Hikvision vs Dahua Mobile Apps Tested

By Ethan Ace, Published on Dec 07, 2016

With smartphone use and low-cost video recorders surging, many user's main interface to their surveillance system is their phone. With mobile video apps becoming commonplace, the questions are: How good are they really? Can they really replace a full blown desktop client?

In this report, we test apps from Hikvision and Dahua to see how they compare, what features and functions they include or do not include, and how usable these apps are as the main interface to users' systems.

Key ********

***** ********* *** **** to **** ***** **** similar *** ***** *** more ******** ******** **** Hikvision, *******, ***** *** worse *********:

  • ***** *** ********* ***** functions **** ******* **** similar *******, ******** *******, and *************. ************, ******** buttons *** ********* ******* in **** ****, **** little ** ** *************/**** files.
  • **** ** **** ***** was ************* ******* ** both ****, ********* ~*-* seconds *** ******* ** load ** **/*** ** Wi-Fi. 
  • *****'* ***** **** *** some *** ******* **********, with ******* ******, *****/***** search, *** ************ ***** notifications *** ***** ** Hikvision's ****** ***.
  • *******, ** *** *****, Dahua's ***** *********** ******* crashes (**** ***** **** playing **** ******** *******), while ********* ****-**** *** not ***** ** *** in *** *****.

App ********

*****'****** (**** *** **** ******** [link ** ****** *********]) and*********'* ****-**** **** ****** **** ******** **** similarly, **** **** ***** advantages/disadvantages (******** *****). 

**** **** ******* ** both **** *** *********** the ****, **** **** able ** ******* *-** cameras (*** ***** ******), with **********, ***** *********, audio, *** *** ******* across *** ******.

*** **** ******** ******* are **** ******* ** each ***, **** ******** controls (****, ****, **** forward, *** ***** ** frame) *** ******** ***** video. **** **** ** both ****, *** ******** for **** *** ******** camera ** *********. ******* offers *** ******* ** synchronize *****.

**** ***** *** ********* apps ***** ***** ** receive ****** ********* *** other ******, ***** *****, with *** ******* ** tap ** ****** ********. Note **** ***** ********* are ********* ** *** free ********* ****-**** ****, but ******* *** **** version ** *****'* ***** (Plus, $*.** ***). ************, Dahua ****** ***** ** selection ******** ****** *** specific *******, ***** *********'* app **** ****** ***** to ******* *** ****** from * ****** ** none.

Unclear ******** *******

**** *****'* *** *********'* mobile **** ****** **** unclear ******** ******* ** the ****** ** *** UI, **** ** **-*** help *** **** ******* hard ** **** ******. While **** *******, **** as ********, ******, ** audio **/*** *** ***** and *********, ****** *** likely *** ******* ** inexperienced *****. ************, ******* some ******* **** ** autofocus, ***, ***., ******** no ******** **** ***** features *** *** *********. Instead, **** ****** ** nothing. 

Stream ******** (********* **. *******)

**** *** ***** *** Hikvision ****** **** ***** users ** ****** ******* stream ********, *********** **** quality **** ******* **. lower ******* **********, ********* on ********* *********. ********* refers ** **** ** "Clear" **. "*****", ***** Dahua ******** ** **** via ***** (***** *****).

**** **** (** **** as ****** ** **** used) ******* ** ********* priority, ** **** ** full **********/**** ******* *******. Due ** *** *** resolution ** **** ****** devices (*****/******* ********), **** details ** **** ***** cameras ****** ** **** without ******* ****, ****** full **********/**** ******* ******* essentially * ***** ** bandwidth.

***** ******** *** ** found ** *** ******** of **** ****, ***** here:

***** **********

***** *** **** *** advantages *** ***** ** Hikvision's ****** ****:

******/***** ******

****** *********, ***** ****** on ***** ************* ** play **** ******** ******, Dahua ***** ****** ***** to ****** *** **********, motion *********, ** ***** recordings **** *** ******** menu. **** ****** ***** to **** ******** ***** of ********** ******, ******* needing ** ** ******** of ***** ***** (** in ********* ***** *************).

******* ****** **** **** View

***** *** ****** ******* ****** on * ****** ****** from **** ****, *** a ********* ******* ******. This ** *** ********* in *********'* ****.

***** *************

***** ****** ***** ** be ******** **** ** specific ******, **** ** analytics, ***** ****** *********, audio, ****** *******, ***., instead ** *** ***-**-******* approach ** ********* ****-****.

Dahua *** *********** 

** *** *****, ** experienced ******** ******* ** iDMSS, **** ***** **** ********** to **** **** ******** cameras. ** ***** ** error *********** ** ********; the *** ****** ********. Additionally, ** ******** ********* the *** *****, ***** while ********** ** **** playback *****.

** *** *** ********** these ****** **** *********, with ** *** ******* during *** *****.

Multiple ********/**** 

***** *** *** ******** versions ** **** ********* and ***** **** ********* depending ** ***** ********, device, *** ******. *** example, **** ****-**** **** is ********* ** ******, while ****-**** ** ** available *** **** (**** higher ********** ** *** more ****** ***** ****** options). ****, ***** **** is ********* *** ****, but *** **** ***, iDMSS **** ($*.** ***), is ******** ** ******* alarms **** ***** ********.

**** **** **** ********* offers * ****** *** specifically *** ***** ***** iVMS-5200 ******** (*** *** available ** ***** *******, but ********* *********), ***** functions ********* ** ****-****. We **** ***** **** app ** *** ****** test ** ****-****.

************, **** ** ***** **** may ** ********* ** OEMs **** ****** ***** from ********* *******. *** example, *** ******** ****-**** as********, *** *-*** ******** iDMSS **** ****. 

Versus ***** ******** *************

******** *** ********* ** most *** **** ***/*** mobile **** ** **** seen *** ******* ** those ****** ****. *** example, *** **** ******* of *****, *********, *******, and ******'* ****** **** are ***** *****, **** similar ******, *********/*******, ********, PTZ, *** ***** ******* shown. 

Versions ****

*** ********* *** ******** were **** ** **** test, *** ** *** 10.0.2:

  • ***** ***** ****: *.**.***
  • ***** ***** ****: *.**.***
  • ********* ****-**** ****: *.*.*

Comments (13)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

12/07/16 04:01pm

Its almost uncanny how similar these are. its like the same team developed them.

David Westberry

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 12/07/16 04:53pm

Agree completely. Opened an LTS and UNV NVR and while not the same chips and layout the similarity is as striking as in the apps. UI functions on the NVRs have some very similar overlaps too. I wouldn't doubt the base code for all these starts from the same source. I have no proof but what it looks like to me.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

12/07/16 04:34pm

I'd like to see a review of TinyCam. If I have someone that just hates the manufacturer apps, I have found this to be a suitable alternative. Definitely more for a power user.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 12/08/16 03:16pm

Thanks! I looked at TinyCam, and it looks interesting since it claims support for multiple manufacturers and ONVIF. But it looks like the motion alerts and playback are separate from the devices own, instead running in the background on Android? That seems like a major limitation.

What else have you found interesting about it?

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

12/07/16 09:40pm

The Q-See versions also provide the features of the paid version(for free), but P2P setup is restricted to Q-See firmware. IP/DDNS can be used however.

Undisclosed Integrator #4

12/08/16 07:22am

HIKVision hired the same developer as Avigilon which is why it's such a good app. Exacq's app needs some serious work, it's practically unusable vs. HIK

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #4 | 12/08/16 03:14pm

When is the last you used the Exacq app? What do you find unusable about it? It seemed to have multiple features Hik/Dahua lacked, but the interface was a bit ugly.

Avatar

David Johnson

12/08/16 02:42pm

Thanks Ethan. Your findings correlate with ours - The Hik app is very stable.

Avatar

John Bazyk

Command Corporation
IPVMU Certified | 12/08/16 08:54pm

We stopped using Hik recorders and therefore stopped using their app. We have been through several apps and IMO few offer as fast of a connection as Hik. It seems that their app keeps improving while many other apps are trailing far behind.

Personally I don't so much care for receiving motion alerts or other alarm alerts on the phone. That's what the alarm system is for. I wish other VMS companies would spend more time on remote apps. Just last night I received a complaint regarding our new app and it's awful frame rate (something like 3fps) on live and playback.

Scott Sheldrake

In reply to John Bazyk | 12/08/16 11:13pm

Hey John

Why did you guys stop using HIK DVRs? What are you using instead? What's the best mobile app you've come across? Exacq is hands down the worst (well maybe there are worse one's I haven't tried) and HIK is hands down the best I've used.

Avatar

John Bazyk

Command Corporation
IPVMU Certified | In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 12/08/16 11:29pm

They just weren't cutting it for us. IVMS-4200 on the PC was a customer service nightmare for us. We we're required to provide too much support and it required too much configuration at each workstation. Most of the systems we install have 10 or more PC's with clients running and we would have to reconfigure IVMS every time we added a camera on every PC. It was just too time consuming and not worth it. We built our own linux NVRs with built-in POE and run Spectrum on them now. Our clients are much happier. The app isn't great but they seem to be working on improving it. We've tried just about every other app/system out and we settled on Spectrum.

Avatar

Kyle Folger

IPVMU Certified | In reply to John Bazyk | 12/09/16 01:49am

What have you been using for hardware for your linux based NVRs?

Avatar

Mick Brown

03/22/17 08:54pm

Hi we're are working on a universal app

split into 2 aspects

app and p2p

like most apps p2p adds complexiety

if you wish to register for it visit qvpro.it

it has been written and developed in the uk

 

Read this IPVM report for free.

This article is part of IPVM's 6,593 reports, 889 tests and is only available to members. To get a one-time preview of our work, enter your work email to access the full article.

Already a member? Login here | Join now

Related Reports

Augmented Reality (AR) Cameras From Hikvision and Dahua Examined on Oct 19, 2020
Hikvision, Dahua, and other China companies are marketing augmented reality...
Security And Safety Things (S&ST) Tested on Oct 22, 2020
S&ST, a Bosch spinout, is spending tens of millions of dollars aiming to...
Dotty "Hot Or Not" Elevated Body Temperature App Tested on Jun 01, 2020
What if you could take an existing phone or tablet and transform it into...
Dahua, Hikvision, ZKTeco Face Mask Detection Shootout on Jun 19, 2020
Temperature tablets with face mask detection are one of the hottest trends in...
Face Detection Shootout - Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek on Jul 30, 2020
Face detection analytics are available from a number of manufactures...
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) And The Future of Mobile Electronic Access Control on Oct 07, 2020
In the last year, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) has gained support from new phones...
Verkada Video Analytics Tested 2020 on Oct 08, 2020
In 2019, Verkada released people and face analytics but our testing then...
Remote Network Access for Video Surveillance Guide on Jul 27, 2020
Remotely accessing surveillance systems is key in 2020, with more and more...
Verkada 2020 Cameras Image Quality Test on Oct 06, 2020
Verkada's first-generation cameras suffered from numerous video quality...
Quantum Dots Potential for Surveillance Cameras Explained on Sep 08, 2020
Quantum dots are starting to be used in TVs for better images, but how will...
Hanwha AI Analytics Camera Tested on Aug 11, 2020
Hanwha has released their Wisenet P AI camera, adding person and vehicle...
Mobile Access Control Usage Statistics 2020 on Sep 21, 2020
Most smartphones can be used as access control credentials, but how...
Mobotix Thermal Detection Camera Tested on Jun 09, 2020
For years Mobotix has struggled but now sales are surging driven by Mobotix's...
Uniview Deep Learning Camera Tested on Jul 14, 2020
Uniview's intrusion analytics have performed poorly in our shootouts. Now,...
Taiwan Lilin NDAA Compliant Cameras Tested on Aug 13, 2020
Taiwan-based manufacturer Lilin is taking direct aim at Dahua and Hikvision...

Recent Reports

ISC Brasil Digital Experience 2020 Report on Oct 23, 2020
ISC Brasil 2020 rebranded itself to ISC Digital Experience and, like its...
Top Video Surveillance Service Call Problems 2020 on Oct 23, 2020
3 primary and 4 secondary issues stood out as causing the most problems when...
GDPR Impact On Temperature / Fever Screening Explained on Oct 22, 2020
What impact does GDPR have on temperature screening? Do you risk a GDPR fine...
Security And Safety Things (S&ST) Tested on Oct 22, 2020
S&ST, a Bosch spinout, is spending tens of millions of dollars aiming to...
Nokia Fever Screening Claims To "Advance Fight Against COVID-19" on Oct 22, 2020
First IBM, then briefly Clorox, and now Nokia becomes the latest Fortune 500...
Deceptive Meridian Temperature Tablets Endanger Public Safety on Oct 21, 2020
IPVM's testing of and investigation into Meridian Kiosk's temperature...
Honeywell 30 Series and Vivotek NVRs Tested on Oct 21, 2020
The NDAA ban has driven many users to look for low-cost NVRs not made by...
Ubiquiti Access Control Tested on Oct 21, 2020
Ubiquiti has become one of the most widely used wireless and switch providers...
Avigilon Aggressive Trade-In Program Takes Aim At Competitors on Oct 20, 2020
Avigilon has launched one of the most aggressive trade-in programs the video...
Mexico Video Surveillance Market Overview 2020 on Oct 20, 2020
Despite being neighbors, there are key differences between the U.S. and...
Dahua Revenue Grows But Profits Down, Cause Unclear on Oct 20, 2020
While Dahua's overall revenue was up more than 12% in Q3 2020, a significant...
Illegal Hikvision Fever Screening Touted In Australia, Government Investigating, Temperature References Deleted on Oct 20, 2020
The Australian government told IPVM that they are investigating a Hikvision...
Panasonic Presents i-PRO Cameras and Video Analytics on Oct 19, 2020
Panasonic i-PRO presented its X-Series cameras and AI video analytics at the...
Augmented Reality (AR) Cameras From Hikvision and Dahua Examined on Oct 19, 2020
Hikvision, Dahua, and other China companies are marketing augmented reality...
18 TB Video Surveillance Drives (WD and Seagate) on Oct 19, 2020
Both Seagate and Western Digital recently announced 18TB hard drives...