Vicon has branded the new models as the Kollector Force and Kollector Strike. In addition to delivering all the popular features of Vicon's ViconNet video management software, they also boast a lower profile, dramatically reduced power consumption and many other great new features.

These new Kollector models genuinely raise the bar for what installers and end users look for in NVRs, Hybrid recorders, and DVRs.

All hybrid - Up until now only Vicon's high-end recording platforms, the Kollector Elite, offered NVR and hybrid capabilities. Now every recorder offers these facilities as standard and all Kollector models have the ability to view, control and record local and remote IP devices across the network.

For true hybrid functionality, each unit allows up to 8 IP cameras to be connected to the recorder in addition to the 16 local analogue video inputs, and these IP cameras can be located anywhere on the network. All 24 cameras may be viewed and recorded simultaneously.

Future-ready - The utilisation of advanced video processing power enables all Strike and Force models to support H264 compression. H264 allows for lower bandwidth requirements, greater image quality and lower storage requirements. All current models are H264-ready, and will accept inputs from IP cameras and devices using H264 compression algorithms. With the release of version 6 of ViconNet in the summer of 2010, the Kollector recorders become full H264 recorders

The new Kollector units are all configured to use the latest iSCSI technology, allowing huge benefits in system design and low cost storage solutions. iSCSI technology also allows great flexibility in system topology, extreme scalability and location flexibility.

Megapixel recorders - Vicon's new Kollector models are among the first recorders to support megapixel cameras. As well as full integration with the exciting new range of Vicon megapixel cameras, the Kollector force and Strike are designed for complete compatibility with the ViconNet open-platform, meaning that they are able to support third -party IP and megapixel cameras as well.

Strike v Force - the differences.  The most obvious difference between the two new units is their size. The Kollector Strike is a sleek 1U high rack-mount unit ( 1.75in/44.45 mm high), while the Force is 3U ( 5.25in / 133.34mm) high. Both models support real-time 25fps recording per channel across 16 local inputs plus 8 IP inputs.

The Kollector strike is available with up to 3TB of internal storage. The Kollector Force can be supplied with up to 5TB of internal storage, which may if required by configured in RAID 5 format. Both models can of course be supplied with external RAID arrays whenever required. Both models support lip-synched audio recording, with the Strike models having 4 audio inputs and the Force a full complement of 16 audio inputs. The strike models all have two NIC cards fitted as standard to facilitate the connection of an iSCSI raid, whereas the Force units require an additional card.

Another key difference between the models is to be found on the rear panel; the Kollector Force models all repeat the highly popular functionality seen on the existing Kollector Elite models, with a rear panel analogue video matrix with 4 local inputs to 4 local outputs, plus 16 analogue looping inputs, inbuilt RS422.485 ports and extensive alarm input and relay output connections.