T5842T-ZE v T5442T-ZE camera placement

[BIGBOSSHOGG]

Recently set up these two cameras for surveillance. New to all this. Picked these two based on recommendations. I arbitrarily now currently have T5842T-ZE mounted on the far side of the house and the T5442T-ZE in the middle of the house. I am curious if this is the correct placement for these cameras. If the 4k camera would be better off in the middle? I am trying to understand focal lengths and sensor sizes but I have to admit it is a bit beyond me.

What would be the best placement for these two? Should I return one and have them both be the same?

Also should I run one in full color at night and the other in IR or both in IR.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[sebastiantombs]

First, I think they're both too high to produce identification grade video if that is your goal. Next, they both need to be zoomed in to get that identification video. If you want these cameras for overview you're better off with fixed focal length cameras and I suggest 6mm lenses from what I see in your captures.

I have a 4K-T, 3.6mm on one end of the house where it's close to the front door so it gets good ID shots. On the other end is a 5442T-AS, 6mm, to improve its ID factor since it's further from the door. In the middle there's a 3241T-ZAS that is zoomed to cover the center of the front yard, catch approaching people reliably. Effectively the two fixed lens cameras overwatch each other and overwatch the the 3241 for additional protection.

 

[wittaj]

If trying to cover a car in the driveway, they should be on either end of the driveway facing in a criss-cross manner.

The cameras are too high and all you will get are top of heads and hoodies.

You need to decide what area you want to IDENTIFY and focus on that. Those views appear to be not zoomed in very much. If the car is what is important, then zoom in to the car.

Running one in color and one in B/W is a good thought if you cannot get clean captures in color.

The big thing is do not run the cameras on default/auto settings. You need to tune the parameters in to your field of view and light.

 

[BIGBOSSHOGG]

To clarify these two particular cameras will stay this high. I have another one that is lower. I am just wondering where the 4k one should be placed in relation to the other camera if I keep these as overview cameras. I did not think about just getting a fixed camera. Which would be cheaper and do the exact same job. Thank you for that tip.

 

[wittaj]

At that height then you need to zoom in full max and aim for an area out past the car, otherwise it is tops of heads and hoodies. Aiming further out and optically zooming in helps "flatten" the angle.

The 4K would have to be strictly overview at that height or lower to IDENTIFY.