Bad: Dahua Villa Video Doorbell Tested

Published Jan 11, 2019 12:30 PM

********* *** *** ** *** ******* segments ** *** *********** ****** *** Dahua's ***** ***** ******** ** *** worst ** **** ******.

** ****** *** ****** *** '*****'***-********-**, ****** ** *** ******** ******* of****,*******, ***********.

******, ** ******* *** *******'* ******** and ***** *****'* ********.

Purchased **** ************

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doorbell door station physical comparison

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Doorbell **** *** *******

*** **** *** * ************ *****: doorbell ******* **** *** ****.

************, ******* *** ****** **** *** activate ************ ** *** *********** ** a ****. ******* *** *********** ****-*** smartphone *** (********************* *********) *** ** *************.

*** ****** *** ********** ** **** from *** ******* ****** *** *** successfully ***** ** *****'* *********** ************. However, *** ******** ****** *** *** connect, ****.

*** ***** ***** ************ ****:

Other ********* ******

***** **** *** *******, **** * fully ********** **** ***** ****** **** significant ******** *** **** *****:

  • ** **** ***** *********: * *** ***** ** **** integrating *****'* ******** **** ***** ****** is *** *********. *** ******** ************, many ***** ********* **** ******** ********** or **** ******* ** *** ********** connected ******. ***** **** *** ** users **** **** * ***** *** not ******* ******* ** ******* ** the ****.
  • ************ *****: *** ***** **** ** ******* like * ******, ***** ****** *** (802.3af) ** ** ***. *******, **** existing ********* *** ** *** *** hardwired **** ******, *** ********** ** draw ***** **** **** *********** (******* of ***** ***** ******** ********) ***** cause *********** ******. ******* *** ***/***** spec ******** ***** ******* *** ***** and ******** *** ***** ******** ** the ******** ********, ***** ** * step **** *********** ***** **** *** undertake.

No *** ************

**** ******** ***** ****** **** **** the ****** ** ******, **** *** remotely ******** ** ** ***. ** Dahua's **** **** ******** ******* *** not ****. *** **** **** *** accessible *** ******** *****, *** *** intercom ***** ******** *** *** ********.

*** ********** ***** ***** *** *****-*** app ********** ******** ********* *****:

******* ******** ** ***** *******, ***** quality, **** ** ***, ** ** interface *** *** **** *** **** test, ** *** ******* ******** *** not ****.

Not ***** *** *******

*** ****** **** ** **** ********* will ***, *** **** **, **** with *** ******* ** *****'* ****. Most ***** ******** ******** *** ** configured, *********, *** **** **** ******* problems *** ***** ******.

******** ***** ** **** *******, ***** firmware ********, *** ********** ******** ************ is *** ******* *** ******** ***** doorbells, *** *****'* **** ***** *** not **** ******* ****.

Dahua ********

***** ************ *** ******** **** *** 'Villa'***-********-**, ******* **** ** ** ****** to ** ***'* *** ********:

"*** ******* *** ******** *** *** a **** ***** *** *** **** be ******** ** ** ******** ******* for *** ****** ****** ** *** near ******, * ********** ******* ** in **********."

*** **** *** **** *** **** in-stock *** *** **** ******** *** several ***** ***** ** **** *** for *****.

US **** ******* **********

******* ****** ******** ** *** *** doorbell *******, ***** *** **** ******* worked ****, ******** *** ******* ******* smoothly ****** ***** ********* ******.

** ****** *** **** ** ******* number *** ***** **** * ********** who ******* *********** **** ** ******** the ***** ****** *****. ** ********* ticket *** ****** ** **** ****, routing ** ******* **** ****. ** two *********, ***** ** **** ******* even ******** ** ** ***** ** progress.

Hot ********* ******

*****'* **** ***** ******** ******* ******* at ** *********** **** *** *** company, **** ****** ****** ****** ******* the *********** *** *** ******* ** gain * ***** ******** ** *** segment. **** *** ***** *** ******'* adoption *** ******** ** ***** *********.

******* ********* **** ***** *************, ***** specifically ** ****** **** **** ******:

***** ********* **** * ****** ******** in *** **** ****, **** * count ****** **** *** ******* ******* announcements ** ***** *******. ***** ***** are *** ********** **** ** ******* dual ******, **** ******** *** ******** trends **** ****** *********** *** ***** analytics ****** **** *****.

*** *** ******** ******* ******** ******** and ******, **** **** ***** ********* routinely ******** **** ** *********. *******, former*** *** *** ***** **** ***** doorbells:

********* ******* **** ********, ******** ***** a ********

********* **** ********, **** **** **** Dahua's ****-********** ***** ******** **** ** is ********.

Comments (25)
JH
Jay Hobdy
Jan 11, 2019
IPVMU Certified

2.5 years and the core function does not work? It just goes to show their mentality. 

 

This is just one of the many reasons we are moving away from Dahua.

 

Maybe they should stop trying to build electric cars,and focus on making their existing products work correctly.

 

 

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John Bazyk
Jan 11, 2019
Command Corporation • IPVMU Certified

Honestly. They’re all terrible. They all have some major flaw IMO. Video doorbells are by far our most requested product from both business and residential customers. We get more requests for video doorbells than anything else. 

Ive tried nearly every doorbell I can find and I still have not found one I’m 100% confident in. 

Between power requirements, WiFi requirements, app and installation user friendliness, and storage options. No one really has everything we need in one package. 

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Kyle Folger
Jan 15, 2019
IPVMU Certified

I would agree. I like the Nest Hello and it seems to work fairly well. The major issue is that it doesn't support ONVIF. I would really like all the features the nest offers, but would like to record the data on my own system. The Wisenet SmartCam D1 has worked well for my own purposes because I can get the human detection alerts but record the RTSP stream to Spectrum. This has been working well for many months now. The native app isn't my favorite though and loses big time to Nest in terms of app quality/speed.

I haven't found a doorbell scenario yet where the doorbell hasn't worked. I have integrated two on a NuTone intercom system (meaning chime activation on Nutone) and on the constant power 8-note mechanical chimes. A relay and 24VAC transformer is needed, but that solution works well.

The Dahua and Hikvision wouldn't work on many of the doorbells I've encountered. Those form factors are too big. However, the other Hikvision doorbell is smaller.

U
Undisclosed #1
Jan 11, 2019

Well, at least you probably don't have to worry about as many security issues as you do with Ring, since the whole alerting part is broken :)

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Sean Nelson
Jan 11, 2019
Nelly's Security

In fairness, you have to understand Dahua's and other Chinese manfacturers beta release program. This is more than likely a beta product. One in which they have released to all of their beta testers.
When I say beta testers, I mean the general public.

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Jon Dillabaugh
Jan 16, 2019
Pro Focus LLC

If Dahua channeled their inner Oprah...

You're a Beta!

You're a Beta!

EVERYONE IS A BETAAAAAAAA!!!

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EM
Edgar Mora
Jan 11, 2019

Dear Friends:   To be fair with Dahua, this video door bell should be tested with BTH5221D which is a screen that must be placed inside premises. Better to make sure you have unit with latest firmware. 

Edgar Mora,  Intrade ABC, Dahua distributor in Costa Rica.

 

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Brian Rhodes
Jan 11, 2019
IPVMU Certified

The addition of the VTH5221D (~$200) View panel is not required, plus puts total package cost well above anyone else's comparative doorbell offering.

Configuring the unit for local viewing only significantly undermines why most users buy video doorbells.

Dahua is not being fair by claiming only an app is needed to use the doorbell, from the included 'Quick Start' Guide:

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Sean Nelson
Jan 11, 2019
Nelly's Security

They have 10,000 engineers. Engineer #9999's job was to google translate the manual. Job Done.


The 10,000th engineer's job was to make sure the doorbell worked on the mobile app. YOU HAD ONE JOB # 10,000!

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U
Undisclosed #2
Jan 11, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Our test had a showstopping issue: doorbell calling does not work.

Specifically, pushing the button does not activate notification to any application of a call.

Aside from the annoying glitch, how was the tactile feel of the button during depression?  

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
Jan 12, 2019

Just wait a week and Dahua tech support will send you an automatic ticket saying your case has been resolved, even when the issue is not resolved. 

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TM
Tamas Menyhart
Jan 13, 2019

Hello everyone!
You need to sign up for a call alert for push notification within gDmss and it will work.
If you would like to receive the call push notification, need the subscribe first.

   

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U
Undisclosed #2
Jan 13, 2019
IPVMU Certified

You need to sign up for a call alert for push notification within gDmss and it will work.

If that fixes it then someone needs to fix Dahua tech support...

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Brian Rhodes
Jan 13, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Hello Tamas:

Thanks. For iDMSS-Pro which option should be selected?

TM
Tamas Menyhart
Jan 13, 2019

I don't know the iOS app so much. It is a bit different from Android, but I think it will be within the Alarm Manager. And you must need add the device as doorphone, not cameras or dvr/nvr.

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Brian Rhodes
Jan 14, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Hello Tamas:

Thanks for the help. 'I checked the option to subscribe to the doorbell device under 'Alarm Manager'. It was partially successful, but the unit still does not work as expected. Push notifications work, but video/audio calls did not.

Here are some screenshots:

Below is a push notification when the button is pushed

Opening iDMSS from that notification cannot open a video or audio session with the doorbell:

The notice that follows on the phone shows an unsuccessful 'CallNoAnswered' log, although it was attempted.

Thanks for the help.  Your suggestion prompted deeper response than previous tech support attempts, which is positive.  However, it still does not work, and like we note in our report above this level of troubleshooting/trial and error is beyond what is needed with basic consumer products.

Thank you again!

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TM
Tamas Menyhart
Jan 13, 2019

I'm was Dahua tech support in Hungary. :) Check it this. Default settings is without push notifications. If after not work it then you need a ticket... ;)

By the way: It's support MIFARE 13.56 MHz not the 125kHZ cards.

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JH
Jay Hobdy
Jan 14, 2019
IPVMU Certified

It should not take that much work to make a doorbell work.

 

I installed an ADC doorbell at my house and it took just a few minutes and everything worked fine.I did have an issue where I could not stop notifications on motion. I opened a ticket and they quickly pointed out I had notifications configured under notifications and video. They suggested I delete all rules under video. That solved the issue.

 

Point being ADC made it easy and was able to resolve my issue. They also have a huge FAQ and knowledge base.

 

Dahua makes it hard, no manuals,no documentation, etc on most of their products. NOBODY should have to work that hard to get a ~$200 item to work.

 

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JH
John Honovich
Jan 14, 2019
IPVM

NOBODY should have to work that hard to get a ~$200 item to work.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree here ;)

Image result for it is the things we work hardest for

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U
Undisclosed #2
Jan 14, 2019
IPVMU Certified

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Dave Gideon
Jan 15, 2019
IPVMU Certified

I see what you did there with the whole Zen thing and all, but finding Total Consciousness won't buy gasoline or make payroll

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EF
Erik Fredeen
Jan 14, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Given the demand, I commend IPVM for testing these doorbells, and I am looking forward to more tests and shootouts!!

I have no financial interest in saying this, but the dbell product caught my eye since it's supposedly ONVIF compatible, able to connect to a NVR and they are a Canadian company.  Another curiosity for me on the dbell product is the altogether new chime box so the legacy 16VDC wiring is not an issue. I recommend IPVM consider their product for a future review.

Regarding wiring, POE/POE+ wiring should be a plus for video doorbells and not a minus.  Legacy 16VDC wiring predates the explosive growth of IP cameras, and it's way past due to change this paradigm IMHO and I'm surprised IPVM isn't beating this drum.  More and more DIYers are installing their own IP camera networks, and the criticism of not using existing 16VDC wiring is akin to criticizing these "newfangled" IP cameras are not compatible with existing analog coax wiring (and we know how that turned out).  I think there is a market segment yearning for a POE video doorbell with push notifications that is ONVIF compliant, even if it's not the public masses (yet).

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Brian Rhodes
Jan 14, 2019
IPVMU Certified

More and more DIYers are installing their own IP camera networks, and the criticism of not using existing 16VDC wiring is akin to criticizing these "newfangled" IP cameras are not compatible with existing analog coax wiring

Any criticism comes due because doorbell chimes and transformers do not use PoE, but two wire 16 VAC.  The vast majority of retrofit applications will not have PoE available at the doorbell, and running new cable to that point is pretty advanced for 'DIY', especially when the doorbell is marketed as 'WiFi'.

PoE certainly is useful.  In this case it is not the utility most users already have at the intended point of use.

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CK
Carl Kristoffersen
Jan 16, 2019

16VDC?  
I have yet to see a DC doorbell.  Where are these unicorns?

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Brian Rhodes
Jan 16, 2019
IPVMU Certified

Ah.  Good catch. They are typically 16 VAC.  I'll make that edit now.