Do you think Audio is "worth it"?

M

mercfh

Getting the hang of it
Nov 5, 2018
51
26
United States
Bout to order a couple of cameras and really am wondering if audio is actually worth the 50-60 bucks extra between 2 2MP Starlights (Dahua).

I figured i'd ask to see what members think. I mean I imagine audio takes up more space for the camera feed into storage but I just really wonder if there is any proven benefit to being able to hear? I'd like to hear opinions to sway me one way or the other (Obviously this is probably a debated topic, but I did a search and surprisingly didn't find any major threads one way or the other)
 
mercfh said:
Bout to order a couple of cameras and really am wondering if audio is actually worth the 50-60 bucks extra between 2 2MP Starlights (Dahua).

I figured i'd ask to see what members think. I mean I imagine audio takes up more space for the camera feed into storage but I just really wonder if there is any proven benefit to being able to hear? I'd like to hear opinions to sway me one way or the other (Obviously this is probably a debated topic, but I did a search and surprisingly didn't find any major threads one way or the other)
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Hi @mercfh

Remember, there also are legal issues to consider.

Personally, imho of course: I think audio is worth it only when legally allowed, AND only for a couple of cameras. There is no need to have audio on each and every camera.

Example - I like to have audio on at least 2 cameras - the one by your front door, and one covering the street / driveway.
 
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mercfh said:
Good point, I didn't even consider the legal stuff. Is it a state by state thing?
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Yes, state by state - and a ymmv
 
Doesn't one-party consent mean that at least one party involved in the conversation be aware it is being recorded?

So, for example, your camera's mic records two neighbors talking, you, as a third party doing the recording, would be violating the law because neither party having the conversation would be aware they're being recorded.

Most of these laws are antiquated and meant to cover phone conversations or someone wearing a hidden recorder. I'd want some clarification concerning surveillance system regulations.
 
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So when it comes to "one party consent" that party would be me, since I am doing the recording I also am consenting. Kentucky is pretty lax when it comes to home security laws (thankfully) so it seems like we can pretty much do anything with them (outside of recording places that have expectations of privacy, which is a grey area)
 
mercfh said:
Im in Kentucky which is one party consent so I think I should be ok on the legal front.
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mercfh said:
So when it comes to "one party consent" that party would be me, since I am doing the recording I also am consenting. Kentucky is pretty lax when it comes to home security laws (thankfully) so it seems like we can pretty much do anything with them (outside of recording places that have expectations of privacy, which is a grey area)
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Hi @mercfh

Sorry, you would NOT be the party to the conversation just because you own the recording device.

Just a question of time before this all gets some nasty court time.
 
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The quality of the audio on a camera is not very good outside, unless you add an additional microphone.
I personal think it is a waste of money for the way I live. No one comes to my front door unless invited.
 
@mat200 Good point, it sounds like it may not really be worth it because even if a criminal is going to break into my house I doubt they would say anything specifically like "Hi my name is <FIRSTNAME><LASTNAME> and Im here to STEAL"
 
mercfh said:
@mat200 Good point, it sounds like it may not really be worth it because even if a criminal is going to break into my house I doubt they would say anything specifically like "Hi my name is <FIRSTNAME><LASTNAME> and Im here to STEAL"
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Hi Merch

Depends - if there is more than one they may call each other by a name or nickname. That maybe useful information. Just gets really tricky in terms of legality, and I would hate to be the one charged with illegal wiretap when I was the victim of a crime.

Maybe a sign solves the legality issues in some states?
 
There is also a reasonable expectation of privacy to consider as well. If someone is carrying on a conversation out in the open...consent may not be needed.

Disclaimer...I am not a legal expert this is just based in my own research for my state.

I am sure you have seen this but this thread also has some other things to consider if you are looking between the 5231 and 2231.
 
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Thanks, I was looking at that thread originally. I do like the 60fps option (although it's probably not needed for me). I don't think the audio should be an issue since they will simply be at my front and back door where I don't think there can be considered an expectation of privacy.
 
All,
In WA state, two party consent is needed. Meaning i had to place a sign at the bottom of my long driveway that stated "Video & Audio recording is underway on my property". If they proceed up the driveway, that's consent.
1) The mic on the parking area cam is semi-useful.
2) The mic on the front door cam is very useful.

Thankfully, no bad actors caught so far. The front door cam, besides getting facial shots, also records audio of doorbell ringing, my dogs barking inside, and sometimes, door-to-door solicitors talking on their phone about the status of knocking on my door. And talking to themselves, re: someone home or not.
IMHO, the audio compliments the video nicely. I respect Privacy Rights. But when ppl ar3e at my front door, while I'm away, I like exercising my property rights to watch AND HEAR the folks on my property.
And let's remember, we don't have to turn over audio to LEO.
Audio recording has many rules and regs. Some apply wether it's "admissible". Some apply if you can "record" audio or not.
IMHO, if you're knocking on my front door, I'll decide how to use the audio. My dog uses the audio (sound) to decide if she'll bark or not. Me too.

Fastb
 
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Audio:
My cams don't have built-in audio. They have an "audio in" jack.
1) I heard built-in audio wasn't very good
2) I bought cams with audio capability, and then bought the mics that served my purpose (form factor, sensitivity, powere POE splitter,etc)
Mounting a cam, with poe splitter to power a mic, complicates things. Sure. Needed a cam junction box. But I was able to aim the mic, and pic the mic with the audio sensitivity/price I wanted.
YMMV.

Fastb
 
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Which model is the non-audio comparable to the 5321?
I need a couple more but don't need audio.
 
SouthernYankee said:
The quality of the audio on a camera is not very good outside, unless you add an additional microphone.
I personal think it is a waste of money for the way I live. No one comes to my front door unless invited.
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Not sure why you continue to say this, the audio on my Dahua cams are very good. Both with built-in mics and external mics.
You just need to turn off the noise filter in the audio setup of the cam.
The audio can also vary depending on the quality of speakers/sound system you use to listen. Crap speakers will produce crap audio no matter what.

Audio has came in very useful several times in the past year for us.
Consulate with an attorney regarding the laws in your state/municipality regarding audio recording. YMMV.
 
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