Optimizing Apex

To optimize the Apex server you will need to take into account the unit you are trying to optimize, the storage requirements of the NVR, the number of cameras to be installed on the NVR, and the type of recording needed (Motion/Continuous/Continuous + Motion)(FPS)(Bitrate).

If you have not chosen the appropriate NVR for your site, the following link is for the Line Card for current NVR's  https://www.openeye.net/assets/documents/recorder-and-camera-line-card.

Depending on the NVR you have chosen you have the ability to create a profile of what the configuration can look like on the NVR by using the Apex Configurator  http://sc.openeye.net/. 

In the Apex Configurator you can simulate your configuration to ensure that settings you are using will accomplish the optimization you are looking for. 

Optimization of an Apex unit refers to how the cameras you are planning to use, and the specific settings, will affect how much data you can record and the quality of the images. The Apex Configurator can give you the ability to perform this task in a virtual environment. Higher frame rates and bitrate are going to cut the number of days you can record, reducing bitrate can also reduce the quality of the images.  Multiple resolutions can affect the way the cameras can be viewed. 

With the information from the Apex Configurator you can export the settings to an Excel spreadsheet and keep the information to apply to the NVR as noted below:

One of the advantages of the Apex Configurator is that it allows you to make changes to the camera FPS, Resolution, Bitrate, number of days recording to be able to accomplish what you want of your NVR prior to setting up the NVR, and using it as a road map to set up the NVR. 

The settings can be directly translated to the cameras in the Apex server. 

One thing that is not discussed in the Configurator is the GOP (Group of Pictures). The GOP is the size of the group of individual pictures that is sent per second, usually this is equal to or twice the Frames Per Second. If you have too high a GOP you will be wasting space on the hard drive. 

We are usually using multiple streams to perform recording and other functions, for example in the above image you will see that the there are two streams setup from the camera. The Low Bandwidth is going to be used to record continuously, and the High Bandwidth will be used to record Motion when detected. This allows for more efficient use of the camera and recording. Some environments will only want Motion detection and changing the Recording Options to Motion will only record motion when detected. The Low Bandwidth is also used for thumbnail displays, as well as on the OpenEye App for Apex as it gives a quality image on mobile devices using less bandwidth. 

With this information in hand you are ready to make some changes in your NVR.