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Dahua

Dahua CCTV Cameras, DVRs and NVRs in South Africa

Dahua is the main alternative to Hikvision in the South African surveillance market, and on price and specification the two are closely matched. Where Dahua tends to win is flexibility on upgrade jobs: the Penta-brid recorder line accepts almost any signal type on the same box, which means existing coax rarely has to be replaced. NeonSales carries Dahua cameras, recorders, switches and power supplies from around R220 for an entry bullet camera to just over R11,500 for a 64-channel 4K Pro NVR.

What Dahua products does NeonSales stock?

  • Cameras: Full-color and IR bullets, varifocal domes, eyeball cameras and smart-light models with two-way audio, in 2MP and 4MP, in both HDCVI and IP
  • Recorders: Penta-brid DVRs from 4 to 16 channels across the Cooper, Smart 1U and WizSense lines, plus 4K Pro NVRs up to 64 channels
  • Networking and power: unmanaged PoE switches and 8 to 20 channel 12V CCTV power supplies

What does Penta-brid actually mean?

A Penta-brid DVR accepts five signal types on the same recorder: HDCVI, AHD, TVI, analogue CVBS and IP. In practice that means you can put a modern HD camera onto cabling that has been in a wall for fifteen years, then add IP cameras later over the network without replacing the recorder. On a retrofit where re-cabling would be the largest line item, this is usually the deciding factor.

Full-color, IR or WizSense?

Technology What it does Best suited to
IR Black and white infrared at night, no visible light from the camera General perimeter coverage where detecting movement is the goal
Full-color Holds colour after dark using a built-in warm LED Entrances, driveways and tills where you need clothing colour, a face or a number plate
WizSense On-board AI that separates people and vehicles from everything else Sites where wind, insects or pets are triggering constant false alerts

Fixed lens or varifocal?

A fixed 2.8mm lens gives a wide view and is the right default for most residential corners and entrances. Varifocal models such as the 2.7 to 12mm bullets and domes let you narrow the field of view and push detail further down a driveway or across a yard. If you are unsure of the exact mounting position before installation, varifocal removes the risk of having to swap the camera afterwards.

Common questions

Can Dahua cameras run on a Hikvision recorder? Over coax, usually yes, since HDCVI and Turbo HD both carry HD analogue signal, though you may lose menu control of the camera. Over IP, ONVIF compatibility generally works for the video stream while brand-specific features drop away. Mixing brands is possible, though a single-brand system is simpler to support.

How many channels should the recorder have? Buy at least two more than your current camera count. Channel expansion later means replacing the recorder, which is far more expensive than the difference at purchase.

Do I need a separate power supply? For HDCVI and analogue cameras, yes. Use a multi-channel 12V unit sized to your camera count. IP cameras on a PoE switch or a PoE NVR draw power down the network cable instead.

Related: NVRs · DVRs · Analogue Cameras · CCTV Kits · CCTV Cabling · CCTV Accessories