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Norbain’s new Xeno DVR wins approval of Benchmark Magazine
Dec 23 2008
Reading, UK
The Xeno XDR16, Norbain’s entry-level own brand DVR, has received a ‘Recommended’ status in Benchmark Magazine. The rating is based on “real-world” tests that are carried out in the field, not in laboratories, so they give a good indication of what results are likely to be achieved on-site.
The XDR16 is aimed at the low cost sectors offering users reliable performance, without the extensive features of more expensive machines. The MPEG4 recorder features 16 video inputs with loop-through along with main, spot and VGA outputs. There are four audio inputs with two outputs, and 16 alarm inputs with four relay outputs. Other connections include basic telemetry, Ethernet connectivity and a single USB port.
According to Benchmark: “It might be hard to see where the ‘basic entry-level’ moniker comes from, but it has no S-Video and only one 1 USB port. Having said that, if you don’t use an S-Video monitor or don’t need six USB ports, why pay for those connections?”
The magazine continues: “Xeno’s XDR16 starts recording as soon as it is powered up, adopting the old-fashioned approach – and a very sensible one in our book – that the unit should always default to carrying out the task that the end user has paid for. Because of where Norbain is pitching its Xeno brand, you do keep expecting to find something horrific that makes you think, ‘so, that’s where they saved the costs’, but it just doesn’t happen and that will be a worry for many manufacturers offering cheap but not-so-stable machines!”
To summarise all their findings, Benchmark concludes: “Given the rise of very low cost unbranded DVRs in the security market-place, and the uncertainty behind their pedigree, we’d opt for the Xeno XDR16 rather than taking a risk. It works well, and that’s all you want that that level.”
“We’re delighted to have our confidence in the XDR reflected by Benchmark Magazine,” says Andrew Pigram, Norbain’s technical director. “The Xeno range has been introduced at a time where lower cost options are in particular demand, and it’s good to be able to prove that low cost does not have to mean low quality or low performance.”
For more details on the Xeno XDR range click here
