Intro
I’m pleased to announce we have another worlds first review to kick off, this time on the new Dahua DH-IPC-PFW5849-A180-E2. What’s this camera all about ? Well in a nutshell, take 2 x 5442T’s, squeeze them together, apply splicing algorithms and end up with a stitched 8MP (4096 x 1800 max) effective end image. Add a dash of E-PTZ (this will be interesting for those of you that haven’t seen this before) and you end up with a camera that give a great wide, yet detailed image that a) can be used to replace 2 cameras in some situations and b) provides a different use case, I’ll call it Wildcat Activation that allows you to supercharge PTZ’s in a. Multi camera config with spotter/overwatch setup through PTZ activation. A big THANK YOU as always to Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) for providing this unit in exchange for a fair, honest, unbiased and no holds barred review.
I’ll attempt to answer any and all comments as always BUT please keep those to the main topic of this thread.
Lets go….
The Camera
Remember this is effectively a dual 4MP (1/1.8”) set of sensors spliced together. It features the same Taurus SOC that the 4K-T camera does. It is Full Color utilizing Warm LED Lights on-camera to augment any lighting on scene and therefore there is NO IR cut filter and NO IR illuminators.There is NO independent control of each sensor, instead you are presented 1 x stitched image utilizing 1 x output channel. The real power of a unit like this relies heavily on its Splicing / Calibration of sensors, stitching via FW and it’s AI algorithms in conjunction with how well it utilizes both sensors to deliver the end result.
The camera comes in with a standard fixed length equivalent of 3.6mm. The splicing options for this camera are automatic based on where you want the camera to align the images. Best way for me to describe this is at the point of convergence that ideally aligns with your choke point or point you want to ensure targets are captured at. Any point beyond that splicing point will then show a cutoff between both lenses, not noticeable to the landscape within an FOV BUT absolutely noticeable with a target such as a human. Therefore critical to splice carefully according to install location and distance to target
I do want to preface / caveat up front that this camera is definitely ‘unique’ in its approach to a 180 degree FOV and has a lot of potential for the use cases I mention above, especially the Wildcat Activation one. E-PTZ can be handy and I will show how that works for those that haven’t seen it. Just bear in mind that this cannot be directly compared to a regular PTZ camera with Auto Tracking as in this case, the A180 gives you no real controls over the tracking of a target AND if not configured correctly can lead to undesirable results. The HUGE benefit you gain however from E-PTZ is 1) you can adjust the sub-views after the fact (yes, its a thing) and 2) you always have the ‘standard’ image to go back to. This is something that this and other Panoramic cameras such as the Hunter PTZ’s have going for them that standard PTZ’s do not (the ability to always have a wide shot even if your Auto Track screws up).
Post 2 - Pics & Videos, Post 3 - Special Features / Functions / Tips & Tricks, Post 4 - Bug List (new), Post 5 - Wrap Up
Without further ado lets get onto the specs
——
Shipping FW Version
2022-08-10 but I’ve also tested with 2022-08-18
Mounting Options
The mount options for the PFW5849-A180 are:
Onto the specs
This is part of the Dahua Wizmind range so not only gets IVS based object filtering (Human, Vehicle) as well as, Heat Mapping, People Counting & Smart Object Detection BUT also features the new SMD 4.0. As this camera features the newer v5.0 Web GUI (wahoo !) + V3.0 FW, you will see support for General + Schedule Modes for IVS (very cool) + Time Plan Settings (to change image settings during different times of day and for different months). Lastly, you also see the new Sensitivity and ‘inside’ rule options for IVS triggers introduced with the 4K full color cams.
Camera Details
Image Sensor - Dual 1/1.8” Sensors
Effective Pixels - 4096(H) x 1800(V), 8 Megapixels Spliced, capped at 25 fps (frames per second) as these current cameras are PAL aligned (no issue for digital work of course)
Main Resolutions - 4096 x 1800, 3840 x 1680, 3840 x 1080, 2880 x 1264
Minimum Illumination
Illumination Distance (utilizing the additional LED options) - Up to 40m (131.23 ft)
IR On/Off Control - Auto/Manual (brightness control of all LED’s only, NOT individual and NOT Near & Far controls)
Illuminator LEDs - 4 x Warm Light
Lens Information
Focal Length (Fixed)
3.6 Effective equivalent to regular fixed cameras
Max. Aperture
F1.0
Field of View
H: 180°
V: 48°
Close Focus Distance
3.6m (11.81ft)
DORI Distances
Detect - 70.3m (230.64ft)
Observe - 28.1m (92.19ft)
Recognize - 14.1 (46.52ft)
Identify - 7.0m (41.99ft)
Audio Information
Built In Microphone
Built In Speaker
Intro Wrap Up
IMPORTANT - I have posted a quick coming soon video and will then do a product overview demo. However I’ve already found and reported about 12 bugs / issues in FW that I’ve already detailed and reported to Dahua. Due to this I won’t be conducting real testing until I have the next version of the FW. Either way, wanted to at least get this started for all of you as I know there has been interest in 180 cameras + this one will start shipping soon
I’m pleased to announce we have another worlds first review to kick off, this time on the new Dahua DH-IPC-PFW5849-A180-E2. What’s this camera all about ? Well in a nutshell, take 2 x 5442T’s, squeeze them together, apply splicing algorithms and end up with a stitched 8MP (4096 x 1800 max) effective end image. Add a dash of E-PTZ (this will be interesting for those of you that haven’t seen this before) and you end up with a camera that give a great wide, yet detailed image that a) can be used to replace 2 cameras in some situations and b) provides a different use case, I’ll call it Wildcat Activation that allows you to supercharge PTZ’s in a. Multi camera config with spotter/overwatch setup through PTZ activation. A big THANK YOU as always to Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) for providing this unit in exchange for a fair, honest, unbiased and no holds barred review.
I’ll attempt to answer any and all comments as always BUT please keep those to the main topic of this thread.
Lets go….
The Camera
Remember this is effectively a dual 4MP (1/1.8”) set of sensors spliced together. It features the same Taurus SOC that the 4K-T camera does. It is Full Color utilizing Warm LED Lights on-camera to augment any lighting on scene and therefore there is NO IR cut filter and NO IR illuminators.There is NO independent control of each sensor, instead you are presented 1 x stitched image utilizing 1 x output channel. The real power of a unit like this relies heavily on its Splicing / Calibration of sensors, stitching via FW and it’s AI algorithms in conjunction with how well it utilizes both sensors to deliver the end result.
The camera comes in with a standard fixed length equivalent of 3.6mm. The splicing options for this camera are automatic based on where you want the camera to align the images. Best way for me to describe this is at the point of convergence that ideally aligns with your choke point or point you want to ensure targets are captured at. Any point beyond that splicing point will then show a cutoff between both lenses, not noticeable to the landscape within an FOV BUT absolutely noticeable with a target such as a human. Therefore critical to splice carefully according to install location and distance to target
I do want to preface / caveat up front that this camera is definitely ‘unique’ in its approach to a 180 degree FOV and has a lot of potential for the use cases I mention above, especially the Wildcat Activation one. E-PTZ can be handy and I will show how that works for those that haven’t seen it. Just bear in mind that this cannot be directly compared to a regular PTZ camera with Auto Tracking as in this case, the A180 gives you no real controls over the tracking of a target AND if not configured correctly can lead to undesirable results. The HUGE benefit you gain however from E-PTZ is 1) you can adjust the sub-views after the fact (yes, its a thing) and 2) you always have the ‘standard’ image to go back to. This is something that this and other Panoramic cameras such as the Hunter PTZ’s have going for them that standard PTZ’s do not (the ability to always have a wide shot even if your Auto Track screws up).
Post 2 - Pics & Videos, Post 3 - Special Features / Functions / Tips & Tricks, Post 4 - Bug List (new), Post 5 - Wrap Up
Without further ado lets get onto the specs
——
Shipping FW Version
2022-08-10 but I’ve also tested with 2022-08-18
Mounting Options
The mount options for the PFW5849-A180 are:
- PFA121 - 4 hole junction box
- PFA5300R - Circular junction box
- PFA157 - Pole Mount Adapter
Onto the specs
This is part of the Dahua Wizmind range so not only gets IVS based object filtering (Human, Vehicle) as well as, Heat Mapping, People Counting & Smart Object Detection BUT also features the new SMD 4.0. As this camera features the newer v5.0 Web GUI (wahoo !) + V3.0 FW, you will see support for General + Schedule Modes for IVS (very cool) + Time Plan Settings (to change image settings during different times of day and for different months). Lastly, you also see the new Sensitivity and ‘inside’ rule options for IVS triggers introduced with the 4K full color cams.
Camera Details
Image Sensor - Dual 1/1.8” Sensors
Effective Pixels - 4096(H) x 1800(V), 8 Megapixels Spliced, capped at 25 fps (frames per second) as these current cameras are PAL aligned (no issue for digital work of course)
Main Resolutions - 4096 x 1800, 3840 x 1680, 3840 x 1080, 2880 x 1264
RAM: 1GB
ROM: 128MB
Electronic Shutter Speed - 1/3s~1/100,000sMinimum Illumination
Color: 0.0005 Lux @F1.0 Color
Color: 0.0005 Lux @F1.0 B&W
Illumination Distance (utilizing the additional LED options) - Up to 40m (131.23 ft)
IR On/Off Control - Auto/Manual (brightness control of all LED’s only, NOT individual and NOT Near & Far controls)
Illuminator LEDs - 4 x Warm Light
Lens Information
Focal Length (Fixed)
3.6 Effective equivalent to regular fixed cameras
Max. Aperture
F1.0
Field of View
H: 180°
V: 48°
Close Focus Distance
3.6m (11.81ft)
DORI Distances
Detect - 70.3m (230.64ft)
Observe - 28.1m (92.19ft)
Recognize - 14.1 (46.52ft)
Identify - 7.0m (41.99ft)
Audio Information
Built In Microphone
Built In Speaker
Intro Wrap Up
IMPORTANT - I have posted a quick coming soon video and will then do a product overview demo. However I’ve already found and reported about 12 bugs / issues in FW that I’ve already detailed and reported to Dahua. Due to this I won’t be conducting real testing until I have the next version of the FW. Either way, wanted to at least get this started for all of you as I know there has been interest in 180 cameras + this one will start shipping soon
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