Comparison Guide
Rhombus vs Hanwha Vision
Rhombus and Hanwha Vision (formerly Samsung Wisenet) represent two different eras of video surveillance. Rhombus is cloud-native with an all-in-one subscription model. Hanwha makes traditional IP cameras and Wisenet NVRs, requiring either their WAVE VMS or a third-party platform.
Quick Answer
Hanwha Vision wins for most buyers.
Cloud-native simplicity, included AI analytics, and longer warranty.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Rhombus | Hanwha Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Model | Cloud-native all-in-one | IP cameras + NVR + VMS (WAVE) |
| Parent Company | Rhombus (independent) | Hanwha Group (Korea) |
| NDAA Compliant | Yes | Yes (most models) |
| AI Analytics | On-camera AI included | AI features vary by model tier |
| Warranty | 10 years | 3-5 years typical |
| Recording | On-camera + cloud | NVR required |
| Remote Access | Built-in cloud console | Port forwarding, P2P, or cloud add-on |
| Management | Rhombus Console (unified) | Wisenet WAVE or third-party VMS |
| Best For | Cloud-first, simplicity | Existing Wisenet fleets, retail chains |
Our Verdict
Rhombus is the better choice for businesses prioritizing cloud management and simplicity. Hanwha Vision is a reasonable choice for organizations with existing Wisenet infrastructure, long-standing NVR deployments, or specialized imaging needs.
Quick Picks
Which one should you pick?
Three buyer profiles, three answers. Pick the row that fits.
Multi-site SMB / mid-market
Pick: Rhombus
No NVR, no VMS server, no per-channel recording licenses to track. Cameras self-provision to the cloud, keep recording on-camera through internet outages, and carry a 10-year warranty.
Get a Rhombus quoteExisting Wisenet / NVR shops
Pick: Hanwha Vision
You already run WAVE or Wisenet NVRs, your per-stream recording licenses never expire, and you may need specialized imaging like multi-sensor or PTZ. Extending the existing fleet usually beats a rip-and-replace.
Talk to a camera strategistIn-house IT, design and install only
Pick: Either platform
Your team owns the console day to day. We handle camera placement, Cat6 runs, PoE budget, mounting, and commissioning on either platform, then hand over the admin credentials and as-builts.
Scope a design-only installWhy Work With Unio Digital?
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Explore Video Surveillance ServicesSources & Methodology
Specifications, pricing, and product capabilities cited on this page are sourced from public vendor documentation as of the dates shown below. Vendor product lines change quickly; verify current specs and pricing directly with each vendor before purchasing.
- Rhombus covers new and existing cameras with a 10-year warranty (legacy R1 excluded), doubling its previous 5-year coverage; Rhombus states the average security camera manufacturer offers 1, 2, or 3-year warranties. [source] · verified 2026-07-01
- Rhombus cameras are cloud-managed and keep recording to onboard storage during a network disconnection as long as the camera has power, then resync footage to the cloud once the connection is restored. Rhombus states upload bandwidth during regular camera operation is 10-30 kbps per camera. [source] · verified 2026-07-01
- Rhombus states all of its cameras are NDAA compliant because they are powered by chipsets from Ambarella, a US-based manufacturer, rather than the HiSilicon video processing chipsets used inside many video surveillance cameras. [source] · verified 2026-07-01
- Rhombus pricing pairs one-time camera hardware (R120 2MP mini dome listed at $399, R410 8MP dome at $1,499) with a required per-camera cloud license sold in 1, 3, 5, or 10-year terms; the Professional license lists at $149 per camera per year, and onboard retention varies by model and configuration (20 days on the R120, up to 120 days on the R410). [source] · verified 2026-07-01
- Hanwha's Wisenet WAVE VMS requires a Recording License for each recorded video stream: official WAVE documentation states one license enables one video stream (IP camera, RTSP stream, or HTTP link) to be recorded, and a paid Professional License does not expire. [source] · verified 2026-07-01
- Wisenet WAVE licenses are bound to the specific server they are activated on, and WAVE includes four 30-day trial licenses; servers without internet access require manual offline activation by emailing the hardware ID and license key to Hanwha customer service. [source] · verified 2026-07-01
- FAR 52.204-25, implementing Section 889 of the John S. McCain NDAA for Fiscal Year 2019, has prohibited federal agencies since August 13, 2019 from procuring covered video surveillance equipment produced by Hikvision or Dahua and telecommunications equipment from Huawei or ZTE. This federal prohibition is why NDAA compliance appears as a standard checkbox in commercial camera procurement. [source] · verified 2026-07-01