If you were left with two options, Amcrest (Dahua-branded) or Swann (Hikvision-rebrand), which would you choose? What sets their NVR's apart? Does the Amcrest NVR offer more versatility (third-party) over the Swann? Or are both fairly equally crippled by their proprietary coding? Swann's been in the business for over 30 years, does it really matter? Are they still using Hikvision as their sole camera suppliers?
Amcrest vs. Swann CCTV Surveillance Systems
- Thread starter winlinmac
- Start date
kapnkirk
Member
Winlinmac
I can't answer your technical questions, but I have been using Swann cameras (700tvl) for 7-8 years now and their dvr's too, not a single failure or problem yet, I only use their wired systems and installed all 12 cameras with my sons help. He's the attic guy lol.
And their lifetime technical support has been awesome, I don't do computers well and they have helped me connect the laptop, iPhone, iPad and even iPod to the system. We like Apple.
Anyway, I bet someone here can answer your questions soon, I just wanted to let you know my experience, good luck.
Keith
I can't answer your technical questions, but I have been using Swann cameras (700tvl) for 7-8 years now and their dvr's too, not a single failure or problem yet, I only use their wired systems and installed all 12 cameras with my sons help. He's the attic guy lol.
And their lifetime technical support has been awesome, I don't do computers well and they have helped me connect the laptop, iPhone, iPad and even iPod to the system. We like Apple.
Anyway, I bet someone here can answer your questions soon, I just wanted to let you know my experience, good luck.
Keith
Thanks for sharing your experience Keith. 
I had a set budget ($200-$300), but upon further research and experimenting with cheaper alternatives, my budget for a surveillance system easily exceeded upwards to $400-$600.
I could have used Blue Iris Software and spare machine to pick up the task for a much cheaper price, but I don't have such a PC that can put up to the task 24/7, the same goes with a 2TB or even 3TB hard drive, and POE switch, all which would have had to been purchased separately--all in turn would have put me up in the $400-$600 range or even high as well.
The NVR I was most intrigued by was the Amcrest NV4108E which would have allowed me to use cameras with limited third-party ONVIF support, but the word limited caught me by surprise and left me in speculation. A system which was built for versatility but was greatly crippled by its software developers. I have four wireless Amcrest POE 1080p cameras, used for indoors only.
The Swann NVR SRNVR-87300 / SRNVR-87400 (essentially a Hikvision-rebrand) are apparently both well-built NVR's, but are only limited to a select number of Swann cameras. Both NVR's are essentially the same, but what sickens me that the developers coded each NVR model number to work with a specific range of Swann camera model #'s. i.e. using the 87300 NVR would only support and 3MP cameras and less whereas the 87400 NVR 4MP camereas and less. Their customer service claims the NVR's may be able to support third party cameras (like Hikvision), but somewhere on the NVR specs, it lists uncompatible with ONVIF cameras.
I would have liked to buy Hikvision / Dahua cameras separately via Aliexpress, but the warranty is something I'd like to have. Both Amcrest and Swann have their pros and cons here. I'm not brand-loyal by any means. Even if I have to go with Swann for outdoor use, I should be able to use Tiny Camera Pro and other apps for live-monitoring purposes (to consolidate my camera viewing purposes)
Are there any alternatives? Or decide between Amcrest and Swann?
I had a set budget ($200-$300), but upon further research and experimenting with cheaper alternatives, my budget for a surveillance system easily exceeded upwards to $400-$600.
I could have used Blue Iris Software and spare machine to pick up the task for a much cheaper price, but I don't have such a PC that can put up to the task 24/7, the same goes with a 2TB or even 3TB hard drive, and POE switch, all which would have had to been purchased separately--all in turn would have put me up in the $400-$600 range or even high as well.
The NVR I was most intrigued by was the Amcrest NV4108E which would have allowed me to use cameras with limited third-party ONVIF support, but the word limited caught me by surprise and left me in speculation. A system which was built for versatility but was greatly crippled by its software developers. I have four wireless Amcrest POE 1080p cameras, used for indoors only.
The Swann NVR SRNVR-87300 / SRNVR-87400 (essentially a Hikvision-rebrand) are apparently both well-built NVR's, but are only limited to a select number of Swann cameras. Both NVR's are essentially the same, but what sickens me that the developers coded each NVR model number to work with a specific range of Swann camera model #'s. i.e. using the 87300 NVR would only support and 3MP cameras and less whereas the 87400 NVR 4MP camereas and less. Their customer service claims the NVR's may be able to support third party cameras (like Hikvision), but somewhere on the NVR specs, it lists uncompatible with ONVIF cameras.
I would have liked to buy Hikvision / Dahua cameras separately via Aliexpress, but the warranty is something I'd like to have. Both Amcrest and Swann have their pros and cons here. I'm not brand-loyal by any means. Even if I have to go with Swann for outdoor use, I should be able to use Tiny Camera Pro and other apps for live-monitoring purposes (to consolidate my camera viewing purposes)
Are there any alternatives? Or decide between Amcrest and Swann?
pfmg
Well-known member
The Swann stuff at that price is pretty good for basic surveillance. I have used a couple different versions of their setups, never a failure, and great image quality. I run one at my home right now. The downside is the software. Working right off the NVR it's not bad, however remote and off the IPad is another story, it's not very good for anything other thank looking at live images.
However, I will say I'm a tough critic, I'm use to using high end systems in work, with phenomenal software. The last 8 camera system we had installed was close to $30K. $6K of that was the NVR and software alone.
However, I will say I'm a tough critic, I'm use to using high end systems in work, with phenomenal software. The last 8 camera system we had installed was close to $30K. $6K of that was the NVR and software alone.
Basic surveillance is all I need, I also tried Z-modo's and Sannce's POE systems, the Sannce is too expensive for no reason, and I hear that their firmware allows the system to be exploited and transmits information to China. Z-modo on the other has sabotaged their business, by essentially paralyzing their own hardware via firmware updates over the years. I can't find any POE systems from Lorex and LaView seems to have mixed reviews.
It really boils down between Amcrest and Swann. Based on the consensus so far, it appears that Swann is the way to go.
Its too bad we have limited choices as virtually everything sold here in the US is usually modified and sold through proprietary settlements, from phones to cars, as well as basic surveillance systems. And all for the sake of warranty.
The cameras are expensive themselves for a basic system. Amcrest and Foscam are apparently separate entities but some still perceive them as being the same. They seem to have a pure business approach as it becomes difficult to contact their customer service at times. Whereas, its always usually possible to get in touch with some at Swann.
I hope there is a way to integrate both indoor-Amcrest cameras and outdoor-Swann cameras into one surveillance system. But they both have limited ONVIF support and if at all.
Are you all able to use third-party Android / iOS apps for for viewing the Swann cameras on phone, tablet, or PC?
It really boils down between Amcrest and Swann. Based on the consensus so far, it appears that Swann is the way to go.
Its too bad we have limited choices as virtually everything sold here in the US is usually modified and sold through proprietary settlements, from phones to cars, as well as basic surveillance systems. And all for the sake of warranty.
The cameras are expensive themselves for a basic system. Amcrest and Foscam are apparently separate entities but some still perceive them as being the same. They seem to have a pure business approach as it becomes difficult to contact their customer service at times. Whereas, its always usually possible to get in touch with some at Swann.
I hope there is a way to integrate both indoor-Amcrest cameras and outdoor-Swann cameras into one surveillance system. But they both have limited ONVIF support and if at all.
Are you all able to use third-party Android / iOS apps for for viewing the Swann cameras on phone, tablet, or PC?
pfmg
Well-known member
Basic surveillance is all I need, I also tried Z-modo's and Sannce's POE systems, the Sannce is too expensive for no reason, and I hear that their firmware allows the system to be exploited and transmits information to China. Z-modo on the other has sabotaged their business, by essentially paralyzing their own hardware via firmware updates over the years. I can't find any POE systems from Lorex and LaView seems to have mixed reviews.
It really boils down between Amcrest and Swann. Based on the consensus so far, it appears that Swann is the way to go.
Its too bad we have limited choices as virtually everything sold here in the US is usually modified and sold through proprietary settlements, from phones to cars, as well as basic surveillance systems. And all for the sake of warranty.
The cameras are expensive themselves for a basic system. Amcrest and Foscam are apparently separate entities but some still perceive them as being the same. They seem to have a pure business approach as it becomes difficult to contact their customer service at times. Whereas, its always usually possible to get in touch with some at Swann.
I hope there is a way to integrate both indoor-Amcrest cameras and outdoor-Swann cameras into one surveillance system. But they both have limited ONVIF support and if at all.
Are you all able to use third-party Android / iOS apps for for viewing the Swann cameras on phone, tablet, or PC?
No, you have to use the swann app, which is okay for viewing live, but ***** if you want to search back