All cameras need light. Simple physics. An 8MP on the same sensor as a 2MP will be beat all night long by the 2MP at the same location. Once you take the camera off of default settings and off of auto shutter so that you do not have ghosting and blur, you will realize how limited the cams are with too many MP...
As of right now, It is simple LOL - do not buy a 4MP camera that is anything other than a 1/1.8" sensor. Do not buy a 2MP camera that is anything other than a 1/2.8" sensor. Do not buy into the 4K hype. Soon we will hopefully see some larger sensors that can truly carry an 8MP on it, but we are not quite there yet.
The lower end cameras will use even smaller sensors like try to cram an 8MP or 4MP on a 1/3" sensor and a 2MP on the same size sensor will kick it's butt all night long.
Keep in mind, these are fractions, so 1/3" is not larger than a 1/2.8" or 1/1.8" sensor. Many people mistake it thinking 1/3" is the largest of those three.
All cameras need light. Simple physics. An 8MP on the same sensor as a 2MP will be beat all night long by the 2MP at the same location. Once you take the camera off of default settings and off of auto shutter so that you do not have ghosting and blur, you will realize how limited the cams are with too many MP...
As of right now, It is simple LOL - do not buy a 4MP camera that is anything other than a 1/1.8" sensor. Do not buy a 2MP camera that is anything other than a 1/2.8" sensor. Do not buy into the 4K hype. Soon we will hopefully see some larger sensors that can truly carry an 8MP on it, but we are not quite there yet.
The lower end cameras will use even smaller sensors like try to cram an 8MP or 4MP on a 1/3" sensor and a 2MP on the same size sensor will kick it's butt all night long.
Keep in mind, these are fractions, so 1/3" is not larger than a 1/2.8" or 1/1.8" sensor. Many people mistake it thinking 1/3" is the largest of those three.
thanks for that. I watched some youtube videos on sensors and yea 1/1.8" seems much better.
Thing is though, it is mostly the night shots that would be significantly better? Do you have picture or video comparison between 1/1.8" and a smaller sensor?
I just want to see if its worth it to go for bigger sensor for my residential purposes
When do we need the cameras to perform? At night for most of us! Almost any camera is sufficient in the daytime (almost there are still lots of cloud based cameras to avoid for example).
See this post that goes over it in more detail and provides reviews of all the common Dahua cams and you can see the differences for yourself:
Hi, Playing around with a single loaned Dahua cam and the trial version of Blue Iris. I bought the app for iPhone, but I think I've discovered it doesn't work with the trial version? I feel pretty confident about setting the port forwarding up, as it all appeared correct and canyouseeme saw...
ipcamtalk.com
But the next thing you need to worry about is getting the right camera for the right location.
You would be shocked how close someone needs to be to a 2.8 lens in order to ID them. And how much additional light is needed at night (when it matters most) for a 4k camera. There currently isn't an economical 8MP/sensor combination at the moment that any would recommend.
Take a look at this chart - to identify someone with the 2.8mm lens that is popular, someone would have to be within 13 feet of the camera, but realistically within 10 feet after you dial it in to your settings.
My neighbor was bragging to me how he only needed his 4 2.8mm fixed lens cams to see his entire property and the street and his whole backyard. His car was sitting in the driveway practically touching the garage door and his video quality was useless to ID the perp not even 10 feet away.
When we had a thief come thru here and get into a lot of cars, the police couldn't use one video or photo from anyone's system that had fixed 2.8mm or 3.6mm cams - those cams sure looks nice and gives a great wide angle view, but you cannot identify anyone at 15 feet out. At night you cannot even ID someone from 10 feet. Meanwhile, the perp didn't come to my house but walked past on the sidewalk at 80 feet from my house and my 2MP varifocal zoomed in to a point at the sidewalk was the money shot for the police that got my neighbors all there stolen stuff back. Reolinks are even worse at night - he tried those first and sent back to get Arlos....and a year later he is regretting that choice too.
In fact my system was the only one that gave them useful information. Not even my other neighbors $1,300 4k Lorex system from Costco provided useful info - the cams just didn't cut it at night. His system wasn't even a year old and after that event has started replacing with cameras purchased from @EMPIRETECANDY on this site based on my recommendation and seeing my results - fortunately those cams work with the Lorex NVR. He is still shocked a 2MP camera performs better than his 4k cameras... It is all about the amount of light needed and getting the right camera for the right location.
My first few systems were the box units that were all 2.8mm lens and while the picture looked great in daytime, to identify someone you didn't know is impossible unless they are within 10 feet of the camera, and even then it is tough. You are getting the benefit coming to this site of hearing thoughts from people that have been there/done that.
We all hate to be that guy with a system and something happens and the event demonstrates how poor our system was and then we start the update process. My neighbor with his expensive arlos and monthly fees is that guy right now and is still fuming his system failed him.
Here are my general distance recommendations, but switch out the 5442 camera to the equivalent 2MP on the 1/2.8" sensor works as well.
5442 fixed lens 2.8mm - anything within 10 feet of camera OR as an overview camera
5442 ZE - varifocal - distances up to 40-50 feet (personally I wouldn't go past the 30 foot range but I like things closer)
5442 Z4E - anything up to 80-100 feet (personally I wouldn't go past 60 feet but I like things closer)
5241-Z12E - anything from 80 feet to almost 200 feet (personally I wouldn't go past 150 feet because I like things closer)
5241-Z12E - for a license plate cam that you would angle up the street to get plates up to about 175 feet away, or up to 220 with additional IR.
49225 PTZ - great PTZ and in conjunction with an NVR or Blue Iris and the cameras above that you can use as spotter cams to point the PTZ to the correct location to compliment the fixed cams.
You need to get the correct camera for the area trying to be covered. A 2.8mm to IDENTIFY someone 40 feet away is the wrong camera regardless of how good the camera is. A 2.8mm camera to IDENTIFY someone within 10 feet is a good choice OR it is an overview camera to see something happened but not be able to identify who.
Main keys are you can't locate the camera too high or chase MP and you need to get the correct camera for the area trying to be covered. A 2.8mm to IDENTIFY someone 40 feet away is the wrong camera regardless of how good the camera is. A 2.8mm camera to IDENTIFY someone within 10 feet is a good choice OR it is an overview camera to see something happened but not be able to identify who. Also, do not chase marketing phrases like ColorVu and Full Color and the like - all cameras need light - simple physics...
The best advice we give is purchase one varifocal camera and test it at each location you want to install a camera and confirm the lens you need.
IPC-T5442T-ZE Varifocal from @EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret Varifocal Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk store: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Price Approximately US $200.00...
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Review - OEM IPC-B5442E-ZE 4MP AI Varifocal Bullet Camera With Starlight+
All, thanks to Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY ) we have a new 4MP AI camera for testing. This camera has been provided by Andy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This camera is using the OEM model number of IPC-B5442-ZE which is the equivalent of the Dahua IPC-HFW5442-ZE for reference. The IPC-B...
Dahua OEM IPC-T5442TM-AS from EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret AI Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk store: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Price Approximately US $160 Link to camera...
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Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Turret, Full Color, Starlight+)
Dahua OEM IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED from EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret AI Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk vendor forum: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Andy's Email: kingsecurity2014...
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Review: IPC-HDBW5442R-ASE-NI - Dahua Technology Pro AI Bullet Network Camera
Many thanks once again to Andy @EMPIRETECANDY we have for testing the OEM IPC-B5442T-ASE-NI 4MP Starlight+ Full Color bullet. This camera has been provided by Andy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a fixed 3.6mm bullet (Pro AI) series with the 1/1.8” sensor. It has no built in...
please see picture. I blocked out some bits to remain anonymous.
initially i was going to just put fixed lense everywhere but was told its not the best idea. Below is what i've decided. let me know what you guys think.
5 cams in the front. I've already run the wires. Here are the details.
My requirements:
1. I want smart motion cameras. So eg dahua wizsense.
2. I want facial recognition for 2 cams that are in entrances
3. want 2 PTZ to pick up suspicious activity and zoom in.
Here is what layout i think:
First cam is left corner. It will PTZ camera. To zoom in on anyone going onto lawn etc.
Second cam is at front door entrance. Fixed lense.I want it to pick up known faces and strangers. I get emails or app notifications.
Third Cam will be PTZ to pick up any bad behaviours around cars on driveway.
Fourth cam will be on door entrance. Fixed lense. I want it to pick up known faces and strangers. I get emails or app notifications.
5th cam will point to side of house. Fixed lense.
I have 2 more cameras in backyard but I think keeping them fixed lense is good enough.
What you think of my idea? Please recommend me some exacts cams to use at those locations and NVR. I read that for PTZ to pick up events from another camera I need some IVS feature. Please elaborate.
From what you're saying you are looking for a system with some fairly intelligent AI capability. I'm not an NVR user and don't have any experience with them @bigredfish may be able to help. I do know that you can do all that, and more, using a dedicated PC running Blue Iris. In fact it may be more cost effective to use a PC/Blue Iris system rather than an NVR since BI is constantly being upgraded. Neither will do what you want "right out of the box" without some fairly major tuning efforts.
Using PTZs is a fun idea, but they usually end up looking in the wrong direction at the wrong time. Again, you are talking about a PTZ with some AI capability, auto tracking being the main one. Setting up and tuning auto tracking can be a daunting task as well. Usually a PTZ is used in conjunction with fixed lens cameras, not as a primary coverage camera, and is triggered by the fixed camera(s) covering its' overall field of view to an appropriate preset, then the auto tracking takes over. There are many threads here discussing auto tracking problems and set up here on IPCT. This is an excellent PTZ and comes with auto tracking IF you order from Andy at EmpireTech. Dahua has stripped the auto tracking firmware out of it to encourage use of the latest, greatest and more expensive model, but Andy still has and supplies it with auto tracking software.
Ok, so whats better than 1 review…….2 reviews……in tandem :) Read on to find out more. All, thanks to Andy (@empiretecandy ) we have a new 2MP AI camera for testing. This camera has been provided by Andy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a new PTZ with 4.8mm to 120mm focal...
ipcamtalk.com
Keep in mind any camera needs to be mounted at an effective height to get video that can provide positive identification. That usually means mounted no higher than 7 to 7.5 feet. This is especially true, and critical, for entry way cameras. Focal length and distance to potential targets also enter in to the equation, IE think about the angles involved then factor in the focal length that distance may require.
^^^^^This
I'll reiterate: It's almost always better to have more fixed cameras than a PTZ. The AI PTZ's can be tricky to set up, and there are many gotchas.
I recently installed a AI PTZ, and so far, even with wildcats wizardry, I'm disappointed in the auto tracking function. I knew going in I had a difficult FOV, and I was right.
Hi guys, I'll try and keep this post simple. I'm after a reliable remote viewing camera system for my rental property. Requirements: 8 camera system no subscription for cloud storage. Want local storage. has smart phone app for remote live/history view. App must be reliable and fast. Motion...
ipcamtalk.com
so you guys recommend several 5442 fixed lens 2.8mm or 3.6mm and call it a day?
I mentioned a PTZ that is a great PTZ if someone is looking for one. But it is not plug-n-play either and does take some dialing in to make it work properly, but that will be the same with fixed cams too - if you just leave them all on auto/default settings, they will suffer at night.
Typically one should not use a PTZ alone as it will be looking at the wrong place, but in conjunction with spotter cams to make sure it is looking at the correct spot, it can be an additional tool in the toolbox for extended coverage.
Fixed camera mm size needs to be selected for the distance you are trying to cover. If you are looking to IDENTIFY people within 10-15 feet of the camera, then a 2.8mm is a good choice and 15-20feet for a 3.6mm. If the distances are beyond that then you need a varifocal.
The cams are just for residential property. I only ever really need to be concerned about 4 meters from camera out to yard.
So from what you said, I'd say 2.8mm would do the job mostly?
So for entrance cameras I can do 2.8mm since distance is so close, might as well get wide view yea?
I could also use 2.8mm for cameras looking out to my yard which is just 4 meters max yea?
PTZ cameras look interesting. And looking at that video, it seems easy to setup for switching between 3 set locations and then following if target enters or leaves detection areas. Doesn't look that hard to configure. And that is the case i'd use it for.
eg I'd set it to look at the long hallway (outside) at 2.8mm. When human comes into view (say at 10 meters distance), then PTZ will just zoom in and following target as it gets closer to camera (which is located at door). And PTZ will only do this tracking between 12 am to 8 am. Outside those hours, it will stay in set position.
Say i get andy's PTZ to remove guess work from my side.
Ok, so whats better than 1 review…….2 reviews……in tandem :) Read on to find out more. All, thanks to Andy (@empiretecandy ) we have a new 2MP AI camera for testing. This camera has been provided by Andy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a new PTZ with 4.8mm to 120mm focal...
ipcamtalk.com
Surely my user case cant be hard to achieve reliably? Seems like a simple use case.
But in real life does it sometimes not track object properly? Or what other issues happen? I seen the videos in that above camera work well apart from that odd "returning to wrong default position" issue.
Varifocal is a set it and forget it. Think of it is a fixed lens cam, but you are setting the focal length at the time of install.
As you mentioned, if you want to track someone, then you need an autotrack PTZ.
PTZs typically start at a higher focal point, in this case the 49225 starts at 4.8mm, so you do need some distance between the object and the camera.
PTZs are not plug-n-play and you do have to dial it in to your field of view and setup. They can track reliably well, but there are fields of view that will be problematic. And the closer the object is to the camera and the faster it is moving can cause the PTZ to lose tracking.
Varifocal is a set it and forget it. Think of it is a fixed lens cam, but you are setting the focal length at the time of install.
As you mentioned, if you want to track someone, then you need an autotrack PTZ.
PTZs typically start at a higher focal point, in this case the 49225 starts at 4.8mm, so you do need some distance between the object and the camera.
PTZs are not plug-n-play and you do have to dial it in to your field of view and setup. They can track reliably well, but there are fields of view that will be problematic. And the closer the object is to the camera and the faster it is moving can cause the PTZ to lose tracking.
ah I see. So varifocal cant change focal length based on human detection.
good point that 49225 starts at 4.8mm! that is too zoomed in for a door entry camera. I was thinking to use PTZ as entry camera + tracking. Guess that's out of the picture now.
I would go with the 3.6 and 2.8mm 5442. If you wanted a PTZ put it on one of the house corners and then use the other cams as spotter cams to make sure that the PTZ is looking the correct way with motion. One of the problems with a PTZ is that it can be looking one way, but someone is coming from the other way. A spotter cam will spin the camera to where there is motion.
IPC-T5442T-ZE - for the 2 cameras at the front of the house. 2 of them will be used each side of the house. 2 of them to cover big backyard. With these varifocal ones I can adjust coverage/ zoom distance detail after installation. Easier for me rather than buying 1 varifocal to test all locations first. IPC-T5442TM-AS - Will get 2 of these for door entrances. 2.8mm.
1. how's my above plan?
2. for varifocal that a has 2.8mm - 12mm, can I only set it at steps like 2.8, 3.6, 6.0 etc? or its 1mm increments?
3. What's a good NVR that will support 8 channels plus give me full face AI detection? And I can see history logs of who has entered by date filter etc.
4. IPC-T5442T-ZE and IPC-T5442TM-AS both can do full face AI detection like this youtube right?
I just want to be sure.
