NVR Rankings 2023 - Axis, Dahua, DW, Geovision, Hanwha, Hikvision, Speco (TVT), Uniview, Vivotek

Published May 24, 2023 14:33 PM

The most common video recording solution for the mass and low-end of the market is Network Video Recorders (NVRs) but which are the best and worst?

IPVM systematically tested 10 widely used NVRs from ADI and others widely used options:

We tested them to see who is best and worst across 12 different categories:

  • Live Monitoring
  • Search/Investigation
  • Local NVR User Interface
  • USB mouse and keyboard support
  • Mobile Apps
  • CMS Software
  • Web UI
  • Camera Management
  • 3rd Party Camera Support
  • Health Monitoring
  • P2P/Cloud Access
  • Default Security Practices

In this report, we detail the strongest and weakest across these categories and examine the performance of each NVR.

IPVM Image

This is a companion to our report VSaaS Rankings 2023 - Arcules, Avigilon, Eagle Eye, Genetec, Meraki, OpenEye, Qumulex, Rhombus, Turing, Verkada, Vivotek, YourSix. Next, in this NVR testing series, IPVM is planning an NVR Cyber Security Rankings report.

Models / *******

*** ******* ***** ** **** ****** is ~$*** *** (****** *****), ***** in *** ***** *****:

IPVM Image

*** ******-**** ******* **** ************ *** the ***** ***** (*** *********) *** Uniview ******-****-**, **** ***** $*** ****** price. *** **** ********* ** ****, at ****** *** ***** ** *** lowest-cost ******.

*********'* ***** ******* *****, *** ***-****-**, is **** **** ** **** ** their***** ******* ******** ** ******* *** ** ** longer **** **********. ** ********* *** NVR **** * ****** ******* *** ~$500, ****** ** *** ******-**** ****** among ***** ******.

Physical ******

*** ************ ** *** ** **** tested ** ********* *******, ***** ***** chassis, *** **** ****** *** ************* the **** **** (**** ** *** in ***** * **** *****, **" wide). **** **** ****** ****** **********, though *********** *** (****** ****) ******** the **** *****: *** ****** *****, HDMI, ***, ***, *** ***** **/***.

**** **** * ******* **** ******, though ** **** ***** *** ***** output ** ** **** *** ******* viewing *** * ***** **, ***** all ****** **.

*** ******** ************ ** **** ******* among ****, **** **** ******** *** HDD (**** ***-********* ** *** *******) directly ** *** ****** ** *** chassis, ***** **** ****** ** ** an *** ****:

IPVM Image

**** **** *** *****-******* ******* **** drive *** ********* ** *** *******, though******* ******* ******* ** ******* **** ****. **** ** ****** the ********* ***** **** ***** ** this ********.

******** *** ***** ******** ** *** chassis ***** ** **** ***** ** damage **** ***** *** ****** *********, as ** *********** ******* ********** ********** between *** ******* *** *** *****. However, ** **** *** **** *****, we **** ***** **** **** ** how ****** *** **** ****** *** mounted ** ******** *********.

Executive *******

*** ******* *************** **** *** ************* handled **** ******** ******** (***** *** thumbnail ******, *******, ******, *******, ***.), how **** **** ******* *****-***** *******, and *** ****** ** *****-***** **** were ****** *******. *******, *** *********** design *** ******* *** ** **** NVRs ****** ** ******* *** ***** use ***** ***** ***** ***-**** ********* are **** ******, **** ** ****** recording *** ********.

***** ** ***** ********, ** ****** manufacturers ** *** ********* **********:

IPVM Image

*** ***** ***** ***** * ******* of ******** ****** *** ***** ********** tested (***** *** ****-**** *******):

IPVM Image

Strongest **********: *****, ******, *********

** ***** ***** *** ********* ** be ****** ********** *** ** ***** broader ********** ** *** ***** **, mobile ***, *** ******** *******, ** well ** ******* *****-***** ****** ****** support, *****-****** *******, *** ******* ***** usability ** ***** ***. ****** *** slightly ****** ***** ** **** ********, but ***** **** ********* *** ******** to ******, **** *** ***** ** functioning **** **** *** ******** *** simpler ** *** **** ******.

Average **********: *******, *******

***** ** *** ******* ******** ******** good ******* ********* *** *** ****** in **** ******** **** ***** *** Hikvision, *.*., ****** ********* ** ***** UI, *********** ** ***** ******* ** CMS, *** **** *** *** ******* third-party ****** ******* (****** **** ******* ONVIF *** ****). ************, ******* **** not **** * ********** ***, *** supports ***** **** ** ***** *** software, ****** ************ **** ******* ** a ******* ****** ** ********, **** if **** **** *** ***** ******.

Below *******: ****

****' ***** *** *** ********* *** work **** *** **** **** *********** than ******. ********* ******** **** **** cameras, *** ** ***** ** ***** search *** *** ***** ***** * local ** *** * **** ****-******** web **, ********* ******* ** ****** apps *** ***. ************ *** ********* are ******, *** **** ***** ******** other **** *** *** (*.*., ********-********* video ****** **************), *** ******* ***** limitations ***** **** ***** ** *** rankings.

Worst: **, *********, ***** (***)

** *** *******, ** ***** ******* Watchdog, *********, *** ***** (***) **** limited **** ******, **** **** ******* UIs *** **** ******. ********* ****** only * ****** *** ********** ** their ****** *** ** ****, ****** event *******, *** ******* **** ******** playback, ** ******. ** ******** **** more ****** ** ******* *** **** camera *********** ****** **** ******, *** their ******* *** **** * ******** client *** **** *******, ***** **********, mapping, *** ***** ********* ******* ** a ****** ******. ***** (***)'* ***** usability *** ******** ******** **** ** and *********, *** **** ******** **** camera ************* ****** *** ****** ** than *** **********.

NVRs **. *****

************ *** ***** *** ********* ** NVRs **** ********, **** ******** ******* often ************* ********** *** ** ***** used ** ****** *** ******** ** the ************'* *** ***** *******, ****** the ******* ******* ** *****.

******* ** ****, ***** ************* ** similar *** **** **** *** ***** in *** ***-*** ** *** ******, e.g., *** **** ****, ********, *** basic ******. *******, ***** *** **** structural ********** *** ************* *** ******** feature *********** ***** ***** ****** ** aware **:

  • ***** ********** **********:***** ********* ****** ******** *** ***** in ****, ********** ** *** ***-**** segment, **** ** ********** **********, ****** monitoring, ***** *******, ****** ****-**, ***-****** authentication, *** ****. **** ** ***** features *** ** ***** ** ** client ********, *** *** ** *** web ** ** ****** ****.
  • ******** ********* ***** *********:***** **** **** ** **** **** support ********* ****** **** ******** ** cameras (** *** **** ************), **** VSaaS ********* ******* ********* **** *** be *** ** *** ******** ******, via *** ***** ** * ****** appliance. ************, ***** ***** ****** ******** analytics **** ** ******** *****, *****, vehicle ****, ****** ***********, ***., ***** are *** ******** ** ***-**** ****, though *** ** ********* ** ******-*** models (*.*. *** ********* **** *** NVR ** ********* *********** ******** / ******** ****).
  • ***** ********* *******:***** ********* ********* ****** ******** *** software ** * ******* *****, ****** automatically ********** *** ****** ** ********* the ****. **** ******* ***** ** download *** ******* ******** ********.
  • **** ** ********* *******:****** ***** *********, *** ************* ****** do *** **** ********* ******* *** cloud ******. ***** ********* ****** *** month ** *** **** ** ******** access ** *** ******.
  • ***** ******* *******-**-*-*******:*******, ***** ******* ********** ******* ** a *******-**-*-******* *****, *** ****** ** used **** *** ***** ********* ********, e.g., *** *****. ******* / ******* ** * ******* Explained **-*****.

*** **** ** *** ***** ********* compare ** **** *****, ******** ******** ****, *** *** **** ******* ** structural *********** ******* *** *** ***** see********* ***/*** ** ***** *****.

Manufacturer *********** *********

** *** ******** *****, ** ******* a ******* ** *** ******* *********** of **** ************. ************, ** **** to *** **** ****, *** ** there *** ******** ********* *** **** to *** *****, ***** *****@****.*** ** comment *****.

IPVM Image

Axis *********** *******

**** ** ** ******* ***** **** tested, ** *** ***** ***** **** features ****** ** *** ****** ******, such ** ***** *** *** **** interfaces, *****-***** ****** *******, ***** ******, and ****, ******* **** ***** ******* overall. *******, **** **** ******* **** features ****** ** ***, **** ** authenticated *******, *** ***** ****** *** desktop **** **** ****** ** *** with ** ******* ** ***** ******.

IPVM Image

Dahua *********** *******

*****'* *********** *** ****** *** ******* to *********, **** ***** ********* *** the ********* ** ******** ******** ***** few ****** *******. *** ** *****'* user ********** ****** **** (*****, ******, web, *******), **** ** ***** ********* issues, *** ******* ******** ******** **** as ***** ******, ** ***** ***********, access, *** ******** ***********. ************, *****'* NVR ********* ****** ******* *** **** manufacturers **** ****** *** ************* ******** all ******* ** *****-****** *******, * feature ***** ** * *** ******.

IPVM Image

Digital ******** *********** *******

******* ******** ******** **** ****** *****-***** camera ******* **** ****** ** *** testing, ** **** ** ******* ** complexity, *** ** ***** ** **** error-prone. *** *******, ***** ******* ****** compatibility, *** *** ******** "*****" ** previously ********* ****** ****** *** ********* incorrect ***** ******* *** ********* ****** after ********** ***** *******. ************, **'* cloud ******* *** *** ******* ** those ******, ********** ****** **-** ******* to **** ***** ******* ***** ****** typically ****** ** * *** *******. Finally, **'* ** *** **** ******** desktop ************ *** **** ****, ******, event, *** *******, ******* ** * single ******* ****** **** ***** ************* tested.

IPVM Image

Geovision *********** *******

********* *** *** **** ******* *** in *** ****, ******* **** ******** found ** ******, **** ** ***** monitoring *** ******, ***** ******, ****** management, *******, *** ****, ****** ** appropriate **** *** ***** ***. *******, Geovision **** *** ***** * ****** mobile ****** ***** ******** **** ****, search, *** ***** *************, ********* ******** apps *** **** ***, ****** ****** that ******* ***** ********* ** * single ***.

IPVM Image

Hanwha *********** *******

** ***** ******'* *****, ******, *** desktop *** ** ** *** **** usable ** ***** ** ******, **** a ****** ******* ** ***** **** VMS (********* ******* ***** ** *******) and ******* ** *** *********/****, ***** made ****** ***** **** ** ****** logging ** ** ******** * ****** quicker **** ***** * ***** ****. Additionally, ****** ****** ******* ***** ** search (** ******, ***** **** ******, attribute ******, ********* ******), *** ***** in **** ***********. *******, **** **** some ** *** ******** ** ***** and *********, **** ******* *****-***** ****** drivers, ****** **** ******* ***** *** RTSP.

IPVM Image

Hikvision *********** *******

*********'* *********** *** ****** *** ******* similar ** ***** *** ** ***** usability *** *** ********* ** ******** features ***** *** ****** *******. *** of *********'* **** ********** ****** **** (local, ******, ***, *******), **** ** major ********* ******, *** ******* ******** features **** ** ***** ******, ** event ***********, ** **** ** ****** and ******** ***********. ************, *********'* *** series *** ********* ****** ******* *** more ************* **** ****** ****** *** Dahua *** ************* ******** *** ******* of ********* *****-****** ******* (****** *** third *******).

IPVM Image

Speco (***) *********** *******

***** (***)'* (*** ***) ***** ********* was ******** ******** **** ** *** Geovision, *** *** *** ******** **** camera ************* ******, **** ***** ******* working ** ******** *** ***** **** others, *** ****** ** **** *****, Uniview, *** *******. ************, **** ***** usability ****** **** *******, **** ** playback ******** ** ******** **** ********* from **** **** ** *** ********, regardless ** *** **** ** ***.

IPVM Image

Uniview *********** *******

******* ****** **** ** *** **** features ***** ** ***** *** *********, but **** ****** *** ** ****** detection ******** ***** ** *****'* ***** UIs ** **** ** *****-***** ****** drivers (****** **** ******* ***** *** RTSP).

IPVM Image

Vivotek *********** *******

*******, *******'* *********** ****** ******* ** they **** **** ******* ** *** than *********** **** ** ******, *****, or *********, ********* ***** ** ******* their **** *** (*********** ******** *******) ** * ******* ****** ** add **** *** *******. ************, ***** NVR *** *** **** ***** ****** which *** ******** ******, ******** *****.

Local ** *********

** *** *******, ** ***** *** strongest ***** ** *** ******, ** it *** ******** **** **** * VMS ****** **** ****** ****** (************ Hanwha ****/******* *****), ********** **** ***** and ******** *** ***** *****-**** ***** instead ** ********* ***** ****** ** navigate ** *** ****** **** **** others. ***** *** ********* ****** ****** due ** ***** ********* ** ******** "Target *********" ** *** **** **** which ********** ***** **********, *** ***** overall **.

*** ***** ********* ** **** ********, Geovision, ******* **** ***** ******** ** their ***** **** *********, *********** **** view *** ******** ******** ****, **** no ***** ****** ** ***** ********** functions *** ** ******* *** ****** layouts. ******* ******** ******* ********* ***** to **** ** ****** *** *** more *******, *** **** **** ** elements **** ********* ** ***.

Dahua *** ********* ** "****** *********"

***** *** ********* **** ***** * "target *********" **** ** ***** ***** user *********, *** ******* ** ******, which ******** ********** ** ******* ******** in *** ******* ** **** *****, e.g., ****** ** ***** ********. ******** on ** ***** ******** * ***** with **** ******* *** ****** ***** playback.

IPVM Image

Vivotek ******** ******

****** *******, ******* *** *** **** manufacturer ***** ********* ****** **** ****** to **** ******** *******, ****** *** NVRs **** ****** **** ******* *********** and ***********. ** *** ***** *****, the *** ******** ** "****** ******** limitation" ***** ******* **** ****** ** view * ****** ****** (*****), **** one **, *** ***, *** *** 1080p ****** ******* *******.

IPVM Image

** **** ***** ******* *** ******** on **** ***** *** **** ****** here **** ***** ********.

** **** ********

******* ********'* ******** **** **** * dual ******** **** ********* *****, **** a ****** ******-** ******** ********* ***** the ****, *** ***** *********. ** practice, ** ***** **** ***** ********* frequently ***** *********** *** *** *** stop ***** ********, *** *** ** be ************, **** ***** ******** ********.

IPVM Image

***** (***) ***** ********

**** ****** ******* ** *** ***** (TVT) *** *** *** ***** **, each **** ** ******** * ********** camera ** *** ** *** ***, we ******** * ***** ******* ********* us *** ******** *** ******** **** incorrect. *******, **** ****** ******** ****** we *** **** ** ***** **** and ***** ***********, ****** ** * nuisance ***** ***** **** * ****** was *****.

IPVM Image

Limited ******** *******

** *** *** **** ******, **** 5 ********* *** ********* ** ******** to ***** *******, ****** ** ****** to ***** ****, *.*., ****** * password **** ******* **, ******** *******, and ****** *********. *** *******, ******* in **** * ****** ******** ***** only * ***** *** **** ************* longer ** *********, *********, *******, *** special ********** ******* ******** ****** **** to *****.

Axis ** ***** **

****** *** ****** ******, ****' ***** NVR **** *** **** * ***** HDMI ** *** ****** *** *** no ***** **** *********. ****** *** desktop **** **** ** **** *** viewing *** ********** ** *** ******. Because ** ****, ** **** ****** Axis "*/*" ** **** ********.

DW ****** ********** ***********

******* ******** ********* *** ****** *********** in ******** **** ** ***** ***** user *********, ********* ************* ** ***/******/******* as **** ** ********* ********** ********, shown ****:

IPVM Image

****** ******* ***** ****** *********** *** do *** ******* ** *********** ** DW ****. *** **** ******** ** this ****** **** ** **** ** hovers **** *** **** **** *** cannot ** ****** ** ****** ** a ****** ****.

Camera *************

*** **** ****** ****** *** **** supported *****-***** ******* ***** ***** ***/** RTSP, ** * *******, ** ******** to ***** *** *******.

************* ***** **** ******* ** **** include **** **** *** ****** *** their *** *******, **** ** ********* and ***** (***), *****, ****** **** give ** ********** ** ***** ****** applies ** ***** *******:

IPVM Image

Dahua *** ********* ******* ****** *******

***** *** ********* **** ******* ****** drivers *** *****-***** *******, ********* ****, Bosch, *******, *** ******. *******, **** that **** ******* *** *** ******* manufacturers, **** ** ***** *** **** and *** ***** ** ****** *** outdated (*.*., ******* ******* ** ******), though ** ***** *** ******* ****** worked ******** *** ****** ******.

IPVM Image

Multi-Imager ****** *******

***** *** ********* **** ********* *****-****** cameras *************, *********** *** ******* *** adding **** ** *** ***. ***** below, *** ********* ************ *** ********* a****-****** ********* ******, ******* * ********.

IPVM Image

****** **** ** ****** *** ******* allow *****-****** ****** ** ** *****, but ***** **** ******** *** *** camera ******** *****, ******** *** ******* number **** ****:

IPVM Image

*******, **, *********, *** ***** *** not ******* *****-******* ** ***, ******* only *** ***** ******* ** *** camera ** ****** *** *******.

Mobile *** ***** ******* ***********

*********'* **** **-*** ****** *** **** not ******* ******* *** ***** **** notifications, **** **** **** *** ********. To ******* ************* ** * ****** device, ***** **** ******* *** **-****** app, ***** ******** **** ****** ****** live **** *** ***** ********.

IPVM Image

****** ********* **** ************* ***** * single ***, ** ***** ***** ** Axis *********:

Digital ******** **** **** ** **** *****

**** ******* ***** *** **'* **** Plus *** ***** ***** ********** *** service, ** ************ **** **-** ******* or ****** ** **** *****, ** shown *****:

IPVM Image

****** ********* ****** ***** ** ~*-* seconds, ***** **** *** ****, **** some ********* ** **** *-* *******.

Axis ******* *** **

****** *** ****** ******, ****' ***** NVR **** *** **** * **** local **** ********* *** *** *** page. **** ** ** ******* **** used *** ***** ************* (******* **********, storage *****, **** ****, ***.). ****** and ******* **** **** ** **** for ******* *** ********** ** *** system.

*** ***'* *** ** **** ******* a "**********" ***, *** **** **** only ***** ********** ** ********** *****, with ***** ******* *** ***** **** and ****. ***** *** ** ***** video ********* ** *** *** **.

IPVM Image

UPnP ******* ** *******

*** **** *** ******* *** **** shipped **** **** (********* **** *** Play) *******. **** ** ********** **********, as **** ***/******** ******* ***** **** forwarding ***** **** ** *******, ***** may ****** *****' ******* ******** ** the ******** ******* **** ******* (************ ******* **********? [**** ************ *****]).

***** ***** ** *********'* **** *****, showing ** ******* ***** ******* ********** the ******.

IPVM Image

HTTPS *** ** *******

** **** ****** ***** ***** *********** by *******, ****** **** **** **** it ******* ** ******** ** ****. Defaulting ** **** ****** ********* ** listen ** ******* ******* ******* *** NVR *** ***** *** *********** ****** malicious *******. ** ****, *********** ******* was ******** ********* ** *********'* ***-******* web *******, ***:***-******* * *** / *** *************** Analyzed.

***** ***** ** *****'* ***** *** HTTPS, ******** ** *******, ******* ** most **** ******. **** ***** ***** enabled ***** ** ******* *** *** force ***** ** *** **, ******** HTTP *******, ** ****.

IPVM Image

Vivotek ***** ***** ************* *** ********

** ******** ** ******* ************* ********, Vivotek's *** ******** ***** *****'* *** cybersecurity *** ***** ******* ***** *******, detailed ** *** ************* ***** ***** ***** ******** ****** App ******. **** ** *** ***** ** other *************' ****.

IPVM Image

Country ** ******

*** ********* ** *** **** ** NVRs *** ***** ********** ******* ** origin:

  • **** - ******
  • ***** - *****
  • ******* ******** - *****
  • ********* - ******
  • ****** - *******
  • ********* ***** ******* - *****
  • ********* *** - *****
  • ***** - *****
  • ******* - *****
  • ******* -******

********

*** ********* ******** ******** **** **** in **** ****:

  • **** *****: **.*.**
  • ***** *******: *.***.*******.*.*.******
  • ******* ******** **-*******: *.*.*.*
  • ********* **-********: *.**
  • ****** ***-*****: *.**.**
  • ********* **-******-**/**: *.**.**********
  • ********* ***-****-**: *.*.**********
  • ***** *****: *.*.* ******
  • ******* ******-****-**: ***-*****.**.**.******
  • ******* *******: *.*.*.*
Comments (9)
Avatar
Raymond Shadman
May 24, 2023
IPVMU Certified

"************, ****** ****** ******* ***** ** search (** ******, ***** *** ******..."

****'* "***** *** ******?"

Avatar
Ethan Ace
May 24, 2023

* ****! **** ****** ** "****", not "***". **'* **** *****.

Avatar
Spencer Cayer
May 24, 2023

***** ******* *****! ******* ** ** I ** *****, *** * ******* the ***** **** *** *** ******* interface *******.

**** ***** ** ** ***** *** integrators ******* *** * ****** ******* without *********** ***** *** *** *******.

Avatar
Ethan Ace
May 24, 2023

**'* *** *** *** **** (***-***) and **** * *** *****. * believe ** *** ****** * ********* camera ******* *** ***'* **** ** use *** **-***** ***** *** *** use *** ** **** ** ** uplink ** ******* ******. ** *** not **** ****, ******. **'** ***** and *******.

Avatar
Dwayne Cooney
May 26, 2023

***** ******. ***** *** *** ****.

JM
Jerome Miller
May 26, 2023

* *** *** ****** **** ***** avaliable **** *** ****** ****** ****, but *** *** ***** ******** ****** in *** ******* ********** *******? ** the ******** *** ********** ****** **** have ***** *** ******* ** *** site?

JH
John Honovich
May 26, 2023
IPVM

****'* ****** * *** **** ** were *** ***** **. ****** *** pointing **** ***. **'** **** ** this *** *** **** ****.

Avatar
John Scanlan
Sep 26, 2023
IPVM • IPVMU Certified

**** ****** *** **** ******* **** the ******* ** ****** *** **** NVR. **** *********** ** ** *******:

  • **** - ******
  • ***** - *****
  • ******* ******** - *****
  • ********* - ******
  • ****** - *******
  • ********* ***** ******* - *****
  • ********* *** - *****
  • ***** - *****
  • ******* - *****
  • ******* -******
TG
Tyler Graham
Jan 18, 2024

**** **** ******!

** ** ******* **** ****** ******* the **** **** ***** ****. ******* it ** ** ****** *********** **** having ** *** *** ********* ******** and ********* ******** ****** *** **** on *** ** **** *** ****** a *** ********* (*** ****** ******* too) ***** ** ******* ********** *** MAC *********. ********** **** **** ** ipad *** ** *** ******** *** good **** ****. **** *** ** local ****** ****** *** *** **** use * ******* ***** ******, **'* a ** ** *** * *** of ******.

* **** **** ****** ***** **** the ****** *****, **** *** **** in * ****** ****** ** **** shows ** *** ****** ********* *** you *** ********* ** *****. **** the ****** *********, *** *** ********* is **** * ***. **** *** Hanwha **'* **** **** ** *** a "***" ***** ****** *** ***********. Not **** ***** *** ****** ****** but ****** **** ******** ****** ******** with *** *** ****.

(1)