Uniview Super Low Cost 4MP Tested

Author: Ethan Ace, Published on Jul 25, 2018

Even lower cost than Dahua and Hikvision, China's self-proclaimed 3rd place company, Uniview / UNV, is offering aggressive pricing including for the increasingly commonly used 4MP category.

We bought and tested two Uniview turrets to see how they performed:

Inside, we examine:

  • Low light performance
  • Integrated IR coverage
  • Integrated IR range
  • WDR performance
  • Full light performance
  • Bandwidth consumption
  • Physical construction
  • VMS integration

Interested readers should also see our previous 4MP tests, including Hanwha and Digital Watchdog, with tests of new generation Dahua, Hikvision, and others upcoming plus a final 4MP shootout to conclude.

**** ***** **** **** ***** *** *********, *****'* ****-********** *** place *******, ******* / ***, ** ******** ********** ******* ********* for *** ************ ******** **** *** ********.

** ****** *** ****** *** ******* ******* ** *** *** they *********:

******, ** *******:

  • *** ***** ***********
  • ********** ** ********
  • ********** ** *****
  • *** ***********
  • **** ***** ***********
  • ********* ***********
  • ******** ************
  • *** ***********

********** ******* ****** **** *** *** ******** *** *****, ************************* ********, **** ***** ** *** ********** *****, *********, *** ****** upcoming **** * ***** *** ******** ** ********.

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

*******

***** *** *** *** ******** **** *** **** ** *******'* 4MP ****** *******:

  • ***** ******* ****/** ***********:**** ******* *******' ** ************ *** ****, ******* ** ********** subjects ** **** **** ***** ********* ***/~**' ** *****, **** noticeable *********** **** ** ***** ***** ** *** ***** **** LR3 ******.
  • *** ****** **** ***:*** *** ****** ********* ****** ** *** ****** *** ** its **** ** **** ***, *** *********** * ******** ******* on ***** *****-***** *** ****** (**** ** ****** ** **).
  • *** ****** ***** ***:** ********, *** *** ******'* **** *** *********** *** *****, with ***** ******* ** *** ******* ******* ****** ********* *** in ****** ***** ** *** *****.
  • ****** **** ******* ********:******* ********* *.*** *** ***** *-**** ***** *****, **** ******* average ******** **** ********** **** *** *** *****, **** ******* bitrates **** * **/* (******** ** ~* **/* ******* ** many *** ***** ***** ******) *** ***** **** ******** **** 3 **/*.
  • *** ******* ************, *** ******* *****:*** ***** **** *** ****** ** ***** **** ** *******, instead ** **** ****** **** ******** **** ** **** ****** cameras, **** ** ** ******. ************, *** ****** *** ** open/vented **** **** ******* ****** ******* ******* *** ******* ** moisture/dust.Uniview *** ******** ** ******* *** ***** (**********-*****), ***** ** **** *****.

******* ***** ***********, ***** ***** ***** *****, ********** *** *******, many ***** *** **** ***** ****** ** ** ** ********** alternative ** ******* ********* ** ***** ******.

*******

********* ****** ***** (***** ******* *** ******* ****** *****) ** these ******* ****** **:

**** ** ******* **** ********* **** ******* *** *******/*****, **** as *** ****** ***-***** ** ********* **-**********-* (**** ~$*** ***).

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

*** ********* ******** *** ******** ************** ** ******* *** ******* is: ********, ******* *** ******* / ********** ****** *****, ****** it ****** *** ********* ** ***** ****. ********, ******* *** limited ** ** '*******' ****** *******, ** ********* ****** **** to ** ******* *** ******* ** ***** ************ ******* ***** through.

Physical/Feature ***********

****** **** *******, **** *** **** ******, *** ********** **** a ******* ******* ******* ** ********. ************, *** **** ** the ****** ** ******, **** *********** ******* ******* ***** *****, likely ******** ******** ** ****** *********.

** ******** ** *** *** ******, *** ********** **** *** cast ******** ******* ******* ** *******, ***** ****** *** **** rated.

** * ****** *** ***** ** **** ******, **** ******* models *** *** **** ****** ****, *******, *** ** ************, with *** **** **** ********** ***** **** *** ******** ** the ***, *** *** *** ***. *******, ** *** *****, IR *** ***** ******* *********** **** ********** ******* *** ***, discussed *****.

** ****** *** ******** ******** ** *** ******* ** **** video:

Size **********

*** ***** **** ******* *** ****** ** ******** ******* **** competitive ******, ***** *** *** ** ********* ***** ** ********* and ***** ******.

Image *******

** ***** *****, *** *** ****** ******** ******** ***** ******* than *** *** ******, **** **** ***** ** *** *******'* face. **** ********** ** ******* ** **** *******.

moderate artifacting lr3

IR **** *** **** *** ***** ****

***** **** ******* ***** ***/~**' ** ************ *****, ** **** ~40', ************ *** **** ****, **** *** ******* ********* ** detect ** **** *******.

difficult to detect

IR ******** **** ** *****

*** *** ******'* ** ************ *** **** ****** *** ***** of ****, **** **** **** ****** ********* ** *** **** edge *** ** ************ ** *** ****** ** *** *** during *** *****, ***** ****:

LR3 ******* *** ********** ******** *********

******** ******* *** ** *** ********** ********* ******** ** ***** in *** *****, **** ******** ********** **** *******. *******, **** setting **** ********* ******* *****, *** **** *** ******* ********** identifying *******.

Solid *** ***********

** ****** *** *** ****** ** * ****** *** *****, a ********* **** **** ******** ****, ***** *****:

wdr inside vs threshold comparison

*** **** ********* *** ****** ********* ****** ** **** *****, with *** ********** ****** ******* ****** *** *** ******* ******** moderately ****** ***. ** ********, *** **** *** *** ****** clearly ********* ******* ** *** ******* **** ******* ****** ********* and ** ****** ***** ** *** *****.

lr3 poor wdr sr3 solid

Full ***** ***********

*********** ** *** *** ******* *** ******* ** **** *** scenes, ***** ***** ** ***** ***** (~**'/~** ***), **** ****** differences *** ********* ******* *******.

similar details in well lit short range

** ****** ***** (~**' *****/~** ***), ******* ** *** *******'* face **** ******** **** ***** ** *** *** ******, ****** the ***** ** ******* ** **** *******.

similar details in well lit mid range

H.265/Smart ***** *******

******* ******* ******* *.*** ** **** ** ***** "*-****" ***** codec, **** *** ***** ****** ******* "*****" *** "********." *******'* documentation ****** **** "***** ****" ** **** **** ***** ***** VMS/recorders, ***** "******** ****" ***** ** *********** **** ***** ****. We **** *** *** ****** ******** **** **** ******* ****, but **** ***** ***** ***** ***, *** *** ***** ******* effectively ********* ********.

******* ***** *.*** *** ***** ******, ******** ** **** ******* were ********** **** *** *** *****, **** * **/* ****** the *** *** *****. ******* *** ***** ***** ******** **** averaged ~* **/* ** **** ***** ***** ******* ******** ** similar ******.

VMS *******

*** ******* *** ******* ********* ** *** ****** ***** ***** ONVIF, **** ******* *******.

  • *.*** *******:******* *** ******* ***** **** *** **** ***** **** ** properly ******* ** *** *******' *.*** ******. ********** ** *** the ****** ** ********* ***** *.*** ******** ** *** ******** recording ****** ******* ********, ********* * ****** *******. ***** ****** did *** ********* *.*** ** ** ******.
  • ****** **** ***:*** *******' ** ***** *** ****** **** ********** **** ********, Exacq, *** *********, ********** ******** ** ***** *** **** *********. However, ****** **** *** *** ******** **** ***** ******* *** Nx *******.

vms camera side dewarping

Versions ****

*** ********* ******** ******* *** **** ****** ******* ** **** cameras:

  • *********-*************

******* **** ****** ***** ******* ********, **** ******* ************ ** 1/30s ***, ***** *** ** *.***, ***, ***** *** *******. Other ******** **** ******** ** ***** ** *** ****** *****.

Comments (15)

Undisclosed Distributor #1

07/25/18 02:37pm

* ****** ***** ** **** *** ***** *** ***** ******* to ** ** ***** **** * **** **** ********* ***** have ********** ***** **.

Undisclosed Distributor #2

In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #1 | 07/25/18 03:12pm

* ****** ***'** ******** ** *** ******* ***? * ***** with ***. *** *** ** ****, **** ******.

** ***** **** ** **** *** ***.

Avatar

Rich Moore

07/25/18 03:15pm

** * ***** ****** for * *********** ** Uniview, * ****'* **** know *** *** *******. We **** ****** **** the ***. ** *** point *** *** *** plastic *** *** **** of *** ******* ********** and ** ******* ** the ***-*. *** *** IPC3615 ** ********* **** IP67.

Undisclosed #3

07/25/18 10:21pm

******** ****'** **** **** ******* ********* ** *** **** ****** be * *** **** *** ****.

Undisclosed End User #4

07/26/18 05:13am

****** ***** *** ***** compliant *** ******* ******* are ********* ** **** blog, * ***** *** find ***** ******* ** Genetec ********* ****** ****. Instead * *****

Avatar

Rich Moore

07/26/18 05:26pm

**'** **** ******* **** ****** ******* **** *-**** **** ***** results ****.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rich Moore | 07/26/18 05:51pm

****, *** *** ***** details ** ** *** evaluate? ****** ****, **********, frame ****, *********** *****, scene, *** *****, ********* consumed, ***.

Avatar

Matthew Del Salto

BLACKBOX USA | 07/26/18 06:09pm

*** ****** ********* * have ****** *** **********-*****-*.

** ** *** * megapixel ******* ** **** camera **** ** ******** design *** ** ******* boards. **** ***** ******* as ***** **** ***** resolution. ***** ** **** Exacq *** ** *******.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 08/01/18 02:53pm

******* *** ******** ** that *** **********-**** ** discontinued *** ******** **** the **********-*****, ***** **** * sealed **** *******, ***** was *** **** ***** which ****** ** ****** linked ** *** ******.

**'** ******* *** **** to *** ******* ***** model. *** ********** *** -D ***** ********* ****** no ** ****** ** its *****.

Roberto Vizcarra

08/02/18 01:23pm

**** **** ******* ******** their *** *****, ** phasing ***** ***. ***- they *** ********* *** cost ********* ****** ****** application.

***** ** ****-******* ***** to ****, *** ** shows.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Roberto Vizcarra | 08/02/18 01:33pm

*******, ******* ** **** and ****** *** *** feedback.

***** ***, *******'* ****** marketing ******** ******* *** to ***** *** **** and **** ** ******* of **** *****-***.

***, ***** *** *** in ***** ******, ***** these *** ***** ****** out ** **** ******. In *** **, ***** are ******* ****** ****** through ** ********** ******* distributor.

*** *** ************* ** are ******* *** ******* for, **** **** *** or *** ** ** cameras, ***. *** ****** we *** ******* *** cameras ** **** ****** is **** *** ** increasingly ****** *** '******' choice *** **********.

** *** ***** ** continue ****** ******** *** if ***** *** ******** Uniview ****** *** **** us ** ****, ****** share.

Avatar

Luca Fogliati

In reply to John Honovich | 08/12/18 06:29am

*****.** ***** ******* *** there ****** ********* **** 5 ********* ** *** an ****** *** ****? You **** **** ***** more *** * *:* ratio **** *** *** making *** ** **?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Luca Fogliati | 08/12/18 01:15pm

****, *** ******* ***** is ** **** *** widescreen **:* ****** ***** cameras,*** *** *** ******* Going **********, *******:

New *** **:* ***********

** ******* **** ****** releases, ******** ************* **** as****,*****, *** ********* *** use **:* *** ********** (3072x1728) ******* ** *:* 2592x1944, ** ***** ** the ********* ** ******* **********:

************, ***** ** * second, ********* *** **:* resolution, *********, **** ** Hikvision ** **** ******:

Avatar

Luca Fogliati

In reply to John Honovich | 08/13/18 06:34am

****'* ***********.****'* ****** **.*** are *** **** **'* UNV's ******?.** **** **** them *** ** *** all *** * ** testing ******** ****'** **** to ** *** ********* that ***** * *:* ratio.Also ** *** * MP ********* *****'* *'** been ***** ** *** (moslty ****** ***) *** 4:3

**** * **** ** UNV's ****** *** * meg ***

****://**.*******.***/********/*******/*****/**********-*****(**)/

** *** *** **** i **** **** ******* the ******* ***** * MP ***** **:* ****'* really *********** ***** *** sharing

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Luca Fogliati | 08/13/18 11:20am

* ** *** ******** all *** ******* *** now **********, **** **** there *** ** ********** number ** *** ****** that *** **********, ******* historically **** **** *:* only.

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

H.265 Usage Statistics on Apr 19, 2019
H.265 has been available in IP cameras for more than 5 years and, in the past few years, the number of manufacturers supporting this codec has...
The Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Sales Organization Ever - Verkada on Apr 17, 2019
Verkada has the fastest growing video surveillance sales organization ever. In less than 2 years, they already have more salespeople in the US...
Dahua Repositionable IR Multi-Imager Camera Tested on Apr 16, 2019
Dahua has released their first repositionable multi-imager camera, the Multi-Flex 4x2MP, claiming integrated IR, true WDR, and flexible...
Strong ISC West 2019 For Manufacturers But Concerns For 2020 March Move on Apr 16, 2019
ISC West 2019 was strong for manufacturers, according to new IPVM survey results of 100+ manufacturers, consistent with 2018 results. However,...
Axis Supports HD Analog on Apr 15, 2019
In 2017, Axis declared 'Everything is IP': Now, in 2019, Axis has released support for HD analog, with their new encoders.  Why the change?...
Alarm.com Favorability Results 2019 on Apr 15, 2019
The once dot com startup has evolved to become a core provider for home security and is now expanding into commercial. In their first entry in...
ISC West 2019 Report on Apr 12, 2019
The IPVM team has finished at the Sands looking at what companies are offering and how they are changing their positioning. See below for 50+...
UK Installer CCTV Aware - Flat Pricing, No Salespeople on Apr 10, 2019
This is a different kind of company. They do flat pricing, they do not have any salespeople and 50% of their sales are sold and booked...
Axis ARTPEC-7 Chip Release Examined on Apr 08, 2019
For years, Axis essentially de-promoted their own chips. Now, they are reversing course. Axis has announced ARTPEC-7, their latest chip, which...
Brinks Home Security / ASCMA Risks Bankruptcy on Apr 08, 2019
ASCMA, aka MONI, aka Brinks Home Security has issued a warning in their most recent financials that they risk bankruptcy. In this note, based on...

Most Recent Industry Reports

H.265 Usage Statistics on Apr 19, 2019
H.265 has been available in IP cameras for more than 5 years and, in the past few years, the number of manufacturers supporting this codec has...
ACRE Acquires RS2, Explains Acquisition Strategy on Apr 19, 2019
ACRE continues to buy, now acquiring RS2, just 5 months after buying Open Options. One is a small access control manufacturer from Texas, the...
Access Control Course Spring 2019 - Last Chance on Apr 19, 2019
Register for the Spring Access Control Course. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access control course in the industry. Unlike manufacturer...
Riser vs Plenum Cabling Explained on Apr 18, 2019
You could be spending twice as much for cable as you need. The difference between 'plenum' rated cable and 'riser' rated cable is subtle, but the...
Verint Victimized By Ransomware on Apr 18, 2019
Verint, which is best known in the physical security industry for video surveillance but has built a sizeable cybersecurity business as well, was...
Milestone Drops IFSEC on Apr 18, 2019
Milestone has dropped out of Europe's largest annual security trade show (IFSEC 2019), telling IPVM that they "have found that IFSEC in EMEA no...
The Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Sales Organization Ever - Verkada on Apr 17, 2019
Verkada has the fastest growing video surveillance sales organization ever. In less than 2 years, they already have more salespeople in the US...
Door Operators Access Control Tutorial on Apr 17, 2019
Doors equipped with door operators, specialty devices that automate opening and closing, tend to be quite complex. The mechanisms needed to...
Securadyne CEO: IPVM 'Entertaining For An Ignorant Few' on Apr 16, 2019
Securadyne's CEO Carey Boethel is unhappy with IPVM's report - Failed Integrator Rollup, Securadyne Sells to Guard Giant Allied. Indeed, he...
Dahua Repositionable IR Multi-Imager Camera Tested on Apr 16, 2019
Dahua has released their first repositionable multi-imager camera, the Multi-Flex 4x2MP, claiming integrated IR, true WDR, and flexible...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact