REVIEW: SD6AL445XA-HNR-IR 4MP 45x Starlight IR AI PTZ

[bigredfish]

Yep

the AI on this one and the extra zoom are nice though. The only thing it lacks is the 1/1.8 sensor. The same model with the bigger sensor and laser IR is my next purchase.

 

[ljw2k]

Which model is that ?

 

[bigredfish]

This one, it’s big brother, though less zoom, still way more than I need

 

[ljw2k]

Looks nice and won't be as clear during the daytime more detail from the camera you have now unless you want it more for night time. I'm sure I seen a new model with a 3/4" sensor somewhere on here.

 

[bigredfish]

Yes agree, nighttime color will be the difference . I have a 5442 next to the ptz now....I’ll post a comparison shot later tonight when I get home

 

[ljw2k]

That will be good - thanks.

 

[bigredfish]

Here's a quick comparison between the PTZ with the 1/2.8 and the 5442 VF with 1/1.8

Note both are 1/120 exposure and 8192 bitrate, but I've done a lot of tweaking to the PTZ to get it even close. 70 Gain, 85 iris, 75 ExpComp

You can see the artifacts on the 1/2.8 camera from the higher gain and just not enough light for it to match the 5442.
But don't get me wrong, with all of the things this PTZ does well, I'm more than happy with it. If I were running it in IR like I should be in this scene, it's outstanding.

<<<5442 .... PTZ>>>





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View attachment HOA Entr_ch1_20201220200103_20201220200114.mp4

 

[bigredfish]

Daytime LPR is great at 80-90 ft using the spotter cam

 

[bigredfish]

And People tracking in daytime is flawless so far

(watch towards the end when they notice the PTZ following them..)

View attachment HOA Entr_ch1_20201123124925_20201123125016.mp4

 

[Jessie.slimer]

I have been thinking hard about this camera since your review, mainly because of the crazy zoom that I can put to use with my really long driveway and mailbox out at the street. The 1/2.8 sensor is the only thing that concerns me.

At night, I only have (halfway decent) light from my house lights that reach maybe 25 feet out, so this camera will have to be used in B/W at night for me unfortunately. Because of this, would it even be worth contemplating the 1/1.8 sensor instead? That one would also need to be run in B/W here, so would there really be any benifit in spending so much more for the bigger sensor?

 

[bigredfish]

The IR is really quite good. My problem is the reflective signs and not being able to use it in IR mode to capture humans AND tags. Very different settings obviously.

Let me get you some video samples of it in IR at 400-600 ft

 

[rahhazar]

I have been thinking hard about this camera since your review, mainly because of the crazy zoom that I can put to use with my really long driveway and mailbox out at the street. The 1/2.8 sensor is the only thing that concerns me.

At night, I only have (halfway decent) light from my house lights that reach maybe 25 feet out, so this camera will have to be used in B/W at night for me unfortunately. Because of this, would it even be worth contemplating the 1/1.8 sensor instead? That one would also need to be run in B/W here, so would there really be any benifit in spending so much more for the bigger sensor?

Do sensors play big role in day and night capture, other than the angle view?

 

[bigredfish]

Yes.

 

[rahhazar]

Any links I can read about it?

 

[sebastiantombs]

It' a matter of simple physics. The larger the sensor the larger the elements, pixel. IE more surface area for each pixel. The larger the pixel the more light it has to work with. This is the primary reason to not chase megapixels. A 4MP camera with a 1/1.8" sensor will outperform an 8MP camera with that same 1/1.8" sensor. Twice as many pixels in the same surface area translates to roughly half the light reaching each pixel.

Not all sensors of the same size are created equal. Some may work better than others under low light conditions, but the general rules still apply.

 

[rahhazar]

thank you

 

[Jessie.slimer]

These monster ptzs with the 1/1.8 sensor are a tough pill to swallow at nearly double the price of the 1/2.8 sensor. No doubt they are better, but I'm not sure I will get double the value in my case, as I have no street lights or any nearby lighting. I may order a SD49425XB-HNR for now to play with and see how that combo works in my area.

 

[wittaj]

@Jessie.slimer - I have 4 house lights on the front, each putting out 5,400 lumen. I have a yard lamp putting out 5,400 lumen. I have a floodlight with two Night Chaser bulbs putting out 6,000 lumen.

So I have 33,000 lumen radiating off the front of my house. Most would think that is a lot.

It is not enough light for my 49425 for an image at the end of my driveway 50 feet away. I have to run a way slower shutter (1/40) than I would like and a higher gain (77) to make it work if I want it in color. And I have to force it into color as well as that is not enough light for the camera to automatically stay in color.

I would suggest the 49225 if you have no nearby lighting.

 

[bigredfish]

More bad news Jessie,

While the daytime image and AI tracking are awesome on the SD6AL445XA-HNR-IR as I’ve shown, the performance in IR, at distance, leaves much to be desired. I think @jmcu also had night IR focus issues....

I don’t really have a dark enough spot to point it, but did do some testing last night at 450 ft or so. Even 1/60 was too dark. I’ll post a sample in a bit. It seems to have a tough time focusing at max zoom in IR. Now part of that could be it’s getting confused with all of the house and street lights... and I’ve got a lot of obstacles looking down the street. ?

I did find one spot to aim it that’s pitch black at about 450. Lemme do a bit of editing

 

[Jessie.slimer]

I would suggest the 49225 if you have no nearby lighting.

I thought about that too, but the 49425 will probably just be a test cam to see if I should bite the bullet and get the 1.8 or if the 2.8 will meet my needs. Once I'm done, I'll move it to the back yard to watch dogs. There is much more light back there. I really want the high zoom ptz for the front to look down the driveway, about 300-325 feet. I've accepted the fact that this camera will never be in color at night. I'm not sure how the IR will do though. I may have to get an IR spotlight. I'd love to put a camera out by the street, but too many projects right now.