Understanding Varifocal

[MrN1ce9uy]

Will be using Blue Iris. I do not own any cameras nor ever used the software.

Is varifocal automatic when it recognized an object? Or is it only manual? Can it recognize people at my door (very close up) as well as zoom if someone goes to my fence gate 25-30ft away?

I'm looking to buy my first camera. Can't afford one at every strategic point. Trying to cover more with less. Is this a bad approach?



Dahua Technology Pro Series N45CL5Z 4MP Outdoor ePoE Network Dome Camera with 2.7mm-13.5mm Lens & Night Vision

 

[fenderman]

Will be using Blue Iris. I do not own any cameras nor ever used the software.

Is varifocal automatic when it recognized an object? Or is it only manual? Can it recognize people at my door (very close up) as well as zoom if someone goes to my fence gate 25-30ft away?

I'm looking to buy my first camera. Can't afford one at every strategic point. Trying to cover more with less. Is this a bad approach?



Dahua Technology Pro Series N45CL5Z 4MP Outdoor ePoE Network Dome Camera with 2.7mm-13.5mm Lens & Night Vision

No, varifical is used at the time of install to frame the field of view you want. It is not used after that.
read the wiki on top.
You dont want a dome - ir reflection
look for a turret.
you dont want a 4mp - read about starlights
for the price of one of those cameras you can have 2 varifocal dahua 2231 turrets that perform better.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

This one? Aliexpress.com : Buy IPC HDW2231R ZS 2MP Starlight IR Eyeball Network Camera 2.7~13.5mm varifocal lens IPC HDW2231R ZS ,free DHL shipping from Reliable Surveillance Cameras suppliers on Empire Technology Co., Ltd

They don't come in 4MP?

 

[Q™]

They don't come in 4MP?

Here we go.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

So I don't need 4MP with Starlight... got it.

 

[mat200]

This one? Aliexpress.com : Buy IPC HDW2231R ZS 2MP Starlight IR Eyeball Network Camera 2.7~13.5mm varifocal lens IPC HDW2231R ZS ,free DHL shipping from Reliable Surveillance Cameras suppliers on Empire Technology Co., Ltd

They don't come in 4MP?

Welcome @MrN1ce9uy

Do see the cliff notes and wiki - take some time to review the notes, as well as take some time to read the reviews ipct members have posted on various cameras.

If you're tight on time and want to just jump in - pick up 2 of those cameras in the link ( IPC-HDW2231xx ) and a small POE switch and start playing with them to gain a better understanding. Those are good cameras.

 

[Q™]

So I don't need 4MP with Starlight... got it.

Most start out with the misconception that more megapixels are better...just like I did.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

Most start out with the misconception that more megapixels are better...just like I did.

Right, but I read that 4K has issues with low light; whereas 2MP and 4MP don't.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

It appears it will take around 2-3 weeks to get my order on Alixpress.com

I was using a VPN and they have to verify my info; not only that but their verification page won't take my pictures (even after cropping down the size to 1MB) and even if it did take the pictures they say 1-3 days to respond to the appeal. I'm glad they are taking my security serious, but that is a bit annoying.

 

[Q™]

You should order from Andy @EMPIRETECANDY.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

I'm pretty sure that was his shop on alixpress.com

I turned my vpn off and tried again, this time my bank denied the charge because they don't support that payment type.

What other camera is comparable to the Dahua 2MP Starlight varifocal?

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

Found him on Amazon and they have expedited shipping for this Friday. I'm going with that.

 

[aristobrat]

Found him on Amazon and they have expedited shipping for this Friday. I'm going with that.

That works. You can also email him (or private message him on the forum here) and he'll send you a PayPal invoice.

 

[cuz]

That works. You can also email him (or private message him on the forum here) and he'll send you a PayPal invoice.

I’ve messaged him here and used the PayPal invoice method twice now. It was super easy, and DHL shipping took only 3 days.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

That works. You can also email him (or private message him on the forum here) and he'll send you a PayPal invoice.

Yes, he responded to my alixpress order last night telling me exactly this. I already ordered on Amazon. Thanks for the info!

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

Hey guys,

Do I need mounting brackets for these? Aliexpress.com : Buy IPC HDW2231R ZS 2MP Starlight IR Eyeball Network Camera 2.7~13.5mm varifocal lens IPC HDW2231R ZS ,free DHL shipping from Reliable Surveillance Cameras suppliers on Empire Technology Co., Ltd

Can they simply be screwed directly to a ceiling or wall without a bracket?

 

[mat200]

Hey guys,

Do I need mounting brackets for these? Aliexpress.com : Buy IPC HDW2231R ZS 2MP Starlight IR Eyeball Network Camera 2.7~13.5mm varifocal lens IPC HDW2231R ZS ,free DHL shipping from Reliable Surveillance Cameras suppliers on Empire Technology Co., Ltd

Can they simply be screwed directly to a ceiling or wall without a bracket?

@MrN1ce9uy they can be mounted on the wall or ceiling - note you'll need to determine how you want to route the cable - I like my cable connection protected - so either pushed back into the wall, ceiling, or in the junction box / wall mount.

 

[VorlonFrog]

@MrN1ce9uy they can be mounted on the wall or ceiling - note you'll need to determine how you want to route the cable - I like my cable connection protected - so either pushed back into the wall, ceiling, or in the junction box / wall mount.

Fair warning, don't loop the camera's pigtail cable up inside the base plate or junction box. Because the pigtail is not ultra-shielded Cat-5/6/7/953 cable, it will impact your TCP/IP data quality and speeds. Found this out the hard way.

 

[fenderman]

Hey guys,

Do I need mounting brackets for these? Aliexpress.com : Buy IPC HDW2231R ZS 2MP Starlight IR Eyeball Network Camera 2.7~13.5mm varifocal lens IPC HDW2231R ZS ,free DHL shipping from Reliable Surveillance Cameras suppliers on Empire Technology Co., Ltd

Can they simply be screwed directly to a ceiling or wall without a bracket?

Note that if you don't want to drill a hole big enough for the pigtail to go into the wall you will need a junction box..the dahua junction box is built very well and fits the camera perfectly and looks clean.