guidance for new Dahua install?

Andrew F

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Hi everyone,

I've read a ton here, and I think I have a decent concept. Can anyone chime in? (if there's another place to post this, I'm happy to be redirected)

We're trying to mainly capture license plates, vehicles, and faces on the road in front of our house. (We've had a lot of incidents of burglars getting into cars, hit & runs, etc). It's about 65' from the front of the house to the road.

We are planning to install a lamp post near the road. That lamp will be illuminated all night. Two cameras would face opposite directions from that post. Here's the concept:


I'm thinking I would mount 3 other cameras for a total of 5. 2 cameras facing opposite directions for LPR, 2 cameras facing opposite directions to identify faces / models of cars, and 1 camera with a wider view on our lawn in case someone comes up to our house.

For LPR and faces on the street, I'm looking at: IPC-HFW5231E-Z12 (2 would be mounted on the lamp post, 2 on the house somewhere - or maybe a tree)

For the broader / closer view of our lawn, I'm looking at: IPC-HDW5231R-ZE (I think that would look ok mounted directly on the house).

To start with, I was thinking of ordering one of each camera, a POE switch, and some cable. Then I could do the "post in a bucket" test to figure out proper placement, settings, etc. Then order 3 more cameras.

I have a PC that I think I can setup to act as my NVR with Blue Iris or SightHound.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Andrew
 

usaf_pride

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Your best bet is to ask in the dedicated LPR forum as it is just as much art as it is science in getting LPR to work.

@Mods, please move to LPR forum.
 

aristobrat

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To start with, I was thinking of ordering one of each camera, a POE switch, and some cable. Then I could do the "post in a bucket" test to figure out proper placement, settings, etc. Then order 3 more cameras.
IMO, that’s a good way to start.

I love the 5231s, but if one of them is going to be zoomed all the way out to capture as much of the yard as possible, you could save a little bit of money and use a 2.8mm 4231 model. If you don’t want sound, the varifocal 2231 costs around the same price as the fixed-lens 4231. Both the 4231/5231 have mics. With a 2231/4231/5231 on the front of your house facing the yard, be sure you’re good with the estimated image quality from that distance. That’s a stretch.

If you guys get thunderstorms, you may have to consider grounding if you’re going to run Ethernet across the yard. There are some folks here with experience with that, so feel free to post in a thread on that topic.

And as @usaf_pride mentioned, LPR is as much art as science. Since you’re looking at the Z12 bullet, I’m guessing you prob saw the LPR subforum here. It’d be wise to get the folks that hang out there to look at your plan. Seems like camera angles are important with LPR, so I’m not sure how high up that light pole the cameras should go.
 

Andrew F

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Thank you for all the help so far!

I'll create a more specific LPR post over in that forum. I definitely want to make sure this is likely to work before I pull the trigger on hardware. I'm just sick of the local police shrugging their shoulders and doing nothing.
 

ScooterGeo

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IMO, that’s a good way to start.

I love the 5231s, but if one of them is going to be zoomed all the way out to capture as much of the yard as possible, you could save a little bit of money and use a 2.8mm 4231 model. If you don’t want sound, the varifocal 2231 costs around the same price as the fixed-lens 4231. Both the 4231/5231 have mics. With a 2231/4231/5231 on the front of your house facing the yard, be sure you’re good with the estimated image quality from that distance. That’s a stretch.

If you guys get thunderstorms, you may have to consider grounding if you’re going to run Ethernet across the yard. There are some folks here with experience with that, so feel free to post in a thread on that topic.

And as @usaf_pride mentioned, LPR is as much art as science. Since you’re looking at the Z12 bullet, I’m guessing you prob saw the LPR subforum here. It’d be wise to get the folks that hang out there to look at your plan. Seems like camera angles are important with LPR, so I’m not sure how high up that light pole the cameras should go.

I am looking at purchasing a few more IPC-HDW5231R-ZE from Andy and noticed that the 2231's are significantly cheaper. I also noticed that they are F1.4 vs F1.6. All the review seem to indicate the they are spot on to the 5231 for optics and image quality. I was wondering if the brighter F1.4 lens is actually better despite the near identical specs.
I was considering the 2231's fore areas where I don't need a black camera, don't need the advanced features of the 5231 and don't nee a mic.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
 

aristobrat

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If you could do any side-by-sides with a 5231/2231 next to an 1831E, I think a lot of folks would find that helpful! :)
 

ScooterGeo

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If you could do any side-by-sides with a 5231/2231 next to an 1831E, I think a lot of folks would find that helpful! :)
Good suggestion.
I will do that, time permitting.

I currently have a IPC-HDW5231R-ZE alongside a
Lorex LNE8974BW 4K Motorized Varifocal + Mic
Lorex LNE8950ABW 4K Fixed FL + Mic
The Lorex cameras above came as part of a 4 camera kit 4KHDIP822NW for $1050 (after 15% discount)

I also have a Lorex LNWIHD 2MP wifi camera with onboard storage which I purchased from Costco for ($129 CAD, or ~ $95 USD)
The LNWIHD 2MP wifi performs as good or better than either of the Lorex 4K's and the iOS app and "plug-n-play" functionality works really well for an inexpensive consumer offering. I feel it would make a great baby monitor, dog watching or inexpensive entrance camera for those not wanting the complexities or tinkering of IP+NVR system

To no surprise, initial testing shows that the 5231 is far far superior in low light and also has better image quality even in bright light with better contrast and colour saturation. The varifocal zoom also seems to work better with much faster focus. The focus on the 8974 can be very sluggish taking up to 30 seconds or more to dial in the focus (a huge negative AFAIAK).

I did start a thread indicating that I plan to compare the above cameras and post my results (time permitting).

Once I receive my order from Andy I will try to do a side by side comparison of all 6 cameras.
I will also provide my findings/ impressions of the Lorex vs Dahua NVR and associated software/applicatons.

Regards,



 

looney2ns

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I am looking at purchasing a few more IPC-HDW5231R-ZE from Andy and noticed that the 2231's are significantly cheaper. I also noticed that they are F1.4 vs F1.6. All the review seem to indicate the they are spot on to the 5231 for optics and image quality. I was wondering if the brighter F1.4 lens is actually better despite the near identical specs.
I was considering the 2231's fore areas where I don't need a black camera, don't need the advanced features of the 5231 and don't nee a mic.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
The specs are frequently not always 100% accurate.
Review-dahua-ipc-hdw2231rp-zs-starlight-camera-varifocal
 
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