I'm a big fan of Hikvision cameras - very good value for money. Find samsung to be over priced. 

Only thing with Hikvision is they discontinued a lot of models in the last year and started replacing them with more expensive "upgraded" versions. I guess they are just doing what many manufacturers do. But their cameras are very good - we've been using them for years and have never had any problems. Make sure you get them from a reputable seller thought, or you might end up with a Chinese version of the interface. 

I belive a lot of manufactures have been discontinuing/upgrading models to make them onvif compliant. 

+1 for the Dahua/Qvis cameras, have 1 150 camera install with Exacqvision and another with 28 on Qvis Terminator NVR, both fit and forget with fantastic image quality.

On ‎09‎/‎12‎/‎2014 at 18:14, FalconSecurity said:

Thanks for the responses. Seems to be a bit of a mixed picture in terms of the hikivision.

 

Looking in the same price area then I saw that there is also a brand called Dahau, which I think is a Chinese company similar to hikivision.

 

I also saw a brand called vivotek. So not sure if anyone has used these. 

 

The axis seem to be a very good brand but cost is to high for me.

 

Another choice could be a samsung tech win. Any ideas?

We use Dahua cameras and cant complain about them but Hikvision on the other hand I found to be confusing but its probably the difference in programming. Haven't used any others though in the ip range.

Dahua cameras are good to go for.

God if you find Hik confusing you have no chance with proper CCTV, the main reason Hik is so popular is because no skill is required to install it, a trained monkey can do it. No set up, no back focusing, no setting changes required, just plug and play. Every security company, photo copy shop, locksmith, and painter and decorator is installing Hik down south. Personally I hate the stuff its cheap, no skill required to fit it, it has been hacked on a grand scale, oh and its 42% Chinese state owned. Dahua are similar to Hik in the big scheme of things, its hard to avoid Chinese stuff. 

With Hik the prices are just a google away.

First thing some customers will do is check and moan about the profit.

1 hour ago, paul44 said:

With Hik the prices are just a google away.

First thing some customers will do is check and moan about the profit.

That is one thing they have done to improve things they now have Hi Vision for the internet and Hik is no longer available to the GP and prices are harder to find 

2 hours ago, PeterJames said:

That is one thing they have done to improve things they now have Hi Vision for the internet and Hik is no longer available to the GP and prices are harder to find 

Hi watch 

 

Every Javed is buying and selling on to jp, it will be a while before this corrects itself 

 

Samsung doesn't have enough features but the bigger IP stuff confuses the diyer so good as premium product costs arm and a leg

 

Otherwise so many IP Chinese systems unbranded price protected 

 

Seriously I don't fit it the stuff but that unv stuff is not bad amongst others 

Chinese prices are rising daily apparently, so Ive been told wages are going daily due to property prices in the industrial areas. The stuff I have been importing is getting cheaper to by from UK manufacturers. China is improving their kit but the one thing that was in their favor was they were cheap, if prices start going up they will be less popular.    

Ive used UNV before, its ok, does the job at a fair price, have had no faults,  and is only available to trade.