Hey community.
I have cameras installed at my property. The previous vendor took the DVR? Box. I wasn't too fussed. He did leave the monitor and the cables (picture attached).
What am I actually looking at here? And what type of box do I need to buy?
Thanks. (Forgive my dumbness.)
Dahua I believe:)
Then u need a Dahua DVR as I don't believe DVRs work across different brands. Cameras are connected to the DVR using the network cables. Might be Powered Over Ethernet (POE). Find out which Dahua camera models you have and which Dahua DVR models are compatible.
Is it worth me trying to get back the Box. I have no idea where to find the type of model it is
@iNeed2Pee: get a ladder and take a close look at the camera. It should have a model number on a sticker. Otherwise Google up Dahua camera models and look for one that matches yours.
@trex: Yeah just says Dahua technology. He gave me the impression it was just the box I needed.
I think he was in his right to take it because of the data he already had so I didn't fight it.
Yeah its just 3 ethernet and the vga.
@iNeed2Pee: Data is saved in a hard drive which can be taken out easily. If the camera system was not listed in the sale agreement, it's his to take.
DVR shouldn't be too expensive, $400-800 or so? 3 network cables could be 3 cameras or 2 cameras and 1 to the router for internet.
Search for your local Dahua installer. I'm sure with a photo of the camera, they would be able to give you a quote for the DVR.
@trex: Yeah its the latter. We have 2 cameras so that third ethernet would be the internet one.
Thanks for your help,
I will suss out tomorrow with the agent.
To better protect your privacy I would avoid using a Dahua DVR and make your own NVR.
All you need is:
- An old Intel NUC or Dell Optiplex
- A Copy of Blue Iris
- PoE Switch
Advantages over Dahua NVR are:
- IoT Integration for Example turn on the lights if motion is detected
- AI Face and Object Detection
- Less false motion positive as it uses AI
- More Private and Secure
- No Backdoors by CCP Government
- More customisable recordings
- Better file compression (Currently have an 8TB drive with 28 2K cameras which can go back 1 month)
What would be a suitable hard-drive for the constant re-writing?
WD Purple or WD Red. Better to use Purple as they are designed for CCTV.
Currently my configuration is JBOD with 4TB Purple and 4TB Red. With a 2TB Seagate Sky Hawk as backup for 2 weeks of motion recordings. I also have 1 Week of backup uploaded to One Drive.
It's been 2 years of 24/7 recordings and everything is fine.
Both WD Red and Purple have 3yr warranty.
If your workplace uses Office365 it's also a good idea to encrypt and upload a backup to One Drive if you don't use all your cloud storage.
I am very inept when it comes to these things.
As the night goes on I am frustrated he took it, but even if he took the HD I would still need to go out and get one regardless.
I guess trex threw me off a little when he said no other box would work with it.
@iNeed2Pee: I actually said this:-
Then u need a Dahua DVR as I don't believe DVRs work across different brands.
Also, No Username's suggestion is setting up a PC to do the function of DVR. Not using a box from another brand.
@trex: Okie got you. Yeah I found out today by Dahua that the actual cameras might be locked to that box. Which would either need the username/password or the box returned to unlock.
@trex: Box has been returned minus the HD:)
Now its beeping but I checked the alarm status and I will assume its from the missing HD.
Thanks for your help trex! Appreciate your replying.
@trex: Hey trex, quick question
Cameras hooked up and work really well on the app and through wifi.
However on the phone app it actually wont connect without wifi.
Any ideas?
@iNeed2Pee: Good to hear that! I'm not really familiar with Dahua. Is your system already connected to the internet? I found this link (https://dahuawiki.com/Mobile/iDMSS_P2P_Setup) which may be useful.
@trex: Yeah already connected to the internet.
If im at home with wifi it will connect to my phone. As soon as I go to the mobile data, the connection fails. Whicn defeats the purpose 🤣
@trex: Yeah it was all set. I just downloaded the lite version of the app to see if it worked and it did. Maybe I am more tech savy than I think 🤣
Thanks again haha
cheapest solution is get a matching dvr box with a wd purple hard drive (atleast 2TB). link does not work btw
Another good reason to buy a Synology NAS! I have all my video streams saving to a RED HD raid.
Rhodium Security Camera Systems has been installing security cameras for homes and businesses in Melbourne, Geelong, Dandenong.
https://www.securitycctvmelbourne.com.au/
That's network and VGA cables. From the cables alone, one can't tell what brand, model it is. You should take photos of the cameras.