Dahua vs Luminys differences: 100% rebranded or more like 85%?

May 1, 2019
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Reno, NV
I greatly fancy Dahua IP cameras for the ROI of what I pay for and what I get: quality of hardware, firmware, configurations, a whole slew of different hardware/software options, etc.
Have 20+ Dahua IP cameras at my house with Blue Iris + Dahua NVR.
I also own a network cabling business which has lead me down the path of tons of customers asking me to install NVR/IP cameras. Have worked with Andy to make these customers happy with the pricing and Dahua's quality of images day & night.
Many customers also ask for access control. Sadly, I tell them nono as no experience/no training/no idea what brand to go after.
By accident, I came across Dahua's DoLynk management for installers. I can only assume, this would be a great starting point to get into the access control world as this would envelope NVR, IP Cameras, Access Control. Who knows, maybe my coffee maker next :)
Of course with the current state of international affairs, Dahua USA is gone/banned/revoked...not sure how to term it. To get into Dahua's Dolynk system, you have to become an official credentialled installer, which is only given out by regional Dahua reps.
Locally here in Nevada, I work with Graybar quite often for all my low voltage supplies (cat6 cabling, racking, conduit, etc). Graybar USA "used" to be an official Dahua rep, but no longer. They put me in contact with Graybar Canada, and they said they could help me. But, they use Luminys brand name, not Dahua.

My biggy questions:
1.) If Luminys is just simply rebranded Dahua, does that apply to the hardware & software or just the hardware only? I see posts here on IPCT that complain about Luminys cameras that I did not see with Dahua cameras.
2.) I also see compatibility issues with NVR's & IP cameras from Dahua / Luminys where interchangeability is an issue. If this is the case, the statement 'Luminys is rebranded Dahua' would not be correct as there are important fatal differences.
3.) I'd really like to stay with Andy's pathway with Dahua as I work to install in private commercial companies, not govt or civil where NDAA comes into play for federal agencies. But something tells me Dahua IP cameras + NVR will not play nicely with Luminys version of DoLynk management system (if Luminys even has such a management system... right now, do not see any mention of such a management system on their homepage).
4.) Dahua vs Luminys seem to be the same yet seem to be totally different. Of course, I could just purchase all these parts and see of myself :) Or I just have Ubiquiti for business backup purposes for IP cameras + access control since I'd like to have primary & a secondary manufacturer to work with.
 
Luminys is not a Dahua rebrand

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Some parts are interchangeable, but not all - the only confirmed model that was closely overlapping Andy's 5442 camera is this one for $175 from B&H and comes with an Omnivision sensor and 7 year warranty

The cameras are assembled in Vietnam and China. Firmwares are not interchangeable; compatibility is YMMV

Given the fact that Andy's camera lineup has suffered immensely due to the DDR shortage and inflated prices - I would not hesitate to spend that premium on Ubiquiti cameras for new installs or couple AI-Ports with whatever is left with Andy's 5442 cameras (which are being discontinued as we speak)
 

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I think I would factor in to my decision-making for a business the matter of Foxlink being "Taiwan-based", due to the ever tenuous China/Taiwan situation
If you ever do buy a Luminys camera, keep us in the loop. The more options them merrier. I would not want to give my support to Ubiquiti - their aftersales support SUCK
 
Its my understanding that they are no longer just "rebranded Dahua" due to the internal parts which are really what got Dahua on the FCC shit list.
They're going to have to, already are? use different parts to pass the ban.

And I understand its going to get worse not better for importing Dahua or cloned Dahua equipment into the US
 
I think I would factor in to my decision-making for a business the matter of Foxlink being "Taiwan-based", due to the ever tenuous China/Taiwan situation
The majority of semiconductors in the world are made in Taiwan. You cannot immunize yourself to that risk by merely avoiding Taiwan-based cameras.
 
To the OP,
Have you considered becoming a Unifi shop? I would say that they have the most aligned product portfolio for your business, your region, and your customers.
 
Its my understanding that they are no longer just "rebranded Dahua" due to the internal parts which are really what got Dahua on the FCC shit list.
They're going to have to, already are? use different parts to pass the ban.

And I understand its going to get worse not better for importing Dahua or cloned Dahua equipment into the US
Never seen the exact reason why Dahua/HikVision were banned. I thought because Dahus/HikVision CEO's have parties with China govt officials, which spooked the USA.
Of course, this happens every day in USA but .... eh.
Or this administration got spooked that China govt could view Dahua/HikVision servers for footage.
Of course, this happens everyday in USA too.

Can't understand why 'parts' would matter.

Thanks @Arjun . I was really leaning towards 'not rebranded' as something like swapping manufacturer label. I'd rather not start over with a new camera manufacturer that claims to be just like Dahua when the innards are inferior by degrees.
To the OP,
Have you considered becoming a Unifi shop? I would say that they have the most aligned product portfolio for your business, your region, and your customers.
It is a serious option I am considering. I do not like Unifi pricing and licenses but.... it does carry a hefty 'look at me' company name that people recognize.
 

Recent





The 2022 order left two major loopholes that are now being addressed:

The “Previously Authorized” Loophole: The ban only applied to new equipment. Any product models that received FCC authorization before the 2022 ban could still be legally imported and sold. This created a “gray market” where old, but still functional, stock was readily available.

The “Component” Loophole: The ban applied to equipment manufactured by Hikvision or Dahua. It did not explicitly ban equipment from other “white-label” brands that simply used Hikvision or Dahua components (like circuit boards or sensors) inside their own products.


3. The New Crackdown (What’s Happening in October 2025)​

This month, the FCC has taken two major steps to close these loopholes.
 
Never seen the exact reason why Dahua/HikVision were banned. I thought because Dahus/HikVision CEO's have parties with China govt officials, which spooked the USA.
Of course, this happens every day in USA but .... eh.
Or this administration got spooked that China govt could view Dahua/HikVision servers for footage.
Of course, this happens everyday in USA too.

Can't understand why 'parts' would matter.

Thanks @Arjun . I was really leaning towards 'not rebranded' as something like swapping manufacturer label. I'd rather not start over with a new camera manufacturer that claims to be just like Dahua when the innards are inferior by degrees.

It is a serious option I am considering. I do not like Unifi pricing and licenses but.... it does carry a hefty 'look at me' company name that people recognize.
You can’t go wrong being a Ubiquiti installer - the hype is real, but Ubiquiti still has a long way to go until folks here on the forum are convinced to make a switch.
 
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You can’t go wrong being a Ubiquiti installer - the hype is real, but Ubiquiti still has a long way to go until folks here on the forum are convinced to make a switch.
Including you LOL. I am waiting for them to get enough mass to then make everything you own subscription based LOL
 
Luminys have limted models, same quality as dahua, price is higher, because they made in Vietname, have to pay tarffis when they import parts from other countries, Vietname only make the camera paper box. The politicians are crazy, add all cost to the buyers, parts almost same, just assemble in VN. We will go on our current business, and welcome to buy on our website and buy directly to lower the cost.
 
I have been playing with the Luminys cameras/ PTZ and NVR's for a while now and can say the quality is the same as Dahua's but they are more exspensive, even at wholesale prices.
They do run monthly specials on a few of their cameras and if you find a good distributor they will honor it.

They are not the same but everything is so close you would think you are using rebranded dahua.
I haven't seen too much compatibility issues when mixing the systems except maybe some metadata targets not picking up from the Dahua cams on the Luminys NVR

They do not have the same selections but just about everything you would need as a installer.

Cheaper cams like the 24XX and the better 54xx bullet and domes with fixed (mostly 2.8mm) and VF lenses with IR and full color. (The 180 cam has IR and white lights - that is a plus)
Some of their cams will mount on existing dahua mounts but their N5T (like the 5442) is much bigger and needs a larger wall mount.

I have used these for a NDAA job as well as the Hanwha line up and I can say the the lymunis is much better and I liked how familiar the system was to dahua's GUI (more like the 4.0 not 5) for setting up.
They do have there own phone app like dmss (almost the same) with binding / sharing and a PC/ Mac lumiviewer that is the same as smart PSS that you can put dahua stuff on.

They are pushing their cloud service and I am hoping this is not the only direction they are headed.


1777418382749.jpeg1777418421908.jpeg

wall mount size - Lum -W04 vs PFB203w

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I have been playing with the Luminys cameras/ PTZ and NVR's for a while now and can say the quality is the same as Dahua's but they are more exspensive, even at wholesale prices.
They do run monthly specials on a few of their cameras and if you find a good distributor they will honor it.

They are not the same but everything is so close you would think you are using rebranded dahua.
I haven't seen too much compatibility issues when mixing the systems except maybe some metadata targets not picking up from the Dahua cams on the Luminys NVR

They do not have the same selections but just about everything you would need as a installer.

Cheaper cams like the 24XX and the better 54xx bullet and domes with fixed (mostly 2.8mm) and VF lenses with IR and full color. (The 180 cam has IR and white lights - that is a plus)
Some of their cams will mount on existing dahua mounts but their N5T (like the 5442) is much bigger and needs a larger wall mount.

I have used these for a NDAA job as well as the Hanwha line up and I can say the the lymunis is much better and I liked how familiar the system was to dahua's GUI (more like the 4.0 not 5) for setting up.
They do have there own phone app like dmss (almost the same) with binding / sharing and a PC/ Mac lumiviewer that is the same as smart PSS that you can put dahua stuff on.

They are pushing their cloud service and I am hoping this is not the only direction they are headed.


View attachment 242706View attachment 242707

wall mount size - Lum -W04 vs PFB203w

View attachment 242708
Can their 5442 equivalent fit a PFA130E mount? Or PFA12x mount?
 
To the OP,
Have you considered becoming a Unifi shop? I would say that they have the most aligned product portfolio for your business, your region, and your customers.
Unifi will be my #2 lineup to offer customers. It has name recognition, interfaces with all things Unifi (like door access hubs), IP cameras, and once again...the name recognition. They are spendier, I believe with licenses & subscriptions, not upto par with Dahua/Hik camera hardware but getting there, etc. A very valid #2. I could never go Axis or Verkata for residential installs as I can't ask the customers to take out a 2nd mortgage.
 
My main issue with Ubiquiti, is what happens when they release a new version of UniFi and decide all your cameras are no longer supported? Happened to me with AirCams

So far my Dahuas from Andy are doing great. I have some that have not been touched since 2019 and have zero problems. Several have been powered on since 2021 with no reboot or power loss, no problems
 
Unifi will be my #2 lineup to offer customers. It has name recognition, interfaces with all things Unifi (like door access hubs), IP cameras, and once again...the name recognition. They are spendier, I believe with licenses & subscriptions, not upto par with Dahua/Hik camera hardware but getting there, etc. A very valid #2. I could never go Axis or Verkata for residential installs as I can't ask the customers to take out a 2nd mortgage.
Perhaps installers should at least be able to fulfill the requests of customers that may request Ubiquiti. It seems to me that they are at least partly, marketing themselves as the high-end alternative to the big box brands. You know, branding... blah, blah, blah.
 
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Perhaps installers should at least be able to fulfill the requests of customers that may request Ubiquiti. It seems to me that they are at least partly, marketing themselves as the high-end alternative to the big box brands. You know, branding... blah, blah, blah.
Its definitely a bandwagon / Ubiquiti cult - it disgusts me because anything that Ubiquiti markets WILL Sell. I can bet are selling more based purely on aesthetics versus real-world function and use. I miss the older Ubiquiti hardware - they were built like tanks.