Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

[cosmo]

It's Chinese New Year, runs January 27 – February 2, 2017

Yes. Got that. Just wondering why I haven't had a response to earlier messages. Was I using the correct method to communicate etc.

You can search this forum for posts by Empirecandy. You'll see he's legit, active, and buyers are pleased.

I am not questioning his legitimacy. I see only praise. I am just wondering why I cannot seem to get through and get some cameras ordered.

 

[foobart]

I'm trying to see how viable this is as a door camera. I'm getting atleast 2 for other positions, seeing if I should also make it a door camera. I like all the usual attributes mentioned here, and the fact that it's variable focus is great.

I've seen mentioned that there's no 2-way audio possible. Is it possible to achieve that by adding an external speaker/mic ?

I'm sure it's addressed somewhere in the 50+ pages (which I have read over time), but I can't hunt for it. BTW, where is the "search this thread" button??

 

[nayr]

2-way audio is worthless on security cameras; they are all half-duplex.. so pick one thing: Talk or Listen, cause you wont get both at same time.. Think using walkie talkies with a couple second delay.. they are not using VoIP.

its a feature you'll never use and a total gimmick; will it talk to someone whom knocks on your door? cause there's nothing mandatory about pressing a door bell.. espically when they dont look like doorbells.. Can you sign for packages? Pay for a Pizza or do anything even remotely needed? How often do you talk to people at the door w/out opening it? why bother opening it in those cases at all?

Check your local laws before even recording audio; if your in a 2-party state.. chances are your breaking privacy laws by recording people without there consent.

 

[Fastb]

Foobart,

Welcome to the forum!
"Two Way Audio" implies full duplex. But what's supported is half duplex. You switch the audio link from "Listen" to "talk", then back to "listen" again. While you're talking, you're not receiving audio.
nayr hits the nail on the head - it's not a VOIP solution, or even like a POTS connection.

Recording audio legally varies greatly, town to town, state to state. I'm in a state that supports "implied consent". I put a sign on my driveway that informs folks I'm recording audio. If they continue up the driveway, that's implied consent.

@cosmo asked: "Was I using the correct method to communicate etc."
I believe most PM Andy from here, as vs going straight to the web store. (PM is called "Conversation" in the forum's UI)
I sent my first PM to him an hour ago, so I speak from my readings on the forum (and not from personal experience)

Fastb

 

[foobart]

Thanks for the quick replies..

1) Let's look past the privacy concerns and not address them. I have signs plastered all over about recording. I have some cameras now, and also have the "Ring" doorbell.

2) I just want the ability to have an audio conversation if needed. The Ring doorbell does have this ability and likely I will have it around too, but it's possible it's down, or not available for on-demand use.

3) How neutered is the "half-duplex" conversation? I'm not sure if the Ring doorbell is full or half-duplex, it serves the purpose. In fact half-duplex might avoid possible feedback problems I guess. It's fine as long as people at both ends don't have to keep pressing buttons like PTT or something.

4 ) How would a solution look like for getting it working for this camera? what parts? any off-the shelf speaker/mic combos links etc?

 

[nayr]

The Ring is full duplex VoIP, the camera will requrie you to press buttons, actually two buttons.. one to deselect mic and one to power up speaker.. and there is a several second latency that makes 2-way basically unusable..

for this camera specifically, there is no solution.. you dont get audio out; nada, zip, ziltch

You can get the Dahua Starlight Varifocal Bullet (IPC-HFW5231E-Z) that has audio outputs but its a bit large to install at the door.. then you need an amplifier, a 12v power source, a speaker, and a microphone.

If ring is not available what makes u think this would be?

 

[hmjgriffon]

I don't think 2 party recording counts when they come on your private property. One guy said what if someone comes to the door at midnight, only way in answering the door at midnight is armed, I don't want to talk to them, if they look hurt I "may" investigate, otherwise I will assume hostiles and prepare to defend myself and my home, anyone out at 2am knocking on doors is nobody I want to talk to other than get on the ground and don't move.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[nayr]

I don't think 2 party recording counts when they come on your private property.

It sure does, dont matter where or how the conversations are recorded; the point is if your recording conversations all parties must consent.. Gonna suck if you send some guy to jail and then he sues you for invasion of privacy because he has nothing better now to do w/his time.. u gave the guy a steady roof over his head; might as well get you to start paying all that backed child support.

 

[foobart]

The Ring is likely to be a good option, and maybe I'll settle for it as the only option. But it's really not an 'always-on' thing, and it wakes up only when the ring button is pressed, and even then has an indeterminate latency to actually start the session. And the app etc. is proprietary and seems to have problems with some enterprise network environments too. It'd be good to have another channel open to the door area.

If we look at say:
Amazon.com : Amcrest ProHD 1080P POE (Power Over Ethernet) IP Camera with Pan/Tilt, Two-Way Audio, Optional Cloud Recording, Full HD (1920TVL) @ 30FPS, Wide 90° Viewing Angle and Night Vision IP2M-841EW (White) : Camera & Photo
with "two-way audio"

how close can we get to it? I have had some Foscam cameras with two way audio, and haven't used them much, but if I have a good setup with easy mobile apps I can see my family use it.

 

[nayr]

AmCrest == Dahua, you get no further than I just described.. none of em do, this is what im trying to tell you.. That ring is one of the best options on the market for what you want, and you see what a gimmick it is, nearly worthless but not quite.

just give up on the idea and just work on better cameras..

 

[hmjgriffon]

I'll have to double check the law in Florida lol. Only thing I want at the front door is a blinding 1,000 lumen strobe I can remote control lol.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[tb10818]

@cosmo Yea man, once you're rejected on Ali there's no way to fix it. I went through the whole shabang, even sent my card and picture ID scans against my better judgement, but still get rejected every time. I literally tried a dozen orders and all were rejected.

Here's what I do now.. Just message whomever you want to buy from. Most of them will send you a paypal invoice and you can just pay that way. I've done a few transactions that way and it works great. Like everyone is saying though, Andy does a great job. His prices are usually the best or close enough and his shipping and packaging is second to none.

 

[hmjgriffon]

@cosmo Yea man, once you're rejected on Ali there's no way to fix it. I went through the whole shabang, even sent my card and picture ID scans against my better judgement, but still get rejected every time. I literally tried a dozen orders and all were rejected.

Here's what I do now.. Just message whomever you want to buy from. Most of them will send you a paypal invoice and you can just pay that way. I've done a few transactions that way and it works great. Like everyone is saying though, Andy does a great job. His prices are usually the best or close enough and his shipping and packaging is second to none.

I think they save money by charging you with PayPal

 

[foobart]

OK, I tried out the audio on the Amcrest POE above (with speaker/mic) I have (Same experience as the Dahuas in the app too), and it's not too bad to have in a pinch. The half-duplex isnt great but let's say it's workable. So, I'm going to be a bit of a heretic and see how I can have it available..

If I get the
IPC-HDBW5231R-Z

IPC-HDBW5231R-Z | Dahua Technology
(hopefully Andy has these if I decide to get. I have a couple of Turrets coming too)

What hardware (do I need ?) to add to enable the speaker/mic ? I did some quick google/amazon searches and didn't find clear choice for products.

 

[Tygunn]

OK, I tried out the audio on the Amcrest POE above (with speaker/mic) I have (Same experience as the Dahuas in the app too), and it's not too bad to have in a pinch. The half-duplex isnt great but let's say it's workable. So, I'm going to be a bit of a heretic and see how I can have it available..

If I get the
IPC-HDBW5231R-Z

IPC-HDBW5231R-Z | Dahua Technology
(hopefully Andy has these if I decide to get. I have a couple of Turrets coming too)

What hardware (do I need ?) to add to enable the speaker/mic ? I did some quick google/amazon searches and didn't find clear choice for products.

I wonder if you could use an intercom remote station of some sort? You'd need a small amplifier for the speaker I suspect.

 

[foobart]

I wonder if you could use an intercom remote station of some sort? You'd need a small amplifier for the speaker I suspect.

The intercom idea isn't bad, I'm sure a dedicated audio solution should be very functional. BUT it needs to be usable on a smartphone, with the camera live-view. Given that smarphone apps only work with the foreground app I'm not sure it'll work great. Switching back and forth isn't great. If there are any thoughts there I'd like to hear.

But let's get back to having audio mic/speaker working on IPC-HDBW5231R-Z . I looked at all the datasheets and specs and can't find pictures or clues about the connectors or wiring etc.

 

[Tygunn]

The intercom idea isn't bad, I'm sure a dedicated audio solution should be very functional. BUT it needs to be usable on a smartphone, with the camera live-view. Given that smarphone apps only work with the foreground app I'm not sure it'll work great. Switching back and forth isn't great. If there are any thoughts there I'd like to hear.

But let's get back to having audio mic/speaker working on IPC-HDBW5231R-Z . I looked at all the datasheets and specs and can't find pictures or clues about the connectors or wiring etc.

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I was thinking that it might work to get an intercom remote station and use IT as the speaker/mic for the camera. I haven't played around with intercoms in ages though. I used to have a system where the remote stations where nothing more than a speaker and a mic in a little box. Lots of room to put in an amplifier in there too.

 

[nayr]

I have a microphone wired up to my Bullet, see the bullet thread for further discussion on audio input/microphones.. there's no point discussing this in the turret thread.

Dahua Starlight Varifocal Bullet (IPC-HFW5231E-Z)

 

[TheSuperServer]

If I get a couple IPC-HDW5231R-Z cameras what 4 port PoE switch do you all recommend?

 

[Mufasa]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I was thinking that it might work to get an intercom remote station and use IT as the speaker/mic for the camera. I haven't played around with intercoms in ages though. I used to have a system where the remote stations where nothing more than a speaker and a mic in a little box. Lots of room to put in an amplifier in there too.

Raspberry Pi Internet doorbell - Raspberry Pi
This might be a DIY solution. Looks good in the video, but will have to try it out to see how well it works..