What Is Dahua?
Dahua is one of the biggest CCTV manufacturers in the world, with a large installed base right here in Latvia and the Baltics — often mentioned alongside Hikvision as one of the two leading brands. Here's a plain-language rundown of what that means, and what to expect if you're thinking about installing cameras yourself.
How a Dahua system works
The camera captures the image
An IP camera sends video over a network (Ethernet) cable; an analog HDCVI camera sends it over coaxial cable. HDCVI is handy if your building already has coax from an older system. Dahua makes both.
Video goes to a recorder
An NVR handles IP camera signals, while an XVR is a 'penta-brid' recorder that accepts HDCVI, analog, and IP signals all in one box — useful if you have a mixed camera setup. Many NVR/XVR models have built-in PoE ports.
Footage is stored on the box
How long recordings stay available depends on your hard drive size, resolution, and settings — always worth checking the exact datasheet for your model rather than assuming a number.
You watch it remotely
The DMSS app lets you view your cameras from your phone anywhere, without messing with router port-forwarding. Bigger installs often also use the SmartPSS or DSS software on a computer.
What Dahua brings to the table
Smart motion filtering
WizSense uses deep-learning filtering to tell people and vehicles apart from tree branches, animals, or lighting changes — fewer false alarms than plain motion detection. The SMD Plus feature narrows it down even further. Full functionality needs a Dahua NVR/XVR paired with Dahua cameras.
IP and HDCVI cameras
IP cameras for network setups, HDCVI for high-res video over existing coax — handy if your building already has coaxial cable and a full rewire to Ethernet isn't practical.
A camera type for every spot
Bullet cameras are visible and clearly point their direction — a good deterrent outdoors. Dome/turret cameras are more discreet for indoor use, eyeball cameras let you freely adjust the angle after install, and PTZ cameras let you pan, tilt and zoom remotely on larger properties.
XVR for a mixed camera setup
An XVR is a 'penta-brid' recorder — one box accepts HDCVI, analog, and IP signals, so you don't need two separate recorders if your site has both older and newer cameras.
Full-color for color at night
Full-color uses a more sensitive sensor and/or supplemental light to keep video in color at night, instead of the usual black-and-white IR night mode.
ONVIF interoperability
Dahua IP cameras and NVR/XVR units generally support the ONVIF standard, so basic video streaming works with other brands' VMS/NVR software — but full features like WizSense usually need Dahua's own ecosystem.
What you'll need to get started
A typical Dahua setup comes down to a handful of building blocks — the rest depends on your building and needs.
- IP or HDCVI cameras
- An NVR or XVR recorder
- Cabling (Ethernet/PoE or coax)
- The DMSS app for remote viewing
- A hard drive for storing footage
Frequently asked questions
Can I install Dahua cameras myself?
If you're reasonably tech-comfortable, self-installing IP cameras is often doable. That said, professional network planning and cabling tend to pay off in reliability, especially on bigger or more complex systems.
How long is footage stored?
It depends on your configuration — resolution, bitrate, compression, motion-detection settings, and drive size. Check the datasheet for your exact model rather than assuming a fixed number of days.
How do I view my cameras on my phone?
The DMSS app lets you view video remotely from your phone without fiddling with router port-forwarding. Larger systems also often use the SmartPSS or DSS desktop software.
What is an XVR and do I need one?
An XVR is a 'penta-brid' recorder that accepts multiple signal types — HDCVI, analog, and IP — in one box. It's useful if your site has a mixed camera park (older analog plus newer IP) and you'd rather not install two separate recorders.
Will a Dahua NVR work with other brands' cameras?
Thanks to the ONVIF standard, basic video streaming usually works. But smarter features like WizSense filtering need a Dahua NVR/XVR paired with Dahua cameras — not just any ONVIF combination.
View in shop
Ready to pick specific Dahua cameras or an XVR/NVR for your setup? Check out our shop — no sales pressure, just real products and facts.