Fifth Dahua Camera and I cannot get this one to initialize...

Noober

Getting the hang of it
Jan 1, 2024
55
36
USA
I have a router I'm using just for the purpose of trying to get this camera to initialize since it has a 192.168.1.1 gateway address and reserves IPs from 168.1.100 onward so that it shouldn't have any conflicts or issues with the default 192.168.1.108 address. Nothing else is connected to the router other than my computer via WiFi. The camera is wired in.

So I put my new EmpireTech SDT8C842-8P-FA-APV-0280 2×1/1.8" CMOS 8MP 42x camera up on a mount and wired it up via POE. It powers up. The router sees it with a 192.168.1.108.

The IPConfig tool (running on Mac) sees it as initialized. I click on initialize and leave the IP address info the same, put in a username and password, uncheck the email section, uncheck the two boxes for auto checking updates and such, and then it shows the screen with "initialization in process", the camera details below that, and then a "finish" button at the bottom. After a few moments the "initialization in progress" at the top goes away, a little orange triangle for "network timeout" shows up next to the camera, and the camera starts cycling on and off like it's stuck in a reboot. The light turns off, then turns on, the camera moves a little bit and then rinse and repeat. Light goes out, then comes back on, moves around a bit. But it never initializes.

If I try to go to 192.168.1.108 nothing comes up. Why isn't the firmware just available out of the box? This initialization process always frustrates me. It's always a pain as it has been for the other four Dahua cameras and usually, for whatever, reason, if I do it a hundred times one time it will finally work. But so far no such luck on this expensive camera that I'd really like to use...

Thanks for any help if there is something I'm missing on this process.
 
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How is it powered?

This camera needs more power, it needs POE++ (802.3bt) which is 60W, which is double a POE+ (30W) or 4 times a POE (15W)

What you are describing sounds like it is starved for power.

If that wasn't it and you are providing the right power, then try a factory reset.
 
Andy pointed out that my POE switch doesn't provide POE++ power for this camera, so I guess I'll start there.

We're using a AETEK C11-042-30-065 which apparently doesn't supply enough juice.
 
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How is it powered?

This camera needs more power, it needs POE++ (802.3bt) which is 60W, which is double a POE+ (30W) or 4 times a POE (15W)

What you are describing sounds like it is starved for power.

If that wasn't it and you are providing the right power, then try a factory reset.
You just beat me to it. Yeah, Andy concurs. Time for me to order a new POE switch!
 
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Nobody wants to run another cable out to their camera. It'd be cleaner to just get an 802.3bt PoE injector for $30-40 USD if a PoE switch of appropriate spec is too expensive.
Plenty of capable PoE switches here: Ubiquiti Store
And it is really hard to beat their PoE injectors too: UniFi PoE++ Adapter (60W) - Ubiquiti Store
 
I found a cheaper switch with poe++, albeit it is managed:


Buyer beware though. Although your camera does say it requires poe++, it'sa bit close with a stated max of 58w vs the 60w POE++ max per port. I believe that switch has a capability of 4x60 + 4x30 (lthough note the overall power budget is 230w so not all those ports can be used at those levels but rather a combo of up to 230w (again my experience of electronics, never max anything out for longetivity)). Not a lot of headroom per port at 60w although it's unlikely the camera will be maxxed often or if at all.

That's 1 expensive camera btw. Be impressed to see some pics when you finally have it up and running.