Best cheap camera for inside garage, next to doorway?

[flatface]

Apologies in advance if my explanation of the location is not clear.

I'm looking for a second camera to put inside my garage.

As there are better cameras outside covering the access points into the garage, I want to use a cheaper model inside.

I already have a 3241T-ZE inside at the "Purple V" location to give an idea of available light with ceiling lights off (sample pics attached). The new camera would replace this camera. Right now the 3241 is doing double duty to cover the windows and "Door #1", as well as the approach to "Door #2" (door is offscreen to the left).

I do not want a camera with white LEDs, only IR.

The existing 3241T-ZE would be put in the "Red V" location to cover the approach to "Door #2", using hallway mode rotated 90° and probably zoomed to cover only the width of the stairway.

The new camera would be put in the "Purple V" location to cover the approach to "Door #3", but also be able to cover Detect/Observe/Recognize from the windows and "Door #1"

I've typed 'door' enough now that it's starting to look like a really weird word lol.


The camera I am most leaning towards is a IPC-T24IR-AS 2.8mm to cover the windows, Door #1 (Observe/Recognize) and Door #3 (Identify)

Thanks for reading through this and for any suggestions.

 

[flatface]

Also I have tried using BLC and HLC to compensate for the daytime window brightness seen in the pics, and no matter how it's set, it always makes the rest of the image way too dark.

 

[bigredfish]

Also I have tried using BLC and HLC to compensate for the daytime window brightness seen in the pics, and no matter how it's set, it always makes the rest of the image way too dark.

Use WDR os SSA backlight if you have it in the dropdown. NOT HLC or BLC

I would add a camera

But if going with just one the hands down winner is the 5442 series

 

[flatface]

Use WDR os SSA backlight if you have it in the dropdown. NOT HLC or BLC

I would add a camera

But if going with just one the hands down winner is the 5442 series

I have several 5442, but I am looking for something cheaper for this use case. T24IR is not the best camera and not the perfect sensor size ratio, but I was hoping it would be sufficient for this use case. I could even use the new camera to instead cover the stairs/door instead as that only requires 5-8 foot ID range, instead of moving the better T22 to cover the stairs.

Thank you for the suggestion of WDR/SSA, I'll try that!

 

[tibimakai]

I have one of those cheap Amcrest auto tracking ptz cameras, the newer one does not have zoom though.

 

[mat200]

iirc Amcrest 5MP models would go onsale at Amazon $50-60 .. that would be once I would also consider for an affordable model ( iirc plastic base vs metal base on pricier models )

 

[SIR VEYOR]

If u don’t want integration into your setup, maybe consider the Reolink door cam. The only Reolink recommended by this site; if I dont add the disclaimer, it derails things. Sounds like it’s more for motion than full face recognition needs given the outer layer.

Cheap, should do the night okay.

And there’s an option for old cellphones, but their night ability would vary by model. That app is “Alfred” IIRC.