Newb needs advice on second hand cameras

[wiz]

Hey all, new to the security camera game but have been lurking here learning for a while, normally I'd just keep researching but someone near me is selling some second hand equipment and I don't want to miss out.

As per usual the photos of the labels seem to have been taken on a potato but it seems like he's got some Hikvision DS-2CD4125FWD-IZ and DS-2CD2665G1-IZ(S) and a Vivotek IB9388-HT. They look in good condition, are decent brands and are all vario focal which is cool. Plus he's only asking $70aud per camera, but some of the labels say they are from 2017.

The DS-2CD4125FWD-IZ seems to have the right sensor size for a decent night time 2mp camera and exports in h264

I'm less sure about the DS-2CD2665G1-IZ(S) and Vivotek IB9388-HT 6mp and 5mp but have smaller sensors (1/2.4" and 1/2.7")

I guess my actual questions are

1. Do cameras go bad after that long? I can't see how they would.
2. Would the higher MP bullet cameras work for License plate identification during the day? Could they be augmented with a proper IR LED spotlight to do LPR at night?
3. Can I just take a 6mp camera and lower its resolution to increase its night time performance?

I'm using frigate as my NVR if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

 

[Revo2Maxx]

There are many factors on why a IP camera or any Security camera can go bad over time.. Most times someone can kill a camera the same day they installed it just because they used the wrong type of cable or even wrong format of POE for IP POE cameras.. After years if the cameras were in an area like mine where there is harsh weather 90% of the year in one form or another the Gel packs that are in them can stop working and the camera can die form water getting into the circuits or even worse yet in the sensor.. Alot of people put up cameras and never even look at the footage or monitor them so by the time they know something is wrong it is much to late for the cameras life lol..

About lowering to lower resolution to get better night performance in truth the answer is not always.. I mean I have a 6mp camera that they built with a 4mp sensor and say that I can use in 6mp at 20fps or 4mp in 60 or maybe was only 30 fps either way they designed the camera with that feature in mind and the camera will make adjustments so it gets the best night feed when setup for 4mp.

So lets say the 6mp is the 1/2.4in sensor and if you were to try and setup for 4mp or even 2mp the sensor still captures light using all 6 million of them. So night vision performance is mainly about pixel size. Bigger Pixels collect more light. improving sensitivity and reducing noise in the dark conditions. on a small sensor like 1/2.4", cramming 6mp means each pixel is tiny and collects less light then larger pixels of a larger sensor like my 1/1.8" sensor.. Downscale 6mp to 4mp in software or via camera settings the sensor still captures at 6mp and the image is resized.. The noise and limited sensitivity from the small pixel size are still present you are just throwing away data..

Best to buy a camera with 1/1.8 or 1/1.2" to allow for larger pixels.. Also using a lens with wider aperture like f/1.0 or 1.2.. Or using some newer TEch BSI sensors..

 

[looney2ns]

Thread 'The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection'

Mar 28, 2022

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP).

I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a forum favorite here @EMPIRETECANDY , but this post will put it all in one place where we can point a NOOB to. The cameras I am highlighting were purchased from @EMPIRETECANDY

Almost every big box store, consumer grade cameras and all-in-one-box kits come with either 2.8mm or 3.6mm...

• wittaj
• Replies: 137
• Forum: Pics & Videos

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[wiz]

There are many factors on why a IP camera or any Security camera can go bad over time.. Most times someone can kill a camera the same day they installed it just because they used the wrong type of cable or even wrong format of POE for IP POE cameras.. After years if the cameras were in an area like mine where there is harsh weather 90% of the year in one form or another the Gel packs that are in them can stop working and the camera can die form water getting into the circuits or even worse yet in the sensor.. Alot of people put up cameras and never even look at the footage or monitor them so by the time they know something is wrong it is much to late for the cameras life lol..

About lowering to lower resolution to get better night performance in truth the answer is not always.. I mean I have a 6mp camera that they built with a 4mp sensor and say that I can use in 6mp at 20fps or 4mp in 60 or maybe was only 30 fps either way they designed the camera with that feature in mind and the camera will make adjustments so it gets the best night feed when setup for 4mp.

So lets say the 6mp is the 1/2.4in sensor and if you were to try and setup for 4mp or even 2mp the sensor still captures light using all 6 million of them. So night vision performance is mainly about pixel size. Bigger Pixels collect more light. improving sensitivity and reducing noise in the dark conditions. on a small sensor like 1/2.4", cramming 6mp means each pixel is tiny and collects less light then larger pixels of a larger sensor like my 1/1.8" sensor.. Downscale 6mp to 4mp in software or via camera settings the sensor still captures at 6mp and the image is resized.. The noise and limited sensitivity from the small pixel size are still present you are just throwing away data..

Best to buy a camera with 1/1.8 or 1/1.2" to allow for larger pixels.. Also using a lens with wider aperture like f/1.0 or 1.2.. Or using some newer TEch BSI sensors..

Ok, thanks

I will shelve the idea of the higher MP bullet ones as they don't have a big enough sensor, thanks for explaining that but I feel like the 2mp ones with the 1/2.8" sensor are still viable, at least according to the resources like the one loony2ns linked to.

I had a play around with the jvsg lens calculator and have deiceded I probably will get the 2mp hikvisions my front fence is only 4m from my property so the reduced resolution probably won't be an issue.

I'm a full time student with a mortgage so buying new isn't really an option for the next 2 years. Even if they don't last for ever they'll do for a while and I can use the variofocal lens to mock up the rest of the setup, then buy new fix lens cameras or 4mp-1/1.8in when I am ready.

I'll take my laptop and a poe injector to test them before I buy though.

 

[Revo2Maxx]

Agree 2mp is great camera with quality optics and good IR range. I have many different cameras, with a good few being 2mp. When you're ready upgrade to what you want, I personally don't have all perfect cameras in my fleet but work great for where I use them. Only need to make yourself happy with what camera you use. Using used cameras are great way to keep them out of the landfills.

If able to test before you buy, I would confirm ir works and looking at them that you see they are uniform, if weak led in the mix could mean ready to fail. Also will want to make sure the ICR is working with a good click between modes. If weak or don't remove when you change modes pass unless you can do repairs. Depending where they were installed I personally would replace all the gel packs inside camera so it's fresh working for you. If area is mild they could be good as many don't change them but I still have cameras in use from 2009 that wouldn't be the case without my maintenance routine. Again live in area with weird weather lol.

 

[wiz]

Those are some good tips, especially checking the IR components.

I live in a costal area so the weather is very mild compared to some areas of the US. But i'm still 10Km from any salt water plus the cameras will be installed under the cover of the roof.

If one broke after purchase I would probably crack it open for the challenge but I probably won't buy if they have the issues you have mentioned.

It looks like with hikvision I should just be able to plug them straight into the computer (with a poe injector), set the right IP addresses and access them from the browser so I can test on site.