Panasonic OEM Dahua Camera Tested

Published May 03, 2017 06:45 AM

Panasonic is now OEMing a series of cameras from Dahua, known for their backdoor, various other problems and their rapid expansion of direct sales against companies like Panasonic.

We bought one of the new Panasonic Dahua cameras and tested it.

In this report, we share our test findings, including the extensive steps Panasonic took to hide the OEMing on the product and the relative performance of Panasonic to Dahua cameras.

Panasonic V Series

The Panasonic V series consists of six models [link no longer available], all Dahua OEM, ranging from 1080p minidomes and bullets to a 4K box camera to IR PTZ.

The series is listed as "Only sold in certain areas" according to Panasonic's website, but available from various online sources, and listed for sale by Tri-Ed in North America [link no longer available].

OEM Confirmation

Multiple tests show the WV-V2530LK is a Dahua OEM:

Discovery Tool

The WV-V2530LK was discovered next to other Dahua cameras in their ConfigTool device discovery utility, shown below.

VMS Integration

Depending on the VMS, V series cameras may be discovered as either Panasonic or Dahua. For example, Exacq detects the camera as Panasonic, shown below, but fails to connect unless using the Dahua driver.

However, Genetec Security Center discovers and adds the camera as Dahua outright:

Significant Changes To Web Interface

More has been done in the V2530 to hide its Dahua OEM status than many/most other OEMS. The web interface has been significantly reorganized, some terminology changed, and the color scheme/button design made to look more like a typical Panasonic camera. However, those familiar with Dahua cameras will still find many similarities.

Shown here for reference is the stream setup menu for the V2530 vs. a typical Panasonic model:

Panasonic OUI Used

The camera's MAC address uses a Panasonic OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier), verified by multiple MAC lookups. Many OEMs do not use their own OUI, instead simply appearing as Dahua.

Similar Image Quality

The Panasonic V2530 performed similarly to a similar Dahua branded model in our tests. At night, differences were more pronounced, with the Dahua model producing slightly dimmer and noisier images. 

Potential Negative For Panasonic Favoribility

Panasonic has strong positive favorability with integrators and has generally been respected for solid imaging performance, based on their own camera platform (such as their latest generation i-Pro Extreme). By contrast, Dahua suffers from weak integrator favorability, with users frequently citing camera failures and weak support as issues. Though support may be improved by Panasonic handling it, camera failures are unlikely to improve. 

Dahua's Poor Cyber Security Impact On Panasonic

Additionally, Dahua has a poor cyber security record, with their products a key contributor to the massive Mirai botnet and a researcher recently discovered a backdoor in Dahua products. By contrast, Panasonic has rarely, if ever, come up in IP video cyber security discussions. As shown in our Cyber Security Comparison, Panasonic ships cameras with only a minimum of open ports, disables unnecessary services, and enforces strong passwords. A Dahua vulnerability spreading to Panasonic branded OEM cameras could have strong negative impact on Panasonic's brand.

Win For Dahua

On the flip side, this move is a win for Dahua, as they may use Panasonic's name to build trust for their own brand. Claiming to "make cameras for" a name as big as Panasonic can be used as an answer to quality/security questions which may arise.

Further, given Dahua's increasing branded presence and sales force hiring, these OEM Panasonic cameras may be a target for takeovers, as Dahua may be able to offer lower prices for the "same" camera.

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