ViewCam vs Security Spy ?

QFive
QFive
in ViewCam

Hi Ben, is there a features matrix comparing these? ViewCam is much more capable than I was expecting and I would guess for many people could serve as their NVR?

Comments

  • brianwells
    brianwells

    From the description it seems that ViewCam does not record other than an instant-replay buffer. So perhaps mostly suited for a situation where someone is constantly viewing the cameras? A features matrix would be nice :)

  • emergent
    emergent

    What in the world is ViewCam? I just got the email as well.

    1) SecuritySpy is terrible branding. Anytime I tell someone about it they think the name is creepy and don't look into it further. It actually caused issues in relationships I've had (I know, dumb) because the "Spy" sounds shady. iSpy, an open source NVR rebranded from iSpy to AgentDVR due to the "Spy" in the name being creepy.

    2) If you already own SecuritySpy, what does this offer? I can put SecuritySpy on my laptop, while my dedicated Mac mini runs SecuritySpy, and then remotely connect and I get all of the features I see in this program other than the instant replay feature.

    3) If the main feature over SecuritySpy is the ability to do instant replay from a remote computer, it's really a slap in the face. If this app can do it, the feature should be added to remote SecuritySpy installations as well. I paid $600 dollars for a 32 camera license (extremely overpriced compared to current free offerings) and now they want me to pay more for a feature that they can obviously easily add to SecuritySpy?

    What is the point of this program? They should rebrand SecuritySpy to ViewCam and offer a tier that doesn't do recording but has the features of ViewCam.

    I was just looking into AgentDVR. There are so many features lacking from SecuritySpy that free alternatives offer, that I honestly feel kind of disrespected that they spent their time on this instead of SecuritySpy. And I've been a loyal customer since like 2008-2010. I'll definitely be looking into AgentDVR much harder now.

  • Ben
    Ben

    @emergent I hope you'll give us a fair hearing on this. Here is my response to your message:

    There are no features in ViewCam that aren't in SecuritySpy. Instant replay of live video has been a feature in SecuritySpy for a while now.

    If you already own SecuritySpy, ViewCam could be used as complementary software. Perhaps you want to view all your cameras on a second Mac in a lightweight and easy-to use app? ViewCam can do this.

    But, we certainly understand that many users of SecuritySpy won't find ViewCam useful, because they have all these features and more in SecuritySpy. That's fine; SecuritySpy users were not our primary target when creating this product. For us, the thinking behind ViewCam is: 1. we get exposure in the App Store without having to put SecuritySpy there and pay Apple 30% of our sales for our main product, 2. it opens another market for us of people who want simple easy-to-use viewing software but don't need an NVR, and 3. it drives users who need more advanced features to SecuritySpy.

    What features are you seeing in other Mac video surveillance software products you aren't seeing in SecuritySpy? I don't think it's fair to say that SecuritySpy is significantly lacking in any area, especially in comparison to free software. We are always open to feature suggestions and of course most of our time is dedicated to improving SecuritySpy. Agent DVR looks fine if you're comfortable with Terminal commands but it's not Mac-native software, and it's certainly not free: you have to pay monthly for remote access (which SecuritySpy offers for free) plus you pay per camera if you are a business.

    As for the name: I am sympathetic to your comments on this, if we could go back in time and choose a different name we would. But now it's an established name/brand it's much more difficult to do so!

  • rdforbes
    rdforbes

    Ben, I think you've taken a very reasonable approach in adding ViewCam to your software line-up. Thank you.

    I do agree with the observations regarding the "Spy" name, and understand it's tough to change the branding. There is an interesting Business Journal article that addresses how you can approach this should you wish to: https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/marketing/2019/01/reinventing-your-brand-when-to-change-your-company.html

  • Ben
    Ben

    Many thanks @rdforbes, this looks like an interesting article, will take a look!

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