Dahua 5mp Starlight Dome Issues?

Charles Odom · Feb 28, 2018

Hello,
I recently installed the new 5mp starlight dome from Dahua and have been rather unimpressed with its quality. I need to know if I just got a bad one, if there is a way to focus the camera (fixed lens model), or if the picture I am seeing is just supposed to be this bad.

Dahua 5mp Starlight Camera N51BL22

Hikvision DS-2CD2155FWD-I 2.8mm for comparison

john-ipvm · Feb 28, 2018

We (IPVM) tested the 5MP varifocal stralight model (same series, same sensor) and it tested quite poorly. Unlocked here - Dahua 5MP Starlight Camera Tested (N52BM3Z)

Though I can't see your images attached, I suspect there's a general issue and not just your unit.

Charles Odom · Feb 28, 2018

sorry, I edited the post. I couldn't see the images either. The review your company did was behind the paywall, so I couldn't view it. I did however see the picture you posted on the other thread about this camera and the night shot looked far better than I am getting.

I can give settings on both cameras, but it will be later tonight before I can screenshot them. I know most of them off hand, so just ask. I will return the camera if something is wrong.

fenderman · Feb 28, 2018

That camera is out of focus...

cyberwolf_uk · Feb 28, 2018

Look like a Huisun :rofl:

aristobrat · Feb 28, 2018

Charles Odom said:
The review your company did was behind the paywall, so I couldn't view it.

Just wanted to say that I did not run into a paywall when using the link in the 2nd post.

I'm not sure if this was an International model that Dahua would have used the Starlight label for it.

bp2008 · Feb 28, 2018

The snapshot you captured isn't even close to native resolution, but yeah this seems like a poor lens and/or bad focus.

Fixed cameras usually have the lens focus set with a small amount of glue that you can cut/break with a razor blade if you want to try refocusing. No guarantee you'll get better results though. Or you might get results that are better during the day but worse at night.

giel · Feb 28, 2018

Not sure if this is only for the varifocals or also for fixed, but I've seen similar issues when setting shutter speed to a fixed value (instead of a range) and keeping auto-iris on. If your shutter speed is e.g., 1/60 in broad daylight and auto-iris is on, it makes the iris super small to not make the image too bright, which makes the image look like somebody put vaseline on the lens.

alastairstevenson · Feb 28, 2018

giel said:
Not sure if this is only for the varifocals or also for fixed, but I've seen similar issues when setting shutter speed to a fixed value (instead of a range) and keeping auto-iris on. If your shutter speed is e.g., 1/60 in broad daylight and auto-iris is on, it makes the iris super small to not make the image too bright, which makes the image look like somebody put vaseline on the lens.

What type of cameras have you had that have actually had an iris?

giel · Feb 28, 2018

The Dahua IPC-HFW5231 series have the option "auto iris" in the web interface. Not sure if they have an actual iris or if it's some electronic trickery (which would explain the bad image quality issues), but that setting in combination with fixed shutter speed messed things up for me. Setting a shutter range and turning auto iris off made the image much better.

bp2008 · Feb 28, 2018

I believe most of my PTZs have had that kind of iris, but not fixed-focus cameras. Not sure about my varifocals...

Slightly bad focus in strong lighting can still result in a sharp image but with fringes around it that makes the lens look dirty. Pretty much like what is in the first snapshot in the OP.

Charles Odom · Feb 28, 2018

the camera is set to auto shutter speed during the day, and I didn't notice anything about an adjustable Iris on this camera. I have tried the manual thing during the day, but it doesn't work well at all. low light conditions early and late work at 1/120, but anything from 9am till 4pm or so needs up to 1/10000 to keep from over exposure. I have left the gain at 0-50, since I seems to get the best image-noise ratios. anything over about 60 at night and the noise gets to be more than the DNR can fix.

I am going to contact the company I bought it from to see about a replacement.

Charles Odom · Feb 28, 2018

oh, and I tried with the dome off and same thing. the seal on this dome is incredible and even maxing out the IR doesn't have any problems. so we can eliminate the dome being an issue. sorry, but I forgot to take an image without the cover installed. ill look in my recordings to see if I can find when the cover was off, if I haven't deleted that footage.

Charles Odom · Mar 1, 2018

So...Here is an update. Email I got from the seller. I sent him the 2 images from above, and included the needed information about how the side yard image was a different camera and included to show a reference. Now, am I just a complete moron or does this idiot not see the difference between the pics? it sounds as though he thinks the two images are from the same camera. and the talk about monitor resolution? Fark Off you wanker!!!!

Good morning,

Before you claim a faulty camera you should give Dahua Techs a call: 877-606-1590. They can help you fine tune the camera.

From those photos they don’t look out of focus. You should realize that you have a fixed 2.8mm lens which is meant to give you the widest shot possible without going into the “fisheye” effect. That means the focus point it only meant to be 25-35 ft in front of the camera. With a 5mp camera you will be able to digitally enhance to get further, but the smaller you enhance the image the blurrier it will become. Also, may need to check the “encode” part of the menu. Make sure the cameras are set to the highest resolution possible. You may want to also check the capacity of your monitor. The resolution of the monitor may not be able to handle a 5mp resulotion. 4mp is considered 2K to keep as a point of reference.

aristobrat · Mar 1, 2018

Ugh. Hopefully you're able to get this sorted. Would be nice to see what Dahua says about the IQ, but it seems like it can be tough to get them engaged if you're not the actually reseller calling in.

Do you have any nighttime pictures from that camera you can share?

Charles Odom · Mar 1, 2018

update...I talked to Dahua. Wonderful Experience!!! Answered the phone within 1min and, after explaining my issue, asked for the serial number to issue a warranty ticket to return for exchange.

I will upload a couple night shots of the camera. overall, with the exclusion of the IR from the equation, they are not bad, although out of focus.

Charles Odom · Mar 1, 2018

Night Shot

Charles Odom · Mar 1, 2018

2CD2155FWD-I2.8 with external IR

2CD2155FWD-I2.8 with No IR, Just the light from the front of the garage, which is clearly pointing 90 degrees to the left.

Charles Odom · Mar 1, 2018

Now, in the Dahua camera's defense, there is a little difference in resolution of the pictures here on the forum, but not enough that it should make a noticeable difference. Aslo, as you can see, the Dahua does better with low light B/W than the Hik, if it were in focus. The Hik has some serious noise from the gain set wide open when there is no IR present, but it is MUCH darker on the side of my house than the backyard. When I stand under the camera and look at my gate, I can not make out the fence slats with the naked eye, however, I can clearly see almost all of my backyard from my back porch with the naked eye, except for the corner behind the boat.

Just for reference...The external IR is http://a.co/2DALhUX

Charles Odom · Mar 1, 2018

Here is the Driveway cam. it is a 4mp Hik OEM. Notice the Stop Sign and the Rough Country box. the Dahua couldn't read either, even when I take full quality snapshots through the BI server.

Ignore the oil stains in the driveway...The supercharged escalade to the right decided to puke its rear main after a few nights of Mustang fishing and the wife won't let me put the new engine in it.

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Dahua 5mp Starlight Dome Issues?

Charles Odom

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john-ipvm

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Charles Odom

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Charles Odom

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