CCTV

Feniks NVR - Create a Secure CCTV System for Home and Business in Mins, Install Using Docker

A Friendly Guide to Installing Your Own Feniks NVR System

Hazem Abbas

Oct 21, 2024 — 10 min read

NVR stands for Network Video Recorder, and Feniks is a special type that's super smart and easy to use. Imagine having your own personal security guard that watches over your home or business 24/7, but instead of a person, it's a clever computer program!

Feniks NVR is a comprehensive and accessible solution for setting up secure, AI-powered CCTV systems, tailored for both home and business use. It combines powerful analytics with ease of use, ensuring a reliable surveillance platform

It runs natively on Linux, but it can be also be installed on macOS, Windows and even Raspberry Pi (ARM664).

Features of Feniks NVR

AI-Powered NVR Solution

Detects up to 80 object types, with built-in face recognition, license plate detection, and OCR capabilities. Future updates aim to introduce more advanced AI features.

Broad Platform Support

Runs natively on Linux but also supports macOS, Windows, and SBCs like Raspberry Pi (ARM64) and Nvidia Jetson Nano.

H.264 and H.265 Codec Support

Streams and records in both formats, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of modern surveillance cameras.

Multi-Device Support

Works seamlessly across x86 systems, Raspberry Pi, and ARM devices for flexible deployment.

Motion Detection Algorithms

Offers multiple motion detection techniques, including OpenCV, to ensure high accuracy. A built-in watchdog mechanism ensures continuous operation and recovers failed processes automatically.

Cloud and Notification Integration

Sends notifications through cloud services like Google Drive and Telegram, with detected objects securely stored for easy access.

User-Friendly UI for Customization

Features a drag-and-drop interface for arranging video players, along with resizing and configuration options, making the system intuitive to use.

Flexible Storage Management

Allows assigning specific storage locations to individual cameras, ensuring efficient data management.

Easy Installation with Docker

Feniks is dockerized for quick deployment and configuration, enabling users to set it up effortlessly on various systems.

OpenRTSP Support

Fully compatible with OpenRTSP for real-time streaming, making it suitable for both residential and commercial surveillance needs.

Why Feniks NVR is Awesome:

1- It's All Yours (Own your Data)

Unlike cloud-based systems, Feniks runs on your own computer or server. This means your video footage stays private and under your control.

2- AI Superpowers

Feniks uses artificial intelligence to detect people, cars, and other objects. It's like having a really smart assistant watching your cameras.

3- Saves Money and Resources (Just some time to setup)

No need to pay monthly fees for cloud storage or fancy hardware.

4- Plays Nice with Others

You can use almost any IP camera with Feniks, so you're not locked into expensive, proprietary systems.

Now that you know why Feniks NVR is so great, let's get you set up with your very own system!

Setting Up Feniks NVR: A Step-by-Step Adventure

Step 1: Get Docker (Your New Best Friend)

First things first, we need to install Docker. Think of Docker as a magic box that lets Feniks run smoothly on any computer.

Head over to the Docker website and follow their friendly guide to install Docker.

We also need Docker Compose, which you can get from here.

Once installed, let's make sure everything's working. Open your terminal (don't worry, we'll use it just a bit) and type:

docker --version
docker-compose --version

If you see version numbers, you're golden!

Step 2: Create Your Feniks Recipe (Docker-Compose File)

Now for the fun part! We're going to use a special wizard to create a recipe (called a docker-compose file) for your Feniks system.

Visit the Feniks Docker-Compose wizard.

You can easily customize and build your docker-compose.yml file with this wizard

Follow the prompts to customize your Feniks setup. Don't worry if you're not sure about some options – you can always change them later!

Soon as you're done, download the docker-compose.yml file. This is your Feniks recipe!

Step 3: Cook Up Your Feniks System

Time to bring your Feniks to life!

Find the docker-compose.yml file you just downloaded.

Now for the magic words:

docker-compose up -d

This tells Docker to start cooking up your Feniks system. It might take a few minutes, so maybe grab a snack!

Open your terminal again and navigate to where you saved the file. For example:

cd /path/to/your/docker-compose.yml

Step 4: Meet Your New Feniks Friend

Once everything's ready:

Open your web browser, then type in http://localhost:8080

Ta-da! You should see the Feniks interface.

Time to add cameras and explore all the cool features!

Step 5: Keeping an Eye on Things

Want to check on how Feniks is doing? Here are some handy commands:

Want to see what Feniks is thinking?

docker-compose logs -f

Need to stop Feniks for a bit?

docker-compose down

To see what's running:

docker ps

Bonus Round: Cloud Powers and Motion Magic

Feniks can send detected objects to Google Drive or Telegram if you want cloud backup.

You can set up motion detection right from the Feniks interface – no complex coding required!

Need Help?

If you get stuck or want to learn more cool tricks, check out the official Feniks documentation. They've got tons of helpful tips and answers to common questions.

Congratulations! You're now the proud owner of a super-smart, AI-powered surveillance system. Enjoy your new Feniks NVR – happy monitoring!