What are VMS and NVR systems?
VMS and NVR systems are the platforms used to view, record, manage, and search video from security cameras. ITVDesk connects computer screens, applications, RTSP sources, webcams, and other digital sources to these systems by exposing them as virtual IP cameras.
VMS - Video Management System
A VMS is software used to manage video surveillance in professional environments. It is commonly used with systems such as Milestone XProtect, Genetec, Nx Witness, Avigilon, Qognify, Network Optix, Blue Iris, and similar platforms.
A VMS can display live video, record streams, control cameras, manage users, search recordings, receive events, and integrate many camera types into one operator interface.
NVR - Network Video Recorder
An NVR is a network video recorder. It is usually a dedicated recorder appliance or embedded system used to receive, record, and play back video from IP cameras.
NVR systems are often used in smaller and medium-size installations, including Hikvision, Dahua, Hanwha, VIVOTEK, Herospeed, and other ONVIF-compatible recorders.
How ITVDesk connects to VMS and NVR systems
ITVDesk acts as a software-based virtual IP camera. Instead of replacing an existing VMS/NVR platform, ITVDesk adds digital computer activity and external streams into the same surveillance workflow already used for physical cameras.
- Record desktop screens, POS systems, control-room dashboards, applications, and digital workflows inside the same video system as physical cameras.
- Use existing VMS/NVR infrastructure without replacing recorders or changing operator workflows.
- Add non-camera video sources using standard IP camera workflows such as ONVIF, RTSP, RTSPS, SRT, HTTPS, and SRTP where supported.
- Support protected and isolated environments where direct cloud streaming or remote desktop recording is not appropriate.
In practice, the operator adds ITVDesk to the VMS or NVR similarly to a network camera. Once connected, the system can view and record the ITVDesk stream according to its normal recording rules, storage policy, user permissions, and event workflows.