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What viewing platforms can I use with EdgeVis?
What viewing platforms can I use with EdgeVis?

Users need to use a software application to view the video and alarms from their encoders.

Updated over 4 months ago

Introduction

Once you have your encoder connected to EdgeVis Server your users must use a viewing platform to access the video and alarms (this article outlines the EdgeVis architecture in more detail).

EdgeVis video is different to standard IP cameras, so your options are:

  1. Use a VMS (video management system) that understands EdgeVis natively. The market-leading VMS (Milestone and Genetec) both have built-in support for connecting to EdgeVis Servers.

  2. Use our middleware application called VMS Gateway that converts EdgeVis video into a standard format that fools your VMS into thinking they are connecting to a normal IP camera.

  3. Use our viewing application called EdgeVis Client.

This article outlines the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

It is also possible to utilise multiple options, and you may find that some of your users use a VMS (e.g. your control room operators), while others use EdgeVis Client (e.g. the people installing the equipment).

Note: Use of EdgeVis Client

This article mostly concerns the day-to-day use of EdgeVis encoders by your end users.

During the initial setup/configuration of your encoders, there are some configuration settings that you must use EdgeVis Client for Windows to configure (e.g. analytics). Once completed there is no longer a dependancy on the use of EdgeVis Client.

Option 1 - Using Milestone or Genetec

This is a popular choice as many users will already be using other non-EdgeVis video equipment and will allow you to add your EdgeVis equipment into an existing user workflow.

These VMS already know how to connect to EdgeVis and will convert EdgeVis video into standard-based video automatically, ingest alarms, and provide PTZ camera control.

Pros:

  • EdgeVis devices can be used alongside other IP cameras that you use, and users don't need to know which is which.

  • Users already trained in your VMS should not require (much) additional training.

  • Your VMS can record all incoming video, or record when motion is detected.

Cons:

  • These VMS will require an additional licence cost.

  • Some EdgeVis-specific functionality is not available to users, as there is no equivalent capability in the VMS.

  • You must take care to add encoders to your VMS carefully, as by default they will always record incoming video. This will cause your encoder to stream 24/7.

For more information:

Option 2 - Using VMS Gateway with a third-party VMS

Very similar to option 1, this is for users with a VMS that does not know how to connect to EdgeVis Server directly.

We offer a free software tool called VMS Gateway that can convert EdgeVis Video into a 'fake' local IP camera that presents an ONVIF Profile S-compliant feed to your VMS. Your VMS does not know that the video has been converted from EdgeVis, but will still be able to use the video, alarms, and PTZ controls your encoder provides

Pros:

  • EdgeVis devices can be used alongside other IP cameras that you use, and users don't need to know which is which.

  • Users already trained in your VMS should not require additional training.

  • Your VMS can record all incoming video, or record when motion is detected.

Cons:

  • You need to set up additional PCs (near your VMS's server) that can convert from EdgeVis to ONVIF.

  • Your VMS may require an additional licence cost.

  • Some EdgeVis-specific functionality is not available to users, as there is no equivalent capability in ONVIF.

  • You must take care to add encoders to your VMS carefully, as by default many will always record incoming video. This will cause your encoder to stream 24/7.

This article outlines more information on VMS Gateway.

Option 3 - Using EdgeVis Client

EdgeVis Client is a simplified viewing and control application that is available on Windows, iOS, and Android.

Pros:

  • It is included as part of EdgeVis for free.

  • It offers access to all EdgeVis capabilities.

Cons:

  • It can't work with non-EdgeVis devices

  • It is not designed as a full VMS and is intended primarily to receive alerts and control your encoders. There is no centralised recording capability.

  • It is not intended for use in large organisations and does not offer many of the user controls/enterprise features that organisations/IT departments expect.

  • It doesn't work with Linux

This article outlines more information on EdgeVis Client.
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