Synology EDS14 Portable NVR: Surveillance Solution―and a Whole Lot More

With an eye firmly set on a small versatility and portability, Synology has stripped the NVR down to its bare essentials and created the EDS14. The company removed most of the components associated with a standard recorder and has focused on the core of the NVR’s job: recording and storing media. This fan-less and drive-less unit has a 1.2GHz CPU with 512MB of RAM that gives it the computing and multitasking capabilities you need it to have.

EDS14 versus Standard Surveillance NVRs

Most people reading this will be familiar with a conventional NVR set up: Plug in some IP cameras, tweak the settings, and capture surveillance footage. What you’d find inside a conventional NVR is a lot of hardware and fans devoted to file storage and the Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system.

By comparison, this bantam unit was designed to work in conjunction with a PoE switch and external storage devices, like SD cards and USB-connected drives; freeing up loads of room. In order to achieve the small form factor, a considerable amount of hardware had to be removed, so instead of having camera inputs for individual cameras, there are just two Ethernet ports. One connects to a PoE switch (connecting the NVR to the cameras), the second connects to a router providing an Internet connection for accessing the EDS14. If you don’t want to (or can’t) connect it to a router, you can use it for another PoE switch for more cameras. Besides the two Ethernet ports, there are only a few other ports:

• USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 port: The two USB ports can be used for external drives or other devices, and the card slot is for direct storage and backup. The USB 3.0 port supports faster read/write speeds than USB 2.0.
   
• SD card slot: Insert an SD card up to 64GB and record footage directly to the card. Simply remove and view/backup files on a computer.
   
• 7-24VDC output: Use to wire non-PoE cameras, or external appliances like relays (ie: to turn on lights) or sirens. As an extra bonus, this output can be given an activation schedule to turn on/off at specific times to conserve energy and optimize the coverage needed.

Why do you need it?

At this point, you’re probably wondering what a typical setup would look like. In short, you would get a PoE switch, power it up, and plug your cameras into it. Next, run a Cat5 wire to one of the LAN ports on the EDS14. Connect your router to the EDS14, and plug in the unit’s power adapter. Insert an SD card, or connect an external hard drive or thumb drive. The IP cameras will have their own VMS, so you can program all the recording and adjust the stream and camera settings. The EDS14 takes the footage from your cameras and stores it.

So now what? Why would you want this as opposed to a conventional NVR? The short answer is because it’s (by design) ultra portable and meant to go where conventional NVRs can’t. Being fan-less and drive-less, it runs cooler and quieter than other NVRs. It also has a special cooling system that gives it an extreme operating temperature range from -4 to 122ºF. The 7-24VDC input power requirement is designed to work with the included 110-240 VAC power supply, and with an optional DC power cord, it can also be used in a vehicle, such as those used by law officers. Keeping with the mobile theme, it’s also compatible with 3G and 4G mobile network modems for on-the-road use. And, again, on the side of the unit, there is a 7-24VDC output power terminal that can be used to power external devices, if an outlet is unavailable.

Applications for a Portable Surveillance NVR

The EDS14 was designed primarily as a portable NVR for use in fleet and emergency vehicles. Instead of using conventional dash-cams, personnel would have the ability to use regular IP cameras with higher resolution and significantly more features. With a mobile modem attached, a central monitor station would have instant access to the live view, and the ability to save the footage remotely. It would also be perfect in temporary setups.  

Construction companies often use rooms, trailers, or containers as offices during projects. In these areas, space is at a premium, so bulky NVRs might not be ideal. Traveling with important documents or items? Set the EDS14 up in your hotel room with some covert cameras and you can leave the room and know that if someone enters the room, you will be recording it and get a notification as soon as it happens.

Using the EDS14 as an NVR

To support the hardware, Synology offers the Surveillance Station VMS. It’s ONVIF compliant and, as of this writing, is compatible with more than 2,400 IP cameras. The feature-rich software suite has all of the standard functions common in most surveillance systems with an intuitive user interface, an array of video analytics, and an alert service to ensure you’re always informed. There are options to receive instant notifications via email, SMS text messages, Skype, and DS cam. Working with the Surveillance Station is the QuickConnect mobile app Android, iOS, and Windows mobile, offering direct connection to the EDS14 without having to reconfigure your router settings. With a dedicated app for Android and iOS called DS Cam, users can view IP cameras live, receive event notifications and access recordings.

Use as a Personal Cloud Server and Document Center

With an NAS attached (ideally using the USB 3.0 for faster read/write speeds), you can disconnect yourself from paid services and use it to create your own personal cloud to share documents and media with friends and family, or employees who are away from the office. Manage and synch files, use the NAS as a backup center, store and share files and media, or use it as a print server. An array of apps can help perform these functions, such as Audio Station, Video Station, Download Station, Cloud Station, or DiskStation. Create groups and add users, assign permissions, and have complete control of who can access your files.

The Wrap-Up

This flexible and incredibly versatile little unit is easy to dismiss as nothing more than just a processor. But don’t let its simplicity fool you. It’s the simplicity that gives it its edge. Because it’s been stripped down to the essentials, it is able to be customized to a level that’s rarely seen.

• Need a portable surveillance NVR? It can do that.
• Need to share files with employees in another building? State? Country? It can do that.
• Need a way to consolidate your family’s photos? Your kid’s music? It can do that.

With the ever-changing needs of our personal and business lives (and the blurring of the lines between the two), it’s nice to have the option of this versatile and useful device that can change and adapt to whatever we need it to be.