NasCam
A VisualStation alternative for Apple TV
Updated August 2026
Synology sells a small box called the VisualStation to put Surveillance Station on a screen without a computer. It's good hardware, built for that one job. If your screen is already an Apple TV, NasCam gets you almost the same result for a fraction of the cost.
NasCam is on Android TV and Google TV too. This page is written for Apple TV, but everything it describes works the same way there. The Android TV version is here.
What a VisualStation actually is
The VisualStation is a fan-less network device. It talks to Surveillance Station on your NAS over your network, the same way any other client does, and outputs the live grid, the event timeline, and camera controls to a monitor over HDMI, all without a PC in the loop.
The current model is the VS600HD, MSRPiMSRP: manufacturer's suggested retail price. What Synology recommends retailers charge; the actual store price can be lower. $549.99 USD. It shows up to 50 camera streams across two HDMI outputs, supports PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras through a USB joystick, and needs Surveillance Station 9.1.2 or later. The older VS960HD, which supported up to 96 streams, was discontinued by Synology in 2021 after a component it depended on was abruptly discontinued by the manufacturer. It is no longer sold new, only as used or refurbished stock through third parties.
What NasCam does
NasCam is an Apple TV app that signs in to Surveillance Station with your DSM account, the same account a VisualStation would use. It shows your cameras in a live grid, opens any camera full-screen, and plays back recorded motion and AI detection events on an annotated timeline. No separate box: it runs on the Apple TV already sitting under your television.
VisualStation VS600HD vs. NasCam
| NasCam | Synology VisualStation VS600HD | |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front price | Free to install | $549.99 USD MSRPiMSRP: manufacturer's suggested retail price. What Synology recommends retailers charge; the actual store price can be lower. |
| Full access | Pro from a low-cost monthly plan; lifetime option available | Included with the hardware |
| Hardware to buy | None, if you already own an Apple TV | Yes, a dedicated box to mount, cable and power |
| Live camera grid | Yes | Yes |
| Recorded event timeline | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous camera streams | Not capped by the app; scrolls past what fits on screen | Up to 50 |
| PTZ camera control | No | Yes, with a USB joystick |
| Stays on the screen around the clock | No, shows cameras while the app is open | Yes, dedicated hardware |
| Dual-monitor output | No | Yes, two HDMI outputs |
| Networking | Wi-Fi or EthernetiNot limited by the app. How many streams you can run smoothly depends on your network and router. | Ethernet only, no Wi-Fi |
| Checking the cameras | Open the app on your current input | Switch your TV's HDMI input |
| Requires | Surveillance Station 9+ | Surveillance Station 9.1.2+ |
Sources: Synology VS600HD datasheet, Synology's VS960HD discontinuation notice (29 July 2021). NasCam's camera grid and PTZ status are read directly from the current app, not a spec sheet.
Where the VisualStation still wins
A VisualStation is built to be a fixed security display: a shop counter, a hallway, a reception desk. It stays on the same screen permanently, works without anyone picking up a remote, and drives two monitors from one box. If you're running PTZ cameras and want joystick control, or you want a display that keeps showing cameras even if your Apple TV is in use for something else, the VisualStation is the right tool.
Where NasCam wins
If the screen in question is the television you already watch films on, and you just want to check the cameras on it sometimes, buying a $549.99 USD dedicated box to do that is a lot of hardware for the job. NasCam signs in to the same Surveillance Station account, shows the same live grid and event timeline, and costs a fraction of the price, because it uses hardware you already own.
Questions
What does a Synology VisualStation cost?
The current model, the VS600HD, has an MSRP of $549.99 USD. The older VS960HD was discontinued by Synology in 2021 after a component it depended on went out of production; it is no longer sold new.
Does NasCam support PTZ cameras?
No. The VisualStation line supports PTZ pan, tilt and zoom control through a USB joystick. NasCam has no PTZ controls in the current version.
How many cameras can NasCam show at once?
NasCam's grid is not capped at a fixed number. It lays out however many cameras your DSM account can see, and scrolls past what fits on one screen. The VisualStation VS600HD is rated for up to 50 simultaneous streams.
Is a VisualStation always-on, and NasCam is not?
Yes. A VisualStation is dedicated hardware that stays on a monitor around the clock. NasCam runs on an Apple TV that most households also use to watch films, so it shows the cameras only while the app is open.
Does NasCam need a separate box, like the VisualStation does?
No. If you already have an Apple TV, NasCam is the only thing you add. A VisualStation is additional hardware you buy, mount, cable and power next to the screen.
Free to install. Unlock every camera and your full event history with NasCam Pro, available as a low-cost monthly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase.