Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret (IPC-HDW5231R-Z)

[jayson436]

I've been waiting since January 5th. I ended up ordering through another Ali vendor. Received two cameras today. Wasn't as cheap, but it worked.

Who did you order from?

 

[darrenph1]

I got 2 Cams delivered (not from Andy) and I don't recall the first looking like this during set up. The first cam is taken apart and being painted for the front door so I can't check... Is that gap a little wide or is that normal?

 

[nayr]

what gap?

 

[hmjgriffon]

I got 2 Cams delivered (not from Andy) and I don't recall the first looking like this during set up. The first cam is taken apart and being painted for the front door so I can't check... Is that gap a little wide or is that normal?

It's normal, I don't understand the point of the "water proof" junction box when there is a big gap that water can get into, junction box is a little small inside anyways, I didn't use mine.

 

[darrenph1]

what gap?

The gap between the camera body and frame connected to the base. I couldn't remember if it was that wide on the first camera... Like @hmjgriffon stated, I don't see the point of the junction box then. We don't get a lot of rain here but it seem that it would all funnel into the junction box. I don't have to use one for the front door but that pic is pretty much the set up I need for the side of the house.

 

[aristobrat]

I've got both 2.8 and 4mm 4mp HikVisions. The image detail is better on them during the day- viewed off my NVR's 4K HDMI output on a 4K 55" TV. If your using the 5231r-z zoomed right in it's going to have an advantage, but for covering a wide area the Hikvision DS-2CD2342WD-I gives me a lot more detail.

Same experience here. One of my 5231s is being used as an overview camera (i.e. it's zoomed all the way out -- it's NOT for face viewing or license plate reading, and it's not wasting any extra space), and to me, my old 3MP 2.8mm HIK camera (also used for the same purpose) is more crisp in the daylight. Not hugely more, but it's still noticeable to me.

Who did you order from?

I used the DragonEye Security Camera store on Ali that someone else in the thread found. Their DHL shipping is expensive, but they were easy to order from/communicate with, and you know what -- I finally have the cameras -- so there's that. lol I'd send them an email (via their Ali page) to verify what they have on-hand before you place your order. They seemed to be able to grab stock from Dahua on similar dates as Andy.

 

[hmjgriffon]

Same experience here. One of my 5231s is being used as an overview camera (i.e. it's zoomed all the way out -- it's NOT for face viewing or license plate reading, and it's not wasting any extra space), and to me, my old 3MP 2.8mm HIK camera (also used for the same purpose) is more crisp in the daylight. Not hugely more, but it's still noticeable to me.


I used the DragonEye Security Camera store on Ali that someone else in the thread found. Their DHL shipping is expensive, but they were easy to order from/communicate with, and you know what -- I finally have the cameras -- so there's that. lol I'd send them an email (via their Ali page) to verify what they have on-hand before you place your order. They seemed to be able to grab stock from Dahua on similar dates as Andy.

It's 3mp, of course it's more crisp during the day, it's slightly higher res, problem is unless you live inside of a supermarket with the overhead lights on 24/7, what good is it, your camera is only good half the day.

 

[Parley]

It is intended to be used as set it and forget it.

Interesting question. Is the zoom portion only to be used during set up?

 

[fenderman]

Interesting question. Is the zoom portion only to be used during set up?

Yes, that is why there are no presets..it is no a zoom camera, its a motorized varifocal.

 

[aristobrat]

It's 3mp, of course it's more crisp during the day, it's slightly higher res, problem is unless you live inside of a supermarket with the overhead lights on 24/7, what good is it, your camera is only good half the day.

I get all of that. I just think this camera has been sometimes oversold by some as being a miracle 24x7, when IMO its superpowers are mostly at night (and being able to zoom in precisely).

I don't live in a grocery store, but my street isn't nearly as dark as many I've seen posted up. I'm curious how a 3MP/4MP would do here, but not enough to drop the $$$.

 

[fenderman]

I get all of that. I just think this camera has been sometimes oversold by some as being a miracle 24x7, when IMO its superpowers are mostly at night (and being able to zoom in precisely).


View attachment 16136

No, you are simply inexperienced and your mind is fouled by the MP hype cell phone manufacturers have been scamming you with for years..a non starlight camera would do horrible in that scene you would not be able to leave it in day mode...There is VERY little benefit to 3mp and 4mp in daytime..I cannot stress this enough, 3mp does not generate 50 percent more pixels per foot and 4mp will NOT generate double the pixels per foot...
There is VERY good reason why the experienced folks on this forum are recommending this camera for general outdoor home use.

 

[wantafastz28]

I get all of that. I just think this camera has been sometimes oversold by some as being a miracle 24x7, when IMO its superpowers are mostly at night (and being able to zoom in precisely).

I don't live in a grocery store, but my street isn't nearly as dark as many I've seen posted up. I'm curious how a 3MP/4MP would do here, but not enough to drop the $$$.

View attachment 16136

I think you need to understand there are people that want a great all around camera but are not willing to do the research of what is needed, IMO this is a solution a lot of people need here, instead of figuring out sensor/lense/wdr/aperture/etc.

I truly believe this camera can't be beat for the price in MY scenario such as my front door. Heavily shaded with a super bright backround.

If you aren't happy with it, there is a huge demand and you should sell it to someone that wants one so you can use a camera you are happy with.

 

[hmjgriffon]

I get all of that. I just think this camera has been sometimes oversold by some as being a miracle 24x7, when IMO its superpowers are mostly at night (and being able to zoom in precisely).

I don't live in a grocery store, but my street isn't nearly as dark as many I've seen posted up. I'm curious how a 3MP/4MP would do here, but not enough to drop the $$$.

View attachment 16136

it would look like shit because there is less surface area to collect photons. To get similar performance you'd need a 4mp camera with a much bigger sensor and it would cost you an arm and a leg. Security cameras need to do well in any lighting condition, on a giant 4k tv the higher rest may look a little sharper during the day, who cares? are you shooting a movie? when set up properly, a 2mp camera will look just fine when set up for a choke point, 3-4mp allows you blow a section up a tiny bit more, so what. Once the light level drops enough, your 4mp camera will become noisy and grainy as hell and you won't be able to tell anything. This is the best tool for the job unless you intend to drop a couple grand per camera.

 

[cryptelli]

No, you are simply inexperienced and your mind is fouled by the MP hype cell phone manufacturers have been scamming you with for years

Heck, even Samsung realised that megapixels aren't everything and went backwards with the S7 decreasing from 16 to 12MP to improve low light performance.

 

[looney2ns]

I get all of that. I just think this camera has been sometimes oversold by some as being a miracle 24x7, when IMO its superpowers are mostly at night (and being able to zoom in precisely).

I don't live in a grocery store, but my street isn't nearly as dark as many I've seen posted up. I'm curious how a 3MP/4MP would do here, but not enough to drop the $$$.

View attachment 16136

Which camera is this a capture from? Doesn't the horrid lense flare from that street light bother you?

 

[looney2ns]

I got 2 Cams delivered (not from Andy) and I don't recall the first looking like this during set up. The first cam is taken apart and being painted for the front door so I can't check... Is that gap a little wide or is that normal?

Normal gap.

 

[mrbaddy]

Also trying to order the IPC-HDW5231R-Z , have tried email Andy and he responded but he must be very busy and i can certainly understand why.

Would I be better off to just order via empire aliexpress site? And if i do can i still get discount if so how?

 

[hmjgriffon]

Also trying to order the IPC-HDW5231R-Z , have tried email Andy and he responded but he must be very busy and i can certainly understand why.

Would I be better off to just order via empire aliexpress site? And if i do can i still get discount if so how?

the price on the site is the same, I dunno if you'd be getting it any faster, they are pretty much flying out the door as fast as he can get them.

 

[mrbaddy]

im just trying to get it ordered..seems like the site would be faster then waiting for email invoice. going to order now..thanks for the reply

update..says 0 available now...i must have waited 10 minutes too long...uggh

 

[hmjgriffon]

im just trying to get it ordered..seems like the site would be faster then waiting for email invoice. going to order now..thanks for the reply

update..says 0 available now...i must have waited 10 minutes too long...uggh

send em a message through alieexpress and see what he says.