Custom Video Security can upgrade your Milestone XProtect VMS license from our dashboard when you’re ready. Doing so deactivates the existing license, so we can plan this for a suitable date and time in the near future, or we can request that Milestone allow you to administer your license yourself. Most notably, the latest Milestone XProtect version (2022 R3) drops support for Windows Server 2012, and SQL Server 2012. Additionally, Intel-based hardware acceleration on Recording Servers now requires a 6th-generation Intel CPU or newer. Full system requirements can be found at https://www.milestonesys.com/support/tools-and-references/system-requirements/. Backing up the configuration database should be done before upgrading, and there are two ways to do it. Both ways should be done: Backing up via the Management Client can be done with the “Configuration Backup” feature. This is documented here: https://doc.milestonesys.com/latest/en-US/standard_features/sf_mc/sf_maintenance/mc_backingupandrestoring.htm. Back up the configuration using SQL Server Management Studio. (This is a more comprehensive backup.) The following guide from Microsoft explains how to complete a backup: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/backup-restore/create-a-full-database-backup-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver16 . The Databases you will want to back up are: Surveillance Surveillenace_IDP Surveillance_IM SurveillanceLogServerV2 Once the backups are complete, follow the upgrade best practices guide: https://doc.milestonesys.com/latest/en-US/standard_features/sf_mc/sf_upgrade/mc_upgradebestpractices.htm. For 2022 R3 Pro+, you would download the large file found here: https://www.milestonesys.com/my-milestone/download-software/?prod=1425&type=11&ver=1907&lang=27, […]
Read NowRaymond Shadman2023-02-15
BriefCam’s Rapid REVIEW for Milestone XProtect was just released this month as part of Milestone’s Tech Refresh, and it is a fantastic low-cost addition to any 2019 R3 or newer Milestone XProtect camera system as it helps to find what you’re looking for quickly, even in high-traffic areas. In addition, there are several relevant tools available for business intelligence that will help streamline operations for security, marketing, HR, and more. You can effectively search through hours or even days of video in a matter of seconds or minutes as has been proved over the years with BriefCam’s REVIEW module, which is generally unavailable to smaller organizations due to the high-cost barrier running in the tens of thousands of dollars. With BreifCam’s Rapid REVIEW, you can achieve this functionality and more for a one-time fee of $180 per stream and a GPU server to power the analytics. XProtect® Rapid REVIEW – Locating a missing person from Milestone Systems. XProtect® Rapid REVIEW – Locating a suspicious vehicle from Milestone Systems. Other highly useful features: Facial recognition. Appearance Similarity Proximity Identification Through Face Recognition, Appearance Similarity, and Proximity Identification filters, contact tracing for COVID can be conducted to notify at-risk individuals, and safety […]
Read NowRaymond Shadman2021-12-06
2021 Commercial-Grade IP Security Camera Guide By Raymond Shadman Custom Video Security, President [email protected] This post answers the most common questions on how to choose an IP security camera in 2021. For security camera brands, I prefer Dahua because (when purchased through Custom Video Security) they have a 5-year warranty, 1-year advance replacement, and direct technical support from the manufacturer. Camera style: The bullet is generally desired when viewing parallel to the wall. Some (but very few) are IK08-IK10 impact/vandal resistant. Bullets are also better for installation from poles and/or for viewing license plates. Domes have the best aesthetic look in my opinion. They generally are always vandal-resistant, unless they are indoor domes, which are usually made of plastic instead of metal. They are meant for viewing in front or not too far to the side of the wall. Unlike bullets, they cannot easily view parallel to the wall where it’s installed unless you add a wall-mount, in which case the dome would be pointing down instead of away from the building. If not using a wall-mount in an uncovered outdoor area, ensure waterproof installation using silicone, or use the right accessory to limit the chance of rain entering […]
Read NowRaymond Shadman2021-03-19
May 12, 2020 Thermal Temperature-Monitoring to Reduce the Spread of Covid-19 In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Custom Video Security has released automated, touch-free, hygienic thermal temperature-monitoring solutions to assist with the public reopening of businesses across the country and to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. This report contains the following key points: I discuss the ten essential factors to consider when choosing a temperature-monitoring device and how those factors apply to your organization, what to avoid, and what you would absolutely need in this type of product. I offer my conclusion my opinion of the best manufacturer based on the ten factors across several days of research as well as my own 15+ years of expertise in this industry. The newly updated (as of 05/20) necessary protocols to achieve the most accurate temperature reads. Lastly, I offer a compare & contrast chart that shows the various features, specifications, availability, price points, and product webinars so that you can take a deeper dive into these products. Introduction: A New Worldwide Problem Since late 2019, the entire world has been dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic. And as the USA has been observing stay-at-home orders with only essential […]
Read NowRaymond Shadman2020-05-12
By Raymond Shadman, President [email protected] 310-370-9500 x1 The Top Reasons to Buy Dahua Security Cameras, DVRs, NVRs in 2020 5-year warranty (when you buy from Custom Video Security or any other 4-star authorized dealer) on cameras, recorders, decoders, accessories, and transmission products. Hard Drives 3 years. Monitors 1 year. 1-year advance replacement warranty when you buy from Custom Video Security. Direct tech support from Dahua to low-voltage installers and to the end-user. Very wide product line including: ePoE (converts coax lines to use IP cameras at the lowest cost in the industry; or triples the distance of IP without any need for repeaters/extenders). Starlight cameras see color at nighttime with minimal ambient lighting. Video: https://youtu.be/NaFHmwXI6Zk?t=5. Identify skin color, hair color, clothing color, vehicle color, etc. So much more effective than traditional IR cameras. The levels of Dahua’s starlight are attached. I recommend Starlight+ if you may require viewing in very dark or pitch-black scenes. Or Night Color if you don’t need or don’t want infrared. Night Color cameras have no infrared, which means you can’t use them in pitch-black darkness, but they see at nighttime with minimal ambient lighting like it’s daytime. They have the highest nighttime performance […]
Read NowRaymond Shadman2020-02-21
