In today's world, video surveillance has become a pervasive part of our daily lives. From city streets to shopping malls and even in our own homes, cameras are everywhere. We willingly surround ourselves with these devices, often with the belief that they will enhance our safety and security. However, if you take a closer look at many of the video surveillance systems in use today, you'll find that much of the software behind these cameras is outdated, often dating back to the early 2000s. This legacy software comes with a host of issues, from security vulnerabilities to intentionally embedded components that transmit data back to the manufacturer. In many cases, users are unknowingly relying on software that was never designed to meet modern standards of safety and privacy. What's even more troubling is that many of these older systems still rely on outdated technologies, such as ActiveX or Internet Explorer, to function, or they are limited to working with just one brand of cameras or recorders. For example, Dahua video recorders typically only support Dahua cameras, locking users into a single brand ecosystem. Similarly, some manufacturers have disabled the ability to stream video via the RTSP protocol or have created proprietary versions of ONVIF, further complicating interoperability and limiting options for users. As the demand for more advanced security systems grows, the shift towards cloud-based video surveillance with analytical capabilities marks the next stage in the evolution of smart city and nationwide security systems. You've likely heard similar phrases at every exhibition or seminar, where speakers talk about the potential of cloud video monitoring, analytics, and AI-powered solutions. However, despite the lofty claims of success stories and cutting-edge solutions, little of this actually translates into practical, actionable results for end-users. Video analytics, while often discussed, remains an area of confusion for many clients, who often approach vendors with unrealistic expectations, fueled by the overwhelming amount of promotional content they've seen online. Many vendors tout advanced video analytics features as part of their cameras to create the illusion that all the capabilities can be accessed immediately and, often, for free. In reality, this �on-camera analytics� is usually tightly tied to a specific brand of video recorder, and in most cases, it functions exactly as expected � poorly or not at all. As a result, users end up with systems that do not provide the level of performance or security they were promised. It's essential to be cautious when relying on a single manufacturer for your entire video surveillance system, as this can lead to vendor lock-in and unnecessary dependencies. The ideal solution is one that embraces open standards, such as ONVIF, and offers compatibility with a wide range of devices and cameras, ensuring that users can avoid the pitfalls of outdated, proprietary systems. In conclusion, while the world of video monitoring software and surveillance systems has come a long way, it is essential to be aware of the challenges and limitations that still exist in many of the solutions available today. As the market continues to evolve, it's important to prioritize security, interoperability, and flexibility when selecting video monitoring software and hardware, ensuring that your system can grow with your needs and adapt to the latest advancements in technology.