QNAP NVR-1012

TESTING

ICS-1013

Setting up the ICS-1013 cameras is probably the easiest part of getting the NVR-1012 surveilance system up and running. Their simple mounting hardware is easy to install and can be used to mount the camera in just about any position. The included software makes finding the camera on the network a breeze and as long as you have taken a bit of time to plan out your installation, assigning IP addresses to the cameras takes little effort.

Network connectivity to the ICS-1013 cameras can be achieved by either a wired or wireless connection. The wireless adapter present on the cameras is capable of securing its transmissions with WPA2 encryption if needed. This is a welcome feature and can help ensure that only those that you desire to view your camera images are viewing them. One downside to the wireless performance of the cameras is the range which the cameras are capable of operating at. My Linksys WRT54G is positioned on one side of my basement and provides wireless access for all devices in my house, even those upstairs on the main floor and all the way across the house. Unfortunately, when placed next to a computer using the same wireless network and access point, the ICS-1013 was unable to detect and connect to the wireless network. I have had mixed results with antenna positioning on both the camera and WRT54G, and have found that with my house layout, I am only able to provide good connectivity to the camera if it is within about 25-35 feet of the access point. Now this range will obviously varies from location to location, but I was definitly expecting a lot better performance out of the ICS-1013 cameras. One feature I would love to see added to the ICS-1013 is the ability to power the camera using Power over Ethernet. PoE is becoming more common all the time, and not having to rely on having a power outlet nearby can be a life-saver when determining installation location.

Picture quality is an important factor in any type of visual tool, and unfortunately, the ICS-1013 does not have the best picture. Most colors are not accurately represented, ie. my forrest green sofa turning out to look almost hot pink through the cameras. Even after extensive adjustments of the cameras image settings, I was often times unable to re-create the proper colors. As you can see below, the colors that the ICS-1013 produces do not always resemble the actual colors. The first image is from the ICS-1013, and the second image is from my digital camera. These two pictures were taken within a minute of each other, and the ICS-1013 was adjusted for best image quality results.

Not only does the NVR-1012 system support video, it also supports two-way audio. The audio that is picked up by the built-in microphone on the ICS-1013 is actually fairly decent, and only carries a slight delay in transmission. By hooking up an external speaker using the plug on the back of the cameras, you can actually use the system to hold a conversation, allowing the system to function as a video intercom system of sorts.

NVR-101

Setup of the NVR-101 is equally as simple as the cameras. After installing a supported hard drive, and following the six easy steps to setup the unit you are ready to use the system for basic surveilance needs. Since the NVR-1012 is designated as a surveillance system, I took this into account when evaluating the unit. One thing that I was a bit disappointed in with the recording abilities of the NVR-101 was that it only supports video clip lengths of up to 15 minutes. The system will record for longer than 15 minutes, but splits the video into multiple files. I would be nice to be able to record for a longer period before splitting off into a second file.

The software that runs on the NVR-101 is very robust and offers all the features you would expect from a high-dollar system, but in an affordable package. The video playback feature allows you to search for videos in a certain time period and lists all the video recordings for the selected camera in this range. You can then playback the video right in the browser window, or download it for viewing at a later date. The playback page also allows you to open up an SMB window, web file manager or FTP window to browse the directory structure for individual video recording files.

One aspect of the NVR-101 that I was concerned about was the power draw that the system might require. I try to be conscious of my energy usage and leaving unused electronics on 24/7 is one of my biggest pet peeves. Luckily for me, the NVR-101 showed an average draw of 15-17 watts when measured by a Kill A Watt device. This left me feeling much better about leaving the unit on at all times, knowing that it was only using about the same amount of energy as the rest of my network infrastructure.

CONCLUSION

As I stated in the introduction, surveilance systems can be very expensive when dealing with traditional home security system vendors. QNAP has brought a great package together with their NVR-1012 surveilance system. The NVR-101 is jam-packed with enough features for an experienced surveilance user, but they have also made the setup and use of this system easy enough for a novice. Just six simple steps are needed to setup the NVR-101 and the ICS-1013 cameras are just as easy to configure.

While the image quality of the included cameras is definitely lacking, they do offer versatility in their depoloyment options with the ability to be used with a wired or wireless network. Unfortunately, the wireless range of the cameras is a bit shorter than I would have liked to have seen, as the system is designed for home or office use, and many time a single wireless access point is the only option. The cameras also support two-way audio, so that you can not only hear what is going on in the location of the camera, but you can broadcast audio if needed. One way to enhance the performance of the NVR-1012 is the ability to connect to 3rd party manufacturer cameras. This allows for use of cameras that may already be in use, as well as to upgrade to PTZ cameras if needed in the future.

PROS:

• Versatility
• Easily expandable
• NVR-101 is a very robust NVR system
• Competetive price in comparison to traditional surveillance systems ($920 at Newegg)

CONS:

• Poor wireless range on cameras
• Video quality is lacking
• No PoE for cameras

In the end, the few shortages that the ICS-1013 cameras have are certainly compensated for by the robustness of the NVR-101. This extensive kit from QNAP is a great package and should definitely be looked into when contemplating the purchase and installation of a network based surviellance system. We at Bjorn3D are proud to rate the QNAP NVR-1012 as a 9 out of 10 and award it the Bjorn3D Seal of Approval.