Choosing the right camera model for the location

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JPmedia

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Sep 11, 2024
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I have a color4M-T 3.6mm and 5442 3.6mm cameras. Looking for a suggestion where to use each. Do I use Color4M-T or 5442 for the driveway? 5442 or Color4M-T for the Cul de sac overview? I have one color4M-T and one 5442 currently. Trying to decide where to use each. The driveway has two crossing cameras currently, so I will need to purchase another of one or the other model for the driveway.

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Which ever has the most light at night would be the deciding factor. If I recall the color 4mT is not an IR cam, so that need to be in a well lit area. The 5442 would go in the darker area and utilize the IR for night security.
 
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Flintstone61 said:
Which ever has the most light at night would be the deciding factor. If I recall the color 4mT is not an IR cam, so that need to be in a well lit area. The 5442 would go in the darker area and utilize the IR for night security.
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Color4M-T has both IR and white lights. It can be run in B&W with IR and can be set up when triggered to switch to color and white light. But I would be running color 24/7 in both locations, regardless. While not ideal, there is just enough light to do so as the cul-de-sac has a streetlight, and the driveway has 7 accent lights around it.

Me personally, I think the driveway should have the two color4M-T's for the flexibility and the cul-de-sac have the 5442, but that's only my opinion
 
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I want my best camera, the one with the best image, to be the one I rely on for close in facial ID

The 5442 produces the best quality image.

Standard disclaimer:
Most any camera can produce a good image if you add enough light.
 
bigredfish said:
I want my best camera, the one with the best image, to be the one I rely on for close in facial ID

The 5442 produces the best quality image.

Standard disclaimer:
Most any camera can produce a good image if you add enough light.
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Understood, and if I didn't have anything, all 5442s would be my choice. But I have one 5442 AS 3.6mm and one Color4M-T 3.6mm in my collection. Just trying to decide the best location for each camera
 
JPmedia said:
Understood, and if I didn't have anything, all 5442s would be my choice. But I have one 5442 AS 3.6mm and one Color4M-T 3.6mm in my collection. Just trying to decide the best location for each camera
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The white light is the selling point not the image quality. I tried it and had high hopes too.

I’ve since swapped out my 4M-T for a 5442 S3 and a $20 battery operated 3000? Lumen motion floodlight at my front door
 
bigredfish said:
The white light is the selling point not the image quality. I tried it and had high hopes too.

I’ve since swapped out my 4M-T for a 5442 S3 and a $20 battery operated 3000? Lumen motion floodlight at my front door
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I just can't justify purchasing 2 new 5442s right now. $400 is a lot of green at the moment. I'd do a trade of the PTZ for a few 5442s, but I doubt I'd get any takers even with the PTZ being new/never installed.
 
I get that

What PTZ model is it again?
 
Oh yeah, I have one of those..... :rolleyes:
 
I love my wife, my daughter, and my cat

bigredfish

Thread 'PTZ5A4M-25X Tracking issues - Dahua SD5A425GA-HNR'

Having horrible tracking issues with this PTZ.

Any suggestions? I had a 6 series there for 4 years that had AWESOME tracking, but with the 1/2,8" sensor it just really began to suck in low light (and I think weather may have gotten to it)

The image on this PTZ5A4M-25X / SD5A425GA-HNR is far superior with the 1/1.8" sensor, but if it can't track better than this, it doesn't really matter

www.dahuasecurity.com

SD5A425GA-HNR - Dahua International

SD5A425GA-HNR
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
...
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bigredfish said:
I love my wife, my daughter, and my cat

bigredfish

Thread 'PTZ5A4M-25X Tracking issues - Dahua SD5A425GA-HNR'

Having horrible tracking issues with this PTZ.

Any suggestions? I had a 6 series there for 4 years that had AWESOME tracking, but with the 1/2,8" sensor it just really began to suck in low light (and I think weather may have gotten to it)

The image on this PTZ5A4M-25X / SD5A425GA-HNR is far superior with the 1/1.8" sensor, but if it can't track better than this, it doesn't really matter

www.dahuasecurity.com

SD5A425GA-HNR - Dahua International

SD5A425GA-HNR
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
...
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Did they not make a firmware update for this model addressing those issues? We're not the only ones that have those models. Not everyone has the issues, do they? The dude from Cali seems to have good luck with it.
 
I've tried 2-3 new FW's including one direct from Dahua engineers via Andy
Some improvement yes, but FW can't fix everything. They've been issuing "firmware updates" for the 54PRO series for a year....

As I say in that thread, if you have a scene relatively close in and more open, less cluttered area, it works ok much of the time out to about 200ft

I don't know who you're talking about, most of the posts with actual data and video show the same as mine

I'm using FW from 2025-08-15 there is a 4 month newer one from Jan 2026, but I dont sit around playing FW update on all of my cameras.

I'd show you a clip from today where it acquired a target human in the clear at about 75-80ft, zoomed in on her, tracked her moving slowly in the open, for about 10 seconds, and then while she's still moving, it break track for no reason and returns home.

Unfortunately, the HD in that NVR seems to be about to go to that big HD recycle place in the sky :(
 
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Mostly within 50-100 ft

And details matter. Many of his/her? Captures are manually controlled I believe..

Others are Spotters directing it to a very specific zoomed in view
 
bigredfish said:
As I say in that thread, if you have a scene relatively close in and more open, less cluttered area, it works ok much of the time out to about 200ft
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I think we may be asking too much of these cameras. The previous camera with the tracking issues this one replaced was close to $2000, yes?

I think the limitation with this model is primarily software related but may include the possibility of limited processor power/memory. Would be an interesting comparison the know how the operating specs compare between the two. The optics/imaging is better, but is it at the expense of operational functionality?

In any event, if the hardware is capable, then a software (firmware) change should be able to provide similar auto-tracking performance of the older camera. The question is, is Dahua interested in providing new firmware to correct the issue or has Dahua moved on to a different business model? Seems the latter is more likely

I'm sure someone who is familiar with these cameras and how they are engineered can write a software update for them. These people have to be out there somewhere
 
Not my first rodeo.

You get what you pay for.

I have a +$2000 PTZ that works magnificently

You're free to wait and hope Dahua turns a Malibu into a Corvette for 1/3 the money
 
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