Yes, I was asking what specific variant of the 5442 model since the Empire and specs here on the IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 are incomplete. I just wanted to see a full spec sheet and needed the full model number to ensure that I was looking at the correct document. Yes, the closest North American variant is $100 more not double and it comes with a 5 year warranty and firmware updates that aren't a crap-shoot.
With that said the BH variant seems to be from 2023 and not as updated as the EmpreTech cam that I think we are talking about, namely the IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 so there's that....
Thanks for your input, I really appreciate your help!
R
OH - I forgot that Dahua sold off their North American business, so B&H is probably just trying to sell off their inventory of the older stuff.
But ALL firmware update on these types of cameras are a crapshoot. You are fooling yourself if you think because you buy it from B&H that the firmware can't go wonky. Plus they are a reseller just like EmpireTech. If something goes wrong, it will be up to them to deal with Dahua, which they probably are not doing anymore.
Andy (EmpireTech) is invited to Dahua HQ all the time and has a great relationship with them.
But the North American cameras are even more limited. EmpireTech firmware or Dahua International firmware cannot be flashed on a North America camera. International is a bigger market than the North American market, so improvements are more likely to firmware on the international models.
People have bricked their Dahua camera from B&H (or any
North American distributor) trying to get the better features or newer firmware that are typically on the international version.
People have bought from actual Dahua installers and it went wonky on a firmware update. B&H is a 3rd party reseller and I assure you that you will find out how limited their Limited 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty really is.
@Teken said it best in this
post when talking about these types of cameras:
Firmware: I agree with the other member that this specific area needs improvement! In 2024 there’s zero excuses for bricking a system due to a firmware upgrade.
Empiretech are Dahua OEM sold by Andy. Some of my cameras I have bought from Andy from his Amazon store come as Dahua cams in Dahua boxes with Dahua logos, and some are not logo'd - I think it depends on how many cameras Andy buys if he gets them with the Dahua Logo or not. But regardless, they are Dahua cams.
Like I said the firmware we get from him is actually better because many members here provide feedback to Andy and then Dahua makes modifications to the firmware and sends back to him and then he sends out to his customers. These have been great improvements that Dahua doesn't even update their firmware and add to their website. So many of us are running a newer firmware than those that purchase Dahua cameras through professional installers. Smart IR on the 5442 series is one such improvement. Autotracking on the 49225 is another. Every other vendor the 49225 PTZ does not have autotrack.
EmpireTech's 5442 now has the AI ability for animals is a recent example that won't be on that North America camera for awhile, if at all.
But regardless of the price difference, if I can get a better camera for cheaper than the previous older version, that should be a no-brainer?
