UNV vs Dahua: Breaking Down Better CCTV Brand For Home

There are so many CCTV brands around us. When we try to find the best brands, only a few names surface. Among them, two major brands are UNV and Dahua.

The Uniview brand is popularly known as UNV. It is a Chinese brand with its presence in over 150 countries. The brand has professional-grade cameras. Its wired solutions are fit for mid and high-range clients.

Dahua is a brand leader in CCTV. It is the second biggest CCTV company in the World after Hikvision. It has a very vast range of surveillance products. The brand focuses on high-end and middle-grade clients. The brand has professional and enterprise-grade products.

The UNV vs Dahua comparison will detail these brands in full detail. It will help users select a better brand based on locations, budget, and features.

UNV vs Dahua- Compare the Best CCTV Brand

The two most prestigious brands are compared here. The comparison is based on the following topics.

1- Brand Overview- UNV vs Dahua

2- Similarities & Differences- UNV & Dahua CCTV Brands

3- Pros & Cons- UNV Brand and Dahua Brand

4- Product Portfolio

5- Video Quality & Night Vision

6- Brand Segment & Price Strategy

7- Mobile App & Remote Surveillance

8- Technology & Smart, AI Features

9- Cybersecurity & Privacy

10- Installation & Configuration

Let’s elaborate on these points further to know the brand better. The process will help users choose a proper camera based on budget and features.

1. Brand Overview- UNV vs Dahua

UNV Brand

The UNV is a Chinese company. Its full name is Zhejiang Uniview Technologies Co., Ltd. The company was established in 2011 in the field of security surveillance. The company deals in IP surveillance products.

Its products are affordable compared to Dahua’s products. The brand targets its products for professional and consumer-grade users who want a wired setup with basic AI features. The brand has middle and upper-middle users.

UNV is a growing brand around the globe. Its products are good in quality and durability. The brand is used in institutions, industries, commercial units, and homes. They are easy to install and plug-and-play type devices. Its products are available in over 140 countries. Its main markets are Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and North America.

Dahua Brand

Dahua is a global brand. It is among the top two CCTV brands in the World, along with Hikvision. The brand originated in 2001 in China. The brand’s full name is Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. It deals in security surveillance, intercom, access control, doorbell, and VMS.

The brand has premium quality products. It has a complete CCTV range. Dahua is famous for its professional and consumer-grade systems. Its higher models are designed for enterprise-grade use. The products are costly and used by middle and upper-middle-class users.

Its IP cameras, NVRs, thermal cameras, and PTZ cameras are extensively used in industries, institutions, and commercial places. It has products for homes and small businesses. Its products are available in over 180 countries. You can get Dahua CCTVs in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

2. Similarities & Differences- UNV & Dahua CCTV Brands

Similarities- UNV & Dahua Brands

Brands have the following similarities.

• Both are Chinese brands and specialise in professional-grade CCTV systems. They have superior range IP cameras, NVRs, and thermal cameras.
• Both brands comply with ONVIF standards. They are compatible with third-party products.
• Both brands detect motion, differentiate between humans, pets, and vehicles, and give perimeter protection.
• Both have apps for remote surveillance and device management. UNV has EZView, and Dahua has DMSS for smartphones. For PCs, UNV has the EZStation, and Dahua has the SmartPSS app.
• These brands target industrial, residential, institutional, and commercial products in the middle to elite group customers.

Differences- UNV & Dahua Brands

The brands have a few differences as well.

• The UNV brand has professional-grade cameras in the mid-tier affordable range. The brand is gradually growing.
• The Dahua brand is a global entity with consumer-grade and enterprise-grade products. It has a range of products with a strong market presence.
• UNV has IP cameras and NVRs as primary products. Dahua has IP cameras, Analogue cams, NVRs, DVRs, access control, and intercom systems as primary products.
• UNV has basic-level AI features like face detection, motion detection, and object classification. Dahua has advanced AI features. It has dedicated WizMind and WizSense products with people counting, heat mapping, crowd analysis, and detailed facial recognition.
• UNV has the StarView Technology for night vision, while Dahua has the Starlight Technology. The Starlight Technology has a better night vision capacity.

3. UNV vs Dahua- Pros & Cons- UNV Brand and Dahua Brand

UNV Brand- Pros

• The UNV brand is great for affordable clients. The brand is used in small and medium businesses, homes, institutions, etc.
• UNV devices have an easy plug-and-play type of setup.
• Its IP cameras are good. They have high resolutions and clean images.
• Its devices have smart and AI features. They detect motion, differentiate people/pets/vehicles, and give perimeter protection.
• Its devices give decent night vision, supported by Starview Technology.
• Supports third-party products.
• Smooth apps for remote surveillance.

UNV Brand- Cons

• Limited smart and AI features. It doesn’t count heads and map heat.
• It has fewer products than Dahua’s.
• Basic video analytics features.
• UNV is not as dominant in the global market as the Dahua brand.

Dahua Brand- Pros

• Dahua has a very wide product range. It has products for every location. It has enterprise, professional, and consumer range products.
• Very clean images and night vision. The starlight technology gives clean and colour night vision.
• Its products have high resolution. They have resolutions between 1080p, 2k, 4k, and 8k. Its industrial ad has some special products that have even higher resolutions.
• The smart features are advanced. They have AI features like motion detection, human, pet, vehicle differentiation, head counting, license plate reading, etc.
• Its devices push alert notifications, sensing threats. Users can set alert zones and ward away transgressors.
• It has middle and high-end solutions. Its products are robust and durable.
• Dahua products are sold through distribution channels and online platforms. These channels are established in over 180 countries.

Dahua Brand- Cons

• Its products are costlier than those of its competitors.
• Product installation is complex. Installation requires technical support.
• Some privacy concerns with the brand.

4. UNV vs Dahua- Product Portfolio

UNV Brand

• IP Cameras- UNV has mid-range cameras. It has a bullet, dome, turret, and PTZ network cameras.
• Network Video Recorders (NVRs)- Good quality NVRs.
• Analogue HD Cameras- It is an HD technology. UNV has its limited cameras.
• Thermal Imaging Cameras- It has advanced and smart features like motion detection and people counting.
• AI-powered Cameras (Deep Learning series)- It is the advanced and premium camera series.
• Cloud-based Surveillance Solutions- It is a DIY type camera series with basic AI features.

Dahua Brand

• IP Cameras- Dahua has a series of effective IP cameras. It has entry-level and premium cameras.  
• It has WizMind, WizSense, and PTZ cameras with advanced AI features.
• Analogue HD Cameras (HDCVI series)- It is an HD camera series with moderate cameras.
• NVRs & Hybrid DVRs- Dahua has the best quality NVRs and DVRs.
• Thermal Cameras- Dahua has the best thermal cameras.
• Smart Home Solutions- It’s Dahua’s smart DIY cameras. They are plug-and-play types.

5. UNV vs Dahua- Video Quality & Night Vision

UNV Brand

• UNV cameras come in the range between 1080p and 4K.
• The brand supports WDR up to 120dB. The feature gives clean images in a contrasting background.
• Gives 30 frames per second in real time.
• Night vision is good and clean.
• It ranges from 15 meters to 100 meters based on cameras. Its outdoor premium cameras can see far and give colour night vision.

Dahua Brand

• Dahua devices have even better quality night vision than UNV cameras.
• Dahua has clean images. Its cameras have resolutions between 1080p and 8k.
• Its enterprise models have even 8k+ resolutions.
• The brand supports Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) up to 140dB. Clean images in dark backgrounds.
• Very clean image and video quality with colour vision in the WizMind and WizSense series.
• Dahua brand supports higher frame rates up to 60fps in some high-end models.
• Its night vision capability is much better than Uniview cameras. Its cameras can view between 30 meters and 150 meters.
• Its ColorVu series cameras give excellent colour night vision.

6. UNV vs Dahua- Brand Segment & Price Strategy

UNV Brand

• UNV brand is much affordable than the Dahua brand.
• It is targeted at middle and upper-middle market segments.
• Its products are used in residences, institutions, and business units.
• The products are sold through retail chains.
• Its cameras begin with $35, and premium devices are around $1000+

Dahua Brand

• The Dahua brand has a wide range of products. It jas products for residences, institutions, industries, government offices, and commercial units.
• Dahua products are designed for professional, enterprise, and residential grades.
• Its entry-level products begin at $60, and premium range products could be as high as $1500+

7. UNV vs Dahua- Mobile App & Remote Surveillance

UNV Brand’

• UNV brand has a Smartphone app for Android and iOS versions.
• Its app is EZView UNV for smartphones.
• Its app for Windows and Mac is EZStation.
• The application is smooth and has all the latest features for simple remote monitoring.
• UNV’s EZCloud is simple but limited in features.

Dahua Brand

• Dahua has an app for smartphones and PCs.
• Its Android and iOS app is DMSS.
• The app is advanced and complex. It has all the modern features and advanced AI functions.
• Its PC app is SmartPSS. The app is easy to install and operate.

8. UNV vs Dahua- Technology & Smart, AI Features

UNV Brand

• Its cameras are up to 4K.
• The device supports Ultra 265 compression technology.
• The devices have decent night vision, but Dahua’s night vision is slightly better.
• Detects motion, tracks objects, and pushes alert signals.
• Its premium models can differentiate between humans, pets, and animals. They can also recognise faces and allow two-way communication.

Dahua Brand

• The Dahua brand has resolutions up to 8k.
• The brand has H.265+, Smart Codec video compression technology.
• The Starlight technology gives immaculate images in the darkness.
• The Dahua brand is technologically highly advanced. Its products have smart and AI features.
• Dahua devices detect motion. Its devices track objects and push alert notifications on smartphones, detecting suspicious things.
• It can classify people, pets, parcels, and vehicles.
• Facial recognition, license plate reading, and people counting are supported.

9. UNV vs Dahua- Cybersecurity & Privacy

UNV Brand

• UNV follows encrypted data transmission.
• No known cybersecurity and privacy issues are associated with this Chinese brand.
• Comply with privacy rules set by various countries for security and surveillance.

Dahua Brand

• Faced cybersecurity scrutiny, particularly from U.S. regulators.
• Now, the brand has complied with most security rules.
• There has been no breach of privacy and cybersecurity in recent years.

10. UNV vs Dahua- Installation & Configuration

UNV Brand

• UNV brands are plug-and-play types.
• Its products are easy to install. Its professional cameras are scaled up for small installations.
• A customer-friendly brand.

Dahua Brand

• Its products are professional and enterprise-level.
• Installation and configuration require trained technicians.
• Its products can be scaled up for big projects.

Conclusion- Which Brand to Choose? UNV vs Dahua

Choose UNV

• If you want middle-range wired quality cameras with basic AI features.
• If you want easy-to-install products for businesses and homes.
• If you want high-resolution 4k cameras with simplicity and reliability.
• If you want IP surveillance without overly complex features

Choose Dahua

• If you want high-quality premium IP cameras with advanced AI features.
• If you want a global brand with product availability in most countries of the world.
• If you want to scale up the system with a large number of cameras.
• If you want premium image quality and night vision.
• If you are ready to pay high amounts for high values.

The brand comparison is elucidated. Get the best features and understand the two brands.

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