Where to install cameras and what focal length

[matthewblas]

Excuse the janky photo editing, but I am struggling to decide where to place cameras and what focal lengths to use for my oddly shaped plot.
I am replacing google nest cameras installed by the previous owner and want to replace with decent local cameras, ideally to use with Frigate rather than Blue Iris. I have already purchased an EmpireTech (Dahua) IPC-B54IR-Z4E S3, but I'm finding its a bit too zoomed in for a lot of locations here. I thought about on the bottom right corner of the house pointing over the pool, but then I'm thinking maybe get some more wider field of view cameras and put another on the bottom left, so maybe I don't have a use for this one...
The two white areas are pergolas, and I do have ethernet at the separated, bottom left one so could wire cameras there too.

There are neighbouring houses to the top and bottom, and a road running along the back at the left hand side.

Any advice on camera placement would be appreciated, and advice on models (bullet vs turret?). I will mount them at around 8 feet high.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ri22o]

The -Z4E is a good camera, but you're right, it starts at 8mm. You will want the T54IR-ZE that ranges from 2.7mm-12mm. The -Z4E is a good choice for for distance though; if you wanted to watch over the pool house with a camera mounted on the house.

8ft can be an ok install height depending on your use and how close you are trying to watch.

I have a thread that is usually referenced when it comes to placement, camera, and focal length choice. You might give it a look. It's older, but I keep it up to date.

Thread '"I want 2.8mm cameras everywhere to see everything..." - This is why you need specific FOVs with purposeful focal lengths.'

May 17, 2023

I am treating this as a living document and will update it with new captures, information, etc from time to time since the journey and knowledge gained never ends. Even though it was originally posted in May of 2023, it is still very much relevant.

I have gained a lot of knowledge since I signed up and wanted to share my experience and examples of improvements and changes for others who are coming from a "I want 2.8mm cameras everywhere to see everything" system mentality.

My ongoing "build/looking for advice" thread can be found here.

The post includes the original...

• Ri22o
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Installation Pics

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[mat200]

Excuse the janky photo editing, but I am struggling to decide where to place cameras and what focal lengths to use for my oddly shaped plot.
I am replacing google nest cameras installed by the previous owner and want to replace with decent local cameras, ideally to use with Frigate rather than Blue Iris. I have already purchased an EmpireTech (Dahua) IPC-B54IR-Z4E S3, but I'm finding its a bit too zoomed in for a lot of locations here. I thought about on the bottom right corner of the house pointing over the pool, but then I'm thinking maybe get some more wider field of view cameras and put another on the bottom left, so maybe I don't have a use for this one...
The two white areas are pergolas, and I do have ethernet at the separated, bottom left one so could wire cameras there too.

There are neighbouring houses to the top and bottom, and a road running along the back at the left hand side.

Any advice on camera placement would be appreciated, and advice on models (bullet vs turret?). I will mount them at around 8 feet high.

Thanks in advance.


View attachment 222863

Welcome @matthewblas

Nice place, congrats on it.

In general most of my cameras are about 90 degree FOV ( 3.6mm ) .. front door / doors are 2.8mm .. and those covering the sideway and street are tighter FOV varifocal, where I want about 100 ppf at the target area. ( see the DORI section of the notes )

IN your case, it looks like you have a very small frontage of your home to the street - so should need less cameras than say a corner home.

I would get one varifocal ( lesser model than you have ) 4MP 1/1.8" poe camera and test possible placements.

Normally as a start I like at least 2 cameras, one on each side of the garage door over looking the driveway area.

When someone walks to the front door, I want them to walk at least past 2 cameras zones where I have a chance to ID them.

Due to the let's wear masks for everything now, I would also add cameras to capture any car / vehicle traffic in front of my house, so perhaps 2 varifocal cameras for that ( again, want to catch them coming and going ) .. if you want an LPR camera consider another camera or 2.

Are you concerned with anyone jumping the fence into your yard ?

 

[JPmedia]

You will want the T54IR-ZE that ranges from 2.7mm-12mm.

Or a B54IR-ZE, depending on the ambient light. The bullet version has twice the IR LEDs of the turret version.

 

[Ri22o]

Or a B54IR-ZE, depending on the ambient light. The bullet version has twice the IR LEDs of the turret version.

He has one, and it does not have a low enough focal length for his use. The ZE is 2.7-12mm, the Z4E is 8-32mm

 

[bp2008]

I can understand the "Z4E" camera being too narrow to suit your tastes, but in the right position it can be a license plate capture cam, or otherwise be very valuable for capturing face and clothing detail for identification purposes. I keep one under my front porch on the ground where it looks up at everyone approaching my house from the front. Its a bit of a cursed position since much of the time faces are a bit of a silhouette against the sky, but it is still way better than a wide angle cam and even if you are only 12 inches tall and looking down it will see your face really well.



Of course everyone loves a good wide angle overview too, and for that my favorite cam is this: ANNKE 6MP POE Security Camera Dual Lens Outdoor Color Night Two-Way Audio FCD600 | eBay It won't be winning any low light performance awards but as a pure overview it is hard to beat a virtually uninterrupted 180 degree field of view with minimal distortion for less than $100 USD.

 

[JPmedia]

I have already purchased an EmpireTech (Dahua) IPC-B54IR-Z4E S3, but I'm finding its a bit too zoomed in for a lot of locations here

He said he purchased a Z4E which is too zoomed in for him. A B54IR-ZE is a 2.7mm - 12mm variant which would allow a wider FOV

I only mentioned the B54IR-ZE as it has 4 IR LEDS vs the 2 on the T54IR-ZE, which should give a bit more light in low light areas

 

[matthewblas]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll experiment a bit more to see if I can make use of this current camera over the pool area, but my return period is over in a few days.

I was leaning towards bullet cameras because they'll be on the walls of the house. Are turret cameras ok to install on a wall and still able to be aimed properly and not end up with the picture rotated? Is there a bullet with a smaller focal length but similar features to the one I have? (The models are very difficult to understand for a newcomer, even with the table) (Edit: I'm checking the B54IR-ZE)

I'm not very worried about people jumping the fence but it's a possibility and I have (cheap $100 Walmart) TVs out there so would be good to cover that area

 

[wittaj]

Yes a turret has the same aiming capabilities as a bullet.

The turret comes in smaller focal lengths because the turrets are smaller. It are the larger focal lengths you can't get in a turret.

 

[Ri22o]

He said he purchased a Z4E which is too zoomed in for him. A B54IR-ZE is a 2.7mm - 12mm variant which would allow a wider FOV

I only mentioned the B54IR-ZE as it has 4 IR LEDS vs the 2 on the T54IR-ZE, which should give a bit more light in low light areas

Z4E is too zoomed in, so IR count is not relevant. That is why I suggested the -ZE turret variant of 2.7mm-12mm.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll experiment a bit more to see if I can make use of this current camera over the pool area, but my return period is over in a few days.

I was leaning towards bullet cameras because they'll be on the walls of the house. Are turret cameras ok to install on a wall and still able to be aimed properly and not end up with the picture rotated? Is there a turret with a smaller focal length but similar features to the one I have? (The models are very difficult to understand for a newcomer, even with the table) (Edit: I'm checking the B54IR-ZE)

I'm not very worried about people jumping the fence but it's a possibility and I have (cheap $100 Walmart) TVs out there so would be good to cover that area

Turrets are like eyeballs and can be almost infinitely adjusted. I have them mounted vertically on walls and horizontally under soffits.