The first proper dedicated UNVR that Ubiquiti released was the UNVR 4 back in 2020, and a lot has changed in six years. Since that first UNVR came out, UniFi Protect has become more AI focused, it has become more tightly integrated with UniFi Access and now, as of UNVR 5.1.11 - these devices can even run UniFi Connect too. Ubiquiti has also been producing companion devices in order to enhance the capability, with the ViewPort, AI Port and AI Key.

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The need for upgraded performance and flexibility

However, due to all of the latest added capability to UniFi Protect, it was time Ubiquiti upgraded the UNVR with modern specs and built in AI hardware. UniFi Protect can now handle detections for person, animal, licence plate, face as well as all the latest alarm manager tools and SuperLink.

Ubiquiti has launched two new second generation models, with the same form factor on the four bay model and a new eight bay model for the Pro. These new versions are noticabely more expensove that the first gen versions and Ubiquiti seems to be keeping them on the store for now, as a new entry level alterantive.

However, while the standard four bay model has increased in price by more than double, there is actually some sense to the madness. Because both the new UNVR models include an integrated AI Key and ViewPort, it is actually quite good value when you look at it from a cost perspective.

If you are shopping for a new UNVR and aren't too interested in the advanced AI features or displaying camera feeds on a HDMI monitor, then Ubiquiti has the base UNVR, which costs $299 in the US. However if you know you want at the very minimum, the features that the AI Key brings, then the UNVR G2 actually makes sense on appear. The AI Key on its own in the US is $799 and the UNVR G2 is $699 - making it significantly better value to purchase the newer model, which also gets you a $199 ViewPort integrated.

Ubiquiti has added a lot of flexibilty here with the new UNVR models, giving more basic instealltions somehtin more cost effective and those who know they need more, can pruchase the uphraded G2 models.

UNVR G2

The first new model is the four bay UNVR G2, which offers the same form factor as the first generation model, but now with a refreshed design and upgraded specs. The design is now much more rounded, with some angled vents on the front. The mechanism for opening the hard drive bays has also now been refined.

In terms of specs, the RAM has doubled from 4GB to 8GB and the CPU is now an Arm based 8-core Qualcomm Kyro, with dedicated cores for performance, efficiency and prime.

The UNVR G2 also adds a 2.5GbE Ethernet port as well as a 10G SFP+ fibre port.

The integrated ViewPort for HDMI feeds does have some device capacity limitations. So for larger installations nearing the limit, it might be worth using an external ViewPort instead. Without the internal HDMI port used, the UNVR G2 can handle 60 HD cameras, 50 2K cameras or 30 4K cameras. With the ViewPort enabled that drops to 40, 30 and 20 respectively.

The UNVR G2 isn't available yet, but will be sometime in May. It is listed for $699 in the US and £666 in the UK.

UNVR G2 Pro

Elsewhere, the G2 Pro receives the same design changes as the UNVR G2 but now does away with the small LCM screen and adds an additional hard drive bay, upping the count from seven to eight. The RAM in this model has been increased from 8GB to 16GB and the CPU is the same 8-core Qualcomm Kyro as the smaller model.

The main difference is down to how many camears this can manage. Unlike with the smaller UNVR G2, the G2 Pro doesn't take a capacity hit when using the built-in ViewPort. Instead, it can manage 100 HD, 70 2K, or 50 4K cameras.

The UNVR G2 Pro is available to order now for $999 in the US and £954 in the UK.