Microsoft Ends Support for Windows XP: What This Means for Your Surveillance DVR

By Raymond Shadman
President, Custom Video Security

Support for the 12 year-old operating system Microsoft Windows XP has officially been discontinued by Microsoft, as of Tuesday April 8, 2014. This means users can no longer download critical security updates, which will leave systems that are connected to the Internet and running Windows XP vulnerable to infectious worms and security attacks. There are hundreds of millions of systems that still operate on XP, including an estimated 95% of bank ATMs, POS machines, hospitals, and surveillance DVRs.

So what to do now? The obvious solution would be to upgrade the operating system to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Although this is the easiest solution, it may not be viable for a number of reasons:

1. Older systems with Windows XP are using older hardware, which likely is not compatible with Windows 7 or Windows 8.
2. The older hardware (Pentium 4, Celeron, etc.) in XP systems most likely cannot power the more CPU and memory-intensive Windows 7 and Windows 8 as effectively as XP, which will result in a high CPU load and processing delays.
3. The older hardware in XP systems has a much higher chance of failure, as it likely several years old and nearing its end of life. To diagnose and replace failed components which are now outdated is like replacing parts on a classic car. It’s just not worth it, as the cost of repair usually exceeds the cost of buying new components.

Custom Video Security recommends two solutions for its customers who are using XP-based surveillance DVR servers:

1. Purchase new internal hardware: the motherboard is the backbone of the system. One cannot simply replace the CPU, because the newer CPUs on the market have a newer socket for newer motherboards. Replacement of internal hardware will include a new motherboard, CPU, RAM (memory), video card (if not using on-board, or if the old card is not compatible with the new motherboard, e.g. AGP), possibly a power supply (depending on compatibility with the new motherboard), at least one new hard drive (preferably SSD, which runs a lightning fast operating system and programs), and of course the new Windows operating system. Custom Video Security recommends Windows 7 Home or Professional 64-bit. If the hardware is purchased from Custom Video Security, we will send a hard drive or SSD that already has Windows 7 pre-loaded with the DVR software installed.
2. Purchase a new DVR server. Take advantage of the tax-write off, and donate the old DVR to charity. The old DVR card should be removed and transferred to the new system. Rest easy with a 3-year warranty from Custom Video Security, ability to add megapixel cameras to hybrid DVRs, and take advantage of low hard drive prices to add more storage space.

For more information or to request a quote on new internal components, please contact us via email at [email protected], or by telephone at 1-877-332-5779 x1 for Sales.

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