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.

**** ********** *** *** low-cost ***** ********* *******, many ****'* **** ********* ** their ************ ****** ** their *****. **** ****** video **** ******** ***********, the ********* ***: *** good *** **** ******? Can **** ****** ******* * full ***** ******* ******?

** **** ******, ** test **** **** ***************** ** *** *** **** compare, **** ******** *** functions **** ******* ** do *** *******, *** how ****** ***** **** are ** *** **** interface ** *****' *******.

[***************]

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 ********

*****'****** (**** ******* ********) ************'* ****-**** **** ****** **** ******** **** 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

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

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

 

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Axis HD Analog Encoder Tested on Oct 11, 2019
Two years after declaring "Everything is IP", Axis has released their first HD analog encoder, the P7304, with support for AHD, CVI, TVI, and SD...
Network Optix NxWitness 4.0 Tested on Oct 10, 2019
Network Optix released Nx Witness 4.0, proclaiming new features like a deep learning analytics metadata SDK, increased H.265 support, and UX...
Crisis At China's Largest VMS Provider, Netposa, Now State-Controlled on Oct 07, 2019
NetPosa, which bills itself as the PRC's largest VMS provider, is in a crisis. The firm is pursuing huge unpaid bills from clients, and its...
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) Guide on Oct 01, 2019
Understanding wide dynamic range (WDR) is critical to capturing high quality images in demanding conditions. However, with no real standards, any...
Vivotek 4K S-Series Camera Tested on Sep 30, 2019
Vivotek's highest-end S-series camera claims "Supreme Night Visibility", "Smart IR II", "Smart Stream II", "WDR Pro for unparalleled visibility in...
Consumer IP Camera Analytics Shootout - Arlo, Google / Nest, Amazon / Ring, Hikvision / Ezviz, Wyze Cam, Yi Home on Sep 26, 2019
AI analytics are hitting the mainstream in the consumer camera market, with entrants Wyze and Yi Home releasing free people detection on their...
RealNetworks SAFR Facial Recognition Profile on Sep 25, 2019
RealNetworks entered the surveillance market by giving away their analytics to schools for free, and is now targeting large commercial users with...
Hikvision Acusense Analytics Tested on Sep 23, 2019
Hikvision touts "The Magic Behind It All" in their new Acusense line are 'deep learning algorithms' inside these cameras and recorders. But how...
Axis Perimeter Defender Improves, Yet Worse Than Dahua and Wyze on Sep 19, 2019
While Axis Perimeter Defender analytics improved from our 2018 testing, the market has improved much faster, with much less expensive offerings...
Directory of 70 Video Surveillance Startups on Sep 18, 2019
This directory provides a list of video surveillance startups to help you see and research what companies are new or not yet broadly known. 2019...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Alarm Veteran "Demands A Criminal Investigation" Of UL on Oct 18, 2019
The Interceptor's Project pressure against UL continues to rise. Following Keith Jentoft's allegation that "UL Has Blood On Their Hands", Jentoft...
Camect "Worlds Smartest Camera Hub" Tested on Oct 18, 2019
Camect is a Silicon Valley startup that claims the "Smartest AI Object Detection On The Market", detecting not only people and vehicles, but...
Hikvision Global News Reports Directory on Oct 17, 2019
Hikvision has received the most global news reporting of any video surveillance company, ever, ranging from the WSJ, the Financial Times, Reuters,...
Camera Calculator V3.1 Release Improves User Experience on Oct 17, 2019
IPVM has released a new version of our Camera Calculator, V3.1, with significant user experience improvements, a new development plan, and an...
Securing Access Control Installations Tutorial on Oct 17, 2019
The physical security of access control components is critical to ensuring that a facility is truly secure. Otherwise, the entire system can be...
Access Control Course Fall 2019 - Last Chance on Oct 17, 2019
Register Now - Fall 2019 Access Control Course. Thursday, October 17th is the last day to register. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
US DoD Comments on Huawei, Hikvision, Dahua Cyber Security Concerns on Oct 16, 2019
A senior DoD official said the US is "concerned" with the cybersecurity of Hikvision, Dahua, and Huawei due to "CCP" (China Communist Party)...
Pelco Sarix Pro3 Camera Tested on Oct 16, 2019
Pelco has released their Sarix Professional Series 3 cameras, claiming "more security detail in challenging scenes with excellent low light and...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Oct 16, 2019
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator. The guide below includes instructions, images, gifs, and videos demonstrating and explaining the...
Altronix Claims Tango 'Eliminates Electricians' on Oct 15, 2019
Power supply provider Altronix claims its new Tango power supply 'eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit and wire runs'. In...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?