Dahua DB11 Summary - is this best doorbell for now?

silencery

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My requirements for a doorbell are probably pretty similar to what most people here are looking for: good visual quality, low light performance, mechanical chime support, POE, wifi optional, RSTP support for BI, open API, not cloud dependent (not ring/nest/most others), easy to install, reasonable price (not doorbird, not ring elite), bonus: NFC reader for hands free unlock. Small list, i know.

Nothing standout seems to exist yet, but thanks to the community here, I came across the Dahua DB-11. It's far from perfect and doesn't meet ALL my requirements, but its pretty close and works well enough for my needs now. Info on the DB-11 is fragmented into lots of different threads, so I wanted to summarize and share my findings here:

Install - THIS WAS TERRIBLY IRRITATING. The recommended install method doesn't work because the serial numbers are mismatched. Someone at the factory mixed up all the labels. In the imou app, choose "enter serial number manually" and use the serial number broadcast in the camera's wifi name.
Visual quality - Some artifacts, but overall pretty good. 2MP resolution.
Viewing angle - 140°. A bit too narrow for my application, but ok.
Power - This doorbell does not support POE. However, it does take 12V DC! If you have a POE run to the location, you can use a POE splitter such as this one: or for something cheaper, more compact, a buck converter board to step down the voltage: . However, downside to this method is hardwired traditional chimes will not work. For AC power, at least 30VA transformer is recommended.
Mechanical chimes - Using a traditional chime requires configuration in the imou app. Users report mechanical chime rings a bunch of times per door press.
Wireless chime - Dahua DS11 can be paired as a wireless option. Reportedly works via wifi - untested.
Configuration - Can be configured through Dahua ConfigTool on PC or imou app. Configuration options are severely limited.
Lens condensation - My camera came with condensation on the lens. Dried it out with a blowdryer and it's been fine for now (about a week so far). This camera is IP55 rated, which means it's weather resistant, but not as waterproof as other Dahua models.

BlueIris - Use your DB11's IP address and auto scan for install. Defaults to RTSP stream on port 554. Username is admin - password is the one you set in setup
Mounting brackets - Ring Pro brackets are the closest size
2 way voice - I have not tested this so far. imou app supports it. User reports say voice works in BI as well, but volume can be low - unconfirmed.
Storage - Specs say 64GB, but only microsd cards 32GB or lower, formatted at FAT32 work for now.
Triggers - Currently there are two triggers supported: 1) doorbell press 2) motion detection via PIR - PIR range is configurable in imou. I have not confirmed if this is a real PIR or software-based, but so far, I have not gotten a lot of false positives in my environment.
Viewing - An SD card is required to view triggers (doorbell, motion) in the imou app if you are not using Dahua's cloud service For me, viewing recorded videos in imou is really slow. A workaround for this is to simply use blueiris where viewing is much faster, but currently there is no way to trigger doorbell pushes or other actions to blueiris.
API access - None known for now (does anyone know if you can access doorbell events?)
Event Integration - See API access above. However, they currently advertise support for IFTT through the imou app, so you could feasibly do something such as "sound alert on Echo/Google Home" when doorbell rings. - untested

I ordered the doorbell a couple months ago but didn't have a chance to install until recently. Thanks to @EMPIRETECANDY for the great service!

EDIT: Aug 2019
After using this doorbell for almost 6 months, here are my follow up thoughts. The new gadget excitement has kind of worn off, so I can give a more objective perspective.


Performance (visual quality) - Performance is good, but not great. The image quality has room to be better.

It might not be fair to compare the image quality to a standalone turret or bullet, and I'm sure this probably has to do with the fact that they have to send the signal wirelessly, while still keeping everything in a relatively compact package, but I do notice artifacts, softness, and some blurriness in the video.

Low light performance really isn't good, but I guess that's to be expected. I do wish there were ways to tune settings such as backlight, B&W, and IR filters like other Dahua cams. For now, you're pretty much stuck with the automatic settings from the factory.

Connectivity - The network connectivity has been very stable, no problems after setup.

Chime and Event Integration - Thanks to ideas from other people here, I was able to hack the doorbell to connect to my home automation system. I don't have a chime, but instead, the doorbell now plays an audio alert to the Amazon Echos while also sending a animated GIF image notification to our phones. This is very case specific though, so YMMV.

Details here: Dahua DB-11 DoorBell and DSC 1832 Powerseries Alarm Integration

Storage - I wound up throwing an SD card in there and used it for a while with no problems.

Lens condensation - Has not been an issue since clearing it the first time, but that's probably because weather out here has been dry.

Overall - I'd rate this a 3/5. For the price, it's not a bad choice. Especially considering there are still a lack of good options for ONVIF capable doorbell cameras in the market. The HSDB2A seems to be the closest competitor. The things I'd like to see improved are: ethernet connectivity (POE), better image quality, the ability to tune the image for individual environments.
 
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xmfan

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@silencery - good info, thanks for posting.
Most, at one point or another end up having the need for a door cam. There appears to be nothing (PoE, ONVIF) available to be a solid solution. Keep us posted here of your experience, say three months down the road.
As for me, I went with HFW1831C as an entry door camera. It is getting delivered this week. Look forward to working with it. I have also been playing with home automation using Samsung smartthings, hopefully I can find a way to merge the two (triggers from the cam then using smartthings to do something). I've also seen people use simple triggers from a doorbell to push out notifications using home automations also. Thought I saw that HFW1831C has a two way communications, I'd like to leverage that somehow with home automation, just haven't quite devised the right mousetrap that will work for my needs :p
 

Revlus

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Also interested in your experience with it. I'm having a helluva time trying to figure out how to get a POE wire to that doorbell area for the Dahua Mini-dome I bought from Andy... if this is a good solution, I have another place to put that mini-dome which I know I can wire up easily enough.
 

silencery

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@silencery - good info, thanks for posting.
Most, at one point or another end up having the need for a door cam. There appears to be nothing (PoE, ONVIF) available to be a solid solution. Keep us posted here of your experience, say three months down the road.
As for me, I went with HFW1831C as an entry door camera. It is getting delivered this week. Look forward to working with it. I have also been playing with home automation using Samsung smartthings, hopefully I can find a way to merge the two (triggers from the cam then using smartthings to do something). I've also seen people use simple triggers from a doorbell to push out notifications using home automations also. Thought I saw that HFW1831C has a two way communications, I'd like to leverage that somehow with home automation, just haven't quite devised the right mousetrap that will work for my needs :p
Yeah, that HFW1831C looks really good too for doorway.

As for automations, there's a ton of cool stuff you can do with hubs and blueiris integrated together. I use openHAB to tie in my automation hub (vera) and blueiris. For instance, when someone triggers the camera, I convert the capture into an animated GIF and it will notify us on our phones. openHAB is definitely the best system to merge everything together, even with its high learning curve. There is a binding to also get smartthings working.

Here's an example of how far you can take it (screen caps of the DB11 are also in this post):
Blue Iris integration- HTTP binding, REST api
 

Galaxy Explorer

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Event Integration - support for IFTT through the imou app, so you could feasibly do something such as "sound alert on Echo/Google Home" when doorbell rings
Have you been able to get this function working? That is, "ring/notify" my Google Home speakers on doorbell press, and even better display the video on a Nest Hub screen.

The Imou IFTT trigger list is rather limited and doesn't list this function. Unless the doorbell integrates directly to Google Home.
 

Marc Finns

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Seen this thread now. All working for me, including Synology integration, but the chime rings multiple times. Very annoying / wife acceptance factor is critically low.
Has anyone found a solution / have an idea?
Thanks
 

silencery

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Have you been able to get this function working? That is, "ring/notify" my Google Home speakers on doorbell press, and even better display the video on a Nest Hub screen.

The Imou IFTT trigger list is rather limited and doesn't list this function. Unless the doorbell integrates directly to Google Home.
I do currently have this working. When the button on the DB11 is pushed, it will send audio notification to Echo units in the house, and an animated gif notification to our phones via pushover.

However, this is all done through customizations and sent to openHAB for processing and integration. I'm afraid there aren't any out of the box equivalents (that I'm aware of).
 

silencery

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Seen this thread now. All working for me, including Synology integration, but the chime rings multiple times. Very annoying / wife acceptance factor is critically low.
Has anyone found a solution / have an idea?
Thanks
I don't use a chime, but from what I've read from others, adjusting the 3rd party chime settings in the IMOU app may fix this issue
 

Marc Finns

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I don't use a chime, but from what I've read from others, adjusting the 3rd party chime settings in the IMOU app may fix this issue
Not really. If I select mechanical chime it rings 10 times, if I select electronic chime it stays in for 10 sec. Both are not useful. Before I add some electronics of mine to filter out the unwanted pulses, I will check with dahua support whether they are willing to fix it in firmware...
 

Galaxy Explorer

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Power - This doorbell does not support POE. However, it does take 12V DC! If you have a POE run to the location, you can use a POE splitter such as this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MPWW2UV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I am following your example here by using a POE splitter to 12V DC. However, I note the power terminals on the DB11 are not polarity marked either positive (+) or negative (-). How did you know which terminals to connect the DC power source? (not a problem for most people who use AC power)

Better still, which terminal is which?

Left terminal = Negative or Positive?
Right terminal = Negative or Positive?

As pictured below.

I thought I'd ask first before risking damage to the unit by hooking up the wrong power terminal.

Thanks

20190821_130152.jpg
 
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silencery

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I first tested it on the bench with a power supply and it powered up either way! Sorry, I don't remember how it's wired at the door.
 

Rebelx

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I got this baby wired up by the builder. They supplied two monitors also. [ Don't ask how much though; it was EXPENSIVE ]

I think I have the 1MP version though. Maybe I can substitute it in the future. It's running POE. WIll report back when I have it running.
 

Marc Finns

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I am following your example here by using a POE splitter to 12V DC. However, I note the power terminals on the DB11 are not polarity marked either positive (+) or negative (-). How did you know which terminals to connect the DC power source? (not a problem for most people who use AC power)

Better still, which terminal is which?

Left terminal = Negative or Positive?
Right terminal = Negative or Positive?

As pictured below.

I thought I'd ask first before risking damage to the unit by hooking up the wrong power terminal.

Thanks

View attachment 46263
Can be wired either ways
 

Rebelx

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I got this baby wired up by the builder. They supplied two monitors also. [ Don't ask how much though; it was EXPENSIVE ]

I think I have the 1MP version though. Maybe I can substitute it in the future. It's running POE. WIll report back when I have it running.
 

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supre

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Does anyone know what the settings are for BI to get the 2 way audio to run ?
 

silencery

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2 way audio in BI worked for me out of the box. I'm using the following settings:

upload_2019-8-23_17-47-36.png
 
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