Proprietary or Analog Cameras / DVRs
Proprietary IP cameras/NVRs are intentionally designed not to be compatible with standard protocols.
Thus, they cannot work with 3rd party software or cloud services.
Non-proprietary IP cameras/NVRs support open standard protocols such as FTP, SMTP, RTSP and ONVIF. They can work with
3rd party software and services, such as CameraFTP's.
Analog cameras/DVRs are very old devices. They don't support networking. So they cannot use
any cloud service.
It is more flexible and safer to use a non-proprietary (open-standard based) IP camera.
If you already have a proprietary or analog camera/DVR,
usually you can only use the manufacturer's cloud service, or no cloud service at all;
but there are a few workaround solutions:
1. Use CameraFTP VSS's Screen-recording Camera Feature
Most proprietary IP cameras/NVRs have a viewer app or browser-based viewer for Windows. If so,
you can install CameraFTP VSS software on the PC, then use VSS' Screen-recording Camera feature
to record the PC screen (while the viewer is streaming the live camera video).
2. Use a Video Capture Card and CameraFTP VSS Software
Some proprietary or analog IP cameras/DVRs have a video output port (e.g. HDMI, BNC, S-Video, etc.). If so, you can use a Video Capture Card.
The camera's video output needs to be connected to the video capture card's input;
and the video capture card (usually USB-based) is plugged into a PC.
You can then use CameraFTP VSS software running on the PC to record the video capture card.
3. Play the Live Camera Video on One Device; Use Another Camera to Record the Video Being Played
A proprietary or analog camera/DVR usually can play the live video on a TV or device screen. You can use another
camera to record the screen.
For example: if you have an analog CCTV system that displays the live videos on a monitor. You can use a webcam, or an old phone/tablet
to record the monitor. You just need to use CameraFTP VSS software, or CameraFTP Mobile Security Camera app for iOS / Android.
Compare Proprietary and Open-standard (Non-proprietary) IP Cameras & DVRs
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Proprietary |
Open-standard / Non-Proprietary
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Usability
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Easy
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Slightly not as easy
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Service cost
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Slightly higher
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Slightly lower
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Supports 3rd party VMS software
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No
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Yes
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Supports 3rd party DVR/NVR
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No
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Yes
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Device choices
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Limited
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Huge
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Device types
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Mostly indoor IP cameras only; no DVRs. (Need cloud services).
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All device types, incl. many types of indoor and outdoor cameras, and DVRs/NVRs for local recording without cloud service.
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Compare CameraFTP Cloud Service with Camera Manufacturer's Cloud Services
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Camera Manufacturer's Service
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CameraFTP Cloud Service |
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Flexibility
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Not flexible. (Locked in with the vendor's hardware & service)
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Flexible. Many choices on devices / services.
Can support a mix of devices from different vendors.
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Hardware cost
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Slightly more expensive
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Less expensive with more device choices.
Save hardware cost by using old phone/tablet/webcam as IP camera
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Service cost
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Slightly higher
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Slightly lower (with a lot more service plans to choose from; can customize a plan based on budget & requirements)
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Recording type
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Video recording; continuous or motion-triggered recording
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Video, image, timelapse and local recording; continuous or motion-triggered recording
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Video/image resolution
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Usually limited to one resolution, such as 1920x1080
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Dependent on the device & service plan, from 320x240 to 12MP
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Data retention time
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Usually 7 days to 1 month
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From 7 days to 10 years, dependent on the service plan
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Live 2-way video & audio viewing
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Usually Yes
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Usually yes
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Live 2-way video & audio calling
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No
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Yes (with CameraFTP Mobile Security Camera app, Webcam Security Camera app or VSS Software)
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PC-based viewer, or large screen viewer
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Camera-dependent. Some cameras can only be viewed in a mobile app.
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Yes (with CameraFTP Viewer for Windows, and browser-based viewer. Can display live camera videos like regular CCTV systems)
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Faster or slower video playback
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Usually no
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Yes, up to 16 times faster or slower video playback.
You can easily locate a motion event.
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Frame-by-frame video playback / review
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No
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Yes. (helps locate the exact moment of an event)
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Camera publishing
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Usually no.
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Yes. (Can create a static camera link, and/or add the camera to CameraFTP's Published Camera list)
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Camera sharing with access control
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No
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Yes (share cameras with multiple people, each user can only see the camera(s) shared with him)
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Embed cameras in your own web pages
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No
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Yes
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Weather cam / traffic cam
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No
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Yes
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Timelapse recording; construction timelapse video creation
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No
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Yes
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Custom logo / branding
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No
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Yes (Custom login page, website logo, and the logo displayed in the camera viewer & timelapse video)
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For camera manufacturers, resellers and installers, we'd like to partner with you!
If your cameras are compatible with our software or cloud service, please email us the detailed model information.
We will try to include your camera/NVR model in our
Supported Cameras pages.