Archive for category AVerMedia

GeoVision & AVerMedia Pros & Cons

Greg, one of our technicians, compiled this quick-reference Pros & Cons guide for AVerMedia & GeoVision. These are opinions, based around several years of experience with both manufacturers, and are open for discussion. It is also not a GeoVision vs. AVerMedia war, only observations of both systems.

GeoVision logo GeoVision & AVerMedia Pros & ConsGeoVision

Pros:

  • Major remote capabilities
  • Enhanced Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) Control
  • More flexible masking features & individual camera settings
  • More stable software
  • Focus on surveillance products
  • Complex user interface, with many options & settings that are relatively easy to find/use for an experienced user
  • Software is easy to install
  • Playback is detailed

Cons:

  • Requires a powerful computer for larger CCTV systems
  • User Interface can be too complex for newer users
  • Software is not easily removed for re-installs, etc
  • Requires additional license purchases to integrate non-GeoVision equipment
  • There are currently no 64-bit drivers for their equipment

AVerMedia logo GeoVision & AVerMedia Pros & ConsAVerMedia

Pros:

  • Easy to use software
  • Easy to install IP cameras
  • Newer users should have no problem finding & figuring out settings
  • Other hardware is easy to install & integrate (does not require additional licenses)
  • Playback is simple & easy to figure out

Cons:

  • Requires a powerful computer for larger surveillance systems
  • There are some software issues with the drivers that can be irritating
  • Like GeoVision, there are no 64-bit drivers yet

We would love to know your thoughts on the Pros & Cons between these two widely-used security solutions providers. There are many other observations that could likely be mentioned, but if you want to read more about GeoVision & AVerMedia I suggest checking out our other articles:

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Install a DVR Card – How To Video

Our engineers here at ApexCCTV have put together a short video that demonstrates how simple it is to install a DVR card into a PC. In this example, an AVerMedia DVR Card is used, but please keep in mind that the same process can be utilized when installing a GeoVision card.

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GeoVision vs. AVerMedia Surveillance Software Overview

There are several clear differences between the GeoVision and AVerMedia central monitoring software suites. Here are a few key points that will hopefully help you decide which system you would like to utilize for your next surveillance installation.

GeoVision Central Monitoring Station

From the standpoint of an experienced technician, it feels like more thought has been put into designing GeoVision’s Products. The graphical user interface (GUI) is much more attractive and clean, and you have a different login for each user. If an administrator logs in, he or she has admin rights and does not have to enter a username and password time and again.

There are also many more advanced options for fully utilizing the GeoVision software. The average user should have no difficulty using it for simple monitoring purposes, though. For more advanced applications, such as projecting different security cameras onto separate monitors, repairing archived video footage, having more control over your GeoVision DVR Cards, or integrating IP cameras into your existing system, the possibilities are numerous.

When it comes to tying in different manufacturers’ products, however, GeoVision is not quite “user friendly.” Unless you are using one of GeoVision’s products with your GeoVision DVR Software, you will have to pony up a significant amount of money to integrate non-GeoVision security cameras and other equipment.

AVerMedia Central Monitoring Software

The AVerMedia digital surveillance software is built with a larger focus on the average user. Once setup, software is relatively self explanatory and somewhat painless to work with. Both software suites are menu-driven, but accessing options within the AVerMedia CMS is a cinch.

Like GeoVision, though, AVerMedia does have its drawbacks. You have to type in a password several times when you are accessing setup menus, minimizing or closing the software, etc. Also, some of the tweaks and tricks readily available in GeoVision’s software are not easily accessible in AVerMedia’s.

I will give kudos to the engineers at AVerMedia, though, because their system is not nearly as proprietary-minded as GeoVision’s. Without buying a special device to incorporate non-AVerMedia products, you can easily augment the software with various other security cameras and equipment. From IP cameras to POS devices, adding non-proprietary products to AVerMedia’s software can be easily and cost-effectively accomplished.

Depending on your level of technical sophistication, either of these products is perfect for the average user. However, if you are a “techie” or like to tinker, Geovision may be the better choice for you!

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AVerMedia DVR Cards

Enjoy the benefits of digital monitoring on your computer using digital video recorder (DVR) cards. To keep an eye on your business or monitor your home, just plug in the DVR card into your computer’s PCI slot, attach your camera(s), install the bundled software, and you are ready to go. You can record and display multiple cameras simultaneously from any remote location with most included video surveillance software.

To use digital video recorder cards, your computer should have some minimum requirements, such as 512 MB RAM, an 80 GB hard drive, and an Intel Pentium 3, or greater, processor. In surveillance systems, digital video recorder cards are used to process information from the camera and send it to the hard drive. These security DVR cards receive analog video from the cameras and convert it into digital signals. The digital signal is then compressed using compression formats and sent to the storage device for archiving and playback.

AVerMedia NV5000 Security DVR Card

AVerMedia offers the AVerDVR NV series, which are Windows-based DVR cards that include many advanced features. AVerMedia DVR cards feature pure hardware compression for enhanced picture quality, low bit rates, and reduced system cost. They also help you save your hard disk space. These PCI or PCI Express interface cards offer great performance and advanced search functionality. POS integration helps to associate retail transaction details with corresponding video images.

A wide range of AVerMedia digital recorder cards are available with different recording frame rates, image recording quality, and expandability. DVR cards have varying frames per second (fps), such as 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480, depending on how many channels they have. The fps determines the possible recording time of the device. These cards come with 4, 8, and 16 camera inputs, which can be expanded to 32 by combining more than one card.

The AVerMedia NV card series is designed to meet all your expectations from a DVR card. The AVerMedia DVR card line has a stackable structure. You can add multiple AVerMedia DVR cards to your PC to increase the recording speed and camera capacity.

Check whether your computer has an empty PCI or PCI-Express slot to install an AVerMedia digital recorder cards. The enhanced built-in processing power of these cards reduces the burden on the computer, so there is no fear of system failure. You can conveniently access video footage anywhere with the integrated remote functionality of these security DVR cards. The graphic user interfaces on all AVerMedia security DVR cards have powerful search and playback options, like video, event, visual, log, and intelligent search modes. AVerMedia DVR Cards offer password protection, audio and video recording synchronization, and much more.

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