Review-OEM IPC-T2231T-ZS Ver 2, 2mp Varifocal Starlight Camera

[looney2ns]

Updated 12/11/19. Edited for clarity.
Dahua OEM IPC-T2231T-ZS from EMPIRETECANDY
2MP WDR Turret Varifocal Network Camera

Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Andy's ipcamtalk vendor forum: link
Andy's AliExpress store: link
Andy's Amazon store: link
Andy's Email: kingsecurity2014 (at) 163 (dot) com

Price Approximately US $130.00 shipped.
Purchase in IPCamTalk Store: link
Purchase from Amazon here: Link
Andy's Aliexpress store here: Link
(prices and links valid 12/10/19

This is version 2 of this camera with better lux rating: Review-Dahua IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS Starlight Camera-Varifocal

The better lux rating is very obvious from tests. Significant improvement from the previous version.

2MP, 1/2.8” CMOS image sensor, low illuminance, high image definition

Outputs 2MP (1920 × 1080)@25/30 fps
H.265 codec, high compression rate, ultra-low bit rate
Built-in IR LED, max IR distance: 40 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
12V DC/PoE power support
IP67 protection

Full Spec Sheet: Here
Manual: Here

Image Sensor	1/2.8” 2Megapixel progressive CMOS
Effective Pixels	1920 (H) × 1080 (V)
ROM	128 MB
RAM	128 MB
Scanning System	Progressive
Electronic Shutter Speed	Auto/Manual 1/3 s–1/100000 s
Min. Illumination	0.002 Lux@F1.5
IR Distance	40 m (131.23 ft)
IR On/Off Control	Auto/Manual
IR LEDs Number	2
Pan/Tilt/Rotation Range	Horizonal: 0°–355° Vertical: 0°–78° Rotation: 0°–360°
Lens
Lens Type	Motorized vari-focal
Mount Type	φ14
Focal Length	2.7 mm–13.5 mm
Max. Aperture	F1.5
Field of View	Horizonal: 109°–28° Vertical: 57°–16° Diagonal: 131°–33°
Iris Type	Fixed aperture
Close Focus Distance	0.8 m–0.8 m (2.62 ft–2.62 ft)

Trying different settings at night. The scene is very dark to the point I have to use my phone at times to see where I'm walking.


All settings in this video is at factory defaults.

 

[Arjun]

How do you think it compares at night with the 4mp 1/1.8" sensor?

 

[looney2ns]

Maybe just a touch better.

 

[Arjun]

Can never wrong with a varifocal, lol

 

[Jagradang]

how does this compare with the hdw5231r-ze?

 

[djernie]

Man so many models at great prices. I will add this to my system and compare it with version 1. I am very pleased with version 1. HDW 2231R-ZS, thanks for the post Looney.

 

[looney2ns]

how does this compare with the hdw5231r-ze?

Improvement definitely.

 

[ThomasPI]

Well done my friend, impressive results.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I have the R version on my back deck, but looking for something for my front and driveway. Adding this to consideration. Thanks!

 

[windguy]

@looney2ns - wonderful review - many thanks!

Would you consider adding this camera to your system as a replacement or addition?

You do such great camera reviews, it would be really cool if you put together short video talks where you discuss the specs and how they compare to different models. Kind of a tutorial/review that would help educate newbies like me. I can read and look at specs for hours but sometimes I'm not sure what I'm reading or seeing in the videos. I would learn much faster with a video discussion. I realize it would take extra time to do but you have such an extensive wealth of knowledge to share and it would come from an unbiased trusted source, which goes a long way. Just a thought. Thanks!

 

[looney2ns]

@looney2ns - wonderful review - many thanks!

Would you consider adding this camera to your system as a replacement or addition?

You do such great camera reviews, it would be really cool if you put together short video talks where you discuss the specs and how they compare to different models. Kind of a tutorial/review that would help educate newbies like me. I can read and look at specs for hours but sometimes I'm not sure what I'm reading or seeing in the videos. I would learn much faster with a video discussion. I realize it would take extra time to do but you have such an extensive wealth of knowledge to share and it would come from an unbiased trusted source, which goes a long way. Just a thought. Thanks!

Thank you.
Yes, if the circumstances fit, this is a good choice of cam.
I have to give credit to IPCamTalk for what I do know about cams. Its mostly been absorbed from here and other members that know a heck of a lot more about cams than I do. When I joined 3 years ago, I was a newb just like everyone else.
I'll most likely will not be doing any video reviews.

 

[aristobrat]

where you discuss the specs and how they compare to different models.

IMO, if you're looking for a rough way to compare how different models will likely perform in low-light, check out the "Min. Illumination" spec... but always always always read through review threads (if available) to see how that spec pans out in reality. It's usually pretty spot-on but every now and then there are some models that have folks shaking their heads...

If you scroll up to the first post in this thread and look for the "Min. Illumination" spec, you'll see it's simply listed as: .002 Lux@F1.5 IMO, this is the new way that Dahua is listing this spec.

It used to be that the "Min. Illumination" spec contained three values. For example, the original version of this camera's "Min. Illumination" spec is listed as:
0.006Lux/F1.4( Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.05Lux/F1.4( Color,1/30s,30IRE)
0Lux/F1.4(IR on)

If you run into an older camera with the three values, it's the top value (the Color,1/3s,30IRE one) that you'd use to compare to the single spec used for the new models.

So in this case, it's comparing .002Lux (new S2 model) against .006Lux (original model). A lower Lux value is usually better for low-light image quality, so the new model being .002Lux should be an improvement over the old model's .006Lux in terms of low-light performance.

 

[Rebelx]

Sold out from the sound of it!

 

[nbstl68]

With all the slightly different models \ model numbers I have lost track of what is what does what better than what....
It would be great to see a running spreadsheet which would compare specs of all the reviewed models side by side in columns and added as they come along and are reviewed. A row with a brief opinion \ conclusion \ recap....you know,...if you ever have the time for something like that.

 

[windguy]

Thank you.
Yes, if the circumstances fit, this is a good choice of cam.
I have to give credit to IPCamTalk for what I do know about cams. Its mostly been absorbed from here and other members that know a heck of a lot more about cams than I do. When I joined 3 years ago, I was a newb just like everyone else.
I'll most likely will not be doing any video reviews.

Thanks Looney2ns. I think you've gained your expertise very quickly. I probably couldn't learn half as much in twice the amount of time.

Understand about not wanting to do special videos. It's very time consuming.

Is it fair to say that this new IPC-HDW2231T-ZS-S2 should replace the IPC-HDW5231-ZE as a good starter vari-focal camera for a newbie such as myself to start out with for testing?
I'm asking because I'm at the point where I'd like to buy one camera to do testing with and to become familiar with the technology. Thanks!

 

[windguy]

IMO, if you're looking for a rough way to compare how different models will likely perform in low-light, check out the "Min. Illumination" spec... but always always always read through review threads (if available) to see how that spec pans out in reality. It's usually pretty spot-on but every now and then there are some models that have folks shaking their heads...

Thanks Aristobrat - very helpful tip. You've explained it in a way that I can easily understand and apply.

 

[windguy]

With all the slightly different models \ model numbers I have lost track of what is what does what better than what....
It would be great to see a running spreadsheet which would compare specs of all the reviewed models side by side in columns and added as they come along and are reviewed. A row with a brief opinion \ conclusion \ recap....you know,...if you ever have the time for something like that.

Great suggestion! Thanks. Kind of like what was done for the POE Switches. A master list for the top cameras as a sticky thread or found in a wiki and updated to be current as new reviews or models are added. That sure would help me out as I try to sort through past and present reviews and recommended lists of cameras.

 

[looney2ns]

Thanks Looney2ns. I think you've gained your expertise very quickly. I probably couldn't learn half as much in twice the amount of time.

Understand about not wanting to do special videos. It's very time consuming.

Is it fair to say that this new IPC-HDW2231T-ZS-S2 should replace the IPC-HDW5231-ZE as a good starter vari-focal camera for a newbie such as myself to start out with for testing?
I'm asking because I'm at the point where I'd like to buy one camera to do testing with and to become familiar with the technology. Thanks!

If you don't need audio, check local laws, then yes this could be a good starter cam. I think there are a couple of cams that will be or has been released that may very well dethrone the 5231ze.

 

[windguy]

If you don't need audio, check local laws, then yes this could be a good starter cam. I think there are a couple of cams that will be or has been released that may very well dethrone the 5231ze.

Thanks Looney2ns

 

[Arjun]

Check out the IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+, you won't be disappointed by the image quality