Dahua IPC-HDW4431EM-ASE review

[Crazykiller]

I tested the IPC-HDW4431EM-ASE for a few days now and got most light conditions to compare with the IPC-HDW4231EM-ASE. If you feel a light situation is missing, just ask for it and I'll try to get it recorded, as long as the cam will stay on my testbench.

At first the specs and unboxing of the IPC-HDW4431EM-ASE which has been kindly provided by @EMPIRETECANDY for reviewing.
You can order this cam in his shop.

The design, packaging and accessories are identical to the IPC-HDW4231EM-ASE. So if you like to see some pictures of it you could refer to this thread.

Features:
⦁ 1/3” 4Megapixel progressive scan CMOS
⦁ H.265&H.264 triple-stream encoding
⦁ 25/30fps@4M(2688×1520)
⦁ Smart detection supported
⦁ WDR(120dB), Day/Night(ICR), 3DNR,AWB,AGC,BLC
⦁ Multiple network monitoring: Web viewer, CMS(DSS/PSS) & DMSS
⦁ 2.8mm fixed lens (3.6mm,6mm optional)
⦁ Built-in Mic
⦁ Max. IR LEDs Length 50m
⦁ Micro SD memory, IP67
ePoE (Extended PoE with up to 800m)

Product Page

Datasheet

Quick Start Guide

Operating Manual

Wall mount: PFB204W

Junction box: PFA130E

Pole mount: PFA152-E


Unboxing:

The IPC-HDW4431EM-ASE came in an unobstrusive, brown box, like all the generic / OEM Cams from Dahua usually do.

The included accessories are as usual too.
⦁ Wrench to dismount / adjust the cam in it’s mount
⦁ Sticker for drilling the mounting holes
⦁ Quick start guide
⦁ Compact Disc
⦁ Screws and anchors
⦁ Waterproof connection kit for the network cable
⦁ And of course the camera

Size:

Sometimes size matters. And if it does for you, you might take a look at this model. Compared to the varifocal ones it's a tiny cam, with a diameter of 106 mm (4.17") and a height of 93,7 mm (3.69"), which might fit better in some situations or places.
https://www.dahuasecurity.com/asset/upload/download/DH-IPC-HDW4431EM-ASE_Dimension__201706263.pdf

Firmware:

The cam came with the firmware version 2.622.0000000.18.R, Build Date: 2017-11-10

 

[Crazykiller]

For testing I mounted the HDW4431EM-ASE next to the HDW4231EM-ASE at the outside of a shed in a height of 1,70m (5,6ft). The hedge at the end of the property is approximately 19m (62,34ft) away.

All settings have been left in default. In the pictures “IR On” means SmartIR.

Situation: Normal daylight with slight sun.



Situation: Sunny evening



Situation: Sunset, the 4MP switches only two minutes earlier to nightvision



Situation: Nightview, both cams with IR off



Situation: Nightview, both cams Smart-IR



Situation: Nightview, 4231 IR off, 4431 IR on



Situation: Nightview, 4231 IR on, 4431 IR off

 

[Crazykiller]

Conclusion:
As one can see, the 2MP Starlight cam is much better in low light situations, as expected.
To be honest, I expected a little more from the 4431 in daylight as I could get. The Picture of the 4431EM-ASE looks unsharp to me for about 60 percent of the upper part. I don't know if the model I got is just defocused on shipping or not adjusted well in factory. Normally the focus is fixed with a little bit glue at factory, to keep it in place...
The color saturation is very high. A mix of both cams might reflect the reality on sunny days.
With the 4MP you get some more pixels which might give you more details in daylight, if focused well. At the moment personally I'll stick with the 2MP Starlight ones, because i prefer a better nightview. For situations with enough light, e.g. Shops with allways on lights, this could be a good Option for having more details, especially if using a wide angle like this 2.8 mm lens.

 

[int]

Good review! ;-)!!

Judging from the pictures - I would also stick to the 2MP camera. No real gain going from 2MP to 4Mp it seems in this case.

INT

 

[tigerwillow1]

I'm suspecting the 4431 you got might be a "lemon". I use a mix of 2mp starlights and chinese market 4431s. You low light results mirror mine, but that daytime sharpness of that 4431 is horrible. I'm using nine 4431s. About three of them have focus issues on one side of the image, which I'm guessing is due to the sensor and lens not being in perfect alignment. The other six focus well across the entire frame and slightly beat the starlights in detail sharpness during the day. I use CBR, and do have to run the bitrate higher on the 4431s. Running at the same bitrate as the starlights, the 4431s give about the same image sharpness.

I realize I'm assuming the international 4431 uses the same sensor as the chinese market 4431. Whether correct or not, with the chinese market cameras being widely pronounced as junk, I'd expect the international version to perform at least as well.

 

[tigerwillow1]

My comments are based completely on the two pairs of daytime pictures in the first post, where the 4431's image is clearly inferior in showing details clearly. It should be at least equal to the starlight camera at high light levels. I'm looking at the grass blades, fence wire, wind turbines in the background, etc. The 4431 does have a wider FOV, but the difference is less that a simple 2.8 vs. 3.6 ratio because of the starlight's larger diameter sensor. I can't imagine the FOV being the explanation, unless it's something like 2.8mm lenses being inherently fuzzy.

 

[aDEO]

Hello guys,

What is the most up to date firmware for IPC-HDW4431EM-ASE camera? Is it still 18R as 31R has some issues with the IVS?

Thank you in advance.

 

[AILATI]

Qualcuno sa dove si può scaricare questa ultima versione del firmware ? 2.800.0000008.0.R, Build Date: 2019-06-19