Software for Dahua Varifocal

[Blue65]

I just got done installing my new Dahua Varifocal turret. It looks good, wires are all tucked and neat. I have downloaded the Smart PSS software and see my live view and have gotten it all in focus. As of right now, I only have 1 camera. I have 3 more coming from Andy as of today.

I am trying to figure out if I am suppose to be using the Smart PSS for everything software related. I have also logged into the camera directly via the ip address using the NACL plugin. I am just confused as to which software I am suppose to be using on to configure the camera. Am I suppose to use both Smart PSS and the NACL plugin or am I suppose to be using one or the other? Are configurations saved across both software platforms?

I am also trying to figure out how to get the camera to record upon an event, like movement. I have read the wiki, but for some reason I am not able to find the above information. I really appreciate the help.

 

[Blue65]

Any suggestions on being able to read the license plate in this picture?

I see there is a night time config, but there are so many different settings I am not able to get the adjustment done to even read my wife's license plate.

 

[bigredfish]

I would recommend using the settings on the camera itself primarily. I use SmartPSS mostly for viewing live video and downloading recorded clips, or to temporarily turn certain functions on/off like Motion detection while I'm working in the yard.

You will find Motion Detection easily in the camera menu.

 

[MixManSC]

A big part will be how you are recording. Do the cameras you bought have micro SD card slots? If so is that where you intend to have them record to? If not then you will need to have a computer running Smart PSS (it has an NVR function) or BI (Blue Iris) 24x7 or a dedicated NVR.

You pretty much need a separate dedicated camera for reading license plates at night due to the plates being (literally) reflective. To read plates you need to adjust the setting to a very very slim range of exposure, white balance, etc that will allow you to read the tag. The problem is those settings will then make the rest of the image way too dark to see anything. Its not a fault of the camera - its just the physics of light and how it reacts with the reflective surface of a license plate (or any other engineered reflective surface). The tiniest bit of light (even IR) strongly reacts with the reflective surface compared to anything else. So either the plate (and reflectors, etc) will be grossly overexposed and bright white but you can see everything else or with a lot of adjustment and tweaking the tag will be clear but then you will just barely be able to see anything else.

As far as where to configure things. That again depends on how you are setting things up. There are always going to be some things you will want to configure in the cameras themselves while depending on your recording setup, you might want to configure some other things in whatever it is you are recording with (Smart PSS, BI, dedicated NVR).

 

[Blue65]

@MixManSC Thanks I don't think getting license plates really is a big deal for me on my setup. I think facial recognition is more optimal in this home setup. Right now I am looking to find a dedicated NVR. I like the idea of BI, but find the setup process a bit daunting. Do you guys have suggestions on a Dahua NVR for a 6 camera setup? I already have a POE switch for all the cameras, so I guess I will probably get a non-POE NVR since according to the wiki they give a bit more flexibility.

 

[bigredfish]

The 5208 version of this one should work nicely and allow you to upgrade to 4K cameras later on...though you may want to go to the 16 channel to be safe
https://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/productDetail/19831

 

[Blue65]

Just purchased the 5216, it was $16 more. Also, Do you guy typically just run one large HDD or do you run two of the WD Purple drives?

 

[looney2ns]

Just purchased the 5216, it was $16 more. Also, Do you guy typically just run one large HDD or do you run two of the WD Purple drives?

All depends on how much retention time you need.
The 4tb purple is currently the sweet spot price wise.

 

[bababouy]

Just purchased the 5216, it was $16 more. Also, Do you guy typically just run one large HDD or do you run two of the WD Purple drives?

If you have room and budget to run 2 HDDs, I would recommend it. This way if one takes a crap, you have back up. I guess if you are running SD cards and recording at the camera and recording with an NVR, you have some redundancy already. I believe that you need to set up recording for SD cards in the camera itself. I have never tried playback from an SD card using Smart PSS, but I think it is possible. Smart PSS gives you the option to manage multiple cameras and recorders in one place on one screen, whether you are viewing live or searching video.