$160 4K PTZ 8MP IP POE Auto Tracking Pan Tilt 18x Optical PTZ Freak @ Amazon (combining info from other threads)

[wittaj]

Oh that is a model 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) and if I recall correctly, they don't allow older firmware to be installed.

One of the many reasons why we preach here not to update a firmware for OCD kicks and grins behavior. Back when that camera came out, we got lots of posts here of people losing autotracking by updating their camera.

Unless the firmware release notes specifically states it is fixing a problem you have, in many instances it removes a feature you were using.

Don't fix what ain't broke LOL

And time is money, so assign a dollar value to your time (like how much you make per hour) and how much time it takes to search for the cheap camera, buy cheap camera, play with it and decide it is junk, pack it up and take camera to wherever you take it to return it, start process over with another camera, and you could have "paid" for a good camera LOL.

 

[dovedescent8]

Why is sunba so bad? Just curious. Some elder-ish people here said they stink, but sometimes have hikvision/sony parts?
According to what you guys have said, wouldnt this be a better camera than i just bought (and am returning)

SD5A425XA-HNR​

4MP 25x Starlight+ IR WizSense Network PTZ Camera

(*V5.7.3 220315

Oh that is a model 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) and if I recall correctly, they don't allow older firmware to be installed.

One of the many reasons why we preach here not to update a firmware for OCD kicks and grins behavior. Back when that camera came out, we got lots of posts here of people losing autotracking by updating their camera.

Unless the firmware release notes specifically states it is fixing a problem you have, in many instances it removes a feature you were using.

Don't fix what ain't broke LOL

And time is money, so assign a dollar value to your time (like how much you make per hour) and how much time it takes to search for the cheap camera, buy cheap camera, play with it and decide it is junk, pack it up and take camera to wherever you take it to return it, start process over with another camera, and you could have "paid" for a good camera LOL

Were here for solutions. Ami right?

I really hope (and dont think you are) you aren't the type to watch for noobs to come on here and buy shite cams just punish them. That wouldn't be productive. No i'm POSITIVE you're better than that

I think you would be a FANTASTIC dude if you could recommend me minimum spec i would need to auto track license plates from the end of my 40ft driveway, a cam with those specs, preferably ptz that'll work with SS and if i can afford it, i'll get it, if not, i can save my caysh to get one when i'm able to afford it. YES


p.s. whats this? is this a brit/aussie forum? No offense, im just curious what this means

OCD kicks and grins behavior

 

[wittaj]

Sunba does poor for the reasons I mentioned above using Reolink as the example. Sunba has the right parts inside, but the firmware won't allow for good freeze frame at night because the firmware is designed for bright static images over quality motion capture - that is the common theme of cheaper cameras.


Yes, that PTZ would be the one - 4MP on the 1/1.8" sensor, but it is out of your price range, which is why it wasn't recommended.

Oh now you add plates to the mix - PTZs are bad for plates because the PTZs are always on auto focus and at night you need a fast shutter to read plates and the image will be all black except for the plates.

A PTZ can work for plates under a few situations - enough light or setting it as a fixed camera an hour before sunset so it has something to focus on.

You would have to set the camera up specifically to read plates. You need the proper camera with OPTICAL zoom for the distance you are covering and the angle to get plates.

Regarding plates, keep in mind that this is a camera dedicated to plates and not an overview camera also. It is as much an art as it is a science. You will need two cameras. For LPR we need to OPTICALLY zoom in tight to make the plate as large as possible. For most of us, all you see is the not much more than a vehicle in the entire frame. Now maybe in the right location during the day it might be able to see some other things, but not at night.

At night, we have to run a very fast shutter speed (1/2,000) and in B/W with IR and the image will be black. All you will see are head/tail lights and the plate. Some people can get away with color if they have enough street lights, but most of us cannot. Here is a representative sample of plates I get at night of vehicles traveling about 45MPH at 175 feet from my 2MP 5241-Z12E camera (that is all that is needed for plates):

See the LPR subforum for more details.

 

[dovedescent8]

Yeah my expectations were just too high. Wasnt being realistic for the $$.
Well the dude i got the camera from, this one, DS-2DE4A425IWG-E said he would get me this one,DS-2DE4A425IWG-E for same price, and includes auto tracking.
Yeah the lens isnt any different but from what i read the software is different and will do auto track.


So, gun to your head (and ur not allowed to blow out ur brains) which of these would you pick? Or for the money do i just buy a shite one from amazon..
data sheets attached

DS-2DE4425IW-DE(T5)
DS-2DE4A425IWG-E

 

[dovedescent8]

Sunba does poor for the reasons I mentioned above using Reolink as the example. Sunba has the right parts inside, but the firmware won't allow for good freeze frame at night because the firmware is designed for bright static images over quality motion capture - that is the common theme of cheaper cameras.


Yes, that PTZ would be the one - 4MP on the 1/1.8" sensor, but it is out of your price range, which is why it wasn't recommended.

Oh now you add plates to the mix - PTZs are bad for plates because the PTZs are always on auto focus and at night you need a fast shutter to read plates and the image will be all black except for the plates.

A PTZ can work for plates under a few situations - enough light or setting it as a fixed camera an hour before sunset so it has something to focus on.

You would have to set the camera up specifically to read plates. You need the proper camera with OPTICAL zoom for the distance you are covering and the angle to get plates.

Regarding plates, keep in mind that this is a camera dedicated to plates and not an overview camera also. It is as much an art as it is a science. You will need two cameras. For LPR we need to OPTICALLY zoom in tight to make the plate as large as possible. For most of us, all you see is the not much more than a vehicle in the entire frame. Now maybe in the right location during the day it might be able to see some other things, but not at night.

At night, we have to run a very fast shutter speed (1/2,000) and in B/W with IR and the image will be black. All you will see are head/tail lights and the plate. Some people can get away with color if they have enough street lights, but most of us cannot. Here is a representative sample of plates I get at night of vehicles traveling about 45MPH at 175 feet from my 2MP 5241-Z12E camera (that is all that is needed for plates):

See the LPR subforum for more details.

This is great news. The 2MP 5241-Z12E is a much less expensive camera. That's a great idea, two cameras.. This is MEGA helpful and a huge relief..

So between those PTZ's i have listed above.. Before i return the first one,DS-2DE4425IW-DE(T5), guy said he'd give me this one @ no extra $.
DS-2DE4A425IWG-E
Any advantage to the DS-2DE4A425IWG-E?
Only weird thing is, data sheet says for this one DS-2DE4A425IWG-E only 50m IR range, this one says DS-2DE4425IW-DE(T5) 100m IR range
i dont know why this would be?

 

[wittaj]

The one he is willing to trade you for is a dome so between the IR having to go thru the smoke dome and less IR, it's range is limited.

It will be smaller too. But if auto track is important to you, then the trade seems decent. But the other PTZ will be better at night due to better IR.