Dahua Security
Intelligent Camera Surveillance for the Smart Home

Camera surveillance is an essential component of every smart home installation. Where previously only a few analogue cameras were connected to a recorder, today’s homeowner expects a system that recognises people and vehicles, records in colour at night, actively deters intruders, and integrates seamlessly with the home automation. Dahua Technology is one of the largest manufacturers in the world that offers exactly that: a broad range of IP cameras, network video recorders and video intercom systems with built-in AI — from the budget-friendly Lite range to the advanced WizMind line with facial recognition.

At Integration At Home we deploy Dahua as a powerful and cost-effective security platform that we integrate with KNX home automation (Gira, Niko), Control4 automation and the broader smart home ecosystem.

Dahua Technology — in full Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. — was founded in 2001 in Hangzhou, China by Fu Liquan, a former technician from the defence industry. In that same founding year, the company launched the first eight-channel real-time embedded digital video recorder developed in China — a product that laid the foundation for the company.

The growth is impressive. In 2008, a listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange followed. The company consistently invests approximately 10% of revenue in R&D and has four research institutes — for advanced technology, big data, chips and video cloud — with more than 6,000 R&D engineers. Dahua has registered more than 800 patents and introduced groundbreaking technologies such as HDCVI (HD-over-coax), ePoE (800-metre data transmission via Ethernet) and Smart H.265+ video compression.

Today, Dahua is the second-largest manufacturer of video surveillance equipment worldwide, with more than 23,000 employees, revenue of approximately $4.98 billion (2023), products in more than 180 countries and 35 subsidiaries. The company serves diverse sectors: from residential to hospitality, retail, education, transport and government institutions — including prestigious projects such as the Shanghai World Expo, the G20 summit in Hangzhou and the Vatican Museums.

Powerful deep learning chips for accurate facial recognition, video metadata analysis, people counting, heat mapping and automatic object tracking. Bullet, eyeball, dome and PTZ cameras with resolutions up to 8 MP, Starlight technology and ePoE for long distances. WizMind NVRs contain a dedicated AI chip for ANPR (number plate recognition) and cross-camera facial search.

The best balance between AI functionality and price — the most relevant line for residential smart home installations. Independent AI chip with deep learning that accurately recognises people and vehicles, drastically reducing false alarms from animals, leaves or light changes. Core features: SMD 4.0 (Smart Motion Detection), perimeter protection, Quick Pick and AI Coding (up to 25% bandwidth saving compared to H.265).

The entry-level line for clients who want quality images at a sharp price. H.265+ video compression, Starlight low-light technology, WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) and basic intelligence (IVS), but without the advanced AI classification features of WizSense and WizMind.

Dahua’s low-light technology with large image sensors and fast lenses produces colour images down to 0.001 lux — practically complete darkness. Where conventional cameras switch to black-and-white images at dusk, a Starlight camera continues to render colours.

Goes a step further with built-in warm-light LED illumination that guarantees 24/7 colour images, even in total darkness. The maximum illumination distance is up to 30-50 metres depending on the model.

Combines IR illumination with warm-light LEDs and intelligently switches between both modes. In standard mode, only the IR LEDs are active (no light pollution); as soon as a person or vehicle is detected, the camera automatically switches to warm white light for a colour recording of the incident.

The 5xxx-XI and 6xxx-XI series contain a dedicated AI chip for server-side functions such as facial recognition, ANPR and AcuPick search technology. AcuPick functions as a visual search engine: you describe a person (clothing colour, vehicle type) and the system searches all recordings in seconds.

AI by NVR functionality: perimeter detection, SMD and limited facial detection (typically 2 channels). The ideal level for residential installations with WizSense cameras.

Reliable recording and playback without AI features. For installations where the intelligence resides entirely in the cameras.

Vandal-resistant (IP65/IK08) with HD camera, IR illumination, RFID card reader and built-in microphone/speaker. Door opening via smartphone (DMSS app), call history, snapshot on ring and connection with the Dahua NVR system for recording all door interactions.

7-inch or 10-inch touchscreen monitors with SIP support for intercom between rooms. In an IAHome installation, the Dahua intercom system integrates with the KNX home automation: a press on the Gira or Niko switch opens the door, while the camera recording is stored on the NVR.

IAHome takes cybersecurity seriously with every camera surveillance installation. Dahua cameras and NVRs are configured according to best practices: unique passwords per device, firmware updates to the latest version, HTTPS encryption for all network traffic, and placement on a separate VLAN that has no direct access to the internet or the home network. The DMSS app uses Dahua’s P2P cloud connection for remote access without port forwarding — which significantly reduces the attack vector.

For GDPR compliance, we advise on correct camera surveillance signage, limitation of the recording range to your own property, a data processing agreement and a proportional retention policy. IAHome guides you through this as part of every installation.