VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration
Guide
Document number: C6768-MA
Publication date: 05/24
VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Table of Contents
Migrating from VideoXpert to Unity Video 1
Migration Checklist 2
Items to Review 2
Items to Consider 2
What to Expect When Migrating 3
Supported Migration Capabilities 3
Third-party Integrations 3
Minimum System Requirements 4
VideoXpert Hardware Support 4
Pelco Camera & Encoder Support 5
Third-party Camera & Encoder Support 7
Migration Process 8
Verify Camera Names and Settings 8
Create VideoXpert User for Unity Video 8
Install Avigilon Unity Video Software 9
Configure Video Playback Bridge (optional) 9
Post Migration 11
Unity Video Configuration 11
Playback Bridge Operation (optional) 11
Timeline Generation 11
Timeline Color Definitions 11
Supported Playback Operations 12
Video Pruning 12
Pelco Troubleshooting Contact Information 12
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Migrating from VideoXpert to Unity Video
Congratulations on choosing to migrate from Pelco VideoXpert to Avigilon Unity Video!
Avigilon Unity Video is one of the top ranked video management systems in the world, and the on-prem
video management system that will be developed and supported by Motorola Solutions for years to
come. It provides an extensive list of scalable features that allow for a unified experience that will grow
with the needs of your business. For more information on Avigilon Unity Video and all that it has to offer,
visit avigilon.com/vms.
We understand that moving to a new video management system can be a large undertaking, but it’s also
a great time to evaluate your current configuration and make improvements to the way that your
organization utilizes your video management system.
To assist you in this journey and ensure that you have the best migration experience possible, we have
included a migration checklist to help guide you through the process. Let’s get started!
Is your team ready for Avigilon Unity Video? We have the training that your operators need to be
successful. Contact your local sales representative for in-person training or visit support.avigilon.com for
online options.
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Migration Checklist
To save you time and avoid complications, please ensure that you review the recommended material
and prepare VideoXpert prior to starting the actual migration.
Items to Review
l VideoXpert End of Sales Notice
l What to Expect When Migrating
l Minimum System Requirements, which includes:
o Supported Devices
o Unity Integrations
o Minimum Unity Software Requirements
Items to Consider
l Is your system dependent on a third-party integration? If so, ensure that Unity Video has the
appropriate integration(s) before migrating.
l How has your team been using the system up until this point? Are there permissions, groups, or
roles changes that need to be changed? Now might be a good time to re-evaluate and adjust
these.
l What challenges have you encountered with your current system design? Now might be a good
time to address these and prepare for the future.
l Are there any hardware or network upgrades that need to be performed? This may be the time to
perform these as well.
l Is a SAN or NAS extending your retention time? If so, this will need to be reconfigured to work with
Unity Video.
l Is your team ready to use Avigilon Unity Video? If not, contact your local sales representative for in
person training options or view online training at support.avigilon.com.
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
What to Expect When Migrating
The migration experience from Pelco VideoXpert to Avigilon Unity Video will vary for each customer
depending on various factors that include among others; use cases, system size, camera quantity,
recorder quantity, and geographic distribution of the system itself.
Supported Migration Capabilities
The first generation of migration software (released May 2024) supports the following:
Capability Available
Playback of previously recorded VideoXpert video Yes (1x speed)
Exports of previously recorded VideoXpert video Yes
Camera names and settings Yes (local camera settings only)*
Recording schedules Not transferred
User, Groups, and Permissions Not transferred
Rules configuration Not transferred
Event notifications and history Not transferred
Bookmarks Not transferred
Archived exports Not transferred
Capability Available
*Unity Video will inherit the camera's local name and settings when the camera is first added to the system. It will not utilize camera
names and settings that have been stored only within the VideoXpert database. Please verify your camera settings with the
Camera Configuration Tool (CCT) prior to beginning the migration process. For more information, see
avigilon.com/software-downloads?searchQuery=cct.
Third-party Integrations
When planning your system migration from VideoXpert to Unity Video it’s important to consider which
third-party integrations you may have that your operations depend on. Avigilon Unity Video has a
growing ecosystem of 100+ integrations from industry leading technology providers. For a complete list
of these integrations visit Avigilon Partner Integrations.
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Minimum System Requirements
When migrating, it is possible to reuse your existing VideoXpert hardware or third-party hardware
providing that it meets the minimum or recommended systems requirements.
To help facilitate the evaluation of your existing VideoXpert hardware we have included the table below.
Please visit Avigilon Unity Video System Requirements for more details.
VideoXpert Hardware Support
Most VideoXpert hardware platforms meet the minimum system requirements for Avigilon Unity Video.
The table below outlines the supported VideoXpert hardware as originally shipped from the Pelco
factory, along with their recommended use within Avigilon Unity Video.
Product Series Supported Recommended Use Dell Base Model
Rackmount Workstation Yes Client Precision 3930
Desktop Workstation 2 Yes Client OptiPlex XE4
Desktop Workstation 1 Yes Client OptiPlex XE3
VxStorage T-Series Yes Recording Server PowerEdge R540
VxStorage R-Series Yes Recording Server PowerEdge R550
VxStorage E-Series Yes Recording Server PowerEdge R740xd
VXS5300 Yes Recording Server PowerEdge R730xd
VxPro Power 3 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge R550
VxPro Power 2 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge R540
VxPro Power 1 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge R530
VxPro Flex 2 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge T340
VxPro Flex 1 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge T330
VxPro Eco 3 Series Yes Recording Server / Client Precision 3930
VxPro Eco 2 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge T140
VxPro Eco 1 Series Yes Recording Server / Client PowerEdge T130
NSM5300 Yes* Recording Server* PowerEdge R730xd
Shared Display Decoder Yes Virtual Matrix OptiPlex 7050-7080 MFF
Enhanced Decoder Yes* Virtual Matrix* OptiPlex 7050-7080 MFF
Core Media Gateway 2 Yes** Recording Server** PowerEdge R440
Core Media Gateway 3 Yes** Recording Server** Precision 3930
VSM5200 No Not Supported -
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Product Series Supported Recommended Use Dell Base Model
All Endura legacy hardware No Not Supported -
All Digital Sentry legacy hardware No Not Supported -
* Must be converted to Windows.
** Limited storage.
Pelco Camera & Encoder Support
Most Pelco cameras currently being used in the market meet the minimum requirements for ONVIF
Profile S, T, and G compliance and adhere to the necessary specifications. Similarly, Avigilon Unity
Video is compliant with ONVIF Profiles S, T, and G, ensuring that your Avigilon Unity Video System
supports most fundamental camera features.
To help facilitate the evolution of your existing Pelco camera compatibility within Avigilon Unity Video, we
have provided the table below.
ONVIF Profiles Analytics
Bounding
Camera Series S G T M Boxes Event Triggers
No (in
Pelco Fisheye 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Corner 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Enhanced 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Modular Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Multi Enhanced Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Pro 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Thermal Enhanced 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Esprit Anti-Corrosion Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Esprit BiSpectral Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Esprit Compact Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
ONVIF Profiles Analytics
Bounding
Camera Series S G T M Boxes Event Triggers
No (in
ExSite Enhanced 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
ExSite Pro Yes Yes Yes Yes No (in development)
development)
No (in
Sarix Multi Pro Yes Yes Yes No No (in development)
development)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Esprit Enhanced Yes No Yes No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Optera* Yes Yes No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Enhanced 3 Yes Yes Yes Yes No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Spectra Enhanced 7 Yes Yes Yes Yes No
required)
Spectra Enhanced IR Look Yes (ONVIF subscription
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Up 7 required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Spectra Pro 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Spectra Professional IR 2 Yes Yes Yes No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Value 1 Yes Yes Yes No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Pro 3 Yes Yes Yes No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Enhanced 2 Yes Yes No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
ExSite Enhanced 1 Yes Yes No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Spectra Pro 1 Yes Yes No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Corner 2 Yes Yes No No No
required)
Pelco Fisheye 1 EVO Yes (ONVIF subscription
Yes No No No No
(OnCam) required)
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
ONVIF Profiles Analytics
Bounding
Camera Series S G T M Boxes Event Triggers
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Enhanced 1 Yes Yes No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix TI Yes No No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Sarix Value (original) Yes No No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Spectra Enhanced 5 (HD) Yes No No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
Spectra Enhanced 6 Yes Yes Yes No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
NET5500 Encoder Yes No No No No
required)
Yes (ONVIF subscription
NET6500 Encoder Yes No No No No
required)
Sarix Ti Thermal 3 Not supported
Spectra IV IP Not supported
Spectra Mini IP Not supported
IP110 Not supported
IP3701 Not supported
NET5300 Encoder Not supported
NET5400 Encoder Not supported
*Pelco Optera immersive view plug-in currently not supported in Avigilon Unity Video.
Third-party Camera & Encoder Support
In addition to Pelco cameras, Avigilon Unity Video supports a diverse range of third party cameras and
encoders. For the latest compatibility list, please visit Supported Cameras and Encoders.
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Migration Process
You are ready to migrate after you have successfully completed the steps outlined in the checklist,
reviewed what to expect, and ensured hardware compatibility. Follow the steps below for all applicable
products within your system.
The recommended order is as follows: install and configure all servers, install and configure all clients,
and then turn off VideoXpert recording.
NOTE: If you choose to use the video playback bridge, do NOT uninstall or decommission the
VideoXpert software until your video retention period has elapsed. Avigilon Unity Video uses the
VideoXpert services to access previously recorded video. Uninstalling will result in the inability to
access VideoXpert video within the Unity Video Client.
Verify Camera Names and Settings
When a camera is added to Unity Video it will inherit the names and settings stored within the camera.
Use the Camera Configuration Tool (CCT) to ensure that your names and camera settings are
transferred correctly.
NOTE: Names and settings stored within the camera may differ from what is displayed on
VideoXpert, do not skip this step if you want to ensure that camera names and settings are
transferred correctly.
1. Download and install the Camera Configuration Tool (CCT) from avigilon.com/software-
downloads.
2. Start CCT and run a discovery for all cameras that will be added to Unity Video.
TIP: Depending on your network configuration, you may need to connect your computer to
different network segments to discover all desired cameras.
3. Click the All Settings tab
4. Review the cameras names and settings to ensure they are correct, these are the names and
settings that will display in Unity Video when you first add your cameras.
5. If changes are desired, make them now and then click Apply.
TIP: You can use the Export / Import Device Settings feature in CCT to make changes more
easily using a spreadsheet tool.
Create VideoXpert User for Unity Video
Create a new role that will be used for Unity Video to access previously recorded video:
1. Open VxToolbox.
2. Click the Users tab, and then click Roles & Permissions at the top left of the window.
3. Click the Add New Role icon.
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
4. Create a new role with the following permissions:
TIP: Use a dedicated role name that is clearly for Unity Video, i.e. "Unity".
l Surveillance:
o View Video Source
o View Full Camera Details
l Investigation:
o View Recorded Video
Create a new user and assign it to the role that will be used for Unity Video to access previously recorded
video:
1. Click the Users tab, and then click Users at the top left of the window.
2. Click the Create a New User icon.
3. Create a new user and assign it to the role created in the previous steps.
TIP: Use a dedicated username that is clearly for Unity Video, i.e. "Unity".
Install Avigilon Unity Video Software
1. Download Avigilon Unity Video Software Manager from avigilon.com/software-downloads.
2. Select either Install or Upgrade Applications or Create a Custom Bundle.
TIP: Select Create a Custom Bundle if you require a package that can be installed on other
computers without internet access.
3. Select each package that you want to download and install.
Suggested Downloads
If migrating... then install...
Unity Video Client & Unity Video
VideoXpert Professional
Server
VideoXpert Operations Center Unity Video Client
VideoXpert VXS Recorder Unity Video Server
VideoXpert Sharded Display Decoder Unity Video Virtual Matrix
4. After completing the download, run each of the installation packages on the desired computers
and follow the on-screen instructions.
Configure Video Playback Bridge (optional)
The VideoXpert to Unity Video Playback bridge allows customers to playback previously recorded
VideoXpert video within the Unity Video Client interface. As new video is recorded in the Unity Video
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
format, old VideoXpert video is pruned out over your retention period until all that is remaining is Unity
Video video going forward. This is not a required step, but may help make the transition to Unity
Video easier for your operators.
Should you choose not to do this, but still need access to old video, some alternatives include:
l Run VideoXpert and Unity Video in parallel for the desired retention time, then decommission
VideoXpert.
l Export critical events from VideoXpert to another location before decommissioning the VideoXpert
system and running only Unity Video.
STOP HERE: At this point, please contact your support representative to assist with the
playback bridge configuration.
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Post Migration
Your migration is now complete! This section outlines how to use migrated VideoXpert capabilities, how
they work, and information about how to further configure your new Avigilon Unity Video system.
Unity Video Configuration
After you have successfully migrated your system, you may want to configure additional Unity Video
features to get the most out of your new video management system. Instructions for the most common
configuration features are listed below. For more information, visit help.avigilon.com.
l License Activation
l Users, Groups, and Permissions
l Recording Schedule Templates
l Events and Rules (optional)
l ONVIF Event Subscriptions (optional)
l Cloud Services (optional)
l Multiple Server Sites (optional)
l Failover Connections (optional)
Playback Bridge Operation (optional)
If you chose to configure the video playback bridge, this section explains what to expect.
Timeline Generation
Each time the Unity Video recording service is started it will begin the process of building a playback
timeline for all connected VideoXpert video sources. This allows users to seamlessly playback video that
was previously recorded in VideXpert, directly within the Unity Video Client.
The duration to complete this process will vary for each system depending on the amount of retention,
camera quantity, and recorded events. A small single recorder may only take a few minutes, whereas a
very large system with multiple recorders may take hours to fully complete the timeline build process. As
video entries are built, they will immediately become available for playback.
Timeline Color Definitions
The playback bride introduces two new colors into the Unity Video Client playback timeline. These colors
will help you identify what video is previously recorded by VideoXpert, and new video recorded by the
Unity Video server.
Timeline Color Definition
#D0021B Unity Video motion event
#91CEF7 Unity Video continuous recording
#EB8521 VideoXpert motion event
#68DE45 VideoXpert continuous recording
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Supported Playback Operations
Currently, playback in the forward direction at 1x speed is supported.
Video Pruning
The video pruning process allows for an easy transition of your new system from VideoXpert to Unity
Video. Over time, the Unity Video server will periodically check to determine if aged VideoXpert video is
ready to be removed from the system to make room for new Unity Video video. This process happens
slowly and is based on the Unity Video servers configured retention policy.
Eventually, all previously recorded VideoXpert video will be pruned from the system leaving you with a
fully operational Unity Video server recording in the native Unity Video video format.
Pelco Troubleshooting Contact Information
For further assistance, contact Pelco Product Support at 1-800-289-9100 (USA and Canada) or +1-559-
292-1981 (international).
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VideoXpert to Unity Video Migration Guide
Pelco Corporate
625 W. Alluvial Ave., Fresno, California 93711 United States
(800) 289-9100 Tel
(800) 289-9150 Fax
+1 (559) 292-1981 International Tel
+1 (559) 348-1120 International Fax
www.pelco.com
Pelco, the Pelco logo, and other trademarks associated with Pelco products referred to in this publication are trademarks of Pelco
Corporate or its affiliates. ONVIF and the ONVIF logo are trademarks of ONVIF Inc. All other product names and services are the
property of their respective companies. Product specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
© Copyright 2024, Pelco Corporate All rights reserved.
