ArnoldW

PC NVR has better performance than embedded NVR. You can test ILDVR hybrid DVR Server. http://www.ildvr.com/software/hybrid-dvr-server

you can choose ILDVR 2M pixel, model name INC-MP20V, here http://www.ildvr.com/products/inc-mp-series#3

You can buy ILDVR 7104HV-A here http://www.ildvr.com/products/il-7100hv-series

I'm building a pc to connect a matrix tv swicth to display up to 20 cameras at a time. the system will need to monitor 36 ip cameras total. from axis and vivotek. the important aspect is to be able to assign keyboard shortcut for each of the views intended in the system.

 

which will be the best software system to accomplish this, no recording needed and under $1000

You can test ILDVR Live Center and IP Matrix software, it supports many brand name IP cameras.

In the initial evolution of analog CCTV we started with capture cards and evolved to stand alone/embedded devices.

 

Can anybody here see any application or advantage of a 4 channel HD-SDI (HDcctv) capture card at around $400.

ILDVR has 4ch HD-SDI interface DVR card, the model is IL3004HR, one PC supports 4 cards, that means 16ch HD DVR.

IL6016HDS is full D1 system, you get 30 fps synchronous video&audio every channel

Use ILDVR H.264 IP Camera, price ranges from $150 to $200, hybrid server software supports up to 64ch IP camera.

Use ILDVR Live Center software with one 4-ch decode card (model name 3000H4D4), you can easy to do that. The network bandwidth needs 2MB per channel at best image quality. 512kb for normal quality.