Bug in IPC-Color4M-T firmware?

[Cold-Lemonade]

I recently purchased four IPC-Color4M-T cameras from EmpireTech and think I may have found a bug in the firmware. The cameras are all running V3.140.0000000.10.R, Build Date: 2025-02-26.

Here is what happens... When the cameras are set to "Day/Night switch" their video feed stops for a little bit causing it to disconnect from my NVR when it switches between Day and Night modes (typically at dawn and dusk). Notably, this only happens when I have Day's backlight mode set to WDR or SSA (I haven't tried the other settings) and Night's backlight turned off. (I will also note that Day's AFSA is off and Night's AFSA is auto.) This problem goes away if I set Day's backlight mode to off. This "fix" isn't desirable because I want SSA or WDR turned on during the day.

Has anyone else ran into this? @EMPIRETECANDY have you heard of this? I don't see mention of it in newer firmware notes.

 

[steve1225]

I played with many WIzColor cams at different locations. They when used in 'normal' (not WDR or SSA) mode, are using totally new video processing algorithms, taken from mobile & sport camera world... Algorithm with always enabled full frame HDR, strong local gamma manipulation, LUT color processing, modern noise reduction & sharpening algorithms. With same camera image settings works in different way comparing to older cams and some didn't have any effect of image.

When You enable WDR (or SSA) WizColor cams switch to old Dahua CCTV algorithms. and disable most of those functions.
WizColor cams in normal and WDR/SSA mode behave as totally two different animals.

It can be possible that SOC (integrated processor) is somehow reseted when switched between those modes and can't continue video stream (it closes it). But NVR should reconnect and start downloading another video stream / chunk. When I switch backlight modes by hand from NVR level, I see 2 second break in NVR video feed. But my NVR reconnects without problem and displays stream in new backlight mode.

ps. you should upgrade firmware on both camera and NVR to latest one... What NVR model?

ps2. WizColor cams have fantastic HDR in normal mode, which work at similar level as WDR (but without WDR artifacts and strange color).. Do you really need old WDR?

 

[Cold-Lemonade]

@steve1225 Thank you for this insightful response. I'm using Frigate NVR and it reconnects without any problem and displays the new stream. How do I ensure I'm running the camera in the new "normal" mode? I will give it a go without WDR and SSA. Do I just turn backlight off to get the new "normal" mode?

 

[steve1225]

@steve1225 Thank you for this insightful response. I'm using Frigate NVR and it reconnects without any problem and displays the new stream. How do I ensure I'm running the camera in the new "normal" mode? I will give it a go without WDR and SSA. Do I just turn backlight off to get the new "normal" mode?

Simply don't use WDR / SSA..
On those WizColor cams they are not needed and they are degradation to new WizColor video processing (they disable it).

 

[Cold-Lemonade]

Many thanks @steve1225 This discussion has been extremely helpful.

 

[bigredfish]

Have to disagree.

There are scenes where SSA or WDR is still needed.



HDR is great, but if you have a backlit scene like this you lose the bright area outside, and this is in a heavy thunderstorm at the moment so very dark. I'll post bright daylight later

 

[steve1225]

Have to disagree.

There are scenes where SSA or WDR is still needed.

View attachment 225601 View attachment 225602

HDR is great, but if you have a backlit scene like this you lose the bright area outside, and this is in a heavy thunderstorm at the moment so very dark. I'll post bright daylight later

View attachment 225603 View attachment 225613

ok... you have very extreme situation here..

But even here you can play with HLC.. or exposure compensation...
and HDR on 3449 will compensate this much better that 5449.

 

[bigredfish]

ok... you have very extreme situation here..

But even here you can play with HLC.. or exposure compensation...
and HDR on 3449 will compensate this much better that 5449.

Definitely, agree. The HDR on the 3449 Pro is awesome and in lightly backlit scenes it would probably be enough.

These are the only type of scenes I use SSA /WDR on,

Agree obviously that SSA/WDR should be avoided if at all possible

 

[Cold-Lemonade]

@steve1225 What settings do you use on your WizColor cameras? Self-adaptive mode, Day/Night, etc.? Do you set shutter speed, etc.