Back deck/yard camera - 5442 S3 or 4k-X for no-light conditions?

Jul 23, 2024
4
1
Chicago
I have several cameras on my house, and am using Frigate as my NVR. I've upgraded two of the cameras from Hikvision DS-2CD2132F-I to Dahua 5442 S3 (specifically, EmpireTech T54IR-S3 and B54IR-S3). The upgrades are a noticeable improvement.

I have one remaining DS-2CD2132F-I. It's attached to the house (via a mount), and is primarily for our rear sliding door and deck, but also covers most of the patio and a little bit of the yard. There's no light at night. Neither my neighbors nor I have any kind of lighting in the back. The current Hikvision footage is basically completely black at night. Daytime performance is acceptable (though based on the other cameras I upgraded, the 5442 S3 is noticeably better).

So I'm wondering, when the camera itself is the only light source, which is likely to be better, another 5442 S3 with IR, or the 4k-X with visible spectrum LED lighting? In either case, I'll go with a fixed lens.

I'm leaning towards the T54IR, as that's what I have for a driveway cam. The front of the house also has no lighting at night, and the driveway cam relies solely on its own IR lighting, and the night performance is acceptable.

The T54IR is also quite a bit cheaper, and physically lighter. The mount will be attached to the siding (cement board, e.g. Hardie board), so I feel like minimizing weight and torque makes sense. I suspect a turret cam is likely more aerodynamic than a bullet cam, so presumably less wind-induced torque on the mounting.

So, I'm pretty sure the 5442 S3/T54IR would work well. I'm just trying to decide if the 4k-X night performance might be worth the extra cost and weight?

Thanks!
 
Most here feel the 4K/X is a good overview camera.

The built-in white light seems to draw more bugs than the IR cameras.

The built-in white light doesn't have big spread out past the camera unless you run on default settings, but then blur happens.

I would go with the 54IR unless you want color.
 
5442..
B54 bullet is much much better than turret in context of IR light...
2x more power, uniform light level over all video frame plus regulation of proportion wide/narrow IRs..
T54 is very bad in IR light (middle over blow, sides under light)..

second proposition is TIOC-PRO 3449 (Color4M)..
Both IR + white, white can be activated by human/vehicle motion, much uniform lighting over video frame (but not so strong as B54)..
 
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Thanks everyone! That Color4k-X looks quite impressive to me.

Sounds like if I go the 5442 route, the bullet should have better no-light performance (versus the turret) due to having more and better-positioned IR LEDs.

I would assume the same thought applies to the Color4k, -X (bullet) likely better at night versus -T (turret)?

For the TIOC 3449 Pro, the EmprireTech IPC-Color4M-T is the equivalent, right? That also looks quite impressive to me!

(If I had more than one ethernet cable routed to this location, and I thought the siding could take the weight, I'd have multiple cameras set up in this location. Actually, that goes for all my locations... IP cameras are oddly addictive!)
 
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Thanks everyone! That Color4k-X looks quite impressive to me.

Sounds like if I go the 5442 route, the bullet should have better no-light performance (versus the turret) due to having more and better-positioned IR LEDs.

I would assume the same thought applies to the Color4k, -X (bullet) likely better at night versus -T (turret)?

For the TIOC 3449 Pro, the EmprireTech IPC-Color4M-T is the equivalent, right? That also looks quite impressive to me!

(If I had more than one ethernet cable routed to this location, and I thought the siding could take the weight, I'd have multiple cameras set up in this location. Actually, that goes for all my locations... IP cameras are oddly addictive!)
You can use an adapter like this. I also have two cameras running on it.
 
Thanks everyone! That Color4k-X looks quite impressive to me.

Sounds like if I go the 5442 route, the bullet should have better no-light performance (versus the turret) due to having more and better-positioned IR LEDs.

I would assume the same thought applies to the Color4k, -X (bullet) likely better at night versus -T (turret)?

For the TIOC 3449 Pro, the EmprireTech IPC-Color4M-T is the equivalent, right? That also looks quite impressive to me!

(If I had more than one ethernet cable routed to this location, and I thought the siding could take the weight, I'd have multiple cameras set up in this location. Actually, that goes for all my locations... IP cameras are oddly addictive!)

Correct on all
 
Thanks everyone! That Color4k-X looks quite impressive to me.

Sounds like if I go the 5442 route, the bullet should have better no-light performance (versus the turret) due to having more and better-positioned IR LEDs.

I would assume the same thought applies to the Color4k, -X (bullet) likely better at night versus -T (turret)?

For the TIOC 3449 Pro, the EmprireTech IPC-Color4M-T is the equivalent, right? That also looks quite impressive to me!

(If I had more than one ethernet cable routed to this location, and I thought the siding could take the weight, I'd have multiple cameras set up in this location. Actually, that goes for all my locations... IP cameras are oddly addictive!)
In the US, a lot use this adaptor to run 2 cameras on one cable as it's weather resistant and the combiner part can be used in a protected application (junction box, stuffed in an eave, etc.):
 
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These nifty adaptors help me justify adding a new camera at a given location as I don't have to wedge my fat-old ass through the trusses in the attic of our home in sweltering heat.

My collection just keeps getting bigger - I can't help myself

By the way, if anyone is interested, there's an open box B52IR-Z12EB available on eBay for $125. I have no affiliation, just would like to see it go to a good home. I have too many already

 
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