The android phone app is rubbish. After spending hours using the QR code and 2 domains of passwords reinstall app 2 it worked for 1 day the failed again. DON'T BUY.
Rubbish quality and unhelpful customer service trouble shooting when you call them they hang up on you even they trained installer no experience and take the money never come back to fix an issue I don't recommend anyone to buy this cheap quality Show details
has to be the worst customer service every engaged with! Their English is 'pigeon' at best, and they can't thinkj for themselves to help. Unless it's in the script
Follow-up · over a month later, still no resolution, no response and no phone call. I still cannot access the security systems. Absolute waste of space!
Reviews with attachments
Worst service I'm a technician and they wasting our and customers time . really disappointed. nothing to describe that's terrible service, waiting for their support for more then 1hr.
No Playback. Cameras not working. Fire alarms not working – Hik-vision sent an installer to my home to put up a security system and fire alarms. Playback didn't work. Fire alarm was put over the stove, so we couldn't cook without the alarm going off. Read the attachments to see the extent of the problems we have.
- +2
Seriously, not very user friendly, not even the Installers – The first opportunity to use recorded material was when we had a delivery driver DROP a package and leave. Inside were four glass vases, one of which was broken. We had a perfect recording of the incident, in 8k (Model DS-7608NI-12/8P) but no matter what we did, we could not download the file. Not to a hard drive, not to a USB, not to a SD card,… Read more
no way. FOR SEVEN hours I played with the unite ending up using my phone to record the incident and send it to the carrier company.
The second opportunity, and the reason, after over six months of using the Hikvision, we saw a man coming on the property, checking out the cars, then spotting the camera. HE LOOKED RIGHT AT THEM! GREAT, yes? no. This time I had a friend help me and nix, nada, nein, niet. Unfortunately, my phone recording of the TV was not good enough.
So, I called AET, the company who installed the unit and said, "Any problems, any issues, just call us and we will help." I called, and they would not help. The person who sold me the unit has moved on and ought not have made that promise. They can send a technician out ~$200 but no, no help over the phone to see if I am doing something wrong.
All right, so I wrote an email to Hikvision, 'techsupportau@hikvision.com' including all the information they wanted and there was a lot, and nothing, nada, etc. I filled in the Hikvision online form and so far, nix, nothing.
So, of the some $3500 we spent on seven cameras, 3T hard drive, installation, and base unit, I reckon we got the value of seven good dummy cameras, valued at ~$700, which gives me the one-star rating.
I am incredibly PEEVED at ADT for recommending this unit and utterly devastated that as a pensioner, I have wasted so much money, a month's pension, in fact. ADT want's more money to get the thing working and Hikvision, well, great WEB page, but utterly no response. Looking at the other feedback her, I am not alone.
Shame ADT! Shame Hikvision
Great product. App works perfect for live feed – After doing research, I finally went with HIKVision NVR and 4K Darkfighter cameras. Camera quality is fantastic and the even without the IR, the night vision works really good. See attached photo. The NVR is easy to setup and the app lets you watch live feed in your mobile. Great product.
HIKVISION 8CH 4K NVR DVR DS-7608NI-I2/8P 8 POE CCTV SECURITY HARD DRIVE – I purchased from EBay on the 22 November 2018 Transaction ID: 76R81129P22469106 Item Number: 173616589160 Hikviion 4K UHF 8ch NVR DS-7608NI-K2/8P 8 POE Ports CCTV 2 YEAR WARRANTY After trying to connect the internet to the base unit and putting in Network settings, setting alarm settings, motion detection areas. It then came up with it need to… Read more
re boot the system, so l put the button to re boot it. The system shut itself down and after a minute or so started back up again. After that the main menu had disappeared
Without the main menu, l can no longer set any camera settings, No Internet / Networking settings, cannot add cameras, No Maintance settings, No Alarm setting
l bought a Hikvision model that was advertised with a two year warranty, lve had this unit for 11 months and its crap. The seller wont answer my email, Ebay wont give me the address to send it back for privacy reasons and lm left with a piece of crap that doesnt work
Whats the good of a warrant if the company sell the products cant even fix the problem, l am about to tie a rope to it and sell it as a boat anchor
In-depth reviews
TLDR They lack customer service and after sales support. Hikvision seems impossible to deal with. I purchased a house with a Hikvision intercom and the previous owners will not give out the password. There is no physical reset button to do a factory restore that way. I did the online ticket for tech support, and received a useless copy paste… Read more
reply that didn't address the password reset at all.
First call had me on hold for 30 minutes telling me I "Was number 1 in queue" only to say they have no one available to take my call and hang up. 2nd call was the only helpful person who sent me the password reset information email.
I followed the emails instructions and watched the YouTube video tutorial and sent in what they ask for. It states you will get a reply in 5-15 minutes. I have received absolutely nothing all 3 times. As a "security feature" at midnight each night some code changes so you need to re-do the password reset each time they fail to respond by midnight.
Be better Hikvision
BEST OF THE BEST – I used HIKVISION and I tell you why I prefer this brand over other brands 1 - Perfect Cyber Security 2 - On your App when you make an account and Scan QR code no one access to Cameras .ONLY YOU can. ON DAHUA CAMERAS, THE NAUGHTY INSTALLERS CAN SEE YOUR CAMERAS. There are some ways to not let your installer see your cameras. On Hikvision brand,… Read more
even if Installer knows the password he/she cant see your cameras.
3 - Quality of Hilook cameras are amazing, Budget price and amazing quality.
4 - Your installer will have more REMOTE CONFIGRATUIN access, and you can give permission to your installer for 1 hour or permanent permission. You can revoke permission any day any time . Any activity your installer does, you get notification on your App.
5 - All brands have technical issues it terms of Online connection so dont be worry about that. Some times fast speed some times low speed, its not a big deal
6 - Hikvision has couple of branches in Sydney and Australia for more warranty
7 - DONT BUY FROM EBAY NEVER EVER. Fake products with Hikvision Lable.
8 - Use licensed installer for future reference and warranty. ask them to activate microphone and all relevant features
9 - HILOOK Version of Hikvision is amazing. its more than enough. other models of Hikvision are good but more expensive.
Great system, easy to use, Hikvision Turret Cameras look good. Very happy – Reading some of these reviews, I am puzzled by the negative reviews. I can only put it down to a bad installation. Following a theft at our neighbour's house, we contracted Sunstate Security in Brisbane to install Hikvision surveillance cameras (4channel NVR with a 3TB HDD) around the house and in the garage and a HDD for recording and… Read more
playback. This was all linked to a small 10 inch tablet fitted to the wall as well as the television (with the HDD fitted neatly below it) for live viewing and easy playback. We incorporated a front door bell station with live viewing and audio. Their technicians (Ryan and Kobi) spent most of the day setting it up and they were courteous and very helpful and patient. We are elderly so it was important that this was easy to use, which it is. It is also great to be able to check upstairs if we have been forgetful about closing the garage door or turning off lights downstairs or outside. It was easy to download the App on my iPhone which allows us to see what is happening when away from home. An important consideration to us was that there would be no visible cables inside. We are still wondering how they managed to achieve this in some places but the time they spent in the roof space might explain this. A great job.
Recent reviews
Zero stars. Good luck getting technical help. I have been calling for a week and staying on hold for almost an hour saying i was number 1 in the queue and then hanging up on me. Asking for me to leave my details to get a call back which never happens. Show details
Horrid company to work with. Purchased Door Station, Keypad to work with my indoor unit (Failed) Could detect in the software but couldnt get them working propperly. Purchased new camera, new Screen (Same serial number) from the subdivision, many calls to a disinterested support line later I find out equipment is region locked. Its the same gear,… Read more
but cant be used due to region changes (I assume to do supply agreements). Punish the retailers selling out of region, not the consumers!
I relented and purchased locally to fit the bracket. Still cant get the units to work together propperly, Issues with PoE, Issues with WiFi connections, Just the most worthless crap on the market. Buy literally anything else. Im going to find a Dahua solution.
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Please do not buy HikVision products.. the company insist the user to buy from certain resellers (who make a good margin) and does not provide warranty from the same products bought online.. This is not a great practice by the company.. User should be allowed to buy from any online reseller so can get a good price on the product. Limiting the… Read more
reseller will create a monopoly and products will be sold at a higher price. Stay away from this company....
Poor service – A arranged for someone to come out and give a quote for security cameras and a intercom. Over a month after the person came out, I'm still waiting on the quote. I emailed the company and I quote "we are currently booked up for 4 weeks. We can't access you at this point in time." If this is the service before getting my money, I would hate to experience what it's like after.
No Support – My NVR has the no link error, technical support are of no assistance. I was instructed by HK Vision to engage a security contractor. This will cost more than a new unit, in the bin it goes.
Don't be fooled – I have been installing and supporting Hikvision Cameras for around 6 years now. Working in the IT field for over 20 years, specialising in networking, naturally I became interested with IP cameras. Immediately after the first time I had the to opportunity to play with a Hikvision IP camera i was hooked.... things took off from there. At first… Read more
the incessant crashing of their badly written software for the desktop, and buggy phone app were tolerable, due to my interest and love for technology.... I was quite willing to put up with the constant dropouts and unexplainable issues that plagued every single installation and camera setup I was involved with. I won't go into detail as the list of ongoing issues that plague this brand of Camera would be too long. Take into account the security issues that have arisen and the shear p*ss poor response and and don't give a damn resolutions that come from Hikvision, in response.... I often wonder why I continue involving myself with these products. I guess over time these things really wear you down until that day when you reach a point when you just can't handle the mediocrity of a product and it's manufacturer. I've just ripped down my eight Hikvision camera setup at my residence and put them all into the rubbish! I never want to look at or work on a Hikvision product again. If there were an option for 0 stars, i would select it
After Sales Service – System needed a full reset after being tampered with. Issues with the cameras coming back online. Tech support provided clear instructions and pdfs to help. They even did a remote login to the system. Great after sales service. Highly recommend with service like this. Show details
Hikvision is really helpful – I've written this review else where but I truly did have a great experience with Hikvision. I called because my cameras were offline and the customer service was so great. A nice young man named James walked me through everything I needed. I'm really appreciative of the service. They were not automatically trying to upgrade me or make me spend any money. They took the time to help me diagnose and solve the problem. Show details
Unprofessional sales and management – The most unprofessional management i have seen in a business. I have been talking and calling them since tow weeks and they have been shooting from one to another ones finally their regional manager/distributor spoke to me last week and said somebody from my city will contact me and it has been another week no words from them. How can one trust them and their words??? Show details
Poor product and NO CUSTOMER after SERVICE – My alarm system developed a couple of what would be simple things to fix. After calling there 1300# and then being diverted to God knows where and getting the brush off, I tried the other 1300# for the distributor, same brush off and total lack of care. I then tried by e-mail, same brush off. No one wants to own it. That is typical of so called… Read more
"customer service" from products from China. Take homes: Unless its something like "socks" and you don't care that only last 6months....Do not, do not, do not be fooled into buying high-ticket items of any type from China if you can avoid it. This isn't the first fail I've had. Alarms are high-ticket and important. Go with a reliable brand, local, with adequate customer back-up service. Hik Vision is waste of very good money. Be alerted, don't even think about them as a reliable product/company.
hik vision 4k home security system. 6 months and the power supply failed – was advised by the installer that hikvision is the best! I spent '$3700 on 4 cameras with installation. wow i waited 3 weeks for power supply part to arrive. there is no customer service in Australia. the contact details are overseas, and when I finally got thru they couldn't understand English. so they said we will email you. they didn't! My advice is just buy a 'Swann security system' Show details
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Definitely not user friendly – Very awkward to watch playback. Video drops out. No fast forward. If something happens over 24 hour period, you need to watch 24 hours of video. Show details
Terrible cstomer service – I recently (Feb 2023) installed a "latest & greatest" Hik vision 5 camera acusense/clourvu system for my home. The camera quality and functionality is excellent, the app is terrible. The video playback on both app and NVR from camera recorded events stopped working after 14 days. I contacted the installer who referred me to Hik Vision Oceania… Read more
customer support who give me the email run around claiming the product codes are not recognized in the Oceania region! I've had another local security company out, and they can't fix the problem even after 3 hours of trying, including contacting Hik Vision for a fix. I reboot the system and the camera record function works for 12 hours then faults out again. Terrible, looks like I'll have to replace the system with another brand, as no use having CCTV if it doesn't record. A costly lesson learned.
Worst cameras out – These camera's constantly loose detection and it's a pity they didn't come with a hard copy of the user manual. I've had the installer back as I completely lost the 3 out of 6 camera's showing no data. Would not recommend Show details
AVOID AT ALL COSTS – They only get 1 star because it wont allow me to leave it empty with zero. We spent over 3 grand on a 8 camera system with NVR, 4K feed etc. It was the bomb for maybe the first month, but after that and for the majority of the last five years we've had it the various issues go on and on: -HDMI feed to the TV doesnt work -Constantly tryign to… Read more
download a new HikVision App that seems less sh!t than the others to actually stream a feed remotely. -Forget wanting to do playback, dont even dream about recording playback. -The only way I've had access to the system settings was via the IP remote login which has now needed a firmware upgrade, as a result of this it has now lost the cameras on the system and cannot reload them no matter what I've tried even manually plugging them back into the NVR.
Absolutely, do not under any cirumstances, waste your time or money on HikVision.
Cameras go offline – I had Hikvision cameras installed by ADT a few years ago. At the time I had a quote from another installer who was highly recommended by friends, but was more expensive so I went with ADT. The cameras occasionally go off line for no apparent reason, meaning I don't have the coverage and security I paid for. Previously it's required a service… Read more
call by ADT, at considerable expense. This time ADT suggested I try Hikvision, and gave me the number to call. The connection was very poor, as was the technician's English, but I provided my email address and he sent me instructions to download some software called SADP. It took a lot of finding on the website but eventually I was able to download it. When I double-clicked on the desktop icon a note popped up that said "SADP is already running". No help at all so I deleted it (the yes/no confirmation button is in Chinese (Korean?) but I guessed correctly). I called back and the same technician sent a link to an American video which said to do the same thing. Again, it didn't work. So after hours of frustration and weeks without cameras ADT is coming to do a service call. I'm now waiting for a call to set a time but from previous experience, that could be weeks away. I should have gone with the more expensive option - at this rate I'm eating up the savings in service costs, and can't use the product I paid for.
The warranty run around still continues – I have managed to get a response from the global office (even got a case number) and they directed back to the Australian office who have totally ignored (nil response) my numerous contact attempts to both sales and tech support- and all I want to know is the manufacture warranty period Show details
Such a terrible product – I had swannview at my old home, instaled this HIK cameras at my new place. Can't tell how frustrated I am. Please avoid at all costs. There are much better products out there. App is useless, video quality is appalling, there are always security warnings when you go to website, cant even perform simple things on app like changing time, download clips, etc etc Show details
Great products, Great support – I have been using Hikvision products for many years and will continue for many more. From the basic range to the high end, the product just works. I have recently deployed the new solar cameras on a rural property and wow.. Its amazing!!
NVR was bricked after their firmware failed...now they wont help – Rubbish company...to fix a firmware issue with any other device I own has been simple...these clowns make it impossible to fix yourself. Reminds me of the McDonalds's ice-cream machine scam. Show details
Half baked products - don't waste your money – I have hikvision CCTV, intercom and recently used their ezviz also. Everything that I have used so far are all half baked. I have recently upgraded from kb8112 to kb8113. while it is has improved, a lot of basic things are not working properly. Some configurations are not persistent. Keeps on reverting to default config, night video image is so… Read more
bad. Looks good with WDR enabled but then it switches back to disabled for whatever reasons. Disabled motion detection but then it re-enables itself again at some point for some reasons. I have bought ezviz for interior cameras. Motion detections is so sensitive even if sensitivity is already set to 0 to a point that when it switches form day to night mode an alarm is triggered. Pan/Tilt function works but the speed function that does not do anything. Support form this company is basically nothing. Not much point contacting the supplier, all they say is hopefully it will get fixed in the next upgrade.
I'm also using their software iVM-4200 and HikConnect. If I list all the flaws and basic usability functions and reliability issues, it will probably not fit here.
Check other products before buying Hikvision. For me it is too late and will cost a lot money to replace everything but I may still have to do that once I have a bit to spare because I am over this crap.
Excellent bullet proof system but not user friendly for setup – I have a 16 channel HIKVision NVR and multiple IP 8MP (4K) POE cameras mostly DS-2CD2385 turrets with 2.8mm lens (glazed over yet?). The NVR is a proprietary server based on linux and very stable, it came without hard drives (my choice) and I installed two but opted to use them as serial storage rather than local backup in mirror mode. And that is… Read more
because even with the very good compression of H265 (in this case proprietary) a lot of storage is needed. And that is because the movement activation is completely fooled by foliage movement. I gave up and set high resolution, low frame rate, always on. The system works on a subnet with the main ethernet cable heading off to the main house router and thence the internet. The cameras all hook up via ethernet cables to individual ports on the back of the NVR (network video recorder). They are powered by the server (12Volt, about 5 watts per camera) so no other power cable is needed just the ethernet cables for the camera, the cable for the server and the one for the monitor. All the cameras are in a single subnet (DHCP by server, hey it is linux) and can only be seen by viewing the local server or the internet server (?in China) for which HIKVision supply a nice little iOS and Android app (HIK-Connect via their own website as the US has restricted them because of affiliation with Chinese PLA 2 years after I purchased) that works a treat. It works locally and from the internet when we are out and about. I found that my ethernet cable between the home router and the server is not quite up to Gigabit rate and I have had to settle for 100Mb. I think this is the cable and will be replacing it with a higher rated one. I had to turn off auto sensing on both router and server. Sound (two cameras) works well. Picture is 4K and beautiful. We have not had to get much video off the system but when we did, we were in Europe and able to get high quality clips for the local police and to them in an hour. I opted not to use PTZ or zoom lens. On the rare occasion I need zoom I just use digital enlargement (so less resolution but adequate for my purposes like detecting what killed the chicken at daybreak across the yard, what is knocking down the pot plants). Setup is not for the faint of heart. It does step you through setting up the drives. Installation of cameras is as simple as plugging the ethernet cables in, the machine does the rest. Be careful to buy an english language based system or know how to speak Chinese. The menu is good and the video output has been to a series of screens that have died due to being always on and old to start with. I found if I turned the screen off ("headless") then I had to reboot to get the image back on screen. Access to the main server is really only available with an ancient plug in to IE (windows) and not secure or locally at the server. The phone app is however fine for most use. If you wish it can connect to an alarm system. I would not recommend it for exterior cameras (false alarms I expect as decreasing the sensitivity needed to be extreme) and do not like using interior ones much except in the roof space. I would think they would be very good for commercial enterprises with their own security departments/needs. I have now had the system 3.5 years, have added and moved cameras, used them to pursue possum roof entry (inside and outside views) as well as more normal fixed locations, and had no issues yet. Hard drives break down of course and I expect to have to replace everything. As I put the hard drives in, I expect to put in the replacements when the time comes. Given the cheap nature of the equipment, I did not expect any significant support from HIKVision. I do not pay a subscription and did not buy all my parts from one supplier. I have only had one negative experience in purchasing and that was an online purchase where a bait and switch was attempted. However I did not accept any substitutes and was refunded. There is a lot of advice in forums and video how to's which helped me and I have kept things simple(ish). Would I buy them again? Yes. Is there another brand I would consider? Ubiqiti have a good rep too but substantially more expensive and less resolution. Are they suitable to buy secondhand? No as the NVR and all the cameras are registered to the main company site. I would expect for security reasons they would not allow ownership change for external access (I support this wholeheartedly, insecure camera systems can be used by the ethically challenged against the owners).
Hikvision DS-KB6403-WIP Wi-Fi Video Doorbell – Out of all the wifi-camera doorbells I had reviewed, this one had less bad reviews and also didn't force a monthly subscription service on the consumer. It doesn't come without pain mind you. The instructions to install and set up the camera are good. The software is a little unintuitive and although the manual will tell you to download from… Read more
Google Play Store, you'll have to actually go to their website via a web browser on your mobile phone and I'll give you the link to save you clicking around.
https://appstore.hikvision.com/
You'll want to download the application called "Hik-Connect - for End user".
There are some Youtube videos that will help you set up the application too.
The cons are: I had to buy a wifi extender as the doorbell unit was outside the thick wall of my house and the modem is three rooms away. I bought a P-LINKAC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender from The Good Guys for $157.00 and located it right behind the wall in the gym. Actually, the wifi extender is better than my router. The extender or router you use will need a 2.4 Ghz signal which goes through walls much better than a 5G signal.
Ensure you have the latest software update which will be V1.4.62 build 180515 or later. Prior to this version my Samsung S8 phone couldn't register someone ringing the doorbell. With some research I found this wasn't so much a Hikvision issue as a Google Android issue with their Doze feature. Once the upgrade came through the phone started picking up the doorbell being pressed and I could talk to the person at the door.
The application must be open on your phone for it to register calls otherwise it won't be available to receive the doorbell ringing. This just requires you to open the app and leave it running in the background. Can run the battery flat a bit faster.
The Share feature allows me to share the doorbell with my wife's phone, also a Samsung S8. She can receive notifications that there is movement detected at the front door but can't receive when someone presses the bell. Even with update V4.11.0.1204 this feature still doesn't function for her.
One time so far the doorbell unit got stuck at "Platform not registered" For this I had to reset the unit and reconnect the platform. This sounds worse than what it was albeit an inconvenience. I had to remove the cover, press the reset button for 15 seconds that rebooted the phone. When it came back online I scanned the wifi settings on my mobile and it reconnected. I didn't have to add any other details as they were in the software on my phone.
This all sounds like a big pain but generally the doorbell works as a doorbell should, it maintained connection for quite some time before I had to reset it and it may have been a short power outage that contributed to this.
Check for new versions of the software every now and then within the About part of the mobile application.
OMG!!! The 'tech support' person hung up on me before I got a word in. What sort of company is this!!!!??
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