Review-Dahua IPC-HDBW4231F-E2-M Dual Starlight Cam

I suppose in near future, we might be able to get cameras in form factors/shapes that add some visual appeal while retaining their functionality...

This evening I mounted one IPC-HDW5231R-ZE by one of the pillars... (will upload pics soon) and it blends in (apart from the black front). Driving from other side of house, it is impossible to tell there is a camera there unless one looks for it. Blends right into the white trim board. While it is higher than exactly 8 ft, it is looking over the walkway... I need to order a POE switch (last piece in the puzzle - I'll start a new thread for this) to test / aim properly.
 
Had posted this in the wrong thread, moving here...
Specs say, "Max. IR LEDs Length 20m".
Does anyone have one mounted up high enough to say if this IR coverage area is true \ effective?
I'm thinking of putting one of these under the eve of the side of my house as a bi-directional yard overview camera, (as an addition to the turret I have looking at my entry point for ID purposes), but it would be pretty high up, about 25-30'. I know I may not be able to get facial recognition but it would not be for that anyway really and not too concerned about the downfalls of the dome in favor of the form factor here since it would be a secondary camera. I'd still like to be able to detect activity though with a decent image without the hassle of having to add additional external IR.
On another note, if I went with the 3.6mm would I be able to get anywhere close to full 180 deg coverage?
 
I considered putting this under an eave also...although not quite as high (12-15 ft). But I needed a cam that would identify rather than provide just an overview, so I opted for something else. A few factors that helped me make the decision: The dual camera is still a dome camera and will get wet/dirty even under an eave--have to get the tall ladder out again.... 3.6mm WILL provide a decent overview, but could result in some curvature at the edges of the FOV if there's anything close to the camera like a wall, downspout, etc. Each lens has its own IR with insect-attracting potential...clearing spider webs at that height and getting false triggers from moths could be problematic. I don't want to think about replacing an sdcard at that height.

You'll easily get a 180 degree view or very close to it with 3.6mm lenses. The image is sharp and clean on this camera. I have the 2.8mm version installed rather high in my garage (8-9 ft) and the image is very clean with IR on. It helps that with two lenses and two sets of IR in a garage the light bounces around so much it really provides a great even picture. I use the 3.6mm version as a doorbell camera also doing double duty as a package monitor.

If you can spare the cost and potentially use the camera elsewhere, it might be worth it for you to buy it and try it out to see if it works for you. Good luck!

Edit: Someone in this thread or a similar thread put up a video of the camera mounted rather high up outdoors--it was a night video, so it could help you decide if it's right for you. I'll try and find it...

Found it: Review-Dahua IPC-HDBW4231F-E2-M Dual Starlight Cam

Example of dome vs turret in rain at night
Dahua 180 degree cam PDBW8800/2
 
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beepsilver said:
I considered putting this under an eave also...although not quite as high (12-15 ft). But I needed a cam that would identify rather than provide just an overview, so I opted for something else. A few factors that helped me make the decision: The dual camera is still a dome camera and will get wet/dirty even under an eave--have to get the tall ladder out again.... 3.6mm WILL provide a decent overview, but could result in some curvature at the edges of the FOV if there's anything close to the camera like a wall, downspout, etc. Each lens has its own IR with insect-attracting potential...clearing spider webs at that height and getting false triggers from moths could be problematic. I don't want to think about replacing an sdcard at that height.

You'll easily get a 180 degree view or very close to it with 3.6mm lenses. The image is sharp and clean on this camera. I have the 2.8mm version installed rather high in my garage (8-9 ft) and the image is very clean with IR on. It helps that with two lenses and two sets of IR in a garage the light bounces around so much it really provides a great even picture. I use the 3.6mm version as a doorbell camera also doing double duty as a package monitor.

If you can spare the cost and potentially use the camera elsewhere, it might be worth it for you to buy it and try it out to see if it works for you. Good luck!

Edit: Someone in this thread or a similar thread put up a video of the camera mounted rather high up outdoors--it was a night video, so it could help you decide if it's right for you. I'll try and find it...

Found it: Review-Dahua IPC-HDBW4231F-E2-M Dual Starlight Cam

Example of dome vs turret in rain at night
Click to expand...

That's my camera. It's a dual 3.6mm model mounted about 8.5 feet up.
 
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Mr_D said:
That's my camera. It's a dual 3.6mm model mounted about 8.5 feet up.
Click to expand...

Lol, once I found your post, I just searched your username and found the other links...thanks for being so helpful with the info on this camera...I have 3 thanks to you :D
 
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@looney2ns just back to work, :) i have a question about this dual camera working on the NVR, i can't get 2 pics, just one on the NVR, have you ever test on your NVR4216-16P-4KS2? if you have any idea, please let me know, Thank you！
 
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I have decided to order this camera to go over my front door and aim one camera down and one out, but I am uncertain on which focal length to choose. It seems given the available field of view, the 3.6mm will work best for both lenses, but this will be my first purchase of any IPCAM (other than my old Pulse system), so I have no practical experience. I have also considered placing this in the same location as the existing camera to allow the down package camera to pick up some additional field of view out the side of my porch. Thoughts?
 

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Nice yard!


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Can you set both of the views to cooridor mode or set 1 corridor and one not at the same time on this camera?
 
Is anyone using this outdoors where snow, ice and wind is an issue? I'm curious if there's any risk of the dome(s) frosting up if temperatures get below zero or accumulate condensation in rapidly changing temperatures? (I'm thinking mountain cabin)
 
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Ozziel said:
Is anyone using this outdoors where snow, ice and wind is an issue? I'm curious if there's any risk of the dome(s) frosting up if temperatures get below zero or accumulate condensation in rapidly changing temperatures? (I'm thinking mountain cabin)
Click to expand...
This is where turret cameras do much, much better. Although, even with the silica gel packets inside the cameras, there's always a tiny possibility of frozen condensation. But it's not likely, at all. And the polycarbonate domes are always subject to weather extremes. :(
 
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