Dahua 2MP Starlight Lineup

nbstl68

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Starvis Is a Sony trademarked word that refers to the increased light sensitivity of its specific line of sensors.
"Starlight" is not a Sony but Dahua label...What it refers to specifically, appears unclear, but the assumption has been at least that the camera includes use of a Sony Starvis sensor. "Starlight" may possibly refer to something else entirely,(setting functionality, other firmware applied within the camera?) by Dahua, especially in cameras no longer indicating a Starvis sensor but still saying "starlight", but I do not know for sure.
For more info on Starvis sensors from Sony just Google it. For clarification on the "Starlight" branding you'd have to get someone at Dahua to tell you if that is even possible.

Cameras with Sony Starvis image sensors
 

aristobrat

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"Starlight" may possibly refer to something else entirely,(setting functionality, other firmware applied within the camera?)
IMO, Starlight refers to the camera's low-light image quality, based on the minimum illumination specs of the camera.

Take a look at the the three popular Dahua turrets below. All three use Sony STARVIS sensors, but they use different models of the STARVIS.

5831 (4K/8MP) uses a 1/2.5" Sony STARVIS sensor and an 8MP lens.
Minimum illumination specs:
0.05Lux/F1.8 (Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.2Lux/F1.8 (Color,1/30s,30IRE)

5631 (6MP) uses a 1/2.9" Sony STARVIS sensor and a 6PM lens.
Minimum illumination specs:
0.03Lux/F1.6 (Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.3Lux/F1.6 (Color,1/30s,30IRE)

5231 (2MP) uses a 1/2.8" Sony STARVIS and a 2MP lens.
Minimum illumination specs:
0.006Lux/F1.6 ( Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.05Lux/F1.6 ( Color,1/30s,30IRE)

You can see that despite each model using a Sony STARVIS sensor, the 5231 (with the specific combination of a 1/2.8" STARVIS sensor and a 2MP lens) has much better minimum illumination specs than the 5631 and 5831.

Nobody's posted the specific minimum illumination specs that Dahua uses to qualify a camera as "Starlight", but so far they've usually all been in the range of the 5231s.. at least for the international models. There has been a few times where Dahua US has put a Starlight tag on a model where folks here are like "uh, really?" But since most folks here get the international models, hasn't really been an issue.
 
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looney2ns

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Here's the thing, Dahua's "specs" are all over the place. Apparently no one proof reads spec sheets or the website listed specs.
I've found several spec sheets that have numerous obvious errors in them.
So, as for the Starvis label being dropped....it could be as simple as they changed copy writers.
 

Tibbar

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IMO, Starlight refers to the camera's low-light image quality, based on the minimum illumination specs of the camera.

Take a look at the the three popular Dahua turrets below. All three use Sony STARVIS sensors, but they use different models of the STARVIS.

5831 (4K/8MP) uses a 1/2.5" Sony STARVIS sensor and an 8MP lens.
Minimum illumination specs:
0.05Lux/F1.8 (Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.2Lux/F1.8 (Color,1/30s,30IRE)

5631 (6MP) uses a 1/2.9" Sony STARVIS sensor and a 6PM lens.
Minimum illumination specs:
0.03Lux/F1.6 (Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.3Lux/F1.6 (Color,1/30s,30IRE)

5231 (2MP) uses a 1/2.8" Sony STARVIS and a 2MP lens.
Minimum illumination specs:
0.006Lux/F1.6 ( Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.05Lux/F1.6 ( Color,1/30s,30IRE)

You can see that despite each model using a Sony STARVIS sensor, the 5231 (with the specific combination of a 1/2.8" STARVIS sensor and a 2MP lens) has much better minimum illumination specs than the 5631 and 5831.

Nobody's posted the specific minimum illumination specs that Dahua uses to qualify a camera as "Starlight", but so far they've usually all been in the range of the 5231s.. at least for the international models. There has been a few times where Dahua US has put a Starlight tag on a model where folks here are like "uh, really?" But since most folks here get the international models, hasn't really been an issue.
Not trying to be picky but you keep referring to "2MP lens,8MP lens" etc.
Lens has nothing to to with number of pixels.
1/2.8" is the physical size of sensor, 2M is number of pixels on the sensor the camera uses(unless it interpolates) (for example sensor could have 2Meg physical pixels but camera could interpolate to let say 4M pixels and manufacturer would say it is 4M camera).
 

Tibbar

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Not trying to be picky but you keep referring to "2MP lens,8MP lens" etc.
Lens has nothing to to with number of pixels.
1/2.8" is the physical size of sensor, 2M is number of pixels on the sensor the camera uses(unless it interpolates) (for example sensor could have 2Meg physical pixels but camera could interpolate to let say 4M pixels and manufacturer would say it is 4M camera).
Haha.
I just realised you must have been talking about 2mm lens, 4mm lens 6mm lens etc not 2Mp lens.
 

fstop

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Yes, “MP lens” isn’t a real term. I’ve seen it used more of a brand name or to specific that the lens is of high enough quality for adequate resolution of high MP sensors.

The min lux ratings are determined by the f-stop of lens, the sensor’s sensitivity/type (Sony Starvis, etc), the physical size of sensor, and the number of pixels that were divided up into the sensor area. Integration time (shutter time) is also an important consideration when trying to compare apples to apples. That’s why there’s typically a big difference between min lux ratings among different MP cameras that share seemingly similar other specs.
 

aristobrat

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Are there any reputable dealers that carry this camera for shipment to the US? It doesn't look like Andy @empirecandy carries it.
Not a direct answer, but if you can’t find another reseller, Andy can sometimes special-order models that he doesn’t have listed on his online stores. Just shoot him an email or start a forum ‘conversation’ (PM) with him, if interested.
 

reverend

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I've had a new season price list for some Dahua cameras this week and see there are now 2Mp Starvis dome cams listed with a bigger 1/1.9" sensor vs the 1/2.9" used in the very popular 5231 range.

Price wise they would be over £600 retail mark so not sure if these are new or just not so popular at the moment due to cost?

The model number was IPC-HDBW8232EP-Z

There is also a v2 of the 49225 camera called the SD49225T-HN-S2 in there.
 

aristobrat

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That model looks like it's in the 2017 catalog that @nayr posted in the thread here, so I'm guessing price and that it's a dome play into that. @nayr did a review of the bullet version here.
 

reverend

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I did wonder if it was related thank-you - sounds like the sensor is a great performer although costly.

Hopefully we'll see the real new cameras soon in that case as I'm getting the upgrade itch.

I did spot this PTZ with radar detection which would minimise false motion alerts - kind of like PIR on steroids!

The PFR4KS-E50 - https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/32047
 

botics

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I am trying to find the latest mini bullet starlight cameras. I almost bought a few mentioned in the Wiki. I would like to know is there a 4 or 8MP or should I stick with the 2MP? I need stalight and a step in the right direction as to what are the newer ones. These will be setup on the side of my home and will have little to zero light.
 

looney2ns

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I am trying to find the latest mini bullet starlight cameras. I almost bought a few mentioned in the Wiki. I would like to know is there a 4 or 8MP or should I stick with the 2MP? I need stalight and a step in the right direction as to what are the newer ones. These will be setup on the side of my home and will have little to zero light.
If you want audio, this one: Dahua Starlight IPC-HDW5231R-ZE 800 meter capable ePOE | IP Cam Talk
If you don't want audio or to save a little $$, this one: Review-dahua-ipc-hdw2231rp-zs-starlight-camera-varifocal
Stick with the 2mp, and I suggest reading this Cliff Notes again.
 

slizz

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I am looking to add a PTZ to the front of my residence. I see that there is a huge disparity in pricing. Budget is not a great concern but I don't want to spend money just for the sake of spending money. I live in a rural area with a prison on one end of the road. My nearest neighbor is actually the prison and there are no other residences within 1/2 a mile. Quite a few interesting characters drive by on weekend visitations. The longest line of view I would have is probably 400 feet. My house is 200 feet off of the roadway.

I would buy the SD6CE245U-HNI but don't want to if I would be satisfied with something less. I appreciate any insight. I've attached a google sat image for an idea of the layout.


Screenshot 2019-04-27 at 6.55.46 PM.png
 
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