Verkada Cloud VMS/Cameras Tested

Published May 02, 2019 14:02 PM

********* ******** *** **** ********* ***** surveillance ******* ** **** *****. *** company ** ********** ***** *** *******, their *** ***, ***** *** ***** management ******** *** ***** *** ***** analytics, ******** **** **** ******** ** the "******** ****** ****** ***** *** the ****** **********".

IPVM Image

** ********* * ******* ******* *** VMS ********, *** ** **** ******, we ******* *******'* **** ********* *** primary ********** *********:

  • **** *** ******** ***** ********* ***********
  • ****** ************* ************
  • ********** *** ******* *******
  • ****** ****** ************ *******
  • *****/***** ************ ***********
  • *****-***** *********** *******
  • ******** *** ******** *******
  • ******* ** ******
  • *******

******: **** **** *** ***** ******** on ******* **, **** *** *** substantially ******* ** *** *, ****.

******: ** **** ***** **** ******* testing -******* ***** ******* ******** **************** ****** *** **** ********* ******

Executive *******

******* ** **** ** ***** *** easy ** ***** *****, ** **** market. ******* ** ** ******* * number ** *********** *** ********, *** limited ****** *******, *** ******* *********** issues.

**** **** ******** *********** ******* *** a ************ ******* (**** ******** $** *******), *** **** **** ** ******* the *********** ***** ****** *** ******** to ******* **** ***** *****-***** ************* like***** ***,*******************-****** ******* *******.

**** *******, ****** *** *********** ****** for ******, ******* ******* *** ******,******* *** ***** ** ***** ******** and ******* ******** **** ** *************** ***** ** *** ******** ** pay *** ****** *** ($*** **** per ******).

Future ************

******* **** ********* ******* ** **** have **** **** ** *********** *** a *** *****, ******* ** ******* and *** **************, ***** ****** *** of ***** *********** **** *** **** more ***** *** ********* **** ******* on **** ** **** ******* **** to **. ** ******, ** ****** tell *** **** ****** ******* **** come ***, ***** *** *******'* ********** well-funded ********, ** **** **-**** ************.

VMS *********

******* *** ******* ******** ********* ****** from ***** *** ** ******-***** ***** analytics, ******** ************ *** ****** ****** as *** ********* ** *** ********:

  • ****** ******
  • ***** ****** ** *****
  • **** ***** ********* *******
  • *-****** **************
  • ******* ***** *******
  • *** ******* ********* *******
  • **** ***** ***** ******
  • *** ****** ******/**********/******* **********

VMS **********

******* *** ******* *********** ******** **** are ******* ** ******** ******** ** conventional *****:

  • *********** *********** *********
  • ***** ******** ********* (**** ****** *** Cloud ******)
  • ******* ****** ********/*************
  • *** ** **** ****** ************* ********
  • ** ********** ****** ******
  • ** *** *******
  • ******* ******* *********
  • ** *****-***** ****** ** ***** ************
  • ******* ****** ******* ******

Overview *****

*** ********* **-****** ***** ********* *** Verkada *** ****** *** *******, ************ strengths *** **********:

Significant *********** *********

******* ******* *********** ************** ********* *** ********* *****. *******, the ********/******** ** ****** ******* ** live *** ******** ***** *** ****** caused ** *******'* ************* *********************, *** *** *** ****** *** to **** *********** ** *** ******.

*** ***** ********* *** **** ********** when * ****** ** ****** ****** the ***** ** ****, *** ***** is * ***** ** ****** ***** of *** ******'* ****:

IPVM Image

******* **** **** ** **** ****** due ** ** ************* ********** *** setting ** *** ******. *******, ***** is ** ****** *** *** **** to ******** *** *******, ******* ******* can ****** ***** ******** ******** ** the **** ******** ****.

Video ******** *********

******** ***** ** ****** **** ******* camera ******* ****** ******* ***** **** was ********** ******** ** ***** *******. Video ***** ********* ****** *** *-* seconds ***** ** ******** ********, *** when ***** ** ** ** ******** speeds, *** ***** ***** **** ** buffer ***** *** *******.

******* **** **** ****** ******** ********* is *** ** ***** ******* ********, and **** ******* ** **** ** remotely *** ******** ********* ******* **** the ****** ** ******* ******* ** determine ***** *** ********** **. *****, there ** ** ****** *** *** user ** *** **** **** ** troubleshoot *** *****.

Cloud ***** ****** - **** ********* ***********, ** ************

***** ***** ****** ******, *******, ********* consumption *** **** **** (** *-*****) and **** ******* ** *** *** confirmation **** ***** ** ***** ******.

******* ******** **-*** ***** ******* **** each ****** ************, *******, ** ******* it ** ********. ** ******* **** on * *** *** ********, ******* up ***** **** * ****.

****** ********* ** *****-*****, **** ~*******-******* before ***** ****** *** *******. *** interface ******** * ******* **** ******** Cloud ******, "******** ***** ****** **** consume * *********** ****** ** *********".

IPVM Image

***** ** ** *** ** ************ that ***** ** ****** **, *** Verkada ******* **** ***** *** **** 2 **** ** *****:

  1. **** ** "******* ***" ***** ***** and *** **** *** ****** ** occurring
  2. ********** *** ****** *** **** **** any ******* **** *** ******** ****** the ****** *** ************, ***** ***** indicate *** ******* *** **** ****** up.

*** ****** *** ************, *** ******** video **** ***** ****** ***** ** reviewed, *******, *** ***** ****** *** 8-9 ***** ****** *** ******* ****. Also, ** ***** ******* ** *** test **** ********* ***** ******** ** the ******, ***** ****** ***** ***** to ****** ***** *** ******* **** using ** ******** ****** (** **** by *** ******** ****/***** ******* ** the ***** ******** ******):

Live ***** ********* ***** ****

** ****** ********* "***** *** ****-*** ******* ***** *** up ** ****** *******", ***** *** * ******** ** found ** *** ******* * *****. The ******* ***** ****, *** ** available *** *** ******* *********, ********** local **** ********* ******** **** *******. Recorded ***** ******** ** *** ********* directly. ***** ********* ** ***** ** a "[*****]" ***** ** ***** ** the ****** ****, *** ** **** supported **** ******* "**" *******:

IPVM Image

***** ********* **** * ***** ********** to ********* * ****** ********** ******* the *** ****** *** ******. ** used ********* ** **** *** ****** request *** ****** ************** *** ****** encryption ********* **** *** ******. *** piece ** *** ************* ****** *** readable ** ***** **** ** "*****.*******.*******.***":

IPVM Image

******* ********** **** ******* ***** ******* with "******* ****" ***** ********* ***** streaming ***** ******** ************ *** ****, and ******** ****** ***-*********** ************.

2-Factor ************** (***) ******* *****

*******'* *** *** ***** ** ***** and ****** *** *** ***-***** ************* support. ******* **** ****** *** **** profile ************* *** ******** ****** ************* for ***** *******. ****** *** **** not ****** *** *** **** *** forms ** ****** *******, ** *** prevent ******* ****** *** ******* ********* users **** ********** ** ****** *** system (**** *-****** ************** ******).

IPVM Image

Instant ***** *******

* *************** ******* ** *******'* ******* video *******, ***** ********* **** ** testing, *** *** **** ***********. *** feature ****** * **** ***** ** share * ***, *** ** ***** embed **** * ****** ******* ****** to *** *** *******.

*** ********* * ****** ***** ************ the *******:

*** *** *** *** ***** *** be *** ** ******, *** *** Video ***** **** *** ** ******* to * ****** *** ****** (*.*. "*.ipvm.com"). *** ***** *** ** "*******" or ******** ** *** **** ***** to *** ********** **********.

***** ** * ******* *** *** many ***** *** **** *** **** viewed, ******* ***** ** ** ***** log ** *** *** ******** *** video, ***** *********, ** **** ***** they **** ******** ******* *** ***** are *** ***** *******.

*******, ***** ****** ******* *** ****** configuration *** *** ********* ******* *** video ***** ****, ******* ****** *** vehicle ****** ** *********.

Time ***** ********

******* ****** * ****-***** ******** ******, which ***** ** ****** *** ** video **** ** ** *******. ** is *** ******* *** *********** **** an ********** ****** ****** ** *** camera, *** *** *********** **** ********** objects **** ********, *****, ** **** were ** * ********.

*******, **** ********** *** ********* ******, Verkada ******* **** ** *** **** as "***********". **** *** *** ** selected *** ********* *****.

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Per ****** ******* **********

**** ****** *** * ********** **** are ****** *** **** ********** **** lengths (******, ******, ******* ***, ******* In). *******, ******** *** **** ***** there ** *** * ******* ****** or ***** *** ****** *** *** cameras:

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

******** *** ********** ***** **** *********** closed ******* ***** *** **** *** camera ******** *********. ***** *** ** options *** **********, ***** ****, *********** or ****** ******** (***, **********, ********). There *** ** ******* *** ****** IP *********, ** ******* ******* ************* from *** ****** ** *******.

******* **** **** *** ********* ******** the ************* ******* ** *** ******* levels. **** **** **** **** ** increasing ****** ** **** ** *** configuration *** ******** ** *** ******** matures.

Video ******* ******** *** ****** ****

********* ***** ** "** - *******" mode ******** ** * **** ******* of *-* *******. ********* ** "**** Low-Latency" ****, ***** ** ******* ** a "****" *******, ********* *** ***** to *-* *******. **** ***** ******* mode ** ******* ** *****-*** *********** in ***** **** ***** (*******: *-* seconds, ***** ***: *-* *******). "** - *****" ********* ******* ** * latency ******* **-** *******.

*** ********** *** **** *** ** streaming ***** ** *******, *** *** - *** ** ** **** (********* on *** ****** *****). ******* **** Live **** *** * ******* ******, which *** ****** ** **** ********* errors **** ******* ********* ******** ***********. The **** ***** ****** *** ******** at ~*******, ******** ** ***-******* *** SD ****. ******* **** **** ** addition ** *** ******* ******, *** Live **** ***** *** * ****** compression *******.

**** ***-******* ********* (*-* *******):

** - ******* ********* (*-* *******):

Out ** **** *************

****** ******* ******* ** *** *** are ************ ************* **** *** ****** but ********* **** **-** ******* ** apply ** *** ******. ** *** noted ** ******* **** ******** ******** during **** **-** ****** **** ***** could ****** ** *** ****** ******** being *** ** **** **** *** VMS ********. ***** ** ** ****** for ******* *************** ***** **** ********* the ******.

** **** *******, *** *** ******* the ***** *********** ** ******, ***** the ****** ****** ** ******* ** degrees *********:

IPVM Image

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

***** ** ***** * *********** ***** of ******** ** *** ****** ****** what *** ********* ** **********, ********* in ********* ************* ******* (*** **** stream ** ***** **** **, *** Orientation **** ** ****** ****, **** say "******"):

IPVM Image

No ********** ****** ******

******* ****** * ****** ******, *** for ********* *****. **** ***** ****** was **** ** ******** ** ******* devices, *******, **** ******** ** ********, watermarking, ** ******** ** *** ***** once ** ** ********. ************, ******* Verkada **** *** **** * ***** file ******, ***** ** ** *****-****** playback **** *** ***** ** ********.

**** ********** *** ********* ******* * video ******** ****** **** * ********** player, ***** ********** ************ ******** ** multiple ******, ********* ***** ******* **** and *********, ** ******** ** ******** controls *** *****-**-***** ****** ** ****/**** motion ********. ********** ******* **** ******* a ******** ***** *******, ***** ***** video *** ** ****** **** ** any ** ******* ****** ** ******** install * ********* ***** ******, **** commonly***. ******* ************ *** ******** ********* encryption *** ********* ** ****** **** using * *********** ***** ******.

No *** / ***** ******* *******

***** *** ** ******** *** *** cameras ** *** *** ** ****** clients. ******* **** *** ***** * PTZ ** ***** ******** *** **** it ** *** ** ***** ******* due ** *** ****** **** *********.

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

******* ****** ***** ******* ****** (*****: ***)**** ******** ****** ***** *********, *******, it **** ****** *** ****** ********* and *-*** *****. ** ******** ***-****** fisheye ** ***-****** ********* ****** ** supported. ****, *** * ***** ** the *-*** ***** **** ****** ** moved ** **********:

IPVM Image

******* **** *** ******* ** * focus ** *********** *******, *** **** the ***** ** *** *-*** ***** are ********** ** ******* *******, *** confirmed ***** ******** *** ****** ** the *** **.

No *****-***** ****** ******* ** ***** ************

****** **** ********** *****, ******* **** not ******* *** *** ***** ****** control ** ***** ************.

******* **** **** *** **** ** 3rd-party ************ *** ***** **** *** in *********** *** ***** ***** *********** with * *** ********.

Delayed ****** ******* ******

******* ******** ******* ***** *** *** alerts **** * ****** ** *******, motion ** ********, ** ****** ********* is *********. *******, *** ****** ******* email ***** ************ *** ******** ~** minutes ***** *** ****** **** *******:

IPVM Image

****** ********* *** ****** ********* ****** were ******** ****** * ****** ** the *********.

Camera ******* ** ****** / ****** ********* ****

*** ******* ** ********* **** ************ In ******:

IPVM Image

** ****** * *** *****, *** confirmed **** ** ******** * ****** HiSilicon ****** ***:

IPVM Image

**** ***** ***** ******** ** ***** hardware **** ** ****** *** *** by ***** **********(**********):

*** - **, **** **** ****** in *** ********** ******** ****** ******, use ********* *****. *******, ****** **** OEMs, *******'* *********** **** ** *** United ****** **** *** ******** *** full ******** ***** *** *** ******* all *** *** **** ** *** code **** ** **** *** ******. In ********, **** ** *** ******* are **** ** *****. ** **** implemented ** *** ** *** ******** architecture **** *** ********, ***** ******* all ***** ** ********* *** ****** on *** ******, ** *******, *** in *** *****. ** **** **** engaged ******* ***** ***** ***** ** run ********** ******** *********** ** **** our ******** *** ********. ***** ******** tests ******** **** *** *** ******** testing **** ** *** ********** ** stand ****** *** ******** ** *** products. ** ****’* ******* ******, *** cameras ** *** ****** *** ******* network *********** *** **** ** **** inbound ******* ***** *** *********** ******** only ** *******'* ******* ******** *** NTP **** *******.

** *** ******* ******** *** *** NDAA **** ** *********** *** ****** to ****** ****** **** *** ********** laws.

****: **** '********** ******** *******' **** competitors **** ********, ****, ******, ***. do *** *** ****** ********* **** e.g., ******** ***** ** ****** *** the ***** *** ************* ** ***** budget *********.

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

******** ******* ******** ******* ** *** supplier *** *******, ** *** ******* below *****:

IPVM Image

No ***** / *** ***** ****** *******

******* **** *** ******* ***** ** direct ****** ******* *** *** ***-***** cameras.

DHCP ******* ****

******* ******* ** *** ************* ** *********. ******* *********** ***** **** **** MAC ************ ** **** ******* **** IP ******* ** ********.

*** ******* **** ** *** ********* support ****, *******, ******* **** **** could ** ******* ******* * ******** update *** *** *** **** ********* by *** *********.

Software *******

******* **** **** ************* ****** *** VMS ********, ****** ******** ************* **** per ***** *** ********* ***** ******* and *** ***** ******. ******* ******** updates **** ****** **** ********. ** our *******, ** **** **** ***** automatic ******* ****.

*******

************ * ****** ********** ******** ******* ******* ********* ******* (30-days ** ***-****):

  • ***: *** ****** **** **** **, $699 - $*,***
  • ***: *** ****** ******** **** **, $799 - $*,***
  • ***: *** ******* **** **** **, $899 - $*,***
  • ***: **** ******/******* ******* **** **, $1,799 - $*,*** (** *** **-*** option ****)

****** ******** *** **** ** * or *****-**** ******* *** **** ******* $199 ** ** $*,*** *** * 10-year *******. ****: ** *** *, Verkada ********* ***** ****** *************, ** particular, *** '*******' ************ *****-**** ******** (e.g., *-**** ****** **** $*** ** $799 *** **-**** ****** **** $*,*** to $*,***).

In ***** ****** ****

***************** ******* ****** *************** ******** ***** ******* ******** *** found ** ********** ** *******. **** we ******** ******* ** **** *** Hikvision, *** ****** *******'* ******** ** our **** *******.

******** ********:

  • ***** ********* ****** **** ******** ** competitors ** *** *****
  • *********** ****** **** ** ******* ****** compared ** ***********
  • ******* ****** ** *** ****** *** to ********* ** ****** *******
  • ****** ********* *********** **** *********** *******

* ****** ***** **** ******* **** ******:

IPVM Image

Comments (69)
MM
Michael Miller
Jan 28, 2019

Great report.  Another claim that Verkada makes is zero network bandwidth. What bandwidth did you see on your network from the Verkada cameras?

(1)
(2)
Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 28, 2019

Mike,

Similar to what you posted in the Lock-In Report discussion, 100-200MB per day under near 0 use (weekend days).

A slightly related note, Verkada said they will be updating the Camera Stats page for "Traffic In" and "Traffic Out" because that doesn't just include video/configuration/alarms, but all traffic in and out of the camera's NIC (arp queries, DNS, DHCP etc).

(1)
MM
Michael Miller
Jan 28, 2019

Sean, thank you.  Any plans to test the Meraki version?

(2)
Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 28, 2019

Yes, I will be starting the Meraki test soon. We purchased a couple cameras, have them installed and licensed/connected to Meraki Cloud.

(1)
MM
Michael Miller
Jan 28, 2019

Awesome.  Something else you might want to look at in the report is the latency of the live video.   Walking around in front of the camera then 5-10 seconds later you see the movement on the camera. I didn't try to compare latency between Meraki and Verkada.  

(1)
Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 29, 2019

Mike,

Thanks for the feedback. We tested Verkada's latency in their standard streaming and new Low-Latency streaming settings. I added this detail to the report. We tested this for EagleEye, Arcules, and will be sure to test it with Meraki.

Video Latency Variable per Stream Mode

Streaming video in "SD - 300Kbps" mode resulted in a long latency of 6-8 seconds. Switching to "Live Low-Latency" mode, which is labeled as a "Beta" feature, decreased the delay to 2-3 seconds. This lower latency mode is similar to cloud-VMS performance in other IPVM tests (Arcules: 2-3 seconds, Eagle Eye: 2-4 seconds).

SD - 300Kbps Streaming (6-8 seconds):

Live Low-Latency Streaming (2-3 seconds):

(3)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 29, 2019
IPVMU Certified

How does that latency test tool work?

Is it better than the classic feedback method?

Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 29, 2019

That's just a classic feedback method (2 stopwatches started at the same time), with a screen capture to document the time differential between the camera stream and the client.

U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 29, 2019
IPVMU Certified

That's just a classic feedback method...

What I meant by feedback is literally video feedback, i.e. having the camera pointed at the screen it’s displaying on, like in the Testing IP Camera Latency report, shown below:

With that method you only need one stopwatch, and therefore don’t need to worry about synchronizing them.

(1)
(4)
Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 29, 2019

Thanks for the info U1.

JH
John Honovich
Jan 29, 2019
IPVM

Streaming video in "SD - 300Kbps" mode resulted in a long latency of 6-8 seconds. Switching to "Live Low-Latency" mode, which is labeled as a "Beta" feature, decreased the delay to 2-3 seconds.

Does SD above mean Standard Definition? If so, what about streaming in full resolution? What is the latency with that?

And how technically is 'live low-latency mode' different from regular / default mode? Any tradeoffs in quality or other aspects for 'live low-latency mode'?

U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 28, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Verkada offers a 12MP fisheye camera (model: D80) that supports camera based dewarping...

Regardless of the size of the sensor, are the streams limited to HD resolution?

Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 28, 2019

The live viewing streams are limited to "HD" resolution @ 1Mbps.

The transcoded h264 stream for external download in 180-degree dewarp mode is 2 MP @ 24fps and ~3Mbps.

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 28, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Verkada cameras utilize H265 compression for streaming and recording video. This compression combined with WDR causes significant video artifacts, in both live and recorded videos.

Is there a known technical difficulty with h.265 and wdr together, or is this just a case of the camera doesn’t have the juice to do both at the same time?

Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 28, 2019

That is a fair question given what I wrote, which I will update because there is nothing specifically limiting with H265 and WDR in combination, nor are there diagnostics to know if the camera is limited in any way.

The details on the archived video, which is not highly compressed are:

  • 24 FPS , 2390 kb/s, average quantization 26, iframe interval is long, 4 seconds

However, this is transcoded video which was downloaded out of the Verkada interface for playback. There is no easy way to measure the compression of the native live or recorded stream. Additionally, Verkada noted that WDR was the likely cause of the artifacts.

(1)
Avatar
Clint Hays
Jan 28, 2019

I would guess that with the developer limiting camera configuration controls that the images are not as good as competiting cameras would be. Can you do a shoot out of their hardware compared to the direct manufacturer, vivotek?, and a few other with similar specs?

(3)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Jan 28, 2019

This looks like a product that belongs in 2012.

(3)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 28, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Please tell me I’m wrong:

When you are viewing recorded video from the same LAN the cameras are on, the video 

1) gets cropped/binned to 2MP

2) gets transmitted to the cloud

3) gets transcoded

4) gets transmitted back to the client

 

 

Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 28, 2019

It does not get cropped, but is H265 from the camera, and does not get transcoded. The transcoding happens if you are extracting/downloading video out of the VMS. Verkada said they do this for better playback support with H264 vs H264 in MP4 players.

However, the video must travel through Verkada cloud services from the camera to the client, even if the client is on the same switch/LAN as the camera. This is similar to many cloud-first VMSes, which typically have limited local LAN viewing (EagleEye and Arcules offer very limited local viewing, OpenEye has good local viewing support).

(1)
(2)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 28, 2019
IPVMU Certified

It does not get cropped, but is H265 from the camera, and does not get transcoded.

What is the process then by which a 12MP sensor becomes a 2MP stream?

This is similar to many cloud-first VMSes...

Is it though?  

My impression was that other cloud-first VMSes are typically playing back previously recorded video from the cloud.

Which has to be quicker than accessing a local device for any playback and shuttling it to the cloud and back to the client, no?

Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 28, 2019

What is the process then by which a 12MP sensor becomes a 2MP stream?

I would refer to cropping as removing/dropping parts of the image, where in this case they are downsampling the image to a resolution lower than 12MP. There might be some cropping as part of the dewarping process, but it is not significant.

Is it though?

I misread your quote regarding recorded video. You are correct, that in other cloud-first VMSes, recorded video is stored in the cloud after being temporarily buffered/stored locally (Other than OpenEye, where recording is primarily kept local, but again, OpenEye offers solid local LAN streaming).

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 28, 2019
IPVMU Certified

I would refer to cropping as removing/dropping parts of the image...

as would I, although I actually referred to it as “cropping/binning”...

(3)
Avatar
Anthony Jones
Jan 29, 2019

From a sales perspective,  it has always been my understanding that schools can't make multi-year commitments. I have seen this come up in bids recently. Verkada is targeting the educational market heavily, so how are they getting around this? Their equipment proprietary so it only works if you keep paying. I don't get the pitch.

(1)
MM
Michael Miller
Jan 29, 2019

All of the Meraki bids I have seen include 10-year licenses.

(1)
(1)
Avatar
Sean Patton
Jan 29, 2019

That may be the case in your area, but 90% of the school districts I sold to purchased 3-year support contracts at a minimum, many opting for 5-year.

(1)
UE
Undisclosed End User #10
Apr 25, 2019

My schools can sign multi-year contracts, but have to add an "appropriations clause" basically saying at any point they can decide they don't have the money and cancel the contract. 

(1)
EN
Evan Nardone
Jan 29, 2019

Great report, Sean. Looks like Verkada has some work to do to catch up to the other players in the market. I am not familiar with a lot of the other options in the "cloud-first" space but is their pricing model competitive? Are smaller enterprises choosing the lack of features for ease of install and price point?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
Jan 30, 2019

If you have tons of money, you convince everyone the product is great and have the sales and marketing to make the sale.  They'll survive for some time simply because of that...you've seen others that are so-so products make it with heavy VC backing.  

(1)
U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 30, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Dedicated Micros+ Cloud = Verkada

(7)
UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Jan 31, 2019

Did you do any testing of their monitor support?  I believe they claim some sort of Apple TV integration?  Not sure if that streams locally from the camera, or requires the stream to go up to the cloud, and then back down to the AppleTV for monitor display.  

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #6
Feb 04, 2019

Does anyone consider Apple TV a viable monitor option? 

It doesn't seem like a good always on live display option. 

(1)
MM
Michael Miller
Feb 02, 2019

Any IPVM dealers close?  I would be interesting to follow up with them in a year to see if they still like Verkada. 

 

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #5
Feb 04, 2019

Hi

 

Not one to dismiss a new company but tis doesn't strike me as original, groundbreaking , innovative or leaving anyone n the dust in term of performance and especially ROI. The darn cameras are expensive and do  not offer anything special from what I read in the report.

Looks to me like a money-grab. It will receive more funding and more money will be made. I don't see this as a viable alternative.

Call me cynical.

(1)
UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #7
Feb 05, 2019

If the forensic video history is not stored in the cloud, is it really a cloud based system or does it just fall into the "VSaaS" moniker?  Is there a difference between Verkada and any local VMS/Server/multi-platform GUI if you lose connectivity?

MM
Michael Miller
Feb 05, 2019

Is there a difference between Verkada and any local VMS/Server/multi-platform GUI if you lose connectivity?

Yes.   Verkada must have a WAN connection to fully function.  So even if your router fails you lose access to your cameras.  With an NVR/DVR setup, your system is fully functional without a WAN connection. 

Avatar
Sean Patton
Feb 05, 2019

While primary storage is not in the cloud, it is on the camera, there is cloud storage for backup, sharing, and archiving.

Regarding differences between Verkada and VMS/Server related to connectivity, as we noted in the report, and Mike mentioned, if the installed location loses Internet connectivity:

  • Video will record locally on each camera (following configured schedules)
  • Live and Recorded viewing is unavailable
  • Archived Video loaded in Verkada Cloud Storage is available where Internet is available
UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #13
Feb 05, 2020

Hi Sean,

What is the amount of storage being used in this Camera. Is it 1TB/2TB SSD. Also do you know the manufacturer and the type of Flash used, whether it is MLC/TLC.

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #8
Feb 07, 2019

I am noticing a serious concern...  it seems high res video only dates back to less than a week.  past that it looks like 2nd stream res...pretty ugly jaggies...i think 30 days of storage  mean 5 days of high res and 25 days of low res... can this be confirmed.  I notice it across Verkada indoor, outdoor, and fisheye camera , across multiple sites

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Sean Patton
Feb 07, 2019

UD8

I am reviewing video from over 2 weeks ago and it is the HD stream on the camera, and 5MP when exported from the system:

I have reached out to Verkada for feedback, but it does not appear to be the case on our cameras.

 

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #8
Feb 07, 2019

zoom into older video in see the resolution difference from when you zoom to todays video...see if you have the same lossy results

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #8
Feb 07, 2019

these are crops from downloaded videos.. older than 5 days and newer than 5 days respectively

crops

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U
Undisclosed #1
Feb 07, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Houston, we have a problem...

Calculators can vary, but how big is that SSD exactly? 

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Daniel S-T
May 06, 2019

Is this footage being viewed in their viewer? Or exported?

Any updates on this post?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #9
Mar 06, 2019

So a large part of our business is the K-12 education market.  We have at least one customer who has purchased Verkada and at least one other that is considering it.  The one that is considering it had been given a demo camera new in the box to look at.  When I say look at I mean look at the box and I guess they could take the camera out of the box and look at that too but it was not hooked up for any type demo that I am aware of. 

We asked the school and they let us borrow it.  We admired the box and camera but did not have time to do much more than that.  Some days or weeks later the rep for Verkada came back to the school system and found out we borrowed the camera and actually still had it sitting on one of our guys desk.  They proceeded to threaten the school with copy write violation, patent violations, and I think a possible legal action if they did not get that camera back from us right away.  They gave them it seems quite a scare.  We get a frantic call of "we need our camera back right now" and we get the camera back to them the same or next day of course.  What could they be trying to hide?  Not a good sales tactic threatening your potential customer.  They will not last long if they do much of that.

Anyway, that is my limited experience so far with Verkada.  

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Sean Patton
May 01, 2019

Report updated with Camera Origin information, confirming the use of Huawei HiSilicon SoCs, and Verkada's response regarding the use of Huawei:

Update - Camera Country of Origin / Huawei HiSilicon Used

The cameras we purchased were manufactured In Taiwan:

We opened a D40 model, and confirmed that it utilizes a Huawei HiSilicon HI3516 SoC:

That chip is at least 8 years old, as this Hisilicon data sheet dated 2011 shows.

When asked about concerns of using hardware that is banned for use by the US Government (and Vermont):

Yes - we, like many others in the enterprise security camera market, use HiSilicon chips. However, unlike some OEMs, Verkada's engineering team in the United States owns and develops the full software stack for our cameras all the way down to the code used to boot the device. In addition, none of our cameras are made in China. We have implemented an end to end security architecture into our platform, which ensures all video is encrypted and secure on the device, in transit, and in the cloud. We have also engaged several third party firms to run exhaustive security evaluations of both our hardware and software. These external tests combined with our own internal testing give us the confidence to stand behind the security of our products. As IPVM’s testing showed, our cameras do not accept any inbound network connections and have no open inbound network ports and communicate outbound only to Verkada's Command Platform and NTP time servers.

 

We are closely watching how the NDAA will be implemented and intend to always comply with all applicable laws.

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #11
May 01, 2019

"We have also engaged several third party firms to run exhaustive security evaluations of both our hardware and software." Are the results of these test available?

Considering how heavily Verkada's external messaging focuses on the risks of using technology from China, their use of such technology is surprising.

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Clint Hays
May 01, 2019

Do as we say, not as we do

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Sean Patton
May 02, 2019

The report has been updated with the following sections:

  • Cloud Video Backup Supported: Video backup was tested, however, cloud video playback is supported only when the camera is offline. There is no log or confirmation the video is being backed up, and we experienced buffering delays when reviewing video at 3x playback speeds.
  • Instant Video Sharing: Video links can be shared by URL, SMS or Website Embed, worked well in testing. An expiration time for the link can be created, however, there is no log of who accessed the video and if they viewed playback video or saved snapshots.
  • Offline/Local Camera Streaming: Local viewing without an Internet connection is now offered, but is difficult to configure. We worked with support for over an hour and were able to view local video using Firefox for Windows.
  • Camera Setting Synchronization Issues Continue: Follow up on an issue from the original test there is a significant delay of settings in the camera versus what the interface is displaying, resulting in incorrect configuration options
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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #11
May 06, 2019

"Offline/Local Camera Streaming: Local viewing without an Internet connection is now supported, but is difficult to configure. We worked with support for over an hour and were not able to configure it so it would recognize the SSL certificate."

Is it fair to claim this is supported, when even with the vendors help, they can't get it to work?

 

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Sean Patton
May 06, 2019

I will update the comment, as I already updated the report, Verkada updated the system so it is now working with Firefox on Windows. The latest update from Verkada support said that they were still testing Chrome for Windows support, and we will update the report when we can confirm that.

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Jeffrey Hinckley
May 07, 2019

This product sounds horrible for an enterprise application.  Probably more suitable for a sub shop owner.  How are customers like Memphis and school districts able to use this.  (multi video live/archive monitoring).  Does not even support PTZ applications?  Are there any levels of I/O or event programming?   (and it is proprietary, so no other VMS upgrade abilities).  It does not even have video forensic authetication?  I also could not find on their site information regarding the onboard storage (it says industrial solid state - what does that mean).  1 TB for 30 days continuous 3MP h.265 seems very inneficient.

I will stay away for sure for my customer solutions.

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Sonny Tai
May 08, 2019
Actuate

"Verkada is arguably the most ambitious video surveillance startup in many years. The company is developing their own cameras, their own VMS, their own cloud management software and their own video analytics, offering what they describe as the "Security Camera System Built for the Modern Enterprise"."

Something I learned in the Marine Corps: If you're strong everywhere, you're strong nowhere. Too many companies try to do everything at once, and deliver subpar performance in all fields. It's better to be head and shoulders above your competitors at your core competency.

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JH
John Honovich
May 08, 2019
IPVM

It's better to be head and shoulders above your competitors at your core competency.

On the other hand, they just got valued at $500 million, so it would seem investors disagree.

One thing I've learned analyzing companies for many years is that a strong and well-funded sales organization is critical to sell a product. That is their core competency / competitive advantage right now.

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Sonny Tai
May 08, 2019
Actuate

What is the advantage for a customer to adopt Verkada instead of a traditional camera/VMS provider?

JH
John Honovich
May 08, 2019
IPVM

It's really the other way. The advantage is the way Verkada sells vs the way traditional providers sell. Verkada has simplified the go-to-market, instead of field salespeople, distributors, integrators, manufacturer reps, etc., it's just a team of 50+ people in an office selling direct generally to IT people (they technically fulfill through local partners but the deals are overwhelmingly driven by their own salespeople). For more, see: The Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Sales Organization Ever - Verkada

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JH
John Honovich
May 10, 2019
IPVM

Update added to report: 

Shipping records indicate Vivotek is the supplier for Verkada, as the excerpt below shows:

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MD
Matthew Del Salto
May 22, 2019
Hudson Security

According to Verkada their use of Hisilicon chips does not fall under the ban since it is assembled in Taiwan and according to them the ban only stops products made wholly in China. Is this true?

 

"The ban is very specific about Manufacturing a full product in China like Hikvision and Dahua and does not state anything about this. Pretty much every OEM uses a chip from a subsidiary of a Chinese company Huawei or otherwise."

JH
John Honovich
May 22, 2019
IPVM

Matthew, who in Verkada said that to you?

We had an executive, speaking officially for the company say:

We are closely watching how the NDAA will be implemented and intend to always comply with all applicable laws.

Verkada's executive explanation to us is consistent with what we understand, it depends on how the NDAA will be implemented.

The ban is not 'specific about' 'full product', that's why the final implementation details are key.

MD
Matthew Del Salto
May 22, 2019
Hudson Security

Straight off of Facebook. Looks like they are lying through their teeth in that case.

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JH
John Honovich
May 22, 2019
IPVM

Matthew, is that on FB direct /private message or on a public FB post?

My best guess is that whoever is responding for Verkada on FB just does not understand. Keep in mind, the average Verkada employee has only worked in the industry 4 or 5 months, while the ban was passed 9 months ago.

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MD
Matthew Del Salto
May 22, 2019
Hudson Security

They are posting this publically on Facebook for all to see and be misled. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2317622081892178&id=1909154786072245

JH
John Honovich
May 22, 2019
IPVM

I am pretty sure that is an ad so it's viewable but not on their main page.

Also, I found another Verkada ad, which is ironic given their use of Huawei:

MD
Matthew Del Salto
May 22, 2019
Hudson Security

Wow so can we be clear if all hisilicon chips will be banned or if its just the ones with products fully built in China as Verkada now claims? Does that mean if Hikvision built a plant in Canada or Mexico and use Hisilicon it skirts the ban?

JH
John Honovich
May 22, 2019
IPVM

Again, it's not clear if Huawei chips will be included in the final ban.

As for where products are made, for tariffs, it is about where it is made. For the NDAA ban, it does not matter where a product is made, just who made it. So Hikvision could make cameras in Trump Tower by workers wrapped in American flags singing the Star Spangled Banner and those products would still be prohibited by the NDAA. However, such products would not have tariffs applied.

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JH
John Honovich
May 22, 2019
IPVM

"Pretty much every OEM uses a chip from a subsidiary of a Chinese company Huawei or otherwise."

Most 'enterprise' cameras, as Verkada likes to call themselves, do not use Huawei nor China SoCs. This includes Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Hanwha, etc.

That Verkada is using Huawei Hisilicon here is really weird. It's not like they are selling a consumer or low-cost product through distribution where every last point of margin is critical to staying in business. 

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Sean Patton
Jul 15, 2019

The report has been updated to reflect a new live local streaming update from Verkada, which we found works well, supporting direct-from-camera streaming. The primary limitations are that only lower quality "SD" streams are supported (not the full "HD" stream), and is only for live video. Playback of recorded video is still routed through the cloud.

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UE
Undisclosed End User #10
Jul 16, 2019

That's a nice feature, to at least be able to use the cameras live, but it makes them kinda useless for 99.44% of what surveillance systems are actually used for--looking up a past event.

I'm just not sold yet that a cloud-required solution is an answer to any real problem

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UE
Undisclosed End User #12
Jan 31, 2020
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Sean Patton
Jan 31, 2020

Thanks U12, we covered this as well, our report published yesterday: Verkada Raises $80 Million, Triples Valuation To $1.6 Billion