Will Dahua Camera Work with Hikvision DVR?
Can I Integrate Dahua Products with Hikvision
When you want to equip your home in terms of video surveillance, you often start with a single camera. Then you buy a second one. You buy a video door entry system or a camera that has that specificity. In the end, you end up with many cameras, but above all, cameras of different brands like Hikvision and Dahua. but is Dahua compatible with Hikvision?
The problem is that each brand has its own application. These applications do not necessarily accept different brands. So, what to do when you have two Hikvision cameras and a Dahua? Fortunately, there are solutions to see all your security cameras grouped together in a single place or application.
The Problem of Evolution
Evolving technology is good. The problem is when not all parts of that technology keep up. For example, it is no longer possible to view live images from Hikvision cameras on a web browser (except with Internet Explorer). Chrome, Firefox, Safari: All have adopted new video protocols. The problem is that Hikvision has not forwarded its “old” EasyIP 1 or easyIP2 type cameras.
So, we end up with a grey screen without being able to do anything. This problem, although indirectly related to the theme of this article, highlights the need to be wary and choose the right brands and models of security products. They will definitely evolve. However, it is still necessary to know how the evolution will go with these products.
So, without further ado, let’s see how we can monitor Dahua and Hikvision security systems in one place.
Can Dahua Camera Work with Hikvision DVR?
If you have a Hikvision DVR and a Dahua IP camera, you are probably wondering “can I use other cameras with Hikvision DVR?” The answer is yes! you just need to download and install the Config Tool to configure your Dahua camera and follow the instructions below:
- Open the Config Tool and use it to modify the network credentials of your camera to match your DVR IP setup. The tool automatically detects your Dahua camera’s IP address, which needs to be changed to default Hikvision DVR addresses for cameras (192.168.254.x). The software will require you to activate the camera first, and it will ask you to create a password. This is the password for the camera which we will need later.
- After the camera connection is complete, you need to connect it to the Hikvision DVR. Go to Configuration > Camera > Locate the location of your camera > Operation > Edit. You must configure these settings:
- Adding Method – Change from Plug & Play to Manual
- IP Camera Address – Change your Dahua camera’s IP address
- Protocol – Change from Hikvision to ONVIF
- Camera Password – Enter the camera’s password that you created in the previous step
- Click OK to go back to the previous page. Make sure that the Status column displays a green and not red. Your Dahua camera is now connected to the Hikvision DVR!
Read More: Best CCTV Camera Brands in the UK (Ultimate Top CCTV Brands Guide For Home/Business)
How to Integrate Dahua and Hikvision Cameras
1) Use an Application (Mobile or Computer)
Downloading and installing a generic (i.e., all makes and models) app is the easiest method. Moreover, this solution is all the more interesting as it is generally free, and compatible with several devices. Third-party applications such as iVideon, tinyCAM Monitor (free and paid versions) for Android and Milestone XProtect Essential (free version) allow you to add your IP cameras and view them on a single screen. We recommend the iVideon application, available on IOS and Android.
Advantages of using an application for surveillance cameras:
- Easy to put in place
- Very profitable if you have many different brands
Disadvantages:
- For free versions, all features may not be enabled
- A limited number of IP camera channels
- 24/7 recording is not possible
- Subscription sometimes required
Even in its free version, iVideon is beneficial for several reasons. Certainly, the paid version offers more features. However, assuming your cameras have their own recording system (local or cloud), with the free version you can:
- Save short videos of motion or sound-activated events to the cloud
- Store videos for 24 hours
- Have unlimited local archiving
- Access your cameras from a web browser or smartphone application
- Share viewing with up to 2 other users
- Export videos
- Have smart notifications
2) Invest in an NVR with ONVIF Compatible Cameras
Now that we have answered the question “is Dahua compatible with Hikvision”, we can go over the best solutions to integrate these two brands. Buying a network video recorder (NVR) can sometimes be a great solution to storing all the video from all of your cameras in one place. But if you have more than one IP camera, you are already heavily invested in video surveillance. This is good, but are your cameras compatible with the Dahua ONVIF port? It is necessary that not only the NVR but also the cameras are ONVIF compatible.
Advantages of ONVIF NVR:
- 24/7 recording of all possible IP cameras
- Simultaneous live viewing of the cameras on a screen (if the screen is connected to the NVR via an HDMI cable)
- Motion detection for compatible cameras
- Can be connected to the home automation system
Disadvantages and limitations:
- The cameras must all be ONVIF compatible, otherwise be of the same brand to benefit from motion detection
- Risk of the hard drive crashing
These points should not be taken lightly. Because if you don’t make the right choice, you end up with devices that are either not compatible with each other, or not useful for your needs. Therefore, it is necessary to anticipate your present needs and those of the future. For this, it is recommended to opt for recognized brands in the field of video surveillance:
- Hikvision NVR – This brand is a solid choice if you mainly own Hikvision cameras. Likewise, if you want to benefit from advanced motion detection methods such as line crossing, intrusion detection, etc., this is the right choice. Some NVRs are also powerful enough to power PTZ cameras.
- Dahua NVR – As with the Hikvision brand above, Dahua products are feature-rich, reliable, and affordable. In addition, Dahua camera configuration is fairly easy. They outperform Hikvision with person detection (face detection) on mid-range and high-end models. If you’re looking for person detection without a cloud-based system, Dahua is the only real option.
3) Turn a NAS into an NVR
If you want to find the answer to the question “is Dahua compatible with Hikvision”, link your surveillance camera system to your NAS backup system. This saves you from buying an NVR. Interesting fact: NAS servers have mobile applications, such as “Surveillance Station” for Synology, allowing you to simultaneously display your cameras.
With this method (paid for several cameras), you gather all your data in one place. QNAp also offers the same things as Synology. Be careful though: if you already have a Synology NAS, you can add two cameras for free. Beyond this number, additional licenses will need to be purchased. You can view the cameras from a browser, or from the Synology app (DS Cam).
Advantages of recording surveillance cameras by NAS:
- “Fairly” economical solution
- 24/7 recording from all IP cameras
- Simultaneous live view of cameras on a computer (web browser) or smartphone
NAS limitations for surveillance cameras:
- Motion detection of cameras not necessarily supported
- You have to pay for a number of cameras
Read more: How to Connect Dahua Cameras and DVRs to Ajax Security System
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “is Dahua compatible with Hikvision”. As you can see, there are many ways to integrate surveillance cameras in the same place. Of course, each method has its pros and cons. Therefore, here are the different ways to choose the solution that will be best for you. If your goal is:
- Simplicity, go with iVideon. Everything is gathered in one place
- Uniqueness, the NVR will be dedicated to video surveillance. In addition, you don’t have to pay for a subscription.
- Bundling, and using your NAS as a (partial) NVR will be a good idea, especially if you are automating your home.