Worst VMS Manufacturers 2014

Author: John Honovich, Published on Feb 24, 2014

With the favorite VMSes revealed, we now turn to the worst.

We asked 120+ integrators from more than 20 countries:

"In the past year, what VMS / NVR system have you had the worst experience with? What happened?"

The question was left open ended allowing respondents to choose whomever they wanted plus adding color commentary to explain the situation.

22 manufacturers were cited, with 6 standing out. Most notably, 4 of the largest 10 surveillance manufacturers in the world made the worst list, even though none of those 4 made the favorites list.

**** *********** *************, ** *** **** ** *** *****.

** ***** ***+ *********** **** **** **** ** *********:

"** *** **** ****, **** *** / *** ****** **** you *** *** ***** ********** ****? **** ********?"

*** ******** *** **** **** ***** ******** *********** ** ****** whomever **** ****** **** ****** ***** ********** ** ******* *** situation.

** ************* **** *****, **** * ******** ***. **** *******, 4 ** *** ******* ** ************ ************* ** *** ***** made *** ***** ****, **** ****** **** ** ***** * made *** ********* ****.

[***************]

Manufacturer *******

****** ***** ****** ****, ***** *** ** ************ ****** *** *** ************ ********. There **** * *** / *** ************* ** **** (*****, Pelco, *****, *********, ****** *** ****) *** *** ***** *** the **** ** *************.

Usability ********

**** ** ******* ** **** ******** **** ***** **** ****** for ********* ******, *********** *** ********** **** ** *** ** to *** *********:

  • "******* ***'* - ******** *********"
  • "***-******...***** *** ** ** *** *** ** *** **** ********* and ****** ******* ** ***** ** ** *** ****. ******* layout ** *** **** *** ***** **** ** **** ***** of ******* *******."
  • "**********- ***** *** ******* ***** ** ********** *** *********. ***** GUI ***** ******** *** **** *** **** **** ******* **** configuration. *** **** ** **-****** ********** ********* *** *****"
  • "*****. *** *** **** *** *** ***. ******."
  • "***** ***. ***** *** ************* ******* **** ********* *** ****** made ** *****."
  • "*****,*********.... **** ** *** *********** ***** *** *** ** ********* ** they ****** **, *** ****** ****** **** **** ********"
  • "*** ******* *** *** ** ********."
  • "********* ***'* **** *** **** **********. **** *********** *********."

** ******, *********** ***** '***' ****** ** **********'* ****** *** their *********, ** ****** ** ** ******** **** ** *** other ****, ********* ****** ***** ** * ***** ****** ** problems.

Bosch - **** ** ********

***** ******* **** * ****** **** *** ******** ***, ***** had * ******** ******* *** ***** **********:

  • "***** ****: ** ********** ***** * *** ************ **** **** were ***** ********* ** ***** ******* **** ********."
  • "***** *****, ****** ****** **** *** ******* ****** ******* *** is *** ** *******, ******** ***** **** * ***** ***. Many ******* *********."
  • "***** *** - ******** *************** ****** **** ***** ******** ********, software ** *****, *** ******* ** ************."
  • "*****: ***** **** ** ****** *** ****** ** ******** ***** to ** ******* *** **** **** ******* ** **********. *** technically *****, **** ******* ** *** **** ******** *** ****** differently ****** * *******."
  • "***** ***. ***** *** ************* ******* **** ********* *** ****** made ** *****. *** ** **** ******* ** *** ****** level ** **** ******* ** ***** ****** *********.**** *** ******* and *** ****** *** **********, *** **** ********* ** ********."

Pelco ****** ********

***** ***** **** *** ** *** ******** ******, ***** ****** received ***** ******** **********:

  • "***** ******. **** ** ***** ******** ********* ******* *******."
  • "***** ******, ***** ******** ******* ******* *** ****** ******* ** work ** * **** ******** ***."
  • "***** ******. ** *** ** ******* * ***** **********'* ***. We *** ** **** ********'* ********* *** ** *** ***** in ********* *** *********."

******** **** *****'* **** ******* ** *** ** ****** ****, this ** *** * **** **** ***. ** *** **** side, *****'* ***** ***, ******* ****** *** *** ******* *** criticisms (*** ******** **********).

*****

***** ***** ** *** ** *** ******* ******* ********* ** the *****, ********** ****** ** **** **** ***** *** **** equipment, **** ********* * ****** ** **********:

  • "*****, ** *** ****** ** *** *** ******* ************* ** the **** ********. ** *** ** ******* **** ***. ***** a **** *** ****** ******** **** ** ********* **** *****."
  • "*** ********** ******** *** ***** *********. ****** ********* *** *** **** ** all **** ******** **** **** * **** ****. *** ********** useless, *** ** **** *** *** ***** ****** *** ********"
  • "*****. ** ***** * ***** **** *********** *** ****** *** ******* ************. *** *** **** **** a **** *****, ******** **** *******, *** * **** ********* interface."
  • *-***... * **** *** * **** ********* ***** ** ******* ***** *****." [**** *-*** **** *****]

Milestone ******

********* *** * ***** ****** ******* ****** ** *** ********* but *** ******* *+ ******** ******* ** ****:

  • "*********, ***** *** *** ** ** ******** ** **************."
  • "*********. ***** **** **** ****** ******** ******. *** ***** *** get ****** ** *** **** *** ******* **** ** ******* any ********* ******* *** ** ********* ****** ******."
  • "*****, *********, ***** *******. ***** ******* ** ********* *** ******* to ****** ** ******."
  • "*********. ******** ******* *** **** *** ** ***** *** *** thousands ** ******* ** ********."
  • "*********. ***** ** ***** *********** *** *** ******* ****** ********* very ********** ******** ***'* **** *********."
  • "*** *** **** *** ******* ********* ** *** ******* *******. Maybe **** ***** **** ***** ******** *********, *** ** * ****** ****** *********** ** * ******* you **** *******."
  • "*********'* **** *******. ** ***** **** ******* ******* *** ***** sporadically *** ********** ** ** ******* ** ** ***** **** trying ** **** *** ***** **** *** ***** **** *** camera. **** * **** **** ** ******** *** *** ** work ******. ******* ****** ** ** *** ***** ********* (**** version) ** ********* *******."

*****'* ** ****** ***** ***** *** ********* ********** *** * variety ** ******.

*****?

** ********, *** ******** ******, ***** **** *** *** ******** vote. *******, **** *** ** ********* ******* - "******** **** support. * *** **** ** * **** ****** ******** **** them. **** **** ******* **** *******." ******, **** ********* ************** ** ***** ********* **** *******.

Dishonorable ******* - ******

****** *** ****** *** *** *** ***** ************ ********'* *************. And ***** **** ******** ** ********** *** ******** ***, * few **** *********** *** *** *********** ** ***** ******* **** the *******: 

  • "******. ***** ****** *** **** ********** ********* **** ****** ***** commands *******, *** ************* * *** ** ************ ** ** ****, *** ****'** getting ***-********* ** **** ******* *******."
  • "****** - **** *********** ** ** ********* ** ***** **** support."

Dishonorable ******* - **** ****** *********

****** **** ****** ********* *** ***** ********** ******, * ****** of ****** *** ********* ********* ****** **** ***** ** *****. In *** ******, *********** *****:

  • "*** - ******* ******* ** ***** ** ** *****, **** changing ***** "********" *** **** *-* ***** **** *** **** year, **** ****/******* **** ******* ***** ** *** * **** of ******* **** ******. *** *** **** *** *** ***."
  • "**** ****** *********. ** ********* *****'* ****** ***** ****** *** time ****** *****, ******* ** *****. **** *** **** ** manually ****** *****, ******* ** *******, *** ********** *** ******'* just ***'* **** ** *** ********."

*** ****, *********, ************ ****** ******** **** ***, ***** ***** *********** ********* **** **** ******:

  • "**** ********** ** ******* **** ** *****, ******** ** *******. and ***** ** ** ********** ******** **** **** ** ** the ***** ** ******."
  • "***** * ******* ****** ** **** ** *** *****-* *** M3004-V ******* **** *******, ****** ** ******, **** *********** *** SD ****, ***. ** *** ************** ******* ******* ** * ** *** ***** ** *** and ************ *** ********."
  • "**** *******. ** **** ******* ********* ***** ** ** **** last ****. ******** *** ******** ** *******. ********* ***** & days ** *** ***** **** **** ** *** ***** **** out ** *****, ******* **** ********* *** *****. ******** *******. Firmware *********."

********* *** ******* ** *** ********, **** *** *** ***** *** ***** ** ******* ******** (like ******* ** * ** **** *** *) ** **** integrators *** **** **** ********. ******.

******:**** *** ********* **** * ********.

Comments (24)

Jason Clement

02/24/14 02:16pm

Great article. I just don't understand how some Integrators/Installers/etc stay so loyal to Pelco, Panasonic and the other "analog giants" that have flopped in the IP world.

Undisclosed Integrator #1

In reply to Jason Clement | 02/24/14 02:23pm

Sometimes it's a matter of those "giants" having been written into bid specs for super large companies and government a long time ago and no one qualified lately having written more updated and realistic specs.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Jason Clement | 02/24/14 04:53pm

To undisclosed A's point, specs are one reason. Another is that they have large sales forces so they can continue to generate demand, even if integrator interest declines. Plus they have brand, so it's easier for them to make people comfortable rather than someone less well known but with better, more recent products.

David Hansel

IPVMU Certified | 02/24/14 09:56pm

I was considering purchasing a Bosch IP recorder/server (DIVAR IP 3000) because the camera I was planning to use is the Bosch Dinion IP Imager 9000HD, and I didn't want any incompatibility issues. But, after reading how low the Bosch NVRs are rated, I am having second thoughts.

With Exacq's highly favorable rating, perhaps Exacq would be a better choice to lessen hair-pulling emotions during installation and during warranty follow-ups.

Does anyone have any experience with the DIVAR IP 3000? If so, was it problematic? Being from Bosch, would it then have the same low rating as other models?

Undisclosed Integrator #2

In reply to David Hansel | 02/25/14 01:12pm

The Bosch Recording Station / VIDOS / VRM software cannot be compared to each other, they are very different in their operation and concept.

Divar IP 3000 is running VRM, this software does not indicate motion recording on the timeline, you have to search the cameras one by one for motion to have it shown on the timeline, this can be a headache for the enduser.

chuck georgo

02/25/14 01:16pm

Were any of the ones listed the "best" list mentioned?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to chuck georgo | 02/25/14 02:41pm

I am not sure what you mean Chuck. The only manufacturer listed prominently both on the 'favorite' and 'worst' VMS reports was Milestone.

chuck georgo

In reply to John Honovich | 02/25/14 02:46pm

that's all i was looking for...were any of the favorited ones also mentioned as the worst ones...thanks

John Lineweaver

02/25/14 01:25pm

I don’t agree with this statement "Nicevision - Their PTZ control setup is cumbersome and confusing. Their GUI looks terrible and does not save your viewing pane configuration. You have to re-select everything every time you logon"

While I agree that the NICE PTZ control set up is difficult at first once you learn the setup process it’s not such an issue. When needed Tech support is timely and helpful.

The look of the GUI while a little dated is fully functional and on a large enterprise system like ours functionality is paramount. While correct in stating “you have to reselect everything each time you login” if you configure user pages it’s as simple as clicking one button.

NICE has come a long way in the past 6 years.

Undisclosed Integrator #5

In reply to John Lineweaver | 05/13/14 04:44pm

I agree with Mr. Lineweaver's statement that NICE GUI is fully functional, and that PTZ makes sense once you learn how to set it up. I will also mention there is a setting in the "Control" application which lets one set a default home page which will come up with your preferred views, so you do not need to "re-select everything every time you logon". At least this has been my experience for the last two years.

Shawn

Avatar

Brian Selltiz

IPVMU Certified | 02/25/14 02:12pm

I often lead with Milestone and therefore would be considered a ‘fan’ I suppose. That being said I do not experience most of the problems that are listed above. I would say that:

  • Milestone is very powerful, but can also take a bit of knowledge to configure properly.
  • While not perfect, their tech support is pretty good and easily reachable.
  • Expert and Corporate versions, which should be used on large systems, have some very powerful tools for managing very large groups of cameras together, simply and quickly.
  • Yes, this is true but at least you get the cost of the training back in resalable software.
  • A matter of opinion I suppose, I find it easier than Exacq for instance.
  • You can swap out a certain amount of cameras without contacting support, but I could see how this would be a downfall in some circumstances.
  • Sounds like a technical issue, probably related to camera incompatibility (we have had similar issues related to audio etc – but all were solvable).

Undisclosed Integrator #3

02/25/14 02:44pm

I just completed installation of my first Axis Camera Companion; already made two service calls with issues. Both the Customer and I are NOT a fan, will not be considering this option again.

Robert Gonzales

IPVMU Certified | 02/25/14 03:05pm

Great article. We are in the process of evaluating the use of a MARCH Network with a MARCH NVR has anyone utiliezed this service for their IP cameras and if so, what has been your experience with this manufacture?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Robert Gonzales | 02/25/14 04:21pm

Robert, March made the favorites list for VMS / NVRs. See comments inside there.

Timothy Mc Pheron

In reply to Robert Gonzales | 02/25/14 11:41pm

Robert, March Networks, if you are a CSP, does a great job with tech support, although once in a while the waiting time to get someone on the phone can stretch. The required classes for certification are available on-line, at your own pace. So I'd give them good marks for the product line and support.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #4

02/25/14 04:22pm

David and undisclosed B - I have heard the setup wizard in the DIVAR IP 3000 works well and I also was very confused by all the options within Bosch, i.e. - BVC, BRS, VRM and BVMS. I have heard that BRS is going away as it was only developed as a replacement option when one of their DVR models went end of life. BVC is a free software that I understand works well as a veiwing client, but it is NOT a VMS.

BVMS is the go to market product and VRM is a component of the recording topology. But it is confusing.

Paul Kozonasky

IPVMU Certified | 02/25/14 07:30pm

Does anyone at the IPVM group have any experience dealing with Salient Systems? They don't go through normal distribution channels so their presence might not be as well known.

I was looking into them for an upcoming project (due to its ability to integrate with an access control system we have at a customer site).

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Paul Kozonasky | 02/25/14 07:32pm

We have an overview post of Salient here, but we have never tested them.

Rajesh Uchil

IPVMU Certified | 03/01/14 04:45pm

Hi John, Do you have on reviews on VMS manufacturer - Video Insight ?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rajesh Uchil | 03/01/14 04:56pm

Rajesh,

Video Insight was tested as part of last fall's VMS feature shootout - see live monitoring, search / investigations, remote monitoring, mapping, exporting, etc.

Avatar

Patrick Hart

IPVMU Certified | 05/01/14 12:09pm

The list seems a little anecdotal, only120 integrators from 20 countries, I would be interested in knowing what the top 100 SDM magazine integrators thought.

Avatar

Ross Vander Klok

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Patrick Hart | 05/01/14 02:26pm

I would be more interested in how SDM comes up with their list of the top 100 and if their list actually meant anything. Ahhhh, never mind it doesn’t. Just looked at their six page “survey” to be included on the list.

SDM "Survey"

Undisclosed Manufacturer #6

05/15/14 03:35am

have we got any inside into Axonn and i mean any problems outside of Russia - i heard that anywhere else the product is terrible to use

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #6 | 05/15/14 12:07pm

Really? An employee of Nuuo is asking for negative comments about a competitor? That's not what undisclosed is for and it's in poor taste.

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