hi, looking for opinions about using HIKVision vs Unifi for a home CCTV needed in a rural location in UK, no landline so 4G internet only for time being. Local security guys seem to use/push a lot of HIKVision systems.
Hey Andrew, welcome to the community.
Hikvision is not bad stuff. Good onvif support if you don’t want to use their NVR with the cams. Or if you do use their NVR other brands of cams usually can link up with onvif, so you don’t always have to stay with same brand.
I personally have only done one unifi system, but it works fine. I have had to replace the hdd a few times in the old ubiquiti nvr but otherwise rock solid.
If I were going to set up a new system today, and cost was not an issue I would probably go with a UniFi system. I think you will find more support for it.
Hikvision has been shown to call home to China – that being said the hardware isn’t bad. If you want to pursue it I would setup firewall rules that don’t allow the cameras to access to the Internet and only the DVR. UniFi makes good kit too but you’ll notice a price difference.
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Thanks guys, due to expediency went with the HIK cams and NVR as we needed to help protect an empty house which awaiting sale, having suffered a recent break in… 
installer is setting up a 4g router to allow remote access/monitoring as no landline. Hopefully sale goes thru’ soon and new owners can then refine as they see fit…
A bit of a digression: My facebook feed here in UK as been full of adverts for a company called Verkada. I’ve never heard of them before, seem quite big in commercial cams with AI etc…but cloud storage vs local NVR…
Verkda is cloud only – you don’t pay the fee per camera and they become bricks.
…also look very expensive, case study companies using them must be spending a fortune ! They mush be doing a big push here in UK/EU as seems mainly USA/CANADA/SE ASIA…
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Yeah – they also don’t care about data privacy laws so I’ve pretty much written them off. If they’re around in 5 years it’ll surprise me.
The HIK setup I started this thread with was a rush job to help secure a remote property and my 1st experience with cams etc. The HIK connect app feels bit clunky but will do for that site/problem pending the sale. It has got me interested in exploring better solutions for a future need in another home situation. Apart from Unifi’s offering, what others should be considered bearing in mind located in UK, products may vary… Another consideration is broadband would be via Starlink as no FTTP. Assume trend is towards platforms that can offer via a single ‘pane of glass’, with integrations of cams, alarms, sensors. I wonder if Unfi will get into the alarms as well as the recenlty speculated NAS market…?
Let’s hope Ubiquiti doesn’t get into alarms.
Other options you have are Axis, Milestone, and Synology to name a few.