Need advice: 2 Dahua cameras for outdoor garden surveillance

F

fedter

n3wb
Mar 21, 2026
11
4
Germany
Hi everyone,

after purchasing and successfully installing my first camera (IPC-T54IR-AS) for an indoor office room, I would now like to install cameras at home to monitor the outside area of my house.

I am planning to install two cameras. The planned camera positions are marked in the attached sketch.

Installation details:
  • Camera 1 will be protected from rain by a roof/overhang.
  • Camera 2 will not be covered and will be mounted on a downspout.
  • Both cameras will be mounted at a height of approximately 8.5 ft (2.6 meters).
  • The dimensions of the monitored area can be seen in the attached sketch.
  • Budget: $100–400 per camera

Requirements:
  • At least reliable person detection, preferably identification in key areas
  • Built-in AI person detection (camera-side)
  • Reliable night-time person detection
  • Good low-light/night performance. Some ambient light is available from a streetlamp outside the property. External motion-triggered LED lighting can be added if needed
  • Reliable integration with Synology Surveillance Station
  • Recordings should be stored in Synology Surveillance Station and also backed up to cloud storage, e.g. Hetzner Storage Box
Could you please recommend specific Dahua / EmpireTech camera models for this setup?

I would also appreciate advice on the best focal length/lens choice for each position, based on the attached sketch, and where I can buy the recommended models.

Thank you very much in advance for your help!
 

Attachments

+1

Plan on adding a flood light if you want to get a good crisp image in color.
If B&W IR is ok, you're good to go
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: tmxv4128, fedter and Chokolinho
Thanks a lot for the recommendation. I have two follow-up questions:
  • Rain exposure for Camera 2: Since Camera 2 will be mounted on the downspout without any roof or overhang protecting it from direct rain, I'd like to confirm whether the recommended turret model is suitable for this kind of fully exposed installation. Based on real-world experience: does the turret hold up well long-term when permanently exposed to rain, or would you still recommend an additional cover/sunshield?
  • Combining Dahua mounts: For Camera 2, can the Dahua junction box AND the pole mount adapter be combined (for both cable management and attachment to the round downspout), or can only one be used at a time?
 
Quick follow-up on Camera 2, mounted on a downspout and fully exposed to rain.
As I understand it, the last bracket in the stack determines the camera orientation:
  • PFA152-E (pole mount bracket) + PFA130-E (waterproof junction box) → camera mounting plate faces sideways
  • PFA152-E (pole mount bracket) + PFA130-E (waterproof junction box) + PFB203W (wall mount bracket) → camera mounting plate faces upward
Which setup would you recommend for a turret on a downspout?
 
Either option will work. The turret can be pointed in any direction. The PFB203 is easier to work with, but if you need a box anyway, I would just go with the PFA130-E
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom