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Video management system

lastmod 2026-02-27created 2021-01-2110 edits

Most often associated with digital CCTV surveillance.

A video management system, also known as video management software or a video management server, is a component of a security camera system that in general:

  • Collects video from cameras and other sources
  • Records/stores that video to a storage device.
  • Provides an interface to view live video and access recorded video.

A VMS can be a software component of a network video recorder and digital video recorder, but in general a VMS is more sophisticated than a packaged NVR device and provides more options and features.

Advances in technology make it necessary to distinguish between a VMS and the built-in features of modern network-based security cameras. Many modern network cameras offer internal features to record and review video directly through a web browser without using a VMS. However, a camera's built-in web interface is usually only for the camera itself and usually does not provide shared access across different network cameras.

VMS vs NVR

VMS is short for Video Management System. It is built from video recording software, video management software, and video browser software, is collectively called a "VMS server", and is indispensable in a video surveillance system. Any device becomes a video surveillance center once a VMS is introduced.

Video recording software + video browser software + video management software = VMS system

The highlight of a VMS is its video management features. Each brand's VMS system differs little in recording and viewing, so what determines the value of each VMS system is whether its video management features can find what users need and help them fully grasp security management. Face recognition, target search, area selection, anomaly alarms: each VMS system also differs greatly in features. The VMS that best fits the consumer's needs is the best one.

For example, the recently popular baby camera is also a VMS. It monitors the baby through an IP camera installed above the crib, lets parents view the baby's status in a mobile app, and has management features tailored to parents, such as sending an alarm if the baby's nose gets covered by another object.

What is the difference between VMS and NVR?

VMS (video management system) and NVR (recording management system) have similar names and both relate to monitoring, so they are often confused. NVR is short for Network Video Recorder. It is a network video recording server.

How an NVR works: record with an IP camera, collecting analog video information. Send the IP camera's analog video information to a message converter to convert it into digital information. The digital information is sent to the NVR via IP code and stored on the hard disk.

After the IP camera collects video, the message converter converts the collected information into digital information. The digital information is sent via IP code to the NVR, the management center, and stored on the hard disk. Over the network, users can collect video from many places and do real-time monitoring and video playback through a web browser, enabling remote management without geographic limits. Even in Seoul, you can watch surveillance footage from Jeju Island in real time.

Seen this way, a VMS consists of video software, video management software, and video browser software, and allows more control over the video. An NVR includes only the storage and browser parts.

Comparison of major CCTV VMS solutions

See Network Video Recorder#Comparison of major CCTV VMS solutions for details.

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