From Blue Iris to UniFi Protect - the Move Is On!

[Keizer]

EDIT - I actually watched the video posted above and it goes into the functionality of the AI port. The AI port certainly adds some pretty cool AI functionality that arguably is unique to the Unify system (at least at this point in time). It's probably worth the cost if this is important to you. But that being said, I still believe it is a "corking" fee to use non-Unify cameras because this is all a software based solution. There is nothing preventing Unity from doing all those AI functions for non-Unify cameras without the AI port, but I bet they realize that no one would buy their cameras if all the great AI functionality was available on non-Unify cameras out of the box. Feel free to correct me if I misunderstand how this works however.

Original Message:
I'm not really familiar with the Unify system. Why does Unify even need the optional "AI ports". I feel like it is nothing but a "corking fee" that they are charging people that want to use non-Unify cameras. Aren't they simply limiting the actual capabilities of these cameras unless you pay them to "unlock" the functionality through the use of an "AI port"? Are there any unique functions that the AI port brings to the Unify system that aren't available if someone used the those cameras with a different solution like BI with their AI models?

What turned me off was the fact you could buy a new camera for the cost of one of their AI ports. I agree with your corking fee analogy. It's like a punishment for wanting to use your own cameras. Like an expensive work around. You are definitely trapped in their eco system if you go down the Unify path. I also don't buy into the "it just works" claim. What just works? Their neutered/locked down Protect OS? Yeah, it just works with your hands tied behind your back.

 

[biggen]

My understanding is that there is fear that it might zap computing power from the aging ARM cpu onboard the UNVR/UDM Pro

If the camera is doing it's own AI (e.g. Dahua IVS), the Unifi NVR is just logging the timestamp it saw the ONVIF event come in and creating a "bookmark" to that video location. Basically what BI does. I can't believe that would be any more taxing on the system than just regular recording is now.

 

[The Automation Guy]

My understanding is that there is fear that it might zap computing power from the aging ARM cpu onboard the UNVR/UDM Pro

This seems to be the real answer. Looking into it further, it seems the newest G6 cameras seem to have enough processing power for the current AI capabilities of the Unify system. If you use an older Protect camera that didn't have enough AI processing power, or a non-Protect camera with no AI processing, then you need an AI port to add enough processing power to handle what Unify is currently doing with AI.

And to answer an earlier question about how many cameras an AI port can support. From the FAQ on the AI product page: AI Port - Ubiquiti Store

Each AI Port currently supports up to 5 cameras depending on their type and resolution. Third party cameras cannot be mixed with Protect cameras:
ONVIF:

• 4K: 1 camera
• 2K: Up to 2 cameras
• HD: Up to 3 cameras

Protect:

• 4K: Up to 2 cameras
• 2K: Up to 3 cameras
• HD: Up to 5 cameras

It seems you also need the $800 "AI Key" to make all of the advanced AI detections work. So while the system is pretty impressive, it certainly is going to cost an arm and a leg to get a "fully kitted" system. $800 for the AI key and $200 per AI Port, plus the cost of the cameras, plus the cost of the Unify router/gateway, plus the cost of the storage system, (plus, plus, plus).....

 

[Arjun]

This seems to be the real answer. Looking into it further, it seems the newest G6 cameras seem to have enough processing power for the current AI capabilities of the Unify system. If you use an older Protect camera that didn't have enough AI processing power, or a non-Protect camera with no AI processing, then you need an AI port to add enough processing power to handle what Unify is currently doing with AI.

And to answer an earlier question about how many cameras an AI port can support. From the FAQ on the AI product page: AI Port - Ubiquiti Store

Yep, and Ubiquiti (with their egotistical minds) thinks their cameras are superior to current Dahua cameras, and requires ONVIF cameras to rely on AI Port for "smart" detections.

ONVIF is not supported by UniFi Protect it seems, and that's absurd, because it is preventing the full potential of Dahua cameras to be utilized with UnIFi Protect setups

"UniFi Protect does support ONVIF for third-party cameras, but with significant limitations: it's primarily for basic 24/7 recording, lacks advanced features like motion detection/alerts (requiring UniFi AI hardware), and requires specific setup like enabling the feature in settings, using the right camera credentials (no blank passwords), and sometimes placing cameras on the main VLAN for discovery, making integration inconsistent across brands. While it lets you integrate existing cameras, the experience isn't seamless and often requires workarounds or hardware upgrades for full functionality, notes a blog post on Flytec Computers and a YouTube video."

 

[Arjun]

Its a bummer, because we all know that Dahua's IVS features are well established and work more reliably versus UniFi cameras