UNV turret & dome cameras (4–8 MP)
Compact turrets and domes are a workhorse choice for entrances, lobbies, stairwells and interior hallways. They offer wide-angle views, decent low-light performance and vandal-resistant housings for busy buildings.
Brand profile · IP video · Video surveillance
Uniview IP cameras & NVRs for Chicago & North Shore
Uniview (UNV) is a professional video surveillance manufacturer founded in 2005 in Hangzhou, China. The company focuses on IP cameras, NVRs and video platforms and has become a common choice for value-oriented CCTV projects worldwide, especially where high resolution and analytics are needed without “big-brand” pricing.
In Chicago and across the North Shore suburbs we typically use Uniview as a flexible IP video layer for small and midsize commercial properties, warehouses and multifamily buildings – often together with Ubiquiti, Hanwha, Axis and access-control brands like Brivo, Paxton or HID.
Quick facts about Uniview
- Founded: 2005, Hangzhou, China
- Industry: video surveillance & IP cameras
- Key products: IP cameras, NVRs, VMS / client software
- Focus: high-resolution video, smart analytics and competitive pricing for professional CCTV
- NDAA: many current Uniview product lines are available in NDAA-compliant versions – we select models based on project requirements.
Where we use Uniview
- IP camera systems for small and midsize businesses in Chicago
- Multifamily and HOA camera upgrades on Chicago North Shore
- Warehouses, garages and back-of-house areas with tough lighting
- Retrofit projects where legacy DVRs need to move to modern IP
- Mixed-brand systems with Ubiquiti / Hanwha / Axis networking and professional access control
Why integrators & building owners choose Uniview
- Good image quality for the budget. Uniview delivers crisp 4MP, 5MP and 8MP video that is more than enough for entrances, parking lots and long corridors without overspending.
- Wide range of form factors. Turrets, bullets, domes, fisheyes and PTZs cover most real-world mounting scenarios on Chicago buildings and sites.
- Smart analytics options. Many models support line-crossing, intrusion, face / vehicle detection and other analytics that help find events quickly in large archives.
- NDAA-compliant product lines. Uniview maintains dedicated product ranges designed to comply with NDAA requirements, which is increasingly important for municipal, education and healthcare projects.
- Efficient compression. Modern codecs and bitrate control enable long retention on NVRs without exploding storage costs.
- Reasonable software tools. Desktop clients and mobile apps make it easier for property managers and staff to use the system day-to-day.
- Flexible integrations. ONVIF support and common RTSP/RTMP streams allow Uniview video to be integrated with third-party VMS and analytics.
- Global installer community. There is a large ecosystem of integrators, distributors and forums sharing practical tips and configs.
- Decent low-light performance. Uniview’s modern sensors and low-light series perform well in Chicago’s real-world night conditions.
- Good step-up from budget DVR kits. For sites moving away from analog DVRs and “big-box” systems, Uniview offers a cleaner, more maintainable IP path.
Uniview product families we often deploy
Uniview has a large portfolio, but in Chicago and the North Shore we focus on models that have a good track record in the field and are easy to support over the long term:
UNV bullet cameras for parking lots & perimeters
Bullet cameras with motorized lenses and IR are ideal for parking lots, alleys and loading docks. Properly placed, they cover long distances and capture details like license plates entering or leaving the property.
NDAA-compliant Uniview NVRs
Uniview NVR families designed for NDAA compliance give a clean path for projects that must adhere to procurement rules while still using UNV as the main recording platform for dozens of cameras.
Multi-sensor & panoramic cameras
For large lobbies, open parking decks and courtyards, multi-sensor cameras provide 180° or 360° coverage with fewer mounting points and a single cable run back to the network.
UNV PTZ cameras
High-zoom PTZ models are useful when staff actively monitors events in real time – for example, in garages, campuses or high-value loading areas where operators need to follow people or vehicles live.
Low-light & “full-color” lines
Uniview’s enhanced low-light series aims to keep color detail at night in streetlight or garage lighting, which is crucial for investigations in real Chicago weather and lighting conditions.
In our equipment catalog we highlight specific Uniview models that work well for Chicago and North Shore security projects and indicate which ones are best suited for long-term support and compliance-sensitive environments.
How we use Uniview in Chicago & North Shore security projects
We rarely build a “Uniview-only” system. Instead, we treat Uniview as the IP video layer inside a broader architecture that may also include:
- Ubiquiti or other network switches, PoE and gateways as the secure network core.
- Segregated VLANs for cameras, access control, intercoms and guest Wi-Fi to keep traffic predictable and secure.
- Access control platforms such as Brivo or Paxton and readers from HID.
- Video intercoms from 2N or ButterflyMX for resident and visitor entry.
- Optional integration with cloud VMS or analytics for search, alerts and long-term storage.
This approach lets us design systems that are manageable, secure and ready for growth when the building adds more cameras, doors or remote sites later.
Experienced Uniview installers for Chicago & North Shore
We follow Uniview documentation, best practices and community knowledge, and we test configurations in the lab before rolling them out on production sites. Our experience includes:
- Camera upgrades in multifamily and HOA buildings on Chicago North Shore
- Business and warehouse camera systems within the City of Chicago
- Replacing aging DVRs with modern Uniview NVRs and IP cameras while reusing existing cabling where possible
- Designing networks so Uniview systems stay isolated, secure and easy to service for years
If you already have Uniview equipment on site, we can audit the system, recommend updates, improve retention and image quality, or plan a phased migration to other platforms if your compliance requirements change.
Uniview & 7DVR.com – common questions
Do you still recommend Uniview for new projects?
It depends on the project. For many commercial and multifamily sites in Chicago and the North Shore, Uniview offers a solid balance of image quality, analytics and cost. For highly regulated or special-compliance projects we may recommend other brands or specific Uniview NDAA-compliant series.
Is Uniview NDAA compliant?
Uniview maintains product lines that are designed to meet NDAA requirements. When compliance matters, we select models from those specific lines and design the network accordingly. We will clarify this in our proposal for each project so there is no confusion.
Can you take over an existing Uniview system?
Yes. We can document the current configuration, review NVR settings, update firmware carefully and propose a clean-up or upgrade plan. In many cases we keep most of the hardware and simply improve layout, retention and usability.
Can you mix Uniview with other camera or VMS brands?
In many cases yes, especially when ONVIF or RTSP is available. We can integrate Uniview cameras into third-party VMS platforms or add non-UNV cameras to a Uniview NVR, depending on compatibility and project goals.
Do you offer free estimates for Uniview work?
Yes. We provide free estimates for new camera projects and 50% off the first service visit for new service clients who need us to diagnose or stabilise an existing Uniview system.
Can you help migrate away from Uniview if our policy changes?
Absolutely. If your organization later decides to standardise on another vendor, we can plan a phased migration – reusing cabling, network and infrastructure where possible, while keeping your site covered during the transition.