watched through the local interface.

With the decibel meter ~1' away from the NVR, the Exacq M series read ~57dB, ~13dB above the ambient room noise of ~45dB, shown in the video below:

The Hikvision 7608NI-l2/8P was noticeably quieter at ~47dB, only 3dB over ambient, shown below:

 

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