How does built in mic and audio work on these cameras?

[Termin8r]

Hello, been some months now since I purchased my EmpireTech cameras. I'm just now getting around to having them installed. These are the cameras I'm working with;

4K-T turret 3.6mm, 4K-X 6 mm and IPC-T54IR-ZE varifocul 4MP 1/1.8".


I noticed that both 4k turret and 4K bullet have audio in and audio out cables along with alarm wires. The 4MP varifocal doesn't have any of this (just POE and power connector options) although it's advertised as having built in mic.

I'm using a desktop pc instead of a standalone nvr unit for my setup.

My question is this, do I need to have some RCA cables running to both my 4K cameras for two way audio?

I was under the impression that this all happened through the use of the POE connector only.


And as my varifocal doesn't have any audio inputs or outputs then does the sound transmit through the POE cables?


And I'm not sure what the alarm wires are for. Would this be used to sound an alarm if the unit is tampered with or to allow me to use a whole house alarm that would be triggered based on certain events?

I'm so confused here. Hope somebody can enlighten me on these parts. I certainly do appreciate the help in advance. Thanks again.

 

[Termin8r]

OK, I found this helpful old post here from 2021.

Alarm I/O and Audio IN/Out

Sounds like the POE will be all I need, and I will still be able to hear audio and talk as well as emit an audible siren sound.



That was my concerns when I saw all those wires. Nice to know this can be expanded upon as necessary, although just being able to use the single POE for all will be most ideal as I have already ran all my network cables through the walls and attic.

Would rather not go up there again and run any more cables at the moment. Gets pretty darn hot up there in the attic around this time of the year.

 

[Mark_M]

If the camera has a built in speaker and built in microphone, you do not need to wire external devices to the RCA connector.

The RCA connected is provided for people who need to wire a separate speaker and/or microphone. E.g. wiring a 50w horn speaker.
Like a laptop or smart phone. You have a built in speaker but there is an option to connect an external speaker.

Alarm wires are an external sensor input and relay output. E.g. connecting a door sensor to the camera and configure recording/notifications. The relay can be used to trigger external devices such as alarm sirens, sprinklers, or lights.

 

[Termin8r]

Thank you for taking the time to clearly explain all that. Very helpful indeed.

Also nice to know about how the alarm wires can be used. I don't intend to use that feature so I think we'll just wrap up those alarm wires and tuck them away into the junction box.