Under what circumstances would a device license per channel be required?

A device license per channel is required when using encoders with more than 16 channels due to the licensing model in place for such devices. In instances where an encoder is designed to handle multiple channels of video simultaneously, additional licensing is necessary beyond a certain threshold—in this case, 16 channels. This licensing requirement is established to ensure that the manufacturer can maintain product support and continued development while also ensuring that users are abiding by the licensing agreements.

Devices with less than 10 channels typically fall under a different licensing arrangement that may not necessitate a per-channel license. Local storage devices usually operate under different guidelines, often not requiring a license based on channel counts but on other factors such as the device's capabilities. Meanwhile, devices that do not support ONVIF might function correctly under their intended applications without needing a specific licensing adjustment related to channel counts, as their licensing would depend more on other features rather than channel capability. Thus, the requirement for licensing is specific to devices and configurations that exceed defined operational limits, such as encoders managing a higher volume of channels.