Camera recommendation

Lostmutt

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I’ve been lurking for a while and am overwhelmed by the sheer number and variations of cameras.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a camera for a carport that looks into bright sunlight for most of the day? Video (from a ring doorbell) tends to blow out and it’s almost impossible to see anything.
I’m looking at some of the 2.8mm 8mp Dahua fromempiretecandy
Any thoughts wold be appreciated.
 

catcamstar

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Advice: turn around your house? :p

On a more serious note: carports tend to cast shadow: what would happen if you install a camera under it (protected from rain & sun gives probability for a dome to work well), but it might give you the drawback of "filming from too high up", so you won't get many good facial ID's.

However do try to think out of the box: if your house/carport is not too close to the road, you might be able to film house-wards (instead of streetwards): many thieves/burglars tend to leave the property once in a while. And while they are going, they might not suspect a camera filming them on their way out, and you might get even better facial ID footage then from your carport/house-side. Such a cam might be installed in/under a mailbox, which gives great facial imagery, especially when heading out with a hoody or a cap (which would render useless footage with a 3m high cam anyway).

For the rest: make your homework (draw your scenes at IPVM Camera Calculator V3 to see if 2.8mm suffice), read the Cliff Notes (especially on starlights versus 8MP) and plan plan replan count your money plan replan and dive in the deep :p

Good luck!
CC
 

Lostmutt

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The carport is the main entry to the house and the light stays on 24/7 so lighting should not be an issue. That’s why I’m leaning towards the 8mp. The camera will be in a corner just to the side of the door(into the house). It will mainly be just to view the carport an see/ID anyone coming to the door. Right now the video is so blown out that you really can’t see any details of a person until they get right in front of the camera, and even then, the quality is crap.
 

Lostmutt

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I have read the wiki (repeatedly, and often). I’m looking for advice and to see what people are using in the same situation or if they have any suggestions.
 

aristobrat

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If you go with an 8MP model, the newer Dahua 1831/2381 models use a newer, bigger sensor that does better in low-light than the older sensors in the 5831 models.

The bright car port/door situation is tough for one camera to handle, IMO. haven't seen a suggestion that's helped much with cameras looking directly into the sun other than "don't do that". i.e. use multiple cameras like one for the door that is angled so it doesn't have the sun in the image and then a separate camera for the car port that's also angled to reduce getting the direct sun in the image ... if the second camera doesn't have to also cover the front door, that can sometimes give more options to locate it. The cameras have a WDR setting that can help balance the image out when part of the image is overexposed but from what I've seen that doesn't do much when the camera looks directly into the sun... it seems to help the most when one side of the image is overexposed.
 
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catcamstar

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Only thing I can add is that I also have a carport, but my cams remain "hidden" under the shadows of that carport :) Filming the sun is too adventurous for me :p
 

mat200

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Hi @Lostmutt

I would get at least 2 cameras to cover the car port - one under the shadow and one in the sun. The idea is that one camera will do better looking in the shadow area and the other in the sun light.

As mentioned you want good WDR for your camera, so definitely do not get a camera w/DWDR imho.
 

Lostmutt

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Hi @Lostmutt

I would get at least 2 cameras to cover the car port - one under the shadow and one in the sun. The idea is that one camera will do better looking in the shadow area and the other in the sun light.

As mentioned you want good WDR for your camera, so definitely do not get a camera w/DWDR imho.
WDR definitely on the list. Haven’t really thought about having 2 cameras.
I’m leaning towards the IPC-HDW4831EM-ASE right now. If that doesn’t work out I can use it to oversee some construction thats about to start.
 

mat200

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WDR definitely on the list. Haven’t really thought about having 2 cameras.
I’m leaning towards the IPC-HDW4831EM-ASE right now. If that doesn’t work out I can use it to oversee some construction thats about to start.
Hi Lostmutt,

Re: 1/2.5” 8Megapixel progressive scan STARVIS™ CMOS

I would look for a newer 8MP model with the larger sensor.. I don't think a turret version is out yet. ( 1/1.8" iirc )
 

Lostmutt

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Hi Lostmutt,

Re: 1/2.5” 8Megapixel progressive scan STARVIS™ CMOS

I would look for a newer 8MP model with the larger sensor.. I don't think a turret version is out yet. ( 1/1.8" iirc )
Good to know. Looks like more research!
 
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