FAQ
TL;DR: For a two‑camera, 4MP street setup, match brand to brand and budget for import costs. "duty with transport is about 20%" and Poland adds 23% VAT. Choose Dahua cams → Dahua NVR; same for Hikvision. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16708232]
Why it matters: This avoids compatibility headaches and surprise costs for small two‑camera builds, especially when comparing local vs. overseas prices.
- Two 4MP cameras aimed at a street ~20 m away, mounted ~4 m high, were the stated use case. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703753]
- Practical pairing rule: “How do you take dahua cameras – take dahua recorder.” [Elektroda, jpl, post #16707436]
- Thread does not confirm third‑party camera support; plan for same‑brand ecosystems. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703727]
- Overseas pricing noted at ~50% of local; factor taxes and service differences. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16708190]
- Both Hikvision and Dahua were reported to work properly for this scale. [Elektroda, Fotodetektor, post #16707297]
Quick Facts
- Two 4MP cameras aimed at a street ~20 m away, mounted ~4 m high, were the stated use case. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703753]
- Practical pairing rule: “How do you take dahua cameras – take dahua recorder.” [Elektroda, jpl, post #16707436]
- Thread does not confirm third‑party camera support; plan for same‑brand ecosystems. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703727]
- Overseas pricing noted at ~50% of local; factor taxes and service differences. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16708190]
- Both Hikvision and Dahua were reported to work properly for this scale. [Elektroda, Fotodetektor, post #16707297]
Which NVR is better for two 4MP cameras—Dahua NVR4104‑P‑4KS2 or Hikvision DS‑7604NI‑K1/4P?
Pick the recorder that matches your camera brand. If you choose Dahua cameras, use a Dahua NVR; do the same with Hikvision. This reduces setup friction and preserves full feature support. As one expert put it, “take dahua cameras – take dahua recorder.” [Elektroda, jpl, post #16707436]
Will two 4MP cameras capture useful street detail at ~20 m?
Yes, provided you use appropriate lens zoom. The guidance shared was that at maximum lens zoom the cameras “will see and will work” for a ~20 m street view. Mounting height around 4 m aligns with the described scenario. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16707436]
Should I mix Dahua cameras with a Hikvision NVR (or vice versa)?
The thread raises this question but does not confirm cross‑brand compatibility. To avoid surprises, plan on same‑brand pairing for cameras and NVRs in this two‑camera build. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703727]
Do Hikvision or Dahua NVRs work reliably for small two‑camera installs?
Yes. A contributor noted that either brand works properly in this class of setup. This aligns with typical two‑channel, PoE‑powered residential or small‑business deployments. [Elektroda, Fotodetektor, post #16707297]
Are Dahua NVRs on AliExpress original products?
A responder questioned why they wouldn’t be original, but no proof was provided either way. If authenticity matters, weigh local warranties and authorized channels against price. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16708186]
Why are local Polish prices higher than Chinese listings?
Expect import duty plus transport around 20% and add 23% VAT; local sellers also fund two‑year service. Those factors explain sizable retail differences versus overseas prices. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16708232]
Is buying overseas really half the cost?
One buyer observed about a 50% lower price on AliExpress compared with local offers. Add total landed costs and potential lack of local service before deciding. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16708190]
What lens or zoom should I plan for ~20 m street coverage?
Use the camera’s maximum lens zoom for that scene width and distance. This was the practical guidance given, and it matches many varifocal 4MP builds. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16707436]
How high should I mount the cameras for this scenario?
About 4 m was the stated mounting height for viewing a street at roughly 20 m distance. Keep that as a starting point, then fine‑tune angle and zoom. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703753]
Quick way to choose between these two NVRs?
Follow this three‑step check: 1. Decide the camera brand first. 2. Match the recorder to the same brand. 3. For a 20 m street view, set lens at maximum zoom and verify coverage. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16707436]
What’s the hidden risk when importing NVRs/cameras?
Edge case: You may miss local two‑year service support when buying abroad. Local pricing reflects duty (~20%), VAT (23%), and service overheads. [Elektroda, jpl, post #16708232]
Who is this guidance for?
It targets users planning a simple two‑camera, 4MP, street‑facing install at ~20 m distance, weighing Dahua vs. Hikvision NVRs. [Elektroda, Tomasz _70, post #16703683]
