Review- EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 4mp Varifocal Turret

[CCTVCam]

Yes plus the other issue is the larger the sensor, the larger the lens required, the larger the housing etc and that equals more cost. Also, more capable sensors will probably need more capable chipsets, another expense. I believe it can be done, but it probably needs some kind of deal between someone like Dahaua / Hik and Sony for sensors / processor packages and lenses. The problem atm I believe is they're just too expensive for CCTV, hence the $10k camera of 2016 - Sony A7SII sensor package and lens I believe but way beyond any mainstream users budget. Tech 101 (not sure if he's still around these forums) had one on here and the results were sublime, but nearly $10k all in with the housing, heater, lens and camera!!!! If they can make that $350 they might have a mass market!

https://ipcamtalk.com/threads/ordered-sony-snc-vb770-image-sensor-size-35mm.47263

 

[CCTVCam]

From his post, a back to back comparison:

1/1.18" PTZ:




Sony SNC VB770:




Hopefully that's a preview of a $350 future. Not holding my breath though.

 

[noi32]

Hi guys,

I have 5 T54ir connected to a Dahua NVR (5216 4ks2) and the target box overlay is not appearing anywhere, so when it triggers I've to identify what triggered it manually. Any idea of wha config can be missing or it's simply that my NVR is too old? If I open the camera webui I can see the target overlay when I enter in the image. Thanks

 

[bigredfish]

SmartPSS lite will show you the IVS rules and target bounding boxes

 

[noi32]

Is it fair to assume that it does not show in the mobile app?

 

[cpd5215]

DMSS app for iPhone

 

[noi32]

Then I really believe I have something misconfigured cause I don't see anything...







If you go to playback @cpd5215 you also have the target box?

 

[wittaj]

Then I really believe I have something misconfigured cause I don't see anything...

View attachment 237743





If you go to playback @cpd5215 you also have the target box?

It is in Live view and playback that you see the object boxes.

 

[cpd5215]

Then I really believe I have something misconfigured cause I don't see anything...

View attachment 237743





If you go to playback @cpd5215 you also have the target box?

I really wish I could help more at this point, but I’m away from my computer and I’m just on my phone but like others have mention you definitely configure in the camera interface directly. I just can’t remember what setting it is.

 

[noi32]

I guess my NVR is messing things up, I just have everything configured in the cameras, NVR just to trigger the alarm ports and record, I connect the apps to the NVR but no boxes. It's frustrating

 

[bigredfish]

On your NVR
For Displaying IVS rules on the Live View, go to DISPLAY and check the AI rule box



On the NVR Playback, you have to toggle the IVS/AI rule icon

View attachment Recording 2026-02-06 152930.mp4



On the iPhone DMSS App I'm not certain. I have an older version 2.1 July 2025 and dont see how to activate it.
Possible newer versions allow it as shown by @cpd5215

 

[noi32]

Thanks! @bigredfish however my NVR does not seem to have that option

 

[bigredfish]

You have to use IE as a browser.

Yes it sucks, but that's how it is. Without it, you wont see some controls

 

[LF.]

Hi, i'm looking for some advice regarding the Day/Night profile management on my two IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 cameras.

My goal is to maintain Color view 24/7 without using IR, as there is plenty of ambient light at my location to support the Starlight sensor. However, I would like to use different exposure settings for day and night (e.g., a faster shutter during the day and a fixed 1/50s at night) to optimize image quality.

The issue: In the 'Profile Management' menu, I only see the options: Normal, Full Time, and Schedule. The option to switch profiles automatically based on the built-in light sensor (Day/Night switch) is missing in my current firmware. Using a 'Schedule' isn't ideal due to changing sunrise/sunset times, and 'Normal' doesn't allow for separate day/night exposure tuning.

My questions:

1. Is there a way to unlock the sensor-based profile switching in the current settings?
2. If not, is this a feature that could be added in a future firmware update?
3. Does anyone have a workaround to trigger a profile change based on the actual light levels without manually adjusting a schedule every month?

I really love the performance of these 1/1.8" sensors and would like to get the most out of them!

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Chokolinho]

Hi, i'm looking for some advice regarding the Day/Night profile management on my two IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 cameras.

My goal is to maintain Color view 24/7 without using IR, as there is plenty of ambient light at my location to support the Starlight sensor. However, I would like to use different exposure settings for day and night (e.g., a faster shutter during the day and a fixed 1/50s at night) to optimize image quality.

The issue: In the 'Profile Management' menu, I only see the options: Normal, Full Time, and Schedule. The option to switch profiles automatically based on the built-in light sensor (Day/Night switch) is missing in my current firmware. Using a 'Schedule' isn't ideal due to changing sunrise/sunset times, and 'Normal' doesn't allow for separate day/night exposure tuning.

My questions:

1. Is there a way to unlock the sensor-based profile switching in the current settings?
2. If not, is this a feature that could be added in a future firmware update?
3. Does anyone have a workaround to trigger a profile change based on the actual light levels without manually adjusting a schedule every month?

I really love the performance of these 1/1.8" sensors and would like to get the most out of them!

Thanks in advance for the help!

1/60 is the minimum at night. I would go atleast for a 1/120.

 

[bigredfish]

@LF.

Are you certain that isnt a S2 variant?

The S3 interface has these choices
Supposedly the Day/Night works as you wish, I find that the sensor isnt a good decison maker in all scenes, like this one with heavy late day shadows.
I use schedule and change it 3-4 times per year based on what I see, not what the camera decides.
It takes a few minutes

 

[LF.]

@LF.

Are you certain that isnt a S2 variant?

The S3 interface has these choices
Supposedly the Day/Night works as you wish, I find that the sensor isnt a good decison maker in all scenes, like this one with heavy late day shadows.
I use schedule and change it 3-4 times per year based on what I see, not what the camera decides.
It takes a few minutes

View attachment 237925 View attachment 237926

Hi guys,

Thanks for the follow-up. To confirm: these are definitely the S3 variants. I purchased them directly from Andy at EmpireTech, and they are running his latest firmware.

Here is the system information:

• Device: IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3
• System Version: V3.142.15OG003.0.R
• Build Date: 2024-12-21

The issue remains: Even with 'Day/Night Switch' selected as the Working Mode, I still only have the following options under Profile Management: Normal, Full Time, and Schedule. The sensor-based 'Day/Night' automatic profile switching option is nowhere to be found.

Because I want to maintain Color at night using different exposure settings (for example, forcing 10ms ~ 20ms shutter at night to avoid motion blur while keeping the day profile on 'Auto'), I really need the camera to switch profiles automatically based on light levels.

Is this a known limitation of this specific firmware build (2024-12-21), or is there another setting (like AI SSA or a specific 'Normal' sub-setting) that is hiding the automatic Day/Night profile switch?

Question for @EMPIRETECANDY: Andy, if this is currently a limitation of this firmware build, is it possible to request the engineers to add the "Day/Night" auto switch option back into the Profile Management menu in a future update? Having the ability to trigger a profile change based on the actual light sensor while forcing Color mode would be a huge improvement for optimizing these great 1/1.8" sensors for low-light color performance.

Any help or insights from other S3 owners running Andy’s firmware would be greatly appreciated!"

 

[wittaj]

Why do you have the day/night mode set to auto? That is why it is going to B/W.

Change it to color and it will stay in color all night.

I do exactly as you want with those settings.

And yes things like the AI SSA setting can hide some features.

As can using a browser other than Internet Explorer.

 

[Arjun]

I've learned not to fall in the AI trap - AI SSA gave that hint to me from Day 1 of noticing that option in the newer models; but I prefer to manage my own cameras without relying on what AI thinks is appropriate. If there is any proof that this stuff actually works reliably, I would have enabled it already. Blue Iris has proven itself very reliable in my honest opinion.

 

[bigredfish]

I run a number of cameras in color 24/7 with different day and night profiles for things like exposure and DNR. have for many years.
But I use the Schedule/Customized Scene Working mode as the onboard sensor is effected by many things and not as reliable as you may think.

Can you show a pic of your "Profile Management" menu with it in Day/Night working mode?

When using Day/Night Working mode, I get a day and night choice in the profile menu.
You can see I have 2 different sets of settings for them

Not sure what else you could be looking for