Buying a used Dahua NVR - yes or no?
- Thread starter JPmedia
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bigredfish
Known around here
Depends on the model and how old it is.
At some point the power supply, like that in most any machine, will potentially go, but they can be replaced.
The biggest consideration will be how compatible it is with newer model cameras.
I'm running a 2017/2018 model NVR currently and it works great with all of my Dahua cameras. That said there are features in the newest NVR's that would be nice to have
At some point the power supply, like that in most any machine, will potentially go, but they can be replaced.
The biggest consideration will be how compatible it is with newer model cameras.
I'm running a 2017/2018 model NVR currently and it works great with all of my Dahua cameras. That said there are features in the newest NVR's that would be nice to have
bigredfish
Known around here
Nah, I'm keepin it till the tires fall off. I even have a spare identical one I got from a buddy who ended up deciding he needed a 32 a month after we installed his first 16
Obviously, compatibility is the most important issue for me (As we know the Lorex has issues with that) along with enough bandwidth to use up to 16 cameras. I'm open to suggestions as far as specific models. Any advice is welcome
bigredfish
Known around here
The only smart choice of current Dahua NVRs is the 5xxx series
mat200
IPCT Contributor
- Jan 17, 2017
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Used NVRs, in general NVR specs / tech is advancing at a good pace, and thus I would only look at used NVRs that are only a couple years old
Best option would be to pick up one from someone who tried out a NVR and decided to move / or get something else.
( example here, some members try a NVR and Blue Iris and end up having an extra system to sell once they pick what they want )
Not looking for something new, as they are out of my price range. I'm trying to pick up something that may still be of good value without breaking the bank. I don't need people counting, heat maps, face recognition as I wouldn't use them anyway. I'm just looking for a basic reasonably priced NVR that is reliable, can do 16 cameras without issue and most of all, compatibility with both older 3 and newer 5 series camera web pages.The only smart choice of current Dahua NVRs is the 5xxx series
That is the thing, not all NVRs are created equal and the bandwidth capacity is a huge component of the NVR being able to handle the number of cameras.
Plenty of people have come here buying a cheap one only to find out that it cannot support all the cameras they have. And some here have to run multiple NVRs because one couldn't run all their higher MP cameras.
A 16 channel NVR with bandwidth capacity of 40Mbps won't run 16 cameras unless you run lower resolution, bitrate, and FPS.
Nobody here would advocate using the NVR for those features you said you don't need - that should be done within the camera not the NVR. Having the NVR do it instead of cameras cuts the capacity of the NVR in half, which then means a 16 channel NVR may only be able to support 8 cameras.
The next lower line would be the 4xxx series and this thread shows the differences, and since you have 5xxx series cameras, it wouldn't make sense.
It just so happens that the NVR you need to run your number of cameras will also come with those features.
One of the reasons why some go to BI is the cost of an NVR capable of supporting x number of cameras is more expensive than a computer to run BI.
Plenty of people have come here buying a cheap one only to find out that it cannot support all the cameras they have. And some here have to run multiple NVRs because one couldn't run all their higher MP cameras.
A 16 channel NVR with bandwidth capacity of 40Mbps won't run 16 cameras unless you run lower resolution, bitrate, and FPS.
Nobody here would advocate using the NVR for those features you said you don't need - that should be done within the camera not the NVR. Having the NVR do it instead of cameras cuts the capacity of the NVR in half, which then means a 16 channel NVR may only be able to support 8 cameras.
The next lower line would be the 4xxx series and this thread shows the differences, and since you have 5xxx series cameras, it wouldn't make sense.
It just so happens that the NVR you need to run your number of cameras will also come with those features.
One of the reasons why some go to BI is the cost of an NVR capable of supporting x number of cameras is more expensive than a computer to run BI.
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bigredfish
Known around here
5216-16P-4KS2
It’s from the old “Pro” 5000 series. No built in AI but it captures/works with most of the current AI used in the latest cameras.
It’s essentially the new 5xxx EI series without AI by recorder
(Which the more I troubleshoot with new members the more I like it that way)
It’s from the old “Pro” 5000 series. No built in AI but it captures/works with most of the current AI used in the latest cameras.
It’s essentially the new 5xxx EI series without AI by recorder
(Which the more I troubleshoot with new members the more I like it that way)
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Whelp, it looks like I bought an NVR5216-16P-4KS2E at a what I feel is a pretty good offer - $250
bigredfish
Known around here
There is an important FW update… let me find it.
Heres the archived EOL Dahua page/specs
Heres the archived EOL Dahua page/specs
bigredfish
Known around here
No they started removing them on EOL stuff 
and this FW was the last that fixes a serious problem related to P2P and how push messages work.
and this FW was the last that fixes a serious problem related to P2P and how push messages work.
bigredfish
Known around here
Uggh you may hate me. Mine is actually with an E appended on the end
5216-16P-4KS2E
But it looks like the FW is the same for both
5216-16P-4KS2E
But it looks like the FW is the same for both
bigredfish
Known around here
Here its shown on my NVR. Update went smooth no problem. They suggest defaulting the NVR before and after the update
So, the question is, where does one acquire the latest FW file if the unit is not up to date? Does anyone have a copy of the FW?
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bigredfish
Known around here
The one I show above was the last issued by Dahua. I'm not finding it anywhere.
I have a copy you can have but I wont be responsible if it fucks up
Andy has a version about 3 months newer on his site, I'm guessing thats his own with minor tweeks to get rid of the Dahua logo. You might ask him.
NVR5216-16P-4KS2E V2.0 - 2024-10-30
empiretech01.com
@EMPIRETECANDY ?
I have a copy you can have but I wont be responsible if it fucks up
Andy has a version about 3 months newer on his site, I'm guessing thats his own with minor tweeks to get rid of the Dahua logo. You might ask him.
NVR5216-16P-4KS2E V2.0 - 2024-10-30
Download Firmwares
Building security systems for home and business offices. Protecting customers' personal safety and property security. All the security cameras and NVRs we sell are of great quality and at affordable prices.
empiretech01.com
@EMPIRETECANDY ?
Ok thanks for the info. Before I turn it into a brick, has anyone tried the empire Tech FW on this model, and what is the verdict?The one I show above was the last issued by Dahua. I'm not finding it anywhere.
I have a copy you can have but I wont be responsible if it fucks up
Andy has a version about 3 months newer on his site, I'm guessing thats his own with minor tweeks to get rid of the Dahua logo. You might ask him.
NVR5216-16P-4KS2E V2.0 - 2024-10-30
Download Firmwares
Building security systems for home and business offices. Protecting customers' personal safety and property security. All the security cameras and NVRs we sell are of great quality and at affordable prices.
@EMPIRETECANDY ?