Hikvision/Uniview/Tiandy/Dahua IP Cameras Comparison

Unifore Security

April 08,2016-5:30 AM

With the continuous development of the IP video surveillance market, security manufacturers constantly enrich its product line. By coincidence, we have four network cameras from different Chinese manufacturers. All of them are 1.3 megapixel outdoor IR network cameras, which dedicated to middle and low-end market. Although we have seen some test reports on camera's functionality and performance, we have not seen the internal design of these network cameras. Let’s walk you out through this detailed comparison disassemblely.

In terms of appearance, Hikvision, Uniview and Tiandy adopt white/black style design. Uniview camera is light weight, the appearance of Hikvision and Tiandy is pretty close. Dahua camera basically keeps its conventional appearance.

Next, we began to disassemble these cameras with the order of Hikvision, Uniview, Tiandy, Dahua. Firstly let's disassemble the Hikvision camera:

Next, disassemble the Uniview Camera:

Disassemble the Tiandy IP Camera:

It's turn to disassemble Dahua IP Camera:

1# Hardware layout comparison

In normal use, a high quality security camera can use 2-3 years without any problems. But only for the pursuit of a good look, rather than on durability and reliability, likely the security cameras stop working because of unpredictable extreme weather conditions. Next, we continue disassembling these cameras to compare hardware structure, heat dissipation, circuit protection, image sensor design.

Hikvision IP camera adopts single PCB board design, with hollow layout, internal design is clean and beautiful, using rugged heavy camera housing.

Uniview adopts the unique dual-PCB boards design, difficult to assemble.

Tiandy products also adopt single-PCB board structure, layout is clean and simple.

Dahua IP camera also adopts the single-PCB board design, internal space is large, the PCB board is small, layout is compact.

Hardware layout rating:

Hikvision: ★★★★★
Uniview: ★★★
Tiandy: ★★★★★
Dahua: ★★★

2# Structure & Heat dissipation design

Hikvision IP Camera SoC/CMOS Image Sensor

No heat dissipation design on Hikvision's CPU, through PCB hollow design can stop heat conveying to image sensor.

Next, the Uniview IP camera, the processor and CMOS image sensor are located to different PCB boards, ensuring CPU heat will not cause impact to the image sensor. But the structure is complex, CPU heat can't dissipate out. Additionally, the image sensor has no separate heat dissipation design.

The heat passes heat dissipation metal plate to reach camera housing, Dahua IP cameras heat dissipation design performance is ordinary. Small PCB size may cause high temperature of image sensor, indirectly has impact on imaging.

Compared the above design, Tiandy heat dissipation is simple, camera's CPU directly contact the silicone tape to provide good heat dissipation.

Heat dissipation rating:

Hikvision: ★★★★
Uniview: ★★★
Tiandy: ★★★★★
Dahua: ★★

3# Circuit Protection Design

Hikvision: after the network transformer stage uses two small transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diodes to protect electronic circuits against transients and overvoltage threats such as EFT (electrically fast transients) and ESD (electro-static discharge). On its power input, it has a SMC package power protection device to protect post-stage circuit against lighting surge.

Uniview IP Camera Circuit Protection Design

Uniview: after the network transformer stage uses a 6PIN chip to provide EFT and ESD protection. On its power input, it also has a SMC package surge protector design.

Tiandy: after the network transformer stage uses a SOIC 8 PIN chip to protect its network connection. On its power input it has SMC package high-power protection diode to against voltage surge.

Dahua: The same with the above cameras, Dahua IP camera also has TVS protection after the network transformer stage; the power input circuit design uses a small power rate TVS, only can be effective to the electrostatic, may not prevent the camera from damaging by lightning surges.