B54PRO-Z4E first impression

[tmxv4128]

I received delivery of a B54PRO-Z4E today and quickly put it up before the sun set. It is replacing a B54IR-Z4E S3 to monitor the end of my driveway. I have three cameras that I use for the driveway, a PTZ5A4M-25X, a 6mm Color4K-X, and this new one. I used the same settings on the new camera that I previously used with the B54IR-Z4E, except that I changed the sharpness from 42 to 22 on the new camera. Also, I had used WDR=25 on the previous camera, but I turned it off on this new one.

When I first opened the package, I was surprised at how large the new camera is. I had seen a picture of it previously, but it still looked large in person. Oh, and those wires! Lots of wires to stuff in the junction box. Here is a quick clip from the previous camera at 5pm yesterday and the new camera at 5pm today. Two things I noticed right away, the new camera has much greater dynamic range. The shadows have a lot more detail and the colors are better. The sound is also better.

It will be fun trying this out tonight. Haven’t had anyone arrested on my driveway for the past few months, so probably won’t be anything exiting this evening; but there are always cats, raccoons and possums to view. Just a note, the distance from the new camera to the end of the driveway is 60 feet.

 

[tmxv4128]

Not much happened overnight during the first test of the camera, but some raccoons decided to take a stroll. On the B54IR camera, I have found that a 0-8.33ms setting for the shutter works best for that dark area of the driveway, so that is the setting I made for the B54PRO. Again, as with the first test, I'll show a video of the B54IR first so you can compare the two cameras. A couple nights ago someone walked down my driveway, and that shows how well the B54IR works at night. It seems like the IR on the B54IR is stronger than the IR on the B54PRO. I didn't have Smart Illumination turned on--IR illumination only.

 

[tmxv4128]

I've been trying out different settings today to see which have the best effect on the image. Right now, the shadows are at their worst, so this is what I found to be optimal during this time of day (screenshot): Brightness=50, Contrast=58, Saturation=50, Sharpness=44, Gamma=40. For the exposure settings: Manual, shutter 0-2ms, gain 0-42, 3D NR=32, 2D NR=29. Here is the setting that works best, but I have never had on any other camera: Iframe interval @ 4 seconds. I don't understand why it makes such a difference from the default setting of 2 seconds, but it immediately cleaned up the image. (10,240 bit rate) More tests coming tonight (weather permitting). Fog is forecast to start rolling in at 9pm.

 

[bigredfish]

Is that the new 10/28 fw?

 

[tmxv4128]

Is that the new 10/28 fw?

I'm using the firmware that came on it: 3.146.0000000.2.R Build Date:2025-08-27

 

[bigredfish]

I have one supposedly coming so looking on with interest. Plan is to use it to catch faces on the street 45-50ft in color under my weak ass 1930's street light.
Pretty sure it uses candles or oil

 

[tmxv4128]

I have one supposedly coming so looking on with interest. Plan is to use it to catch faces on the street 45-50ft in color under my weak ass 1930's street light.
Pretty sure it uses candles or oil

Ha ha, well I think you will pleasantly surprised once you receive it. Last night I was frustrated because I couldn't make it gather as much light as the B54IR-Z4E that it replaced. Tried every setting imaginable. After experimenting during the daylight this morning and afternoon, I am beginning to believe that it doesn't behave logically (Mr. Spock reference--and note the iframe setting comment above). I read some posts today on the 54PRO thread, and they seemed to be opposite of common belief, for anyone who has experience with settings in dim lighting situations. Now I am wondering what might happen if I mess with the gain setting tonight. On all my other cameras, I have never gone over 50, but this camera seems to defy logic. Perhaps the gain is dialed in differently on this one. I shall see. I tend to believe from last night's initial testing that the firmware for this camera was set up for the novice who uses "auto/adaptive." Manual settings seemed to work a lot differently from what I was used to, which is one reason I am posting a few of my settings and changes, so that it might help others.

 

[bigredfish]

Its definitely the most finicky fw I've played with

 

[tmxv4128]

Ok, I think I have the camera dialed in fairly well for daylight. This is just before sunset (golden hour) when shadows are usually a challenge. To highlight how well this camera is doing, I think it might be helpful to compare it to some other cameras. The sun is setting in the west, so this will provide a basis to compare cameras.

 

[bigredfish]

great coverage.. I think I know that guy from a barn party in Butler PA in 1976

 

[JDreaming]

I was expecting a landmine would go off on the guy once he cross the wire there.

 

[Looksee]

Ok, I think I have the camera dialed in fairly well for daylight. This is just before sunset (golden hour) when shadows are usually a challenge. To highlight how well this camera is doing, I think it might be helpful to compare it to some other cameras. The sun is setting in the west, so this will provide a basis to compare cameras.

[youtube]tn49asbSkLw

Recheck your settings, I couldn't make out his face.

 

[Darrin Morrow]

great coverage.. I think I know that guy from a barn party in Butler PA in 1976

Couldn't afford that 12y/o bourbon then.

 

[alekk]

It appears to be doing a really good job with a broad dynamic range.

You might consider the newer firmware as it seemed to do better with highlights/shadows ... plus I found HLC=1 seemed to make a difference.

P.S. You've got some good coverage ... and appreciate the comedy with "guitar-man" ;-)

 

[Looksee]

Actually, wouldn't this be a good candidate for a video to cite when explaining about one camera not doing everything and their differences and uses?

 

[tmxv4128]

It appears to be doing a really good job with a broad dynamic range.

You might consider the newer firmware as it seemed to do better with highlights/shadows ... plus I found HLC=1 seemed to make a difference.

P.S. You've got some good coverage ... and appreciate the comedy with "guitar-man" ;-)

Yes, I have been running the 10/28 beta firmware from Andy on the T54PRO-ZE, but I figured I would try to optimize this 8/27 firmware before I make a switch. Good point on the dynamic range. I tried your suggestion of HLC=1 on the T54PRO-ZE, and it seemed to help a bit. I feel sad for that guy with the guitar. I think he lives in the creek just beyond my driveway. The 3.4 acres is up for sale for $1,200,000, so he'll probably be without anywhere to live eventually. Land for $1.2M here on the California Coast is considered a bargain.

 

[bigredfish]

Couldn't afford that 12y/o bourbon then.

Actually we got Weller 107 barrel proof in the gold lace bottle for about $40 then. Now if you can find it on secondary market it’s $5000+ If we only knew…

But you could get 1/4 lb of pot for that same $40 so guess which was more popular ?

( for those who didn’t grow up in the 70’s you missed out)

 

[CamCrazy]

Actually, wouldn't this be a good candidate for a video to cite when explaining about one camera not doing everything and their differences and uses?

Very much so, a stark reminder highlighted by the PTZ, there is no substitute for the correct focal length, regardless of megapixels. On another note it appears that @tmxv4128 has a very nice camera setup there, always good to have some overlap, especially if one might perform better at night than the others.