Buying a used Dahua NVR - yes or no?

If you can ask for the model number I would check to see if there are any firmware updates available for it. Power supply is another concern but usually you can find replacement ones dirt cheap.
Also when you get it do a factory reset on it, don't use any default passwords or passwords that are provided with the NVR.
Here's the firmware search tool
www.dahuasecurity.com

Dahua Technology - World-leading Video-centric AIoT Solution and Service Provide

Dahua Technology
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
 
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andrewy said:
If you can ask for the model number I would check to see if there are any firmware updates available for it. Power supply is another concern but usually you can find replacement ones dirt cheap.
Also when you get it do a factory reset on it, don't use any default passwords or passwords that are provided with the NVR.
Here's the firmware search tool
www.dahuasecurity.com

Dahua Technology - World-leading Video-centric AIoT Solution and Service Provide

Dahua Technology
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
Click to expand...
Still waiting to see what firmware it has, as I didn't even receive the unit yet. I planned on doing a factory reset.
 
Received the NVR today. I won't have the time to power it up for a few days as I'm working on a customer's project, but I did open the original box to inspect it.

Either I got really lucky, or the seller is a master at repackaging. None of the accessory bags/packages have been opened, including the hard drive cables and there is no evidence of screws ever being used in the hard drive mounting holes. All of the accessories are included even the software disc! Honestly, I don't think this unit was ever powered up or used. I guess I'll find out when I have the time to hook it up and test it.

Stay tuned!
 
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JPmedia said:
Received the NVR today. I won't have the time to power it up for a few days as I'm working on a customer's project, but I did open the original box to inspect it.

Either I got really lucky, or the seller is a master at repackaging. None of the accessory bags/packages have been opened, including the hard drive cables and there is no evidence of screws ever being used in the hard drive mounting holes. All of the accessories are included even the software disc! Honestly, I don't think this unit was ever powered up or used. I guess I'll find out when I have the time to hook it up and test it.

Stay tuned!
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If you bought from Andy's refurb list, that has been my experience as well.

It is almost like people buy it and immediately have buyers remorse and return it as soon as they are delivered.

My neighbor got his refurb last week and same thing - didn't look touched.
 
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wittaj said:
If you bought from Andy's refurb list, that has been my experience as well.

It is almost like people buy it and immediately have buyers remorse and return it as soon as they are delivered.

My neighbor got his refurb last week and same thing - didn't look touched.
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I bought it from a seller in the Midwest US. The unit and accessories literally look brand new
 
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Looks like I have a chance to grab yet another NVR5216-16P-4KS2 with (8) cameras at a good price locally.

Cameras are:
7 - Dahua HDW5231RN-Z
1 - Dahua HDBW4231FP-AS

Any thoughts on any of the items? The NVR is the 4KS2, not the 4KS2E
 
All of those are a bit long in the tooth now.
The 5231 was a beast when introduced, I’ve replaced all of them for friends over the last few years

Love my 4KS2E

They quit making it because it competed so well with the new ones!
 
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bigredfish said:
All of those are a bit long in the tooth now.
The 5231 was a beast when introduced, I’ve replaced all of them for friends over the last few years

Love my 4KS2E

They quit making it because it competed so well with the new ones!
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Unfortunately, its all or nothing. Person just wants a few bucks and would like to get rid of it
 
I just can’t justify any of it. Maybe you have a use for it
 
bigredfish said:
I just can’t justify any of it. Maybe you have a use for it
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Not that I have a use for it at the moment, but the NVR could be a spare. Cameras I'm not really too interested in. Current owner is asking just under $200 for all of it and there are some camera mounting brackets and junction boxes as well. Just seems a shame to let it go at that price
 
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I still have 4 $800 ea Axis cameras and enclosures in a box somewhere from 2017.
 
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I have the NVR5216-16P-4KS2E. From what I remember about Dahua naming..... "NVR" is IP..... "5" is the series. "2" is how many hard drive/SATA ports available. "16" means how many channels the recorder is... "16P" is how many built in POE ports on the unit. "4K" means max video output resolution.... Don't remember "S2"... Revision 2? The "E" means the built in POE supports the extend mode.

I have stuck with this model and not upgraded because:
  • This unit does support newer detections and AI. Just that the NVR itself can't do it and would require a camera that has these detections. The camera does all the work and sends the metadata to the NVR for logging purposes.
  • AI/detection processing from the NVR side will lower incoming bandwidth and there is a limited number it is able to do so I don't see the point.
  • Support for the megapixel of the cameras I use is still relevant. This unit supports up to 12MP cameras and I don't use any cameras over 8MP.... Nor have I seen any 12MP cameras with ideal specs that I would upgrade too. Usually the sensor size is too small to make it worth upgrading to.
  • I don't use AcuPick so no point in updating to a recorder that has it.

Sure..... I would like to get the new "XI" units but the price for those don't necessarily give me any motivation to do so.
 
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lewic said:
View attachment 218757
I have the NVR5216-16P-4KS2E. From what I remember about Dahua naming..... "NVR" is IP..... "5" is the series. "2" is how many hard drive/SATA ports available. "16" means how many channels the recorder is... "16P" is how many built in POE ports on the unit. "4K" means max video output resolution.... Don't remember "S2"... Revision 2? The "E" means the built in POE supports the extend mode.

I have stuck with this model and not upgraded because:
  • This unit does support newer detections and AI. Just that the NVR itself can't do it and would require a camera that has these detections. The camera does all the work and sends the metadata to the NVR for logging purposes.
  • AI/detection processing from the NVR side will lower incoming bandwidth and there is a limited number it is able to do so I don't see the point.
  • Support for the megapixel of the cameras I use is still relevant. This unit supports up to 12MP cameras and I don't use any cameras over 8MP.... Nor have I seen any 12MP cameras with ideal specs that I would upgrade too. Usually the sensor size is too small to make it worth upgrading to.
  • I don't use AcuPick so no point in updating to a recorder that has it.

Sure..... I would like to get the new "XI" units but the price for those don't necessarily give me any motivation to do so.
Click to expand...


Exact same reasons I use the same and have one sitting as backup. I dont see a compelling need for the newer EI models.

Like I said above, They quit making it (4K2SE) because it competed so well with the new ones!
 
JPmedia said:
So, what is the difference between the 4KS2 and the 4KS2E?
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Having a 4ks2, I'm aware of one difference, but it's even more complicated. There's a version 1 4ks2, and a version 2 4ks2. I've got version 1, and some of the newer firmware works only on the version 2. What I don't know is if there's different firmware for the version 2 4ks2, and the 4ks2E. The only reason I'd get a new NVR would be to go to 32 channels. Right now, I've got more cameras than NVR channels.
 
I'd have to go look beyond the Extend (E) PoE juice, I think it has the ability to see and interact with various AI features that the older 4KS2 didn't.
 
bigredfish said:
I'd have to go look beyond the Extend (E) PoE juice, I think it has the ability to see and interact with various AI features that the older 4KS2 didn't.
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So, a firmware update if it was available would give you the 4KS2E capabilities? Otherwise, you would have the AI features on the NVR?
 
No I dont think the FW is compatible between the 2. And you still wouldnt have the extended PoE

Andy may know for certain..
 
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