Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

[hmjgriffon]

Thank you trying now

There is a reset button, unplugging the cable won't help, you have to take it apart.

 

[nayr]

if you typed in the password wrong because of caps lock or something power cycling it will reset the lockout; if the password is not the default admin/admin then you'll have to reset the camera by opening it.

 

[shmookles]

@nayr is there a limit per order we can make for the US to not get hit with duty tax when ordering this camera? i.e. I am looking to get 4-5 cameras , so I'm thinking whether I ought to split the orders.

 

[nayr]

De Minimis Value Increases to $800 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 

[drewgost]

ok thanks nayr i will try in the morning

 

[AP-123]

De Minimis Value Increases to $800 | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Hmm, I have 9 on the way. Guess I should have ordered in batches...

 

[hmjgriffon]

Hmm, I have 9 on the way. Guess I should have ordered in batches...

Can't Andy just ship them to you in smaller groups? I'd think so since he eats the shipping cost.

 

[RazorsEDGE]

Yeah that's lame.

 

[bp2008]

Only a matter of time I expect before Trump changes that "De Minimis Value" so we can't import even a single camera without paying a (significant) duty fee. Of course I could be wrong about that, but it seems like raising the cost of buying from China is exactly kind of thing that would bring jobs back to the USA.

 

[looney2ns]

Hmm, I have 9 on the way. Guess I should have ordered in batches...

Andy takes care of it. He's aware of how to handle it.

 

[nbstl68]

@olli even if you dont need the varifocal it comes with an optical aperture thats nearly 2x the size of the fixed lens Starlights.. this results in much better photon gathering capabilities and that results in much better low light capabilities.

here's a F2.0 Fixed (3.6mm) Starlight:

here's the F1.4 Varifocal Starlight:

Both cameras had the exact same exposure settings, the only difference was the size of the aperture between the Varifocal and a Fixed Focal

IMHO, its worth the extra ~$35 for just the low light gains even if you dont care about varifocals..

WOW, that a big difference from useful to useless...You sure you did not accidentally flip on an IR blaster in the house just before that 2nd shot?

What does "Antiflicker = "outdoor" do?

 

[tangent]

Only a matter of time I expect before Trump changes that "De Minimis Value" so we can't import even a single camera without paying a (significant) duty fee. Of course I could be wrong about that, but it seems like raising the cost of buying from China is exactly kind of thing that would bring jobs back to the USA.

This sort of thing won't bring manufacturing back to US unless they destroy the EPA and eliminate the minimum wage which are probably on the wishlist too. Trump's economic policies are designed to do one thing: push more people into poverty and enrich himself.

 

[DavidDavid]

I'm looking at getting a camera for my front door area. From its location it will also be able to see the driveway entrance (~100ft from camera) and mail boxes (150ft away across the street so I'm not expecting to get anything worthwhile from the mail box area video except something cool to watch the next time someone veers off the road and takes them out).

This camera seems like the way to go. My question thou is why not get this PTZ ( Dahua Starlight Recessed Dome PTZ (SD52C225U-HNI)) instead since it seems to be the same price.

It looks like the main sacrifice is the low light video quality to get PTZ capability. I think the daytime video should be pretty similar? I appreciate your input because I'm still wading thru all the quality camera options. Your reviews have been VERY helpful, although they have doubled my expected purchase price (but at least now I know, for the most part... Somewhat, what I'm getting/paying for and why).

Am I crazy to think that I'll be able to keep track of how many cars pull I to my driveway at 100ft away? I'm definitely not expecting to read license plates, but make, model and color would be perfect.

This is why I think the PTZ would be ideal because if someone pulls in I am thinking I can have it zoom in on the car for a few seconds then zoom back to the front door in case they walk up to it instead of just turning around. We live on a fairly busy country road.

Thank You

 

[DavidDavid]

Oh and also I'd have to buy an external lighting for the PTZ.... And I'm thinking that at the driveway and mail box distances I won't get any quality video at night except headlights....

 

[tangent]

I'm looking at getting a camera for my front door area. From its location it will also be able to see the driveway entrance (~100ft from camera) and mail boxes (150ft away across the street so I'm not expecting to get anything worthwhile from the mail box area video except something cool to watch the next time someone veers off the road and takes them out).

This camera seems like the way to go. My question thou is why not get this PTZ ( Dahua Starlight Recessed Dome PTZ (SD52C225U-HNI)) instead since it seems to be the same price.

It looks like the main sacrifice is the low light video quality to get PTZ capability. I think the daytime video should be pretty similar? I appreciate your input because I'm still wading thru all the quality camera options. Your reviews have been VERY helpful, although they have doubled my expected purchase price (but at least now I know, for the most part... Somewhat, what I'm getting/paying for and why).

Am I crazy to think that I'll be able to keep track of how many cars pull I to my driveway at 100ft away? I'm definitely not expecting to read license plates, but make, model and color would be perfect.

This is why I think the PTZ would be ideal because if someone pulls in I am thinking I can have it zoom in on the car for a few seconds then zoom back to the front door in case they walk up to it instead of just turning around. We live on a fairly busy country road.

Thank You

You don't need a PTZ to monitor a fixed choke point like a driveway. There's a model of camera @nayr reviewed that you can special order with a 25mm lens.

 

[vc1234]

Hi,

I am wondering how IPC-HDW5231R-Z compares to SD29204T-GN for outdoor use ?

I currently use a SD29204T-GN mounted under a wide eve without any problems. If SD29204T-GN is "better" for outdoors, I can relocate the SD29204T-GN indoor and use it as a "cat" cam.

Thanks.

 

[tangent]

Hi,

I am wondering how IPC-HDW5231R-Z compares to SD29204T-GN for outdoor use ?

I currently use a SD29204T-GN mounted under a wide eve without any problems. If SD29204T-GN is "better" for outdoors, I can relocate the SD29204T-GN indoor and use it as a "cat" cam.

Thanks.

the IPC-HDW5231R-Z is designed for outdoor use the SD29204T-GN (and similar slight variants) aren't designed for outdoor use but seem to fair ok if they're reasonably protected.

 

[DavidDavid]

Well, I'm thinking that the driveway will be in the FOV no matter what. I'm just not going to set up a dedicated license plate camera, at least not anytime soon. There's areas I want to get some/any coverage first. The front door and barn door come first. Neither are covered now.

Each camera at the front and barn door will likely have the driveway in view, but the front door has an overhang so the PTZ will be shielded, the barn door will be very much directly exposed to the elements.

Also nayr has a PTZ that is preset to cover his driveway, and then PTZ to the doorway when the doorbell or mat sensor goes off, so why can't I? I just want to do the opposite of him.

 

[vc1234]

the IPC-HDW5231R-Z is designed for outdoor use the SD29204T-GN (and similar slight variants) aren't designed for outdoor use but seem to fair ok if they're reasonably protected.

Thanks,

I think it is pretty well protected (the SD29204T-GN) against elements currently. What I am curious about is whether it's any better wrt image.

Counter-intuitively, it seems that IPC-HDW5231R-Z would look better indoors despite being designed for outdoors because it's smaller, no ?

 

[tangent]

Thanks,

I think it is pretty well protected (the SD29204T-GN) against elements currently. What I am curious about is whether it's any better wrt image.

Counter-intuitively, it seems that IPC-HDW5231R-Z would look better indoors despite being designed for outdoors because it's smaller, no ?

The IPC-HDW5231R-Z is suitable for indoor or outdoor use and has better image quality.