Brand new at use-IP this month is the range of Network Attached Storage (NAS) boxes from Synology.

The Synology range provides a cost-effective alternative to dedicated NVRs as they can be used for other functions such as data backup or media streaming as well as managing your security solution.

There is a NAS box suitable for every network:

For homes and small offices:

• Synology DiskStation DS212J provides a 24/7 Power-Saving Download Server (only 17.6 watts in operation) and effortless backup
• Synology DiskStation DS411J provides cost-effective file storage and backup with RAID protection

Synology’s app ‘DS Cam’, available free for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android, allows users to access their IP cameras on-the-go, take live snapshots and save them to their phone memory or memory card. Users can also perform advanced functions such as PTZ, play, pause and dragging along the timeline to another point.

Please note that Synology NAS boxes are supplied without hard drives. A list of compatible hard drives is available here, some of which are available from use-IP.

The Taiwanese NVR manufacturer QNAP has recently revealed brand new Firmware for their VioStor NVR range.

The new firmware holds two major benefits for VioStor users:

• enables VioStor NVR Pro products, such as the VS-2004 Pro and VS-2008 Pro, as well as the VS-2004L and the VS-2008L to support 3TB SATA hard drives, such as the Hitachi Ultrastar 7K3000 and Deskstar 7K3000 as well as the Seagate Barracuda XT

• enables the support of PSIA compliant IP cameras from major brands such as Samsung

As such, VioStor becomes a larger capacity NVR solution and is instantly able to support an extra 150 network devices. This is in addition to the already impressive 1,100 camera models from 47 brands that QNAP NVRs support to date!

The V3.5.1 firmware is available immeditately for download and installation.

View the entire QNAP VioStor range

Following the success of our last competition in conjunction with EyeSpy247, they have been kind enough to provide us with another set of prizes for you to win!

Up for grabs this time are 5 pairs of tickets for this year’s London International Technology Show, taking place at London’s ExCel Centre from 21st- 23rd October 2011!

LITS has leading technology brands including SAMSUNG, INTEL, AMD, ASUS, ZOMM and HARMAN KARDON exhibiting their multi-award winning products at the show as well as top deals available on the best technology from retailers such as SCAN. LITS is a showcase for everything from the latest tablets to hottest gaming software. If you want to touch, try and buy the latest technology then you need to be at LITS. (Source: http://www.litshow.co.uk/)

The event takes place in just under two weeks time, meaning that entries for this competition will end this Friday, 14th October 2011!

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question:

After 1203 Facebook ‘likes’, Twitter followers and newsletter subscribers, the time has come to announce the winners of our competition, in conjunction with EyeSpy247!

Thank you to everyone who entered and commiserations to those who didn’t win this time!

First Prize (EyeSpy247 HDSD Compact Wireless HD IP Camera):

@kellyKoya (Twitter)

Runners-up (each receiving an EyeSpy247 F+ Easy Set-up IP Camera):

Sarah Letto (Facebook)

Rachel Perry (Email Newsletter)

Congratulations to you all! Your prizes will be on their way soon!

Just over a month after we announced our competition in conjunction with EyeSpy247, its now only 6 days until we announce the winners!

Thank you to everyone who has already entered!

If you haven’t quite got around to entering yet, the concept is simple! Follow us on Twitter, ‘Like’ us on Facebook or subscribe to our email newsletter for your chance to win!

The winner will receive an EyeSpy247 HDSD Compact Wireless HD IP Camera.

And two runners-up will each receive an EyeSpy247 F+ Easy Set-up IP Camera.

It’s as easy as that!

The competition will end at 1pm on 31/08/11, with the winners to be announced here on the use-IP Blog, Twitter, Facebook and in our email newsletter.

Best of luck!