Answers to common questions about Dahua security-management software,
product selection, video and event functions, integration and system design.
What does DSS mean?
DSS stands for Dahua Security System. It is Dahua's family of security-management software, bringing video and other supported security functions into a centrally managed environment.
What is DSS Professional?
DSS Professional is Dahua's main scalable unified security-management platform. It is intended for professional, enterprise and multi-site systems requiring central management of CCTV and, where required, other supported security functions such as access and vehicle management.
What is DSS Express?
DSS Express is aimed at smaller and medium-sized systems. It provides an entry point into the DSS environment where more structured central management is required without the scale of DSS Professional.
What is DSS Ultimate?
DSS Ultimate is Dahua's highest-level DSS platform. It is intended for large-scale and mission-critical systems requiring distributed architecture, high capacity, resilience and centralised management.
What is SmartPSS?
SmartPSS is Dahua client software rather than a DSS edition. It is used with supported Dahua equipment for straightforward local CCTV monitoring, playback and device management.
Which Dahua management platform should I use?
That depends on system size, number of sites, required resilience, integrations and operator workflow. Videcom works with SmartPSS, DSS Express, DSS Professional and DSS Ultimate and can specify the appropriate management platform as part of the overall system design.
Can DSS provide live viewing and recorded video playback?
Yes. Video monitoring and investigation are fundamental DSS functions, allowing authorised operators to work with live and recorded CCTV through the management platform.
What is DeepXplore?
DeepXplore is Dahua's intelligent investigation and search environment. Depending on the connected equipment and licensed functions, it can use video metadata and intelligent information to help operators narrow investigations and locate relevant people, vehicles or events.
Can DSS search across more than one camera?
Yes, where the selected DSS edition, licences and connected devices support the required search functions. This can allow an investigation to use information from multiple cameras rather than requiring each camera to be searched independently.
Can DSS generate alarms from camera analytics?
Yes. Supported device and analytics events can be presented through DSS so operators can investigate an event alongside the associated video.
Can different operators have different permissions?
Yes. User and role-based administration allows access to resources and functions to be controlled according to an operator's responsibilities.
Can DSS manage PTZ cameras?
Yes. Supported PTZ cameras can be viewed and controlled through the video-management environment, subject to user permissions and the capabilities of the camera.
Is DSS only a CCTV system?
No. Video is a major part of DSS, but the platform can also bring together other supported security functions such as access control, vehicle management, intercom and intelligent events.
Can DSS integrate access control?
Yes. Appropriate DSS configurations can incorporate supported access-control devices and functions alongside CCTV, providing a more unified operator environment.
Can DSS manage ANPR and vehicles?
Yes. Supported DSS configurations can include vehicle and entrance-management functions, while compatible intelligent cameras and devices can provide ANPR and vehicle information.
Can DSS work with intercom systems?
Yes. Supported video-intercom devices and functions can be incorporated into appropriate DSS deployments. Exact capabilities depend on the selected DSS edition, licences and equipment.
Can DSS integrate third-party systems?
DSS provides integration capabilities, but compatibility should be considered on a project-by-project basis. Videcom can also use its in-house software capability where a project requires additional integration between security systems or operational applications.
Can DSS combine CCTV, access and ANPR for an operator?
Yes, where the relevant equipment, DSS edition and licences support those functions. One of the main reasons for using DSS is to bring related security information into a more unified management environment.
Does DSS record the CCTV itself?
DSS is primarily the management layer. Recording can be provided by compatible Dahua recorders, IVSS infrastructure and other supported architectures depending on the project. Videcom designs the recording, storage and management architecture as one system.
What is the difference between DSS and IVSS?
DSS provides the central management and operator environment, while IVSS provides intelligent recording, storage and processing infrastructure. On larger projects they can therefore form different layers of the same overall solution.
Can DSS manage more than one site?
Yes. Multi-site management is an important capability of the larger DSS platforms. DSS Professional can be used for enterprise and multi-site deployments, while DSS Ultimate is intended for the most demanding large-scale environments.
How do I know if I need DSS Professional or Ultimate?
DSS Professional is suitable for a broad range of enterprise and multi-site systems. DSS Ultimate is intended for projects where scale, distributed architecture, data capacity, resilience or operational criticality requires the higher-level platform.
Can an existing Dahua system be upgraded to DSS?
Often, yes, although the existing cameras, recorders, network, server and storage requirements and software compatibility should be assessed first. Videcom can review an existing installation and determine what can sensibly be retained.
What is the DSS Maintenance Center?
Maintenance Center provides a consolidated view of system, server and device health, helping administrators identify problems and access useful diagnostic and status information.
Does Videcom only supply the DSS software?
No. Videcom can design and supply the complete system around DSS, including cameras, recording, storage, servers, networking, operator workstations, ANPR, access control, integration and ongoing support.
What does DSS mean?