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Compatible: with caveats

Can you use a Dahua camera for daycare parent viewing?

Yes. Dahua cameras work for daycare parent viewing, and we run Dahua in production today. They're just not our first pick for new purchases: some units drop offline intermittently under on-demand streaming.

Dahua IP cameras and NVRs stream standard RTSP/ONVIF, and CareCam runs Dahua cameras in production right now. If your center already has Dahua installed, there's a good chance you need zero new hardware. CareCam's appliance pulls the streams and your NVR keeps recording as before.

The honest caveat: under CareCam's on-demand streaming, where the camera is only pulled while a parent is watching, some Dahua units intermittently drop offline, typically login lockouts at higher connection counts. Enabling the substream helps, and most Dahua setups run fine, but it's why we point new purchases to Hikvision, Anpviz, UniFi, or Hanwha instead.

Worth knowing: Amcrest is rebadged Dahua and Lorex is Dahua-built, so both share the same RTSP/ONVIF compatibility, and the same occasional quirks.

Like Hikvision, Dahua can't be purchased with federal funds under the NDAA. That doesn't affect cameras you already own; for NDAA-compliant new purchases, Hanwha and Anpviz are the recommended picks.

What we recommend

Already own Dahua? Don't replace anything. Send us your model numbers, connect them to CareCam's appliance ($349 one-time), and enable the substream; most Dahua setups run fine. Buying new for a center? Choose Hanwha (our default), Hikvision, Anpviz, or UniFi instead.

See pricingHow no-installer setup works

Check your exact camera model

Not sure about your exact model? We'll check it

Tell us the camera model(s) you own and we'll confirm by email whether they work with CareCam, and what the cheapest path is if they don't. Usually within one business day.

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Prefer to talk it through? Call or text (302) 897-4610

Dahua daycare camera FAQ

Do Dahua cameras work with daycare parent viewing?
Yes. Dahua streams standard RTSP/ONVIF and we run Dahua cameras in production with CareCam today. Some units do drop offline intermittently under on-demand streaming, so we recommend enabling the substream and telling us your models so we can confirm.
Why isn't Dahua a recommended brand for new purchases?
Under CareCam's on-demand streaming, some Dahua units intermittently drop offline, usually login lockouts at higher connection counts. Existing Dahua installs mostly run fine, but for new purchases Hikvision, Anpviz, UniFi, and Hanwha are smoother.
Can CareCam pull streams through our Dahua NVR?
Yes. Cameras on the NVR's PoE ports can be pulled through the NVR's channel streams, and your recording continues unchanged. Parent viewing is live-only and video-only.
Do Amcrest or Lorex cameras behave the same way?
Largely yes. Amcrest is rebadged Dahua and Lorex is Dahua-built, so they share the RTSP/ONVIF support and the same occasional on-demand-streaming quirks. If you own them, send us the models and we'll confirm.
Do we need new hardware or an installer?
No installer. If your Dahua cameras are on the network, you add CareCam's small pre-configured appliance (about 8 watts, $349 one-time) and enter the camera credentials. Most centers are live about a week after signing up.

Check another camera brand

Not sure what you have? Try the free compatibility checker or see the daycare camera system overview.