Opinions on my IPC-HDW5231R-ZE at night

Sybertiger

Sybertiger

Known around here
Jun 30, 2018
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15,802
Orlando
Seeking comments on several different settings for this cam at night. Thinking about adding an IR illuminator to increase quality of pic but wanted to know what you think about it "as is" with a couple different settings.

IR turned off
Off.jpg

IR on Manual 0% (should be the same as OFF)
Manual 0.jpg

IR on Manual 1%
Manual 1.jpg

IR on Manual 100%
Manual 100.jpg

Uplighting turned off...IR off
Uplighting off IR off.jpg

SmartIR
SmartIR.jpg

5 Minutes after Sunset
After Sunset.jpg
 
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Looks normal to me. When IR is on its reflecting off the tree. So yes an external illuminator may help.
 
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@Sybertiger, what's your goal with this camera? Is it an overview cam for this side of your yard?
 
aristobrat said:
@Sybertiger, what's your goal with this camera? Is it an overview cam for this side of your yard?
Click to expand...

The purpose for the wide FOV (adjusted to 4mm?) is to get an overall view of what's going on at that side. On the left side you can see the edge of forested wetlands so the intent is to see any approach that "funnels" unwelcome people or animal towards the backyard. ID quality would require getting close to the cam. Nighttime is a challenge and I note that a full moon is near. We'll see what it's like with no moonlight.

I'll have a 4MP Starlight+ mounted on the side yard soffit near the front of the house soon. Andy is sending a replacement for a defective one.

A PTZ would be sweet to have on that side but wow, those things cost a lot.
 
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Walrus said:
Try moving that landscape tree up light to the far side of the trunk so it's hidden behind it in regards to the camera view.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's unfortunate the position of the cam versus the tree uplighting. The tree lights have been there a decade and are on a pipe pounded in the ground...not easy to move.

I'll turn them off and get a snapshot tonight to compare the difference with and without uplighting.
 
looney2ns said:
A still shot at night tells you nothing. You need to see how it does with someone walking through the FOV.
Click to expand...

I did a little bit of that last night but it was too cold last night (50 degrees LOL) so I stopped. I'm clearly going to have to play with the cam settings....had "ghosting" blur when near the cam then also IR overexposure that prevents identifying faces up close.
 
After living in the Midwest all my life I'm more like the bottom picture (not exactly ofc), but it is weird that I still have loads of snow on my yard and daily highs have been over 40 for at least a week.
I recently traveled to Las Vegas, and the cabby was concerned I might get a cold, travelling from airport to hotel. It was 50 at like 8PM at night, she had a jacket over top of a sweater on.
 
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My Brother and Sister-in-law love to come out of hibernation from the mountains of NE PA to Floriduh to visit us in February.. we're like NOOOO we're not going to the beach with you in 50 degree weather
 
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