Chinese Direct Disruptor Reolink Tested

Published May 31, 2017 07:02 AM

Another Chinese disruptor, Reolink, is gaining attention.

This one is selling direct from its own website, with fulfillment by Amazon. And a number of their prices make Dahua and Hikvision look downright expensive. For example, a fixed lens 4MP camera for $75, a varifocal zoom 4MP camera for $105, etc.

They have been aggressive, spamming sites as well as with affiliate programs claiming 10 to 20% comissions [note: IPVM never does any of these programs.]

We did want to see how Reolink performed, so we bought the fixed 4MP camera, the zoom 4MP camera and an NVR, shown below:

Inside, we examine performance and other issues in detail.

Test Summary

In our tests, Reolink had several positives compared to Dahua, Hikvision, and other low cost OEM cameras:

  • Image quality: Reolink cameras' image quality was similar to Dahua and Hikvision day and night, with no issues such as discoloration, weak IR, or noise issues seen in past cheap IP camera tests. Additionally, the web interface was solid, without unstable/nonworking ActiveX issues or confusing/nonfunctional elements seen in other super low cost OEMs, more similar to professional models.
  • No integration issues: Camera ONVIF support worked well, though Reolink is not officially conformant, with cameras adding and streaming properly to all VMSes tested (Avigilon, Axxon, Exacq, Genetec, Milestone, Network Optix/DW Spectrum).
  • Simple cloud access: Reolink's cloud access setup was the simplest we have tested, with mobile apps automatically searching the local network and adding devices without user input aside from credentials, a much quicker process than others which typically require devices to be added one at a time.

However, there were two key product negatives:

  • High bitrate/no smart codec: Reolink's bitrates were highest in all scenes tested, due to their broken VBR implementation functioning more like CBR as well as their lack of smart codec support, now included on many other cameras.
  • Limited NVR functionality: The RLN8-410 NVR supported only Reolink cameras, with no third party or ONVIF support, and only when connected to its rear PoE ports, with no way to add cameras located elsewhere on the network.

Integrator Drawbacks

Reolink has three key drawbacks compared to most commercial IP camera manufacturers which are likely to impede support among integrators:

  • Wide open channel: Reolink has no channel structure outside of their online sales. There is no dealer discount program, with integrators paying the same price as end users for product. By contrast, while Hikvision, Dahua, and other product may be easily found online, these manufacturers offer dealer programs with additional incentives, deeper discounts, etc.
  • No sales support: In contrast to Dahua, Hikvision, or Hanwha, which all have extensive North American sales organizations, Reolink is based overseas (Hong Kong/Shenzhen) with no local RSMs, engineers, etc., making it more difficult to get answers to product questions or access demo equipment, if these benefits are available at all.
  • No local tech support: Reolink support is mainly via email/online form. There is a contact number on their website, but it is Hong Kong based, with office hours 12-15 hours ahead of US time. By contrast, Dahua, Hikvision, and others have well established North American tech support lines.

Reolink Outlook

Reolink is unlikely to draw many integrators due to its lack of local support and channel protection. Integrators are unlikely to switch from brands such as Dahua, Hanwha, or Hikvision, all of which offer extensive North American support structures and at least some level of product protection (though all three are readily available online at prices close to dealer, as well).

However, given their aggressive affiliate program and direct sales, combined with simple setup and remote access, as well as improved usability and image quality compared to historic super low cost brands, Reolink is likely to find some success with DIY/SMB/home users, cutting into Hikvision and Dahua in this market.

Pricing

Both Reolink cameras tested are significantly less expensive than typical low cost models such as Hikvision or Dahua.

The bullet camera is less than half the price of Dahua and Hikvision competitive models.

While the motorized zoom dome is practically 1/3rd the price of Dahua and Hikvision.

The RLN8-410 NVR is priced moderately lower than competitive NVR models, ~$250 online, vs. $300-350 for Dahua/Hikvision.

Availability

Reolink cameras and recorders are available directly from their website. Reolink uses fulfillment by Amazon, meaning that orders ship free with 2-day shipping for Prime members.

The cameras and NVR arrived in typical Amazon boxes, shown here, with an Amazon fulfillment center address with Reolink Digital Technology as the company name.

Who Makes Reolink

Exactly who the original manufacturer of Reolink product is is difficult to determine.

On Reolink's American site, an address in Hong Kong is listed, while their vendor information for multiple trade shows (including ISC West [link no longer available]) shows a Shenzhen address.

Further, checking the OUI of the Reolink models' shows another manufacturer, also with an address in Shenzhen (though different from above).

EC:71:DB Shenzhen Baichuan Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

As best as we can tell, it is likely Shenzhen Baichuan [link no longer available] is at least doing some manufacturing for Reolink, as models appear very similar and their OUI is used.

Physical Overview

The RLC-422 zoom dome is similar in size and form factor to other motorized zoom cameras, shown below.

The same is true of the bullet camera, compared here to a Hikvision 20XX bullet.

The Reolink NVR uses a much different port layout than other NVRs we have tested, but essentially the same port types, shown below compared to Hikvision. The only notable omissions are the RS-485 and I/O port found on the Hikvision NVR, as well as audio in (Reolink supports only audio out).

Default Password Security Flaw

Reolink devices ship with credentials printed directly on the device label: admin / (blank). Aside from providing no password security, this potential vulnerability is compounded by the cameras' reset button being on the cable whip, likely more accessible than many cameras, which require users to outer covers to access the reset button.

Web Interface Usability

The web interfaces of the Reolink cameras and NVR are better than many smaller name inexpensive brands we have tested (see Testing $39 ONVIF NVR and Super Low Cost Chinese Camera Shootout) which typically have unclear UIs, non-functioning elements, ActiveX which won't install, etc. We saw none of these issues in the Reolink models tested.

The web interface only runs in Internet Explorer and requires ActiveX.

We review the web interface in this video, highlighting key areas to be aware of.

Reolink Cloud

Reolink offers free no port forwarding cloud access, which they simply call "Plug & Play."

Unlike most other manufacturers which require devices to be added one at a time via QR code or unique ID. Instead, the Reolink app searches devices on the local network and adds them to the app automatically, including their Plug & Play ID, requiring users only to enter the correct password (if changed from default). After this discovery, devices may be accessed both locally and remotely, with no port forwarding or VPN required.

Note that this feature is enabled by default, but may be turned off in device setup.

NVR Compatibility

The Reolink RLN8-410 NVR has two key disadvantages compared to others:

  • Only Reolink cameras supported: Third party and ONVIF cameras are not supported, only Reolink models.
  • Local cameras only: Only cameras attached to the rear PoE ports of the NVR are supported. There is no way to search for cameras on the local network.

We review NVR camera addition in this video:

Camera ONVIF/VMS Compatitibility

Reolink cameras are not ONVIF conformant, but they claim "ONVIF 2.4" support. Additionally, users should note that port 8000 is used for ONVIF instead of 80.

In our tests, the cameras connected and streamed properly to all VMSes tested, including Avigilon, Axxon, Exacq, Genetec, Milestone, and NX Witness/DW Spectrum. Only Axxon received motion detection events from the cameras (using their generic "ONVIF events" integration).

Image Quality

We tested image quality of the Reolink cameras versus Dahua and Hikvision equivalents in this field of view:

Motorized Zoom Cameras

In full light, the motorized zoom RLC-422 similar details to the Dahua and Hikvision, with slightly better text legibility, but similar subject details.

At night, text legibility is again best in the Reolink camera, with details similar to the Hikvision model. Note that the Dahua HDBW5421 looks defocused in this scene, but was focused prior to shooting. We saw this issue in our original Hikvision vs Dahua High-End 4MP Cameras Test, as well.

Bullet Cameras

Relative performance of bullet cameras was similar, with the Reolink camera providing details similar to Hikvision and slightly better than Dahua, though with some overexposure of low lines of the test chart.

In low light, as with the zoom model, the Reolink bullet provides the clearest details of the subject and test chart.

Bitrate Comparison

Both Reolink cameras' bitrates were high compared to Dahua and Hikvision due to two key issues:

  • Pseudo-CBR streaming: Despite including a "Max bitrate" control, Reolink streaming performs more like CBR, hovering near the maximum value set regardless of activity in the scene. Additionally, note that there is no way to control compression on Reolink devices, unlike typical VBR/MBR implementations.
  • No smart codecs: None of the Reolink gear tested included smart codecs, only "regular" H.264.

These issues were similar in both motorized zoom:

And bullet models:

Test Parameters

Firmware versions used in this test:

  • Reolink RLC-410: V1.0.0.1
  • Reolink RLC-422: V1.0.0.1
  • Dahua DH-IPC-HBDW5421: 2.400.0000.30.R
  • Dahua DH-IPC-HFW4421S: 2.400.0000.30.R
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2042WD-I: 5.4.5
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2742FWD-IZ: 5.4.5
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