Review - Dahua SD49225XA-HNR 2MP 25x Starlight + IR PTZ AI Camera with Deep IVS & SMD Plus

JPmedia said:
What makes this camera so desirable?
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At the time it was the only decent auto tracking camera on an ideal MP/sensor under $400.

Then they removed auto tracking with a firmware update to force people to buy a near double the cost tracking camera.

You should have seen the posts from people coming here after OCD updating firmware to find they lost tracking. This camera is a great example of why we say don't update for kicks and grins.

This camera isn't desirable anymore unless you can get your hands on an older version with auto tracking. The newer model won't accept the tracking firmware.

That is why Andy doesn't carry it anymore - who want to pay that much for a PTZ without tracking.
 
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wittaj said:
At the time it was the only decent auto tracking camera on an ideal MP/sensor under $400.

Then they removed auto tracking with a firmware update to force people to buy a near double the cost tracking camera.

You should have seen the posts from people coming here after OCD updating firmware to find they lost tracking. This camera is a great example of why we say don't update for kicks and grins.

This camera isn't desirable anymore unless you can get your hands on an older version with auto tracking. The newer model won't accept the tracking firmware.

That is why Andy doesn't carry it anymore - who want to pay that much for a PTZ without tracking.
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That sucks that they removed a feature that was part of the design when purchased. I would think that doing so would border on fraud. Not to mention that the CPA would/should have gotten involved, no?
 
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JPmedia said:
That sucks that they removed a feature that was part of the design when purchased. I would think that doing so would border on fraud. Not to mention that the CPA would/should have gotten involved, no?
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I'm sure that most owners have either A). Moved on or B). Stayed on original firmware (containing Autotracking) without realizing it was removed later
 
JPmedia said:
How does the SD5A225XA-HNR compare to this camera?
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It would be comparable.

But you have lots of threads/posts asking about PTZs.

As an owner of more PTZs than I care to admit to LOL, the PTZ5A4M-25X is going to blow away any 2MP on the 1/2.8" sensor. Save the money and get the PTZ5A4M-25X. You would have to go over $1k to beat it's performance.
 
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JPmedia said:
That sucks that they removed a feature that was part of the design when purchased. I would think that doing so would border on fraud. Not to mention that the CPA would/should have gotten involved, no?
Click to expand...

It happens all the time.

Buy a doorbell camera and get to see video for free and then after time, it becomes subscription based.

Buy a Ring alarm system and can set the alarm with the app for free and after some time it becomes subscription based.

Same with these cameras. It is why we often mention don't update just for the sake of updating. Too many times it removes a feature someone was using.

This is by no means an all encompassing list, but these are issues I have seen people report here where they were upgrading just for the sake of upgrading:
  • Dahua 5241E-Z12E that someone updated and then constantly reboots.
  • Axis Q1786 that lost the ability to see the percentage of focus and zoom in theGUI.
  • Dahua 49225 and 49425 PTZ that Dahua intentionally removed autotracking with an update to force people to buy the more expensive PTZ.
  • Hikvision DS-2DEA425IW-DW PTZ that Hikvision intentionally removed autotracking with an update to force people to buy the more expensive PTZ (*V5.7.3 220315 -Remove auto-tracking functions on DE4A).
  • Hikvision ANPR camera losing half the FPS and loses the ability to read US plates - those are big deals to have happen, especially if you live in the USA.
  • Hikvision ANPR DS-2CD4A26FWD camera that lost all ability to read plates - kinda makes a plate reader camera useless.
  • Hikvision camera that the user lost ability to control the LED light function at night.
  • Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 NVR that has the APIs changed. This is a big deal if you run automation.
  • Hikvision DS-7616NI-K2 NVR that loses basic functionality when updated.
  • Hikvision wifi camera that loses the ability to use wifi after a firmware update and was intentionally removed due to too many complaints that the camera was dropping signal.
  • DH-DB61 Doorbell that loses API functionality. A big deal for someone with automation.
  • DS-2CD2387G2-LU that loses API functionality. A big deal for someone with automation.
  • Hikvision iVM4200 v3.8 - loses the free ability to use the computer as storage and now need to subscribe.
  • Dahua IPC-HFW1320S that started phoning home using 60MB/hr and costing someone thousands of dollars in data overages when he got his next mobile bill.
  • Dahua 5442 that will not allow playback of the SD card.
  • Dahua NVR58XX-4KS2 that had custom protocol (ability to add a camera via RTSP) removed possibly to force people to purchase same brand cameras.
  • SmartPSS that intentionally removed the ability to use the Intercom for those with VTO devices after firmware version 2.02.08
  • Countless other instances where the camera or NVR simply bricked and became useless.
  • Countless examples where the camera or NVR went into Chinese.
  • Manufacturers are now preventing their equipment to be updated with an older working firmware after it was updated to a more recent firmware.
Don't do it unless it is fixing a problem you are experiencing or adds a feature you really need.
 
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wittaj said:
It would be comparable.

But you have lots of threads/posts asking about PTZs.

As an owner of more PTZs than I care to admit to LOL, the PTZ5A4M-25X is going to blow away any 2MP on the 1/2.8" sensor. Save the money and get the PTZ5A4M-25X. You would have to go over $1k to beat it's performance.
Click to expand...
My plan is to acquire a PTZ5A4M-25X on the one side, but I have a location I would like to add a PTZ to monitor the opposite street. I am trying to reduce the bandwidth usage, by replacing the crappy 8MP Lorex cams with 4mp overview cams as time and money permits and the lure of a good 2mp auto-tracking PTZ camera seems like a good option for an existing location. Placing a fixed camera to monitor activity close up can be difficult to implement, especially the installation. Then you have to choose the specific area to view. Unfortunately, you end up missing identifiable activity as you don't have the coverage to do so.

As mentioned so many times, wide angle observation cameras give a great overall view, but the resulting footage is usually of no use in the identification process.

I know a PTZ camera has its own issues and auto-tracking is never foolproof, but using a good PTZ, you can change and dial in what areas best work for the situation with a click or two.
 
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