What is your favorite NVR brand/model?

[ranzor 0]

I've made the switch to IP cameras and I'm currently using ZoneMinder as my capture software on a typical desktop PC. I'm unhappy with it as it doesn't save the video stream in the native h.264 format and doesn't handle mobile devices very well. I've tried the free version of Milestone and was really impressed but I'm looking at making the jump to an NVR appliance and avoid having to buy licenses. I'm looking to purchase a Dahua NVR DH-NVR3216 since the Dahua brand seems to be a forum favorite.

 

Is there a forum favorite model or brand of DVR? I'm really just looking for the following:

• 16 Channels
  
• 1080p recording
  
• Viewable on PC/Mac, Android, and iPhone
  
• Typical coffee shop/retail setting
  
• I'm planning to use Dahua cameras but I'm open to other brands. I've had good results with Hikvision too.

[L4HikOEM 0]

Hikvision is the best.

 

Dahua is everywhere and their software is garbage.

 

Any other big retail brands are very expensive, but acti, geovision and vivotek are alternatives.

[shockwave199 0]

I don't think dahua software is garbage. It's not perfect, but it's far from garbage. Someone would have to prove to me how wonderful hikvision software is. So far, no one speaks a word about what it can do better than dahua. All I hear about is hikvision cameras. Almost nothing about their nvr's or software. Until I read or view a comprehensive review on a hikvision nvr, it's remote software, and it's mobile software, I have to assume it's nothing special. The few small glimpses of it all have left me unimpressed, leaving me much in favor of PSS and gdmss+ or idmss+ mobile software.

[JoeyJoey 0]

Hikvision allows for easy video downloading, no conversation software needed, it just works. I like that.

 

I had a Qsee (Dahua) once, didn't like it.

[milkisbad 0]

Well I have used both Hikvision and Dahua pretty extensively, seen the good and the bad. Here's my experience with Dahua

 

What I like about Dahua:

-Config Tool doesn't require installation or WinPcap

-better picture in 1.3mp vs hikvision i feel

-cheaper than hikvision

-4x4 ch display mode on gdmss

-32 ch display mode on 32 ch models of NVR

-Doesn't sell directly to installers, only to their OEM and distributors (unless they buy direct from China..)...Hikvision USA + ADI is killing their distributors and resellers...

-Stays in the shadow regarding Brand name, software doesn't display their name/logo/model numbers.

-seem to listen to customers and release things people asks for such as 4 inch IP PTZ with 10x zoom, HDCVI, 128 ch super NVR.

 

What I don't like about dahua:

-hard to find firmware

-too many settings in NVR/cameras

-PSS isn't the easiest to use

-most models are internet explorer only

-poor user manuals

[buellwinkle 0]

Don't agree on the Internet Explorer thing, I view my Dahua using Safari on my Macbook. But i used both the Dahua and Hikvision NVR and same to me, although I'm not an NVR fan and prefer a PC with NVR software. With Dahua I found that if use different brand cameras, you can do full time recording, but not event recording, although with new firmware releases maybe they got it better. With the Hikvision, you can use Dahua from what I've heard. The closest thing to a general purpose NVR is a Synology NAS, supports many cameras, has all the features one could want, I believe the first 2 cameras licenses are free now, then it's $50/camera. One nice thing Dahua does over HIkvision is they have a small footprint model and if I'm ever going to use an NVR, I would want it to be as small as possible.

[dark-knight 0]

I like dw from adi,

but dahua and q1c1 are much cheaper and easier to use.

i don't like hikvision, maybe i get used to other brands gui already.

[carrot 0]

Hikvision

 

Usually supports wide range of 3rd party cameras too (motion)