Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal

looney2ns

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Again courtesy of @EMPIRETECANDY EmpireTech Andy we have a new cam to look over. Its a new model in Dahua's new Lite H265 Series of cam's.
Available for purchase here: Aliexpress.com - Online Shopping for Electronics, Fashion, Home & Garden, Toys & Sports, Automobiles and more
Price is approx $130 shipped.

Also available here: https://aax-us-east.amazon-adsystem.com/x/c/QplnGWdURZ_IVgjPrwpQAIEAAAFoHwNEAAEAAAFKAUn4krI/https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-IPC-HDW2231R-ZS-Starlight-Eyeball-Network/dp/B07DRC93S8/ref=sr_1_12?creativeASIN=B07DRC93S8&linkCode=w61&imprToken=haAVlayNTsaKarDENWJIlQ&slotNum=0&tag=ipctk-20&m=A329YQ83EBQGJF&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1546693491&sr=1-12

I have received this cam in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If I understand correctly, this is intended to be a little easier on the budget than the Eco-Savy 3.0 series of cams, yet it still has some great specs.

I would categorize this as the younger brother of the Review-Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE based upon the specs.

IPC-HDW2231R-ZS
2MP IR Eyeball Network Camera

> 1/2.8” 2Megapixel progressive StarvisTM CMOS
> H.265& H.264 dual-stream encoding
> 25/30fps@1080p(1920×1080)
> WDR(120dB), Day/Night(ICR), 3DNR, AWB, AGC, BLC
> Multiple network monitoring: Web viewer, CMS(DSS/PSS) & DMSS
> Micro SD card slot, up to 128GB
> 2.7~13.5mm varifocal lens
> Max IR LEDs Length 50m
> IP67, PoE



Here is the full spec sheet: https://www.dahuasecurity.com/asset/upload/product/20180205/dh-ipc-hdw2231r-zs_datasheet_20170706.pdf

You will note, that unlike the ZE, this model does not have any audio, nor is it ePOE capable, just standard POE. It also only has one substream, and face detection is deleted.

As usual, it's housed in a solid metal case, with metal mounting ring.

20180529_153632.jpg 20180529_153819.jpg 20180529_154141.jpg


The new cam is on the right, on the left is the original HDW5231R-Z Starlight.
20180529_154044.jpg
 
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looney2ns

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Its the IPC-HDW5231R-ZE Starlight vs the IPC HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight. Myself, I don't see any appreciable difference between the two cams. If I quickly switch back and forth between the two videos, I can see what looks like a tad difference in the hue, but that's it.
They are both set to factory defaults.

For $125 shipped, and varifocal to boot, it puts the cheap cams to shame.

They both use the same firmware and are on the same version dated 3/30/18.

Be sure to choose 1080p playback.

DriveWay.20180530_142246_1.jpg

MiniPTZ.20180530_143443_1.jpg







Very little ambient light.


 
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nymphaeles

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I don't quite see any startling differences between the two models. Is there a catch some where?
 

aristobrat

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I don't think it will matter to most folks, but max FPS looks to be 30 (vs 60 on the 5231).

Also looks like it only supports one 1080p stream, so folks running a NVR + Blue Iris (or a NVR and want to use an app like TinyCam to stream directly from the camera) will have to work with D1 resolution (not 1080p). Sounds like they may have stepped the processor down to help knock the price down?

Video quality looks great and for $50 cheaper than the 5231, I'm curious to see how these sell!!!
 
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EMPIRETECANDY

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@looney2ns for the smart functions, please check with the HDW5231R-ZE, i checked seems some functions missing for the lite one. for the selling, i will get it online when i get new stocks.
 

EMPIRETECANDY

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Night video added to Post #2.
@looney2ns made too much walking to test the videos. Really appreciated to bring us more and more good reviews. We always try to get the best and cost saving device for security. Hope can visit him one day in US. Lol
I will bring a 30x optical or 45X new ptz for @looney2ns to test soon. Not sure if your place is suits for 45X . Lol
 

looney2ns

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@looney2ns for the smart functions, please check with the HDW5231R-ZE, i checked seems some functions missing for the lite one. for the selling, i will get it online when i get new stocks.
Smart Functions in IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS
  • Smart Plan only has IVS
  • IVS only has Tripwire and Intrusion box.
Smart Functions in 5231ZE:
  • Face Detection
  • IVS
  • Tripwire
  • Intrusion
  • Abandoned Object
  • Missing Object
 

looney2ns

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I don't think it will matter to most folks, but max FPS looks to be 30 (vs 60 on the 5231).

Also looks like it only supports one 1080p stream (vs the 5231's two 1080P streams), so folks running a NVR + Blue Iris (or a NVR and want to use an app like TinyCam to stream directly from the camera) will have to work with D1 resolution (not 1080p). Sounds like they may have stepped the processor down to help knock the price down?

Video quality looks great and for $50 cheaper than the 5231, I'm curious to see how these sell!!!
You are correct on the one 1080p stream. And there is only one substream.

Cam has now been through 2 nasty, heavy rain/wind events from the remnants of tropical storm Alberto, and no issue's.
 

atothek

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@looney2ns price went up $5? ;) LOL

I'll just be glad when they are available. $40 less than IPC-HDW5213R-ZE unless you change the price again haha.
 
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