Is this NVR selection satisfying? (Dahua or an alternative) ?

[loe22]

Hello all,

currently I am planning a system for a friend. I need some input regarding NVR because personally I am using frigate as NVR in combination with different Dahua and EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T cameras.

For my friend we planned for the initial phase with 5x EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T cameras in combination with one of the following NVR’s:

1. Dahua NVR5208-8P-XI (afaik newest version and most likely ready for the future)
2. Dahua NVR5208-8P-EI (afaik previous version with less AI functionality, but still enough for planned setup)
3. Is there an alternative provided from EmpireTech ?
   Only NVR with POE I found is the “NVR16CH-16P-2AI” (New Arrivals NVR16CH-16P-2AI 16 Channels 1U 16PoE 2HDD Network Video Recorder - IP Cam Talk Store).
   If I am right, this is a labeled Dahua NVR5216-16P-EI (
   

   NVR5216-16P-EI - Dahua International

   NVR5216-16P-EI

   www.dahuasecurity.com
   )

What do you think regarding this NVR’s ?
Is my understanding right ?

Thank you and best regards

 

[bigredfish]

Yep you’re on the right track.

Note the difference between the first two is simply the AI capability of the NVR. This is in addition to the AI of the camera. Generally speaking the camera is where you want to do your AI. When you enable AI functions on the recorder, you lose 1/2 of the bandwidth capacity.

 

[loe22]

Thank you very much!
That means, the AI functionality of the NVR is not so important when its done by the camera and the EI is enough, right ?
Is there an EmpireTech branded alternative to NVR5208-8P-EI /NVR5208-8P-XI ?

 

[bigredfish]

Correct. Unless you need complex AI with the NVR doing one thing and the camera doing another.

Ask Andy he should be able to fix you up. His is all original Dahua equipment with different part #s
@EMPIRETECANDY

 

[Gdc]

Is there an EmpireTech branded alternative to NVR5208-8P-EI /NVR5208-8P-XI

The NVR5208-8P-XI looks like a real weapon when it comes to AI capability in the NVR. My take is you could use 8 dumb cameras and the NVR will take care of all the AI smarts. They do seem hard to get hold of stock from what I can tell.

 

[mat200]

The NVR5208-8P-XI looks like a real weapon when it comes to AI capability in the NVR. My take is you could use 8 dumb cameras and the NVR will take care of all the AI smarts. They do seem hard to get hold of stock from what I can tell.

iirc NVR w/AI have limits on how many streams they can process with AI .. so do double check the specs ..

 

[steve1225]

1. Dahua NVR5208-8P-XI (afaik newest version and most likely ready for the future)
2. Dahua NVR5208-8P-EI (afaik previous version with less AI functionality, but still enough for planned setup)

XI line have a bigger AI processor, which allows offloads AI functions from cam...

Color4K cams have AI SMD/IVS with human/vehicle filtering, which is done on cam...
For that You can use any modern Dahua NVR, which will only record AI events and allows to search/playback them..

Difference will be if You want to add another AI function to cam (modern AI cams usually can do only one at once).
Like Video Meta Data - where cam or NVR describe visual features of humans/cars (height, color, cloth, face, car brand or plate etc)..

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

Dahua Technology

www.dahuasecurity.com

Also in case of AcuPick cams (5442-S3 cams or newest Color4K-S2 which Andy don't have yet) You can even mix SMD/IVS with AcuPick and VideoMetaData...

undefined - Dahua International

Dahua Technology

www.dahuasecurity.com

Last one function is tested by me on 6xx-XI line, 5xxx-XI is to new and I didn't have possibility to test it..

 

[camdensnyder]

Here is Empire Tech’s website. I am running the NVR16CH-16P-2AI. It is a great NVR and he also has it in the 8 channel.

Network Video Recorder | EmpireTech

EmpireTech has a range of recorders from the Lite Series (4CH/unit) for smaller uses, the Pro Series (optimal for mid-to-large projects) to the Ultra Series (256CH/unit) for expansive projects, plus cost-effective options.

empiretech01.com

 

[steve1225]

PS. never buy 8 port versions of NVR... they will limit You very fast... 16 port is minimum - to have space to grow... price difference especially at empire tech shop is minimal...

 

[mat200]

PS. never buy 8 port versions of NVR... they will limit You very fast... 16 port is minimum - to have space to grow... price difference especially at empire tech shop is minimal...

Highly recommended advice by @steve1225 here ..

Always go with the larger NVR than the number of cameras you expect to get ..

I like the 2x rule ..

For example, expect to get 4 cameras, get at least a 8 port NVR
Expect to get 5 cameras .. get 10 port NVR .. as they only make 8, 16 port NVRS .. round up to 16 port NVR

 

[skyline3116]

Don't want to thread jack but I'm in the same boat as OP. Looking for an 8-camera system with room to expand, going to get DAHUA cameras from Empiretech andy (going to start with only a few and test them in locations) and that seems straightforward, but not really seeing any feedback on NVR's. I see the NVR16CH-16P-2AI for sale but not much feedback about it. I'm looking for a set it and forget it type of install. Any recommendations for DAHUA NVR's? Looking to be able to view it from an app on my phone, as long as that doesn't open me up to being hacked.

 

[camdensnyder]

Don't want to thread jack but I'm in the same boat as OP. Looking for an 8-camera system with room to expand, going to get DAHUA cameras from Empiretech andy (going to start with only a few and test them in locations) and that seems straightforward, but not really seeing any feedback on NVR's. I see the NVR16CH-16P-2AI for sale but not much feedback about it. I'm looking for a set it and forget it type of install. Any recommendations for DAHUA NVR's? Looking to be able to view it from an app on my phone, as long as that doesn't open me up to being hacked.

That’s the NVR I have and it’s great! I use an Asus router and use Open VPN on the router to access the NVR when I am away from the house. I do not setup p2p on anything. I will have an 8ch one for sale.

 

[bigredfish]

Not sure what Andy is carrying in his store, but the one I would recommend would one the 5 series (I believe thats a step down 4 series) . (Empiretech equipment is Dahua with a different sticker)

WizSense Series - Dahua International

WizSense Series

www.dahuasecurity.com

This one specifically - ask Andy for his part#

NVR5216-16P-EI - Dahua International

NVR5216-16P-EI

www.dahuasecurity.com

Worst thing you can do is scrimp on the NVR and try to save $100

As to your "set it and forget it" there's no such thing. It will take some time and patience for ANY camera and system to learn it and what works best for your specific scene and needs. Though once you have it dialed in, yes it is very reliable and you shouldnt have to mess with it much at all

Yes it can be viewed by an app (DMSS) and you have 2 ways to set it up to be secure. P2P (I use on some) and a VPN like OpenVPN or WireGuard

 

[wittaj]

+1 above on the 5xxx series and that none of the better systems are set it and forget it.

Nothing in this arena is true plug-n-play if quality and able to IDENTIFY is important.

All cameras need to be dialed in to the field of view. Even the best cameras left on default will result in motion blur and ghosting at night. It is the same process for the dialing in the camera regardless of the VMS (NVR) system used.

If you want true plug-n-play simplicity and do not care about nighttime motion quality, then go with one of the consumer brands - Ring, Arlo, Reolink, Nest, Blink, etc. They are true plug-n-play and set-it-and-forget it because those cameras all run on default/auto settings with very little, to no ability to change camera parameters. But they can only tell you at night what time something happened without much to provide the police for identification.

Simply download their app and scan the camera QR code and you are up and running, with a better app experience also.

But their plug-n-play simplicity comes at a cost of nighttime performance and ability to customize stuff, but obviously many do not seem to care about that as those systems are popular and those consumer grade systems are a perfect fit for those that want simplicity and not having to learn how to use an NVR.

But once you get it dialed in to your settings and field of views, then yeah you don't have to touch it unless you like to tinker.

 

[steve1225]

Don't want to thread jack but I'm in the same boat as OP. Looking for an 8-camera system with room to expand, going to get DAHUA cameras from Empiretech andy (going to start with only a few and test them in locations) and that seems straightforward, but not really seeing any feedback on NVR's. I see the NVR16CH-16P-2AI for sale but not much feedback about it. I'm looking for a set it and forget it type of install. Any recommendations for DAHUA NVR's? Looking to be able to view it from an app on my phone, as long as that doesn't open me up to being hacked.

All -AI, -2AI, -4AI NVRs in Andy shop are Dahua NVR5xxx-EI
they differ only by channel number, POE switch built-in or not and HDD number..
features / firmware are the same...

it's most popular NVR line now in the forum...
It supports all features from modern Dahua cams..

 

[bigredfish]

Good to know.
I need an Andy to Dahua Conversion table

 

[Gdc]

Shameless plug for the NVR5208-8P-XI. Its like the -EI but has support for more features on more of the 8 cameras. Unfortunately Andy doesn't sell them, I imported my own.

Mine setup is plug and play now with a mixture of 5422 cameras. It took a while to get the features working the right way for what I wanted. For my home setup ive settled on the below. YMMV and im sure there are dissenting views, but these work for me:

• On the Camera (configure it up on the camera rather than the NVR for less hassle) turn on Acupick, turn on IVS, turn on Metadata. Rest should be off.
• On the Camera draw your IVS area and turn on detection for people, car, animals etc.
• AVR encoding rather than CBR or VBR - per a few posts on here. It will extend your storage retention. I also exclusively use H.265 and 15fps and find it works really well.
• Ive left Auto everything on the camera and havent found a need to change it. Seems to work well enough switching to IR at night and back to day light etc.
• Setup Facial Detection & Recognition on the NVR.
• Create a face database for Family/workers and a passerby database. Add your family faces to the family database.

- If you are paranoid, put the NVR on a vlan and firewall it off so you need to VPN in. I only allow NTP (time) and Apple push notification outbound from my NVR.

• Install DMSS and point it at your NVR IP address.
• Sit back and watch the neighbour cats duke it out on the front lawn.

 

[steve1225]

Shameless plug for the NVR5208-8P-XI. Its like the -EI but has support for more features on more of the 8 cameras. Unfortunately Andy doesn't sell them, I imported my own.

Mine setup is plug and play now with a mixture of 5422 cameras. It took a while to get the features working the right way for what I wanted. For my home setup ive settled on the below. YMMV and im sure there are dissenting views, but these work for me:

• On the Camera (configure it up on the camera rather than the NVR for less hassle) turn on Acupick, turn on IVS, turn on Metadata. Rest should be off.
• On the Camera draw your IVS area and turn on detection for people, car, animals etc.
• AVR encoding rather than CBR or VBR - per a few posts on here. It will extend your storage retention. I also exclusively use H.265 and 15fps and find it works really well.
• Ive left Auto everything on the camera and havent found a need to change it. Seems to work well enough switching to IR at night and back to day light etc.
• Setup Facial Detection & Recognition on the NVR.
• Create a face database for Family/workers and a passerby database. Add your family faces to the family database.

- If you are paranoid, put the NVR on a vlan and firewall it off so you need to VPN in. I only allow NTP (time) and Apple push notification outbound from my NVR.

• Install DMSS and point it at your NVR IP address.
• Sit back and watch the neighbour cats duke it out on the front lawn.

Does 5xxx-XI have working AcuPick over web interface (when You play any footage over web - like search results - is there AcuPick icon to search similar people/cars - last 4th icon on screenshot below)?

Can You put screenshot of main web page with icons after login - what version of UI it have?

 

[Gdc]

Yes I believe its using the latest UI from Dahua:

Like all of the Dahua UI's there are quite a few places where it still prompts to download the IE browser addon. I only run Mac so thats a dead end for me. I dont believe the -XI is different from the -EI except for being able to do more features on all 8 cameras v's maybe only on 2 etc.

The below is when I click Acupick on the screen you were on it enables me to click the item of interest, be that a person, a face etc and then search for it.

 

[steve1225]

One more time:

Does 5xxx-xi allow to search using AcuPick over WEB interface? Do you have acupick icon in all web players (live view, ai search results etc)? Your screenshot look like from HDMI interface?

Can you put screenshot of main screen with 6 big icons - from which you go to Live view, AI, search etc…

I ask because I have 608-xi, and its firmware is now almost 1 and half year behind 5xxx-ei. Don’t have acupick on web interface and new ui / menu structure / changes which Dahua did in last 18 months