Proposed Camera Layout - Any Changes Needed?

[bugsysiegals]

I’ll put a hoodie and hat on and take photos in the same positions at 6 and 8 foot elevations. I’ll try to get both day and night photos.

With regards to night photos, my face was way to bright to be easily identified. The camera was angled downward so I don’t believe it was from the IR bouncing off the soffit but perhaps it was ... any ideas why it’d be so bright and how to get a better photo?

As excited as I am to install the cameras I want to mount them and have no regrets so thanks for the feedback.

 

[mat200]

I’ll put a hoodie and hat on and take photos in the same positions at 6 and 8 foot elevations. I’ll try to get both day and night photos.

With regards to night photos, my face was way to bright to be easily identified. The camera was angled downward so I don’t believe it was from the IR bouncing off the soffit but perhaps it was ... any ideas why it’d be so bright and how to get a better photo?

As excited as I am to install the cameras I want to mount them and have no regrets so thanks for the feedback.

Hi Bugsy

Try the cameras also in color mode at night.

The other members may have some times on tuning the cameras.

Remember to walk slow, normal, and fast by the cameras to test them.

 

[bugsysiegals]

Hi Bugsy

Try the cameras also in color mode at night.

The other members may have some times on tuning the cameras.

Remember to walk slow, normal, and fast by the cameras to test them.

How do I do color mode at night, turn off smart IR or is there more to it? The pictures I took yesterday where by using BI iOS app and pressing the camera icon to take a snapshot. When you mention walk, are you suggesting I take a video instead, review the frames, and post one of the frames which would better reflect what I'll see in the future?

 

[mat200]

How do I do color mode at night, turn off smart IR or is there more to it? The pictures I took yesterday where by using BI iOS app and pressing the camera icon to take a snapshot. When you mention walk, are you suggesting I take a video instead, review the frames, and post one of the frames which would better reflect what I'll see in the future?

Hi Bugsy

I don't know the BI interface, however on the cameras interface there is a check box for keeping in color.

 

[SouthernYankee]

NOTE. BI can NOT change camera setting ! Camera setting must be changed in the camera.

 

[bugsysiegals]

NOTE. BI can NOT change camera setting ! Camera setting must be changed in the camera.

Thanks ... I've been in the settings but don't recall a night time color setting.

One thing I did notice is the camera can send notifications when there are issues with the SD Card, etc. but I don't think that's possible for those who are running the camera switch directly to a 2nd NIC in the BI PC, correct? Considering running it directly to the router and using firewall rules so I don't lose those notifications.

 

[bugsysiegals]

When you mention the garage camera's crossing paths, do you mean like the image below? How about these angles, do they cover enough? I'd prefer wider but then I can't retain 100 ppf as recommended.

 

[mat200]

When you mention the garage camera's crossing paths, do you mean like the image below? How about these angles, do they cover enough? I'd prefer wider but then I can't retain 100 ppf as recommended.

Hi Bugsy

Yes, crossing paths like that. You can if you like widen one a bit and keep the other one with a narrower FOV. Play around and see what works best.

 

[bugsysiegals]

Is the zoom on dahua cameras the same as changing the FOV? If so, do I use math to convert the zoom value to the actual FOV angle?

Ex. For the Dahua IPC-HDW5231R-ZE, the equation would be Zoom Setting = 34.14 * (101 - Desired FOV)

If this is correct, then I've created and attached a spreadsheet where you can enter the min/max camera FOV and zoom settings as well as desired FOV and it will calculate the required zoom setting or you could just do the math...

 

[bugsysiegals]

According to the calculator used to create the photo above in post 27, the garage cameras which are set to 31 degrees FOV can Identify at 35 ft with 100 ppf; however, according to the chart below from Dahua, with lens set to T (max zoom 31 degrees FOV?) can Identify at 46 ft with 250 ppf and set at W (min zoom 101 degrees FOV?) can Identify at 16 ft with 250 ppf. I'd love to have a bit wider FOV but do not want to compromise on the quality to the point I lose Identify ... that said, who's correct, Dahua or the Website?

 

[bugsysiegals]

I've modified my test rig with three 5231 cameras mounted at three different heights ... 4'4", 6', and 7'2'. It's sitting on my front porch stoop which is 8.5" higher than the driveway so there actually 5', 6'8" and 7'2" high in relationship to the vehicle images below. I'm going to grab some night images next from the same location/rig.

Test Rig


Lower Camera
50-60% zoom

100% zoom


Middle Camera
50% zoom

100% zoom


Top Camera
50% zoom

100% zoom

 

[bugsysiegals]

Night photos from above location

Top Camera - looked to dark to attempt
100% zoom


Middle Camera w/LED motion lights on
50% zoom

100% zoom


Middle Camera w/LED motion lights off
50% zoom

100% zoom


Bottom Camera w/LED motion lights on
50% zoom

100% zoom


Bottom Camera w/LED motion lights off
100% zoom

 

[bugsysiegals]

Bottom Camera w/LED motion lights off
50% zoom

 

[bugsysiegals]

Why are the night time photos so blown out with brightness? Reflections from the car, neighbors door/window, etc.? Do I need a different IR source?

Color mode was to dark without LED and blown out with LED.

Shutter speed adjustments helped but leave a lot to be desired...
1/500

1/250

 

[bigredfish]

One thing I like about the SmartIR implementation on my CVI Starlights is the ability to adjust the IR strength. Dont think the 5231 has that control?

Great job on the testing, FWIW I like the middle 6' placement @ 50% zoom best. That top camera has a problem due to the eve, which is also screwing up the IR in that shot.

 

[bugsysiegals]

If there's a strength, I've not seen it. I'm hoping some of the guys with the 5231's can chime in with some tips. This is another reason I kept my cameras available on my LAN ... so I can use a Raspberry Pi to automate switching the profiles to night where I can have different settings.

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[mat200]

According to the calculator used to create the photo above in post 27, the garage cameras which are set to 31 degrees FOV can Identify at 35 ft with 100 ppf; however, according to the chart below from Dahua, with lens set to T (max zoom 31 degrees FOV?) can Identify at 46 ft with 250 ppf and set at W (min zoom 101 degrees FOV?) can Identify at 16 ft with 250 ppf. I'd love to have a bit wider FOV but do not want to compromise on the quality to the point I lose Identify ... that said, who's correct, Dahua or the Website?

View attachment 36722

Hi @bugsysiegals

This should be covered in the cliff notes iirc - basically we use th 100 ppf standard here. I've seen others use 80, 120 ppf and other standards. Dahua uses 250 ppm ( meter) or 75 ppf - thus why Dahua DORI ranges are significantly longer than the ones we calculate.

Also note, the calculator mentioned iirc uses math which is based on a triangle not an arc - so those results will also be difference if you are using an arch for your calculations.

 

[bugsysiegals]

Hi @bugsysiegals

This should be covered in the cliff notes iirc - basically we use th 100 ppf standard here. I've seen others use 80, 120 ppf and other standards. Dahua uses 250 ppm ( meter) or 75 ppf - thus why Dahua DORI ranges are significantly longer than the ones we calculate.

Also note, the calculator mentioned iirc uses math which is based on a triangle not an arc - so those results will also be difference if you are using an arch for your calculations.

Not sure how I missed the fact it’s ppm when I use metric exclusively in my woodshop ... thanks mat200!!