Role Reversal: Why Do Swann And Q-See Deny ONVIF?
Swann and Q-see are two rather large OEM's* of security cameras. Swann IP cameras have been rumored to be Hikvision, and Q-see's appear to be Dahuan.
The underlying Hikuan models seem to be ONVIF compatible. If so, a mere fee of $2000/yr, should allow them to recertify these models and claim ONVIF compatibility.
Yet on their websites they act like they have never even heard of ONVIF:
Is this really to their advantage? In addition to the cameras which claim ONVIF but don't deliver it, are there an equal number that deliver without claiming it?
*OEM meaning they are OEM'ing, not that they are the OEM.
Both Swann and Q-See are consumer brands. Most consumers do not care about integration, they just want the kit box they buy to work once everything is all plugged in.
My guess is the lack of mentioning ONVIF on their websites has more to do with marketing (their customers just don't know / care to learn about what ONVIF means) than shunning it out of spite.
The Q-See IP cameras we tested (as part of Testing The Q-See HD IP NVR Kit) did not support ONVIF. It's not safe to assume that just because the original manufacturer includes it as a feature, the relabels will also.
They are smart marketers. If they put Onvif on there, it will just confuse the crowd they are selling to. They market their words in a way that their target customer can understand. The less confusion, the more simple it seems to install. That said, several of their products Im sure are Onvif conformant.
Agree what has been said already but if you google ONVIF site:q-see.com you will find lots of references to ONVIF compliance. Swann not at all.
Admittedly Swann does sell some products targeting the less than savvy. For instance this retro model, available thru Sears, features a real B&W CRT and matching B&W lens, and 4 totally identical cameras:
The 5.5"black & white monitor features an auto-switch function so you can view the 4 operating security cameras from the same monitor with pre-set timing. The 4 real cameras are designed with a black & white lens and a built-in sensitive microphone allowing you to SEE & HEAR clearly. You can see in the dark over a short 9ft (3m) distance as the cameras have built-in infra-red LEDs. All four cameras are identical, which gives the impression that your premises are protected by a higher level of surveillance.*
*As long as you keep the monitor out of sight.
That unit hasn't been manufactured in at least 8 years. If anyone is still selling it, it's old stock.
Sounds like a clearance sale at Walmart and Sears:
You really have admire the way Swann found the dollars to build monochromatic redundancy in to this unit. Most so-called B&W systems are just random systems with a B&W monitor slapped on the end; note these ship standard with a true B&W lens, insuring grayscale imaging processing from glass to glass. :)
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