A DVR Security System That Isn't Based on Windows?

Brady J. Frey asks: "For months, I've had a client that has been looking for a Linux or Mac alternative for their DVR Security systems. They are a large Real Estate company with 200+ cameras world wide, and their Pelco PC DVR's are hubs for viruses. These systems cannot run anti-virus software at the same time they record -- but require internet inbound/outbound traffic through specific ports that leave some nice holes in the firewall for viruses to find their way in as needed. Yes, we could put up a server in front of each, or a router that has anti-virus built in, however this is not a cost effective method for a number of their locations. Therefore we are looking for alternatives. Any suggestions?" "We've tried looking at Ben's Security Spy for Mac, and running a Quicktime server, but it was not industrial enough for us and the developer has been elusive. We're looking at Endura by Pelco, but there's some questions unanswered for it.

What I want is a high end, professional DVR system for a large business that does not run Windows. Budget isn't really an issue at this point, since we are just looking for options.

To note, I'm hearing I could possibly do IP cameras, and host any ol' web server I want to download those files, but I have no clue as to how to control the cameras, or if this is really a possibility. Any advice or information is appreciated. If you are an expert in this industry, we may have a need for your services and would welcome that too!"

Comments

ipcameras

[cookiej]

Sad to say, SecuritySpy isn't even close to "industrial". They won't even support one of the newer D-Link cameras, the 6620G.

I have two D-Link 6620G cameras and have been looking for *any* solution, industrial or not, that would let me access my cameras via my Mac.

I am by no means an industry expert, I can tell you that the IP Camera solution is indeed viable. Several of them out there -- check out:

http://www.ipcamerademos.com/

and

http://www.ipcameraforums.com/

Also -- most of the IP cameras have their own software, access (and control) via a webserver built into the camera, or a client utility that allows multiple views (at least the D-link does, and I was led to believe that both Toshiba and Panasonic do as well).

There are some serious industrial IP cameras out there. Check out AXIS and I think Panasonic has some heavy-duty cameras as well.

Re:Viruses?

[bradyj]

We are 100% Mac and Linux company, so my known system would not be a dated Windows box dumbed down to only run anti-virus when nothing else works:) It may very well be a weakness in the software -- the ports required are 80 and 9999, that's it -- Pelco themselves duplicated a virus popping into it with a router up top, and since many of these buildings are remote, the expense is not reasonable to have a high end firewall on most of these remote locations when I could just as easily disregard that mess and log in as a non-root enabled user.

Re:Very timely post

[jcr]

Acting as home DVR isn't quite the same thing you need for surveillance. Still, that box may make a dandy jumping-off point for this kind of application.

-jcr