Hikvision DS-7608NI-SE vs. Dahua NVR4216 (or NVR4216-4K)

Hello all,

I've been doing some research on a replacement CCTV system for my house, and this forum keeps coming up with great responses from knowledgable people, so hopefully you guys can help me pick out a system.

I currently have a 8 camera Dahua DVR system. With the software client, I have 2 old laptops that when they boot up, automatically load the PSS software and display the 8 cameras. I am looking to upgrade the system to a newer digital solution with 3MP cameras. Currently, I am trying to decide between the Hikvision DS-7608NI-SE/8P-2TB, and the Dahua NVR4216, or even the new NVR4216-4K. Here's my list of questions:

1. Not sure where I read it, but it seems like some NVRs can only record up to 3MP/5MP on the first 8 cameras, not all 16 simultaneously. If I really wanted to record 5MP on all 16 cameras, can both the Hikvision and Dahua systems do that? I also remember reading somewhere that the NVRs with more channels can record more; should I consider getting a 32 channel NVR even though I only need ~12 cameras so that I can record 12 cameras at 5MP each?

2. What is the 40Mbps (Hikvision) vs 200Mbps (Dahua)? Is that how much data can be recorded simultaneously (basically, question #1)?

3. It seems, based on the pdf of the Hikvision NVR, that you use a web browser to connect to the Hikvision NVR. Does that mean that there is no software/fat client that can do that like my current Dahua DVR? I found a download page on the Hikvision NVR, but as I don't have a NVR currently, I don't know if that's the fat client download.

Link: http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/download.asp

4. With the current PSS software, it seems like I can connect to multiple DVRs and select cameras from them and display at the same time. My installer recommends getting 2x8 channel NVRs for the best recording quality; can the Dahua software still do that on the NVRs? Does the Hikvision software (web GUI/fat client if any) do that, or would I have to open 2 browsers to see all the cameras if I got 2 8 channel NVRs?

5. I currently have 2 laptops with the PSs software running 24/7 so that I can just see what's going on. If I need to, I can also run PSS from my laptop. Can I do the same with the Hikvision and Dahua NVRs, or will that overwork the NVRs?

6. If I do a POE injector or get a POE hub, does it matter if the NVR has POE ports? Specifically, does connecting the cameras directly to the built in POE ports give better recordings, or it doesn't matter? The reason why I may prefer to use a POE injector is so that I can hook the cameras up to my internal network so that I can connect directly to the cameras as well, and if I do that, there's no point paying for the extra POE ports on the NVR.

7. From my understanding, both HikVision and Dahua isn't exactly the top of the line solutions in CCTV technology, but that are well priced, decent machines, is that the case?

8. Would you recommend for/against Dahua or HikVision 3-5MP cameras? I'm looking for domed, tamperproof outdoor cameras with nightvision. Also, can the cameras be zoomed in/out during setup (not looking for PTZ cameras).

9. I read somewhere that support from the manufacturer is basically non-existent in the US; is there a well know retailer where I can safely and securely order CCTV equipment? Somebody who will stand by the product and if necessary, issue a full refund if the product doesn't meet the above or reasonable expections without a hassle? And won't price gauge me in the process? (googling some of this equipment from various storefronts show a wide range of pricing).

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to upgrade my CCTV system again in another 2 years from not doing the proper research. Thank you guys in advance for taking the time to read my questions, and hopefully provide some guidance.

Hikvision's North American branch office has a tech support hotline staffed by employees based in California, as well as field sales engineers spread across the entire US. If you're purchasing Hikvision products from an authorized distributor, you're getting full tech support and warranty.

http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/Press-Release-details.asp?id=2680

Retailers selling on eBay and Amazon are not authorized distributors, so be careful where you buy from.

http://www.hikvision.com/En/us/download_more.asp?id=1445

I don't run dedicated NVRs any more, but can answer a few of the questions:

6. If I do a POE injector or get a POE hub, does it matter if the NVR has POE ports? Specifically, does connecting the cameras directly to the built in POE ports give better recordings, or it doesn't matter? The reason why I may prefer to use a POE injector is so that I can hook the cameras up to my internal network so that I can connect directly to the cameras as well, and if I do that, there's no point paying for the extra POE ports on the NVR.

There's no quality difference in which port you plug in to, as it's all network data. There are benefits to running the cams on your network, as you can manage them more easily. The NVR will assign its own IP addresses, and you have to jump through minor hoops to directly access cams on the NVR through your network.

7. From my understanding, both HikVision and Dahua isn't exactly the top of the line solutions in CCTV technology, but that are well priced, decent machines, is that the case?

They both make good quality gear for the money, and are the current sweet spot for price/performance if you don't need the high end.

8. Would you recommend for/against Dahua or HikVision 3-5MP cameras? I'm looking for domed, tamperproof outdoor cameras with nightvision. Also, can the cameras be zoomed in/out during setup (not looking for PTZ cameras).

I have both Dahua and Hik, and would buy Hik over Dahua without a doubt. Others like Dahua more. Best bet is to read up on reviews and differences. Hik's also a good bit cheaper if you buy from China, but warranty support (due to high shipping costs) and language versions (fixable with the CBX mod) can be an issue.

The general recommendation these days is to go for turrets instead of domes, to avoid the IR reflection issues that domes can be prone to. I believe Hik's ahead in the turret market, but I don't follow Dahua much these days.

9. I read somewhere that support from the manufacturer is basically non-existent in the US; is there a well know retailer where I can safely and securely order CCTV equipment? Somebody who will stand by the product and if necessary, issue a full refund if the product doesn't meet the above or reasonable expections without a hassle? And won't price gauge me in the process? (googling some of this equipment from various storefronts show a wide range of pricing).

Dahua's support is among the worst I've ever experienced, but I didn't pay the premium for authorized dealers. Hik lets anyone download the firmware, but you either have to buy US region cams or pay a bit extra for the CBX mod to convert Chinese cams to US cams. Both have lots of community support on a variety of forums, but Hik support is still a good bit stronger than Dahua support.

Others will have to suggest the appropriate vendors. If I were to buy 8 cams today, I'd get them from AliExpress, using a vendor from the board recommendations, and would spend some of the savings on a spare cam or two in lieu of warranty support.

Thanks for the input so far guys!

Can anybody shed any light on the Hikvision NVR software? Is it only web based? Or specifically, is there a way to have input from 2 NVRs on 1 display?

Again, thank you guys for taking the time to help!