We have been using Luma, which is ok. We will be using the Elan baked solution on a project shortly, and I know their UI is pretty slick, but it is only available to you if you have an Elan system. I am looking for a standalone solution in this case.

I realize that it does not seem to matter what year it is....the manufacturers are stuck in 1995 when it comes to user-friendliness, intuitiveness/ease of use, and do I need to even mention OS and web browser compatibility?

What else have you guys/girls used that your clients seem to not have any issues with learning how to navigate the UI/app for both live viewing and searching through recorded footage/motion events, etc.?


* Details: in this particular project, I need to integrate 2 Panasonic Pro PTZ IP cameras, and the Control4 DS2 Mini (which it looks like will work via either RTSP or ONVIF).

Synology Surveillance Station has been my go to.

Better bang for the buck anyways.

Wish there was a good answer. It's odd a company like Hikvision hasn't taken the reins on a Nest quality app. They would immediately differentiate themselves from the others. I guess it must be the cost because/return on investment

i agree, if one company came out with a nest like app or just an app that looks like it was developed this century!!! LOL. it would absolutely dominate. Nest could destroy the resi/small business market if they put ethernet/poe style connections on their cams and make a 4 and 8 camera NVRs, it would be over. whether or not they integrated with automation systems or not, its all that would be sold.

Agreed! I didn't think anyone else would mention them, but we're using them and they're pretty great. I love the app.

Only thing I haven't got fully dialed in is the motion detection sensitivity. I've made adjustments, but they don't seem to 'take'. I'm still playing with it. Using Hikvision cameras.

If a customer gets a new device (mobile, ipad etc) by any chance can they set up the Synology app with just an email/password? You know, instead of port forwarding and all the other settings that the average home owner is clueless about.

How is the video playback? Is there a timeline or just video clips?

motion sensitivity will always pale in comparison to Nest. the talent nest/google has is hard to compete with. their motion algorithms are so good. when you are a multi billion dollar company that's business is coding and software, you get good shit.

The Synology service is called Quickconnect; setup an ID/user/password and the app will connect through Synology to the NAS without port forwards.

The app has both timeline and clips. The app will auto log in at launch and the camera views come right up with a timeline below.

Would you recommend this in lets say a large (20 camera) commercial application?


I have always used Panasonic cameras and NVRs but they recently changed their distribution path and eliminated Anixter and the other disty I know that had them. To become direct they actually require that you have a dedicated employee/tech to answer panasonic support issues for anyone that might call my company to inquire about them. As a sole proprietor they will not accept myself as being that person even though the only people that would ever call me are my own clients. I recently have tried a couple Interlogix NVRs but now they to are closing shop..

Which leads me to having to find a serious use NVR replacement for large-ish commercial installations.

Certainly would. If the job requires a dedicated monitor output, Synology has an accessory box with hdmi out for surveillance. Basically outputs the main screen you set up.