Disclaimer: The following information is simply my opinion, which is based off my experience with the software over the last week. The hardware I used while testing this software can be seen further down.
TLDR;
iVMS-4200 is comprised of three software components. You get to choose which is installed during installation. Here is my explanation what each does.
iVMS-4200 Client
My setup consists of five genuine 2CD2342WD-I cameras with a spare computer running the server components and my desktop computer running the client. I also have an iPhone 7 that I tested the mobile app on.
iVMS-4200 Shortcomings
TLDR;
- To get the most out of the iVMS-4200 software suite, you NEED a REAL NVR or VCA CAPABLE SMART CAMERA/S.
- Setting up iVMS-4200 Storage Server on a spare computer DOES NOT turn that computer into an NVR.
- You WILL NOT be able to use the more powerful features of iVMS-4200 with just consumer grade IP cameras and a computer running the iVMS software suite.
iVMS-4200 is comprised of three software components. You get to choose which is installed during installation. Here is my explanation what each does.
iVMS-4200 Client
The client is the main software component which you use to view live footage, review recorded footage and manage your cameras. You can do all of the above without the other two components being installed. The client software is capable of much much more, but a lot of the functionality relies on you having compatible equipment. If all you have are basic cameras (2CD2342WD-I) and nothing else, then you won't gain much functionality past what you can do from the camera directly. (via web gui)
Storage Server
The Storage Server component allows you to turn a spare computer into a primary storage destination for your cameras. But that's all. It does not turn your spare PC into a NVR that can perform VCA on recorded footage, nor does it unlock any of the additional features of the client software. In fact, there are some negative aspects to the Storage Server which make reconsidering the cameras other storage options worthwhile. I could go into more detail but I want to keep this short. Needless to say, discovering just how limited the Storage Server role really was, shattered my dreams of turning a spare computer into a beastly NVR. I think a lot of people get sucked into installing the iVMS software when they see it has a Server component. But the reality is, the Storage Server is just place for your recorded video to reside and be called upon. That's it.
Streaming Media Server
The Streaming Media Server was another big let down for me. It simply allows more users to view live footage from a particular camera without exhausting all available bandwidth to/from that camera. However, it does not do this for recorded video. Only live video. I though it may also re-compress video to facilitate a better mobile viewing experience, but nope. So unless you have a lot of people all trying to access the same camera on your LOCAL network, the Streaming Media Server is pretty much useless.
To wrap things up, let me show you a list of other shortcomings I made about iVMS-4200 and the iVMS-4500 (iOS app) that apply to my particular setup. Some of these shortcomings are features that were disabled due to incompatible hardware (despite being genuine Hikvision stuff) and other shortcomings were simply features that the software didn't have.
My setup consists of five genuine 2CD2342WD-I cameras with a spare computer running the server components and my desktop computer running the client. I also have an iPhone 7 that I tested the mobile app on.
iVMS-4200 Shortcomings
- Unable to 'tag' recorded video (for easy searching) during remote playback. (need a VCA capable device)
- Unable to filter the recorded video timeline to only show 'alarm events'. (need a VCA capable device)
- Alarm events are only recorded when the client is open. If the client is closed, no alarm events are recorded. (This kinda applies more to the Storage Server component. You would think having a dedicated storage server on the network would keep a log of alarm events that you could review upon opening the client software.
- No software update feature let alone an Automatic Software Update feature. This means you have to check the Hikvision website to see if a new version of the software has been released!
- Does not allow the user to see actual storage space available on whichever storage disks you have configured (Not in Windows nor from iVMS-4200 client remote config)
- Unable to synchronise playback between cameras.
- Unable to finely scrub through timeline.
- Unable to use 'Live View' when connected to 'Storage Server' even with 'Streaming Media Server' enabled.
- Unable to use 'Remote Playback' when connected directly to cameras (if you are using 'Storage Server' instead of local storage to the camera)
- Unable to save recorded video to iPhone Photos App (you can save photos though)