Trying to choose cameras and maybe NVR later starting with BlueIris.

J

Jasjol

n3wb
Sep 19, 2021
4
1
Sweden
I have seen youtubers, read alot here including Reolink threads.. which put me away from reolink, unless just for added cheap day camera.

I guess Dahua and Hikvision is promoted here for good video quality at night and compatability with BlueIris.

some questions:

1) if I choose to skip BlueIris and go for a NVR, lesser options, but maybe less fixing computer,
which NVR would work better if I mix Hikvision and Dahua cameras?

2) deciding which Camera and focal-lenght:
I am looking at Dahua 5442 and Hikvision xxx , not sure if I really need variofocal - if color low light is worth the money.

In front of house I can only view 4.5 meters since Law in Sweden forbids taking Photo/video outside my yard using fixed cameras.

Yard is 30x30 meters and I will probably have 2 cameras in each end of 18 m long house, house is 10m wide .
In the back of house I have approx 12 m until end of yard.

If I understand right - this means 2.8 mm is probably ok for me, since max distances from camera to anything are 4.5 m to 12 m?

Will vari-focal be useless/waste of money for me with these short distances?

3) Dahua
It is a little bit hard to see if I should choose Dahua 5442 or one level below in quality for price - which number would that be?
looking at these two

IPC-T5442T-ZE 4MP Starlight IR Vari-focal Eyeball Network Camera
IPC-T5442TM-AS 4MP Starlight+ WDR IR Eyeball AI Network

- and thinking which serie (instead of 5442) to choose if going down one step in quality for lower price

What would I mainly loose with a cheaper version of Dahua compared to 5442 series?

4) Hikvision
I looked at maybe one more expensive version such as
DS-2CD2087G2-LU 4K Super ColorVu Fixed Bullet Network Camera
also looked at cheaper version - in order to maybe have both in different locations
Hikvision DS-2CD2046G2-I (2.8 mm) IP Bullet Surveillance Camera with False Alarm Filter Acusense

would I loose a lot of night vision with the 2046 version?
is there a better pick in Hikvision?


5) wifi versions
I am thinking of POE cameras - but also some Wifi outdoor due to more difficult to wire Ethernet.
Also some maybe wifi inside house.

Which Wifi versions would work similar to the other cameras mention above?

6) wifi inside
I tested these D-link DCS-8526LH which were ok for me inside decent night view even when moving inside, and pan & tilt and 2way audio., but not working with BlueIris made me skip D-link even though, they were ok.

If I want a similiar WIFI camera inside what should I choose?


7) 2 way audio and Dahua Hikvision - do they exist and are they ok?
or are they much more expensive / not as good video quality?

8) Dahua or hikvision - which are better in price performance?
 
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1-For full feature set, keep NVR and Cams from the same brand.
2-Use this to determine what lens you may need: IPVM Camera Calculator V3
3-You will lose some night vision capabilities. Any of the 5442 versions will have very similar performance at night.
4-For what it's worth, we have access to a very good vendor that offers good support, he can get either Dahua or Hikivision. I personally like the Dahua's better because of their interface. EmpireTech Andy | IP Cam Talk
5-Avoid wifi, Wifi was not designed to handle the continuous streaming of a video camera. There is almost always a way to run Ethernet cable. If you have more than one or two Wifi cams, they can take down your whole wifi network as it get's saturated.
6-Yes, Several Dahuas have two way audio that work with BI.

Inside cams: Review-Dahua IPC-K42A 4mp Indoor Cube cam 2.8mm | IP Cam Talk

Study this: Cliff Notes
and this for updated camera list
 

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thanks,

I am chatting with Andy so I will probably buy some cameras from him.

I will check with him also regarding 2 way audio, pan and tilt etc.

The d-Link cameras I tested were all Full HD but gave good night videos inside the house in total darkness - even the cheaper DCS-6500, also tested D-link DCS-8627LH .

All of them would work inside - never tested outside, I guess longer distance they may fail.
I really liked the 2 way and simplicity of use, and the ease of pan and tilt via d-Link app.

But I did not manage go get them D-link in Blue Iris test version I had
- Maybe me not testing enough - but returned to focus on better outdoor cameras.

I like the idea of having pan and tilt for some cameras.

Wifi was not a problem, at least I did not notice any, in my home with these 4 cameras installled, but they only recorded on detection.

I do need to use some Wifi due to location, so will have to look into options
 
Jasjol said:
The d-Link cameras I tested were all Full HD but gave good night videos inside the house in total darkness - even the cheaper DCS-6500, also tested D-link DCS-8627LH .

Wifi was not a problem, at least I did not notice any, in my home with these 4 cameras installled, but they only recorded on detection.

I do need to use some Wifi due to location, so will have to look into options
Click to expand...

You may think they gave good night video, but you didn't have a complete stranger in your house that you needed to identify. It is amazing how much our mind can piece together someone's hair style, clothing, body shape, walking style, etc. to "recognize someone". I can recognize my neighbor from 180 feet away with a 2.8mm lens because I know the person. Total Stranger and it is useless. Plus inside will benefit from IR light bounce off walls and stuff to make it appear better.

Consumer grade cameras on wifi play with parameters to fake it to think you are not experiencing a problem. Wifi is problematic for real cameras, especially if you are streaming to an NVR or Blue Iris.

Unlike Netflix and other streaming services that buffer a movie, these cameras do not buffer up part of the video, so drop outs are frequent. You would be amazed how much streaming services buffer - don't believe me, start watching something and unplug your router and watch how much longer you can watch NetFlix before it freezes (mine is 45 seconds). Now do the same with a wifi camera and it is fairly instantaneous (within the latency of the stream itself)...

Most consumer grade wifi routers are not designed to pass the constant video stream data of cameras (even if hard wired), and since they do not buffer, you get these issues. A member here tested this once and after 4 cameras, the wifi became unstable. Plus it can be jammed.

To get around that spot that you think you need wifi, either take the time or hire someone to run an ethernet cable, use a nanostation to wireless provide a solid link, or use what many of us have and that is a powerline adapter that allows you to run data through your electric wires...and you need to provide power to the camera somehow, so use the electric wires to transmit that data...
 
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wittaj said:
You may think they gave good night video, but you didn't have a complete stranger in your house that you needed to identify. It is amazing how much our mind can piece together someone's hair style, clothing, body shape, walking style, etc. to "recognize someone". I can recognize my neighbor from 180 feet away with a 2.8mm lens because I know the person. Total Stranger and it is useless. Plus inside will benefit from IR light bounce off walls and stuff to make it appear better. ...
Click to expand...

Guess you are right I may deceive mself watching me :-), although piiture was really clear especially where there was some light.

I hear you regarding avoiding wifi and will try to use POE - but for some cameras inside I do not see the problem since they will probably only record when we are away so plenty of Wifi to use for2-3 wifi cameras then.

will probably use Dahua 5442 or some hikvision outside and maybe test a ANNKE NC400 which someone in forum tested as ok. The ANNKe is lower/half price and I have some areas with good light.


If the dlink cameras would work with BlueIris I would have kept them inside - good enough - considering price.


What if I really want a wifi version and BlueIris - good enough night quality and lower price - what would be the choice then?


And if I would choose between these 2 cameras - same price for me, are they same level?
Dahua Outdoor IP Camera ONVIF PoE 4MP Starlight 2.8mm IK10 WDR - IPC-HDBW2431E-S-S2
and
ANNKE NC400
 
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wittaj said:
Many here go with this camera as it is an Amcrest, which is Dahua OEM, so we can set many of the parameters to improve picture quality.

It is wifi, but I would still recommend a powerline adapter to run the data over your electric wires or run the ethernet. I have mine in the shed out back with a powerline adapter and have had zero dropouts in Blue Iris.

Click to expand...
Oh thanks, reallly like that one and on sale now also,

There is also a 4 MPixel version which has 5GHz wifi also which is only 20 USD more - also states BlueIris compability so I guess I could choose either?
 
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Yes, both will work with Blue Iris.

If you insist on using wifi, I would suggest the one that is 5GHz capable as that might have less interference.
 
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Do not chase megapixels, chase sensor size. The 2431 you referenced has a 1/3" sensor which may be acceptable for a 720P camera, but for a 4MP a 1/3" sensor will be basically blind at night. A 4MP camera needs a 1/1.8" sensor. A 2MP camera needs a 1/2.8" sensor. An 8MP camera needs a 1/1.2" sensor. Those sensor sizes assume you actually want to see motion in low light/no light conditions.

1/3" = .333"
1/2.8" = .357" (think a .38 caliber bullet)
1/1.8" = .555" (bigger than a .50 caliber bullet or ball)
1/1.2" = .833" (bigger than a 20mm chain gun round)
 
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