I am trying to narrow down a couple of Dahua varifocal Starlight cameras, but all I can find are PAL. For a home security system, does it matter on PAL vs NTSC in the US?
PAL vs NTSC (US)
- Thread starter ShaneHD
- Start date
If they're IP cameras and you're pulling video over the network (and not a direct video out cable from the camera itself), it doesn't matter much, IMO.
If it's the 5321 turret, the latest firmware comes in both PAL or NTSC versions. So you can update to whatever. I ran PAL for the first month or two, and then switched to NTSC, and I haven't noticed any difference.
If it's the 5321 turret, the latest firmware comes in both PAL or NTSC versions. So you can update to whatever. I ran PAL for the first month or two, and then switched to NTSC, and I haven't noticed any difference.
That's the exact camera I'm looking at, but the website only lists the PAL version for sale. So I can buy it and run the NTSC firmware update and it will be just fine?
That is correct. You can buy the PAL version and install NTSC firmware on it later.
PAL has slightly different sub-stream resolution choices, which is honestly of very little importance. PAL also is limited to 25 or 50 FPS where NTSC does 30 or 60 FPS. Also of very little importance. Sub stream 2 on the starlights has a 1280x720 resolution option regardless of PAL or NTSC firmware, so I stick with NTSC firmware on mine so I can run that sub stream at 30 FPS. I use it for an always-on live view monitor so the extra frames lend a tad more smoothness.
PAL has slightly different sub-stream resolution choices, which is honestly of very little importance. PAL also is limited to 25 or 50 FPS where NTSC does 30 or 60 FPS. Also of very little importance. Sub stream 2 on the starlights has a 1280x720 resolution option regardless of PAL or NTSC firmware, so I stick with NTSC firmware on mine so I can run that sub stream at 30 FPS. I use it for an always-on live view monitor so the extra frames lend a tad more smoothness.
Thanks BP.
This is the camera correct?
Dahua 2MP H265 WDR IR Eyeball 2.7mm ~12mm motorized lens Starlight Network Camera IPC HDW5231R Z,free shipping-in Surveillance Cameras from Security & Protection on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Are there ANY cheaper places to buy or cameras you'd recommend that are not varifocal?
This is the camera correct?
Dahua 2MP H265 WDR IR Eyeball 2.7mm ~12mm motorized lens Starlight Network Camera IPC HDW5231R Z,free shipping-in Surveillance Cameras from Security & Protection on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Are there ANY cheaper places to buy or cameras you'd recommend that are not varifocal?
There is a non-varifocal version of the Starlight turret. I forget the model number, but if you look at the pinned Starlight thread at the top of the Dahua forum, it should have all of the Starlights listed.
Might be worth having one varifocal around, you can use it to test out mounting locations for future cameras and play with the zoom to get an idea for what fixed lens (non varifocal) would work best there.
Might be worth having one varifocal around, you can use it to test out mounting locations for future cameras and play with the zoom to get an idea for what fixed lens (non varifocal) would work best there.
You can shave off a few $ with another seller who will ship via e-packet or similar instead of DHL. But yes that is the camera everyone is crazy for these days.
The fixed lens 2mp starlights are a good $30-$40 cheaper however they don't take in as much light as the varifocal which makes them somewhat less effective. Everything is a tradeoff
The fixed lens 2mp starlights are a good $30-$40 cheaper however they don't take in as much light as the varifocal which makes them somewhat less effective. Everything is a tradeoff