REVIEW: Budget 4MP Turret Comparison - IPC-T2431T-AS vs Chinese HDW4433C-A

bigredfish

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Many folks on a budget tend to grab Chinese region cameras off of Amazon because, well they're less expensive, and some simply arent up to speed on the lack of firmware support and other issues. One of the most popular of these Chinese region models is the 4433C-A, a 4MP turret. The 4433C-A retails on Amazon for between $56- $65.

But Andy has a camera that I believe beats it for just about $15 more. The IPC-T2431T-AS . In this review I'll be comparing it against an Amazon purchased 4433C-A

Thanks to Andy @EMPIRETECANDY for providing the IPC-T2431T-AS in exchange for a fair and honest review.


The T2431T-AS can be purchased now here:
Amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/Loryta-IPC-T2431T-AS-Eyeball-Network-English/dp/B081Q38RPY

IPCT Store Link

Dahua Product Detail
DH-IPC-HDW2431T-AS-S2_thumb.png
IPC-T2431T-AS
4MP, 1/3” CMOS image sensor, low illuminance, high image definition
Outputs 4MP (2560 × 1440)@25/30 fps, Max. supports 4MP (2688 × 1520) @ 20 fps
H.265 codec, high compression rate, ultra-low bit rate
Built-in IR LED, max IR distance: 30 m
ROI, SMART H.264/H.265, flexible coding, applicable to various bandwidth and storage environments
Rotation mode, WDR, 3D DNR, HLC, BLC, digital watermarking, applicable to various monitoring scenes
Intelligent detection: Intrusion, tripwire
Abnormality detection: Motion detection, video tampering,no SD card, SD card full, SD card error, network disconnected, IP conflict, illegal access, voltage detection
Supports max. 256 GB Micro SD card, built-in Mic
12V DC/PoE power support
IP67 protection




No, its not a 5442 or a 5231 but it does just barely tick the box of 'Starlight" with a Min. Illumination of 0.008 Lux @ F1.6 , I was quite surprised how well the IPC-T2431T-AS performed with some typical driveway lights for less than 1/2 the cost of one of the upper-end Starlights. This isnt a camera to use in forced color with just moonlight, but with some typical house/driveway lights and or streetlights I was able to easily keep it in color, and IR mode produced a great image. For comparison, the 4433C-A min illumination specs show 0.01LuxF1.2 (color); 0.001LuxF1.2 (black and white)

Is the T2431T-AS a better value for the budget conscious than the Chinese region 4433C-A? ....... You decide

IMG_0879.JPG


(The 4433C-A model was purchased from Amazon here)

So there are some similarities of course:
  • Both are 4MP 1/3' cmos sensors
  • Both have IVS
  • Both are Fixed lens (2,8 and 3.6)
  • Both have WDR
  • Both have Built-in Mic
  • Both have plastic bodies but were very easy to adjust
Note:
The T2431T-AS was delivered with a 2.8mm lens whereas the 4433C-A came with a 3.6mm. While not ideal, given the location it worked fine for this comparison


Differences:
The first difference you see right away (beyond the appearance of the face) is the mounting bracket and how they each come apart. While both were plastic bodies, the 4433C-A was more of a typical turret 3 piece construction which I find to be a PIA to work with, whereas the T2431T-AS was a cool 2 piece design with the camera and shroud all one piece. The T2431T-AS mounting plate was far easier to work with and simply snaps together.

compare2.jpg
compare1.jpg


A few other things that stood out:
  • On the 4433C-A I was not able to get any more than 25FPS even though it showed to be NTSC
  • On the T2431T-AS I was only able to get bitrate to 6144 max. The 4433C-A allowed for 8192 bitrate. I found that odd and its possible that its a firmware issue. Both were using default H.264H
  • The T2431T-AS was able to stay in color mode (using Auto D/N setting) overseeing my driveway with coach lights on all night, but the 4433C-A would quickly switch over to B&W/IR after sunset with the same exposure and D/N settings


Image Quality

I found the T2431T-AS clearly brighter and crisper in both day and nighttime comparisons with default settings. Both looked fine in bright sunshine (something we've not had much of this week), but of course with a 1/3" sensor neither was as bright as the 5231 or 5442 series.


Daytime Settings: Auto Exposure and Default settings


4433C-A
DVR_IPC_main_20191103105335_@1.jpg


IPC-T2431T-AS
DVR_IPC_main_20191102150711_@1.jpg



Nighttime settings- 1/30 Exposure, Gain 0-50, DNR50, B&W/IR

4433C-A
1-30Gain0-50_IPC_main_20191105220235_@1.jpg


IPC-T2431T-AS
DVR_IPC_main_20191104214146_@1.jpg


4433C-A
0-30Gin0-50_IPC_main_20191105221213_@1.jpg


IPC-T2431T-AS
EXP-1-30-Gain0-50_IPC_main_20191103193800_@1.jpg
 
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bigredfish

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Video samples IPC-T2431T-AS
(*Remember to change Youtube player 1440p)


Daytime - Auto Exposure, DNR50, Gain 0-50, Bitrate 6144, FPS30, CBR



Nighttime- Exposure 1/60, DNR50, Gain 0-60, Bitrate 6144, FPS30, CBR
https://youtu.be/mHmtCM5jwGI



Nighttime- Exposure 1/60, DNR50, Gain 0-60, Bitrate 6144, FPS30, CBR
With Floods ----> Coach lights Only -----> IR Only
 
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Arjun

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This camera is no joke; its a serious budget camera. There is no excuse to buy anything cheaper than this. Now I can encourage others to install these on their properties as budget is typically the first excuse that comes on their minds; at least this would be a start. For four cameras and a BI License or budget NVR, you can set up a fairly decent system for less than $400, also to stress, these are Starlight cameras

I just did a mini-review on the $50 2mp budget dome all-metal Starlight camera sold by Dahua USA --- New Dahua N22AL12 Budget Cam w/Starlight

Then again, a dome camera is generally reserved for the very last in terms of personal preference.

Only thing I dislike in the budget turret is the use of plastic and mounting system (seems like having the potential to be easily tampered with), but then again, can't have everything for under $100.
 

Arjun

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I think these cameras are not tailored to us. Its only tailored to those individuals not familiar with sensor sizes

These have got to be redesigned vs the old 1/3" sensors that really stink in low light.
 

bigredfish

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These have got to be redesigned vs the old 1/3" sensors that really stink in low light.
Agree. I was anticipating horrible low light performance based on the 1/3” sensor. The 4433 to me was close to expectation but the new 2431 made me stop and read the specs a couple of times.

Don’t get me wrong, at 1/30 I still see some motion blur, but at 1/60 was able to eliminate it.

1/60 color got a bit darker as expected
1-60Gain0-55_IPC_main_20191106205748_@1.jpg



1/30 is actually fine for me though because the motion activated floods kick in when anyone enters the driveway.
Here I had them turned on with 1/30
DVR_IPC_main_20191103192714_@1.jpg
 

Arjun

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What's the response time like (in terms of camera adjusting to changes in the ambient light) as soon as the motion activated lights kick in?
As @aristobrat said, these 1/3" sensors are definitely not the ones we're typically used to seeing in low-cost cameras. This is good stuff we can confidently recommend to those on a budget :)
 

EMPIRETECANDY

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@EMPIRETECANDY is this the budget camera you were hinting at here: Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+

I specifically asked if it would be a 1/1.8" sensor and you said yes. It would be nice if Dahua came out with a 4MP 1/1.8" camera, without the extras like AI.
This is a lite model for 4MP cameras. We get this model to replace those hacked models, Price is a little higher but comes with updatable firmware and pic day and night not bad.
 

civic17

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Do you set the 1/30 for day profile or night profile? When motion light kicks in there is enough light so it will be day setting? I always wondered which is best to set to for people with motion lights since it's technically night time but the lighting makes it day...

1/30 is actually fine for me though because the motion activated floods kick in when anyone enters the driveway.
Here I had them turned on with 1/30
 

bigredfish

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1/30 actually I’m now using 1/60 at night. Auto exposure during the day works fine.

Transition with the floodlights works very well. *See videos in post #2 I’m uploading now.
 

Arjun

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Nice, even the on-board mic is decent. Now there is no excuse for not having cameras :lol:
The only aspect that remains for someone to think of a modification of the plastic base; perhaps custom make a metal base? Don't think it should cost too much extra for replacing plastic with metal.

1/30 actually I’m now using 1/60 at night. Auto exposure during the day works fine.

Transition with the floodlights works very well. *See videos in post #2 I’m uploading now.
 
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