No active deterrence, but it does allow custom audio files. I uploaded a couple mp3's.
Very true. The active deterrence feature with flashing lights really doesn't do much. I have it on three of my cameras, but after trying it out I was not impressed. However, on one of my overview cameras positioned high on my house, setting the light to blink so that someone knows you have a camera system is helpful. The audio files though are fun to use. I don't like the blaring default alarm sound, as I think it would bother my neighbors; however, I do like to upload some custom mp3's. It is especially fun at Halloween to set up tripwires to activate the custom sounds.
That is sound reasoning. I also looked at the N54DUD2 available from B&H but decided because of my situation to purchase a second PC-5449H-ASE-D2. I think the dual-lens 3.6mm is perfect for some installations but definitely has its limitations for others. For my initial install I mounted the camera about 8' up and 13' from the intended target. I wanted to be able to identify someone by clothing color at night, without having to turn the outside lights on. If I leave my porch lights "on," the 5442 is a better choice in that location, but w/o light (and only adding the built-in IR), the ability of the dual-lens camera to capture a usable color image is remarkable. During the day the camera has no problem with depth of field, but as you mention as a concern in your post, at night it does struggle with a very shallow depth of field and its wide aperture. For me, the ability to detect color made more sense than the ability to output a crystal-clear image. I have other overview cameras with IR that can possibly ID individuals before they reach the porch with the dual-lens camera, so it is not a big deal. I ordered a second dual-lens camera last night after trying the camera on my driveway. The 5442 I had mounted at the driveway provided a nice image via IR (supplemented by three motion-detector garage mounted lights), but I really wanted an enhanced image with color. I have a PTZ camera that follows subjects on the driveway and can get accurate close-ups, but the color information from this camera adds dimension. Are the images tack-sharp from the dual-lens camera at night? No, they are not, but the images are adequate for my needs. Here is where the dual-lens camera will let you down: as an overview camera or primary zone camera. If you are monitoring the street, for instance, or some other wide-open space, I think the 5442 would be a better choice. Moving images in the "sweet spot" for the lens are going to be few, but mounted at a location where you know the target will be crossing the "happy zone" for this camera will work well. I'm also looking forward to someone reviewing the N45DUD2. Sounds like a good collection of lenses from 2.8 on up.So I was looking at options for going full colour. Lots of lights with 5442 turrets? Or do I go dual sensor?
One of the things that was discouraging me from going Dual sensor were issues around depth of field at night. F1.0 with near focus to 2m does not exactly result in a large depth of field.
I was looking at the specs on Andy's Web store and noticed the Dahua specs are very different.
Camera
Image Sensor
1/1.8" + 1/1.8" CMOS
Lens
Lens Type
Fixed-focal
Lens Mount
M16
Focal Length
2.8 mm; 3.6 mm; 6 mm
Max. Aperture
F1.0
Field of View
2.8 mm: Horizontal: 97°; Vertical: 48°; Diagonal: 115°
3.6 mm: Horizontal: 75°; Vertical: 39°; Diagonal: 87°
6 mm: Horizontal: 47°; Vertical: 25°; Diagonal: 56°
Iris Control
Fixed
Close Focus Distance
2.8 mm: 4 m (13.1 ft)
3.6 mm: 5 m (16.4 ft)
6 mm: 6 m (19.7 ft)
So spit balling here but it appears dahua has abandoned the lunacy of trying to splice images from two different sensors/lenses and has also pushed out the near focus to 4+ metres which I would guess would be to improve depth of field at large apertures.
Perhaps @EMPIRETECANDY can shed some light. Is a new, better, model coming soon. ? If so do want.
Edit: Looks like they are available in the US
Ouch. With Shipping and GST they are almost double a 5442.
I absolutely love the PTZ. Every morning when I review footage from the cameras I find new things that happened over night. The tracking ability of that camera is well worth the cost. Nothing strange about someone carrying a tv or computer monitor down my driveway at 1:20AM, right? Ha ha
That is old, i send you the latest new one to download.
Trialing a Dahua IP Cam with active deterance. Setup to flash red / green lights on motion but can not get feature to work. Is there a preferred encoding that is required as my cam offers 3 type including A.I?
