XProtect Express+ License System

[TobiasF]

Hello,
I am running Blue Iris as home user with two cameras since a while. I have tested Frigate a while ago. Just now I had a quick look in Milestone XProtect and I liked it.
The former free version Essential+ is not available any longer. Unfortunately I do not understand their license system. There are licenses per system and per device.

Does anybody know if the license for Milestone XProtect Express+ is limited in time? Both system and device.
Is the license linked to a certain version or will be updates possible.

Regards
Tobias

 

[looney2ns]

I would email Milestone and ask those questions.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

FWIW, I found the three item descriptions below from a milestone license re-seller's website.

<.02>
I am familiar with Exacq. They require a license for each attached camera, and the cam license is directly influenced by the support term of the (server) software. When an exacq servers' support expires, everything continues to work based on the settings the date support expired. No existing camera model can be modified, most of the 'basic' camera/server settings can be modified, and the system is no longer eligible for software updates. You can renew support (priced based solely on the existing camera count) and they offer several different term lengths (1 yr, 2 yr, etc).
I suspect other vendors follow in a similar pricing format
</.02>

Milestone XProtect Express+ Base License​

This XProtect Express+ Base License from Milestone allows you to install the XProtect Express+ software onto one server or computer per software device license. XProtect Express+ provides users with alarm management, including the ability to assign alarms to different users and add comments to system alarms. With multi-layer maps, you get an overview of the entire installation. The software can manage up to 48 cameras and supports an unrestricted number of simultaneous users. It is compatible with H.265 compression technology, as well as 4K and UHD cameras.​

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Milestone XProtect Express+ Device License​

The XProtect Express+ Device License from Milestone enables you to add one additional camera to your XProtect Express+ system. One license is required per camera channel.​

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Milestone Care Plus for XProtect Express+ Device License (1-Year)​

Purchase 1 year of Care Plus for an XProtect Express+ Device License from Milestone to gain access to firmware updates and trade-in options for your XProtect Express+ software. Care Plus enables end users to keep their system up to date and optimized for their solution's specific needs by building on the initial investment of software.​

 

[TobiasF]

FWIW, I found the three item descriptions below from a milestone license re-seller's website.

Thank you. This helps.

Milestone XProtect Express+ Device License​

One license is required per camera channel.​

But this confuses me.
A camera with one with sub channel video and audio is all together one device License?
This is what I would expect. The text above says something different.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

But this confuses me.
A camera with one with sub channel video and audio is all together one device License?
This is what I would expect. The text above says something different.

Maybe... MAYBE their use of the term channel refers to a 'channel' within their software?

Reaching out to Milestone as @looney2ns recommended will be the most effective for additional insight.

 

[HereBull]

I know this is an old thread but figured I'd chime in as I manage a few Express+ systems that are maxed out on cameras.

We always keep support on these but as far as I am aware, if you stop paying for support, you can still use the product, just no further updates. (Now when it comes to adding/removing cameras, I'm not sure if that also means you can't replace/add cameras even if you stay within your license count as we've never tested it)

In terms of channels, I believe it encompasses all of that single camera (Main/Sub/Audio), but usually Milestone is only dealing in the Main/Audio channels. On some multi-sensor cameras like Dahua or Hikvision ,if its supported, its still only one channel (even if it has say 4 sensors built in) - but it has to be on their supported listed, otherwise if it shows up as a generic ONVIF device, it'll take a license for each sensor.

Milestone has made many changes to their licensing over the last decade that have made it more and more confusing - for example we used to be on Essential+ when Free was still a tier, then they got rid of the name "Free" and moved free to the Essential tier, then all those on Essential had to buy/upgrade to Express, then to Express+.