Camera License Pack - having to pay double!

[rodef]

License Pack sucks! It could bring a great value improvement to Synology products, but no.. let's sell "something" that it's already there.
I'm also considering put another computer with linux and zoneminder (or other) and leave the limitations (and cost's) to others.

Apparently you can install Zoneminder on the Synology.

I haven't done this yet, but the confirmation is here, in case you're interested:

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=43531

[d33g33]

The fact that Synology haven't come back to justify the price of licenses has made me conclude that there is no justification. Daylight robbery anyone?

More than disappointed.

[rodef]

The fact that Synology haven't come back to justify the price of licenses has made me conclude that there is no justification. Daylight robbery anyone?

More than disappointed.

To be fair Synology did try and justify the licensing policy in a different thread...viewtopic.php?f=82&t=14494&start=15#p85677 ...

...but (and there is always a 'but') then they locked that thread and prevented further discussion.

[andypandyswe]

Just tried installing my second cam (like so many others apparently and realized I'd have to pay for more than one).
This is just the last in a long line of "God Dammit!!! Why didn't I stay with Qnap" -moments I've had since switching to Synology.

Only one license included should be in bold red letters on the promotional material along with the "Installing any third party software voids the warranty" that I also missed before buying my DS1512+.

Shame on you Synology.

[riw777]

I actually don't mind that they charge something for the extra license --but:

1. $57 is a lot steep.
2. The license can only be had through PHYSICAL shipping, which adds a good bit of cost to it (I saw one place charging $25 for shipping).

At the cost they're charging, For 4 cameras total (buying three licenses), we're talking about $170. I can buy a single bay QNAP for $160, and simply run it as a standalone surveillance station with four cameras for the same amount of money!

Synology can say, "well other systems cost more," and they do in the standalone market --but they're not competing against the standalone market, they're competing against other NAS makers and camera system makers (like logitech). The real competition has decided that they're in this market for much less.

Either Synology needs to buck up and reduce their cost, or their going to lose this market entirely.

[srp88]

That's a very good point rwi777. I actually decided to pay 2k USD for a dedicated NVR for my surveillance. After considering purchasing some NAS licenses, it was a no brainer really - pay 2k for a robust recorder or pay over 1k USD for NAS with 8 licenses using sub professional quality software.

Surveillance Station is fairly good but when you take into account the cost and compare it with systems such as ExacQ's, it does not come close functionally. Those who want a serious security system won't consider Synology SS. Those who want something to play with will but then they won't shell out the money so I think Synology SS is neither here or there...

+I also had issue with SS connecting to a high end outdoor camera ( glad i tested using the existing licence and didn't buy 8 more. I would have been very upset... ).

Lets hope they throw in some free licences in the next DSM update, otherwise, lets hope ZoneMinder gets alot better....

[the4tress]

In reference to Zoneminder, I was able to get it installed by running Debian Chroot, then installing the apt package for ZM. The problem is that it conflicts with the MySQL and Apache already running on the device. If anybody can figure out how to get it working, please let me know.

I posted the steps I used to get it installed on my blog. http://www.visualnomads.com/?p=202

Here are some steps for installing ZM from source that may help with the solution. http://www.zoneminder.com/wiki/index.php/Debian

[rodef]

have not used Synology SS, but guessing it's a re-hash of the NUUO software/GUI. As a NUUO Systems Integrator notice allot of similarity. The Synology supported camera list seems virtually identical to NUUO's.

fix4all, this is a very interesting observation.

Synology led us to believe that Surveillance Station was built from the ground up by Synology, and that our SS licence fees paid for the extensive R&D that was required.

Are you saying that SS is actually just a port of another software developer's product? If haven't used SS, you can log into a live demo here: http://www.synology.com/products/dsm_li ... p?lang=enu

[yozh]

I guess shame on me... I also feel for the 20 camera trick on the DS412+ came as a surprise when I went to add second camera... $60 for single camera license ? Is that crazy or what ? The Foscam cameras cost me $65 !!!!!!!