Dahua motion detection confusing specs

A

adri76

n3wb
Nov 1, 2022
27
1
South Africa
Hi
I would like to buy a Dahua DVR/NVR for use with different IP cameras, but their specs and marketing material is very confusing.
The NVR/DVR's they list have WizSense, SMD, SMD Plus, AI by camera etc, but I am not sure if the detection/processing is actually done by the NVR/DVR or the camera.
I would like to use person/vehicle detection to minimize false alarms and a feature like tripwire would also be useful.
Is there anyone that has experience with these NVR/DVR's that could maybe shed some light on the issue.
(I have spent 3 days researching this and I am still not sure)
 
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To ensure full functionality you should match brand of NVR with camera brand.

So if you have a Dahua NVR but get a Hikvision camera with AI, the AI probably won't work. You van bring the video feed in, but most camera functionality may be lost.

Ideally if you want AI then you should buy cameras with that capability and feed that to the NVR instead of the NVR doing it. Some NVRs can do AI, but read the fine print as it may be limited to a camera or two and will certainly drop the capabilities of the NVR either by limiting resolution or bandwidth or some other function.

If you want to mix match camera brands then you need to look at something like a Blue Iris/computer system.

In the Dahua line, you should look at the 5xxx series cameras and NVR for the functionality you want.
 
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Thanks for the reply.
I understand the different functionalities available, but my problem is the documentation is very confusing.
Some of the nvrs seem to have basically the same features, but one would cost double the price of the other.
Eg.: If I want something that can detect line-crossing and vehicle + person, most of the NVR specs would say that it is supported, but I'm not sure which camera/NVR combo would support that and which ones are compatible with each-other.
 
adri76 said:
Some of the nvrs seem to have basically the same features, but one would cost double the price of the other.
Click to expand...

Consider posting the two models, and allow the members here the opportunity to assist you with identifying the differences.
 
BI is not overkill for any requirements LOL.

But regarding NVRs, they are not all created equal. You have to look at the specs carefully as it is usually in resolution and bandwidth issues that are the main differences, and will make a difference.

For example the 4xxx series says this:

4/8/16-channel IP video access
Smart H.265+/Smart H.264+/H.265/H.264; H.265 auto switch
Max 80 Mbps bandwidth
Up to 8MP resolution for preview and playback
8-channel decoding@1080p (30 fps)
AI by Camera: Perimeter protection; SMD Plus; people counting; heat map
Click to expand...

While the 5xxx series says this:

8/16/32-channel IP video access
Smart H.265+/Smart H.264+/H.265/H.264/MJPEG; H.265 auto switch
Max 320 Mbps bandwidth
Up to 24MP resolution for live view and playback
1-channel fisheye dewarping (AI by NVR)
AI by Camera: Perimeter protection; face detection and recognition; SMD Plus; video metadata; ANPR; people counting; stereo analysis; crowd distribution; heat map
Click to expand...


So what does this mean? For both these series, the AI has to be done by the camera. You would have to go to the next level up to get the NVR to have AI capabilities, but then it will start cutting resolution and bandwidth.

The 4xxx series is limited to 80Mbps bandwidth, so it is more of a consumer/economical option. Which means if you have 8 cameras and want to watch it with a mobile device, it will be cutting back the bitrate quite a bit to accommodate that. Further playback is limited to 8MP resolution - so that is one 4K camera or you downrez the resolution.

Compare that to the 5xxx series with 320Mbps bandwidth and 24MP resolution for live view and playback.


Now when you cost these out, at least in the USA, it is cheaper to buy a refurbished computer and use BI than it is to buy a capable NVR.


 
The DH-XVR is a hybrid unit that accepts analog cameras along with IP cameras and has a horrible 20Mbps bandwidth and only supports 2MP cameras. It is a decent unit for someone that has existing analog cameras and wants to add an IP camera to the mix.

That is why the 4xxx series is more expensive as it can handle a higher resolution camera.
 
50% more expensive because (in part):
It supports Max 6 channels IP camera inputs, each channel up to 6MP; Max 32 Mbps incoming bandwidth (cheaper system is 5 cams, up to 2MP per channel, Max 20 Mbps)
It supports up to a 16 TB HDD (cheaper system supports up to 6 TB)
 
I only need to monitor 4 to 8 cameras max and I only need line-crossing with person/vehicle detection.
To buy a used pc with decent spec and BI would cost 2 - 4 times what a decent NVR would cost. (prices are very inflated here)
Optiplex 7080 with I5 and 8gb ram and 256 ssd used is about R9.5k while a Dahua 8ch kit with DVR/NVR and 8 bullet cam's + 1tb storage is about R4k
 
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