@bigredfish - Can you verify if the dark tint model will see supplemental IR (850 Nm) can be 'seen' by this camera? I haven't seen a spec sheet anywhere that verifies what wavelength this camera uses, 850 nm or 940 nm. Thanks.
Review-SD4A425DB-HNY 1/2.8" CMOS 4MP 25x Starlight Auto-tracking MiniPTZ
- Thread starter looney2ns
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That would be great, if you could do this. Thanks, again.
OfficerD00fy
Getting the hang of it
What are peoples night settings for both Colour and Black/White. For both I get ghosting to the point the person becomes invisible.
This camera, more than any other I have seen, takes a long time to dial in and since no people have the same field of view and light, it is really a challenge to provide a good starting point.
The usual stuff to start with still applies - try shutter no slower than 1/60 and keep NR as low as possible. But it is a lot of trial and error for your field of view. And a recognition that you may have to pull back the effective distance you would like to see good quality. My other PTZ on the ideal MP/sensor ratio has an effective ID quality range at night at least 3 times further away than this one.
But because this camera is on the less than ideal MP/sensor ratio with a weaker IR, it is a struggle to get good night vision quality.
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^^^^^^
This
Daytime is pretty easy, but with such weak IR and small sensor, nighttime is a challenge without adding external light (IR or white)
This
Daytime is pretty easy, but with such weak IR and small sensor, nighttime is a challenge without adding external light (IR or white)
I have a street light at the end of my driveway so no problems at night.
Chokolinho
Getting comfortable
Chokolinho
Getting comfortable
Chokolinho
Getting comfortable
At that price, I had to grab the cameras right away. Cheaper than my 5442-Ase-S2.
Would love to see a day and a night video with movement. This is what I have and have thought about replacing this cam with that one.
Ok I got some quick samples.
Verdict on IR- It can see 850nm from the 5442's mounted by his garage
Here's the scene so you know what to look for.
Unfortunately I couldnt get a hold of him to kill the garage carriage lights, but I was still able to prove the PTZ saw the 5442's IR
Both 5442's are running in color as the carriage lights allow it
1) Far side 5442 - notice the 5442 light up. This is me switching it to B&W/IR Manual
View attachment ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410210627_20260410210640.mp4
And the same camera, when I turn the IR OFF
View attachment IRTEST-ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410210659_20260410210711.mp4
#2 - Close side 5442 - watch the white vehicle, you'll see when the IR of the 5442 is turned OFF
View attachment ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410210952_20260410211005.mp4
Verdict on IR- It can see 850nm from the 5442's mounted by his garage
Here's the scene so you know what to look for.
Unfortunately I couldnt get a hold of him to kill the garage carriage lights, but I was still able to prove the PTZ saw the 5442's IR
Both 5442's are running in color as the carriage lights allow it
1) Far side 5442 - notice the 5442 light up. This is me switching it to B&W/IR Manual
View attachment ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410210627_20260410210640.mp4
And the same camera, when I turn the IR OFF
View attachment IRTEST-ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410210659_20260410210711.mp4
#2 - Close side 5442 - watch the white vehicle, you'll see when the IR of the 5442 is turned OFF
View attachment ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410210952_20260410211005.mp4
And here's how shitty its acquiring targets at night 
Once it acquires a target it tracks fine.
This is the dark model. I'm pretty sure my original clear does better. Can't see any good reason to buy the dark model myself?
It’s like putting sunglasses on the IR
View attachment ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410205125_20260410205153.mp4
Once it acquires a target it tracks fine.
This is the dark model. I'm pretty sure my original clear does better. Can't see any good reason to buy the dark model myself?
It’s like putting sunglasses on the IR
View attachment ArmandoP2P_ch3_20260410205125_20260410205153.mp4
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Try adding IR illuminators on the area you want to watch. My SD4A is useless at night. It's either too dark or after adjusting settings so I can see, I get motion blur and the image is unusable if there's any motion. I added another camera in the area where I have the SD4A. The new camera is another PTZ with laser IR. I can point my SD4A at something 250+ feet away and not see it with just the SD4A IR on max, but if I illuminate the area with the laser IR (advertised as good for 500M, and that's accurate from what I've seen - it's amazing) from the other camera, the image on the SD4A is perfect. Bright, detailed, no motion blur. It's like an entirely different camera.
So I don't think the camera is the limiting factor, though it is technically limited by the less than ideal sensor size for the resolution. The IR just sucks and it sounds like the IR on the tinted one sucks even worse. Light the area up with IR illuminators if you can and see how it looks.
So I don't think the camera is the limiting factor, though it is technically limited by the less than ideal sensor size for the resolution. The IR just sucks and it sounds like the IR on the tinted one sucks even worse. Light the area up with IR illuminators if you can and see how it looks.
flynreelow
Known around here
- Dec 12, 2016
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Tendelux IR illuminators seem popular on this page, but I've never tried one. You can get them off amazon.
The laser IR is on this camera:
I believe that's a rebranded Hikvision DS-2DF8236I5X-AELW. Appears to be about a $2500 camera, but I found it new for $800 on ebay. They had 6 available but took it down like the day after mine shipped for a "listing error" and it showed back up a few days later for $1500 or $1600. So I got a crazy good deal on mine. If I needed another one, I'd pay the $1500 for it too. Makes all my Dahua PTZs look like toys.
Anyways, I don't know that you can get just a laser IR illuminator. I haven't seen any with a 500m range either. If you really need to see far away at night and can't add remote IR to where you need to watch, save up for a real ptz with laser IR. Seriously, the difference is unbelievable.
flynreelow
Known around here
- Dec 12, 2016
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oh damn, smokin deal on ur camera.
have you posted any videos on here of the cam, and tracking at night?
would love to see it.
Yes agree.
A $1500-$2500 PTZ does much better.
I have one at another location
This is a budget low end PTZ but still should do fine at 100-200 ft
The problem is the weak IR and apparently the same weak acquisition issues as the SD5A425
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