Equipment security cameras

[Hay Dude]

I am extremely leery of that site. Here have been my observations:

- There is a constant marketing push to buy from "Andy" at "EmpireTech." But, last I knew, "Andy" sources Chinese cameras, (usually Dahau brand), then inserts different firmware into the camera to claim added "special" features. Are you comfortable anyone doing that? I am not. What additional "special features" is he adding over and above those they advertise?
- One of the members always provides glowing reviews, thousands of posts, praising the products. Same member over and over. If you look at the site that member is easy to spot. Although a different member name provides the posts, I believe this is either "Andy," or an employee.
- A few members, after purchasing such products, have posted about discovery of viruses or spyware. Those posts are relentlessly ridiculed, attacked, then later the thread gets deleted. The one attacking against reports of malware is the same member who provides the glowing reviews.
- I am quite confident, from personal experience, that at least some cameras purchased there have backdoor reporting to China.

Make your own decisions. I cannot offer proof, only my observations. But I am extremely leery of the site.

Yeah good advice there.
But what’s a guy gonna do?

 

[PhilnTX]

I wonder if you could lightly modify the mounting of something like this to fit the need? Cheaper than a slashed tractor tire if it doesn't work....

Amazon.com : REOLINK 4K Dual Lens Cellular Security Camera, 4G LTE Auto Tracking, No WiFi Solar Powered, SIM Card Included, 6X Hybrid Zoom, 8MP Color Night Vision, Motion Alert, TrackMix LTE + SP, Updated Version : Electronics

Amazon.com : REOLINK 4K Dual Lens Cellular Security Camera, 4G LTE Auto Tracking, No WiFi Solar Powered, SIM Card Included, 6X Hybrid Zoom, 8MP Color Night Vision, Motion Alert, TrackMix LTE + SP, Updated Version : Electronics

www.amazon.com

View attachment 3554004

I have several Reolink cameras that are 4K and above. Exceptionally good video quality. Most definately can identify people with these.

 

[stevem5215]

I have two of the Reolink Duo cams. One of them I also use for a public picture on demand jpeg image. You can see it here. These are Dual 4k cameras so best viewed on a very high resolution 4k tv or monitor.

http://onvif:lhsconvif@lhsc.changeip.org/cgi-bin/api.cgi?cmd=onvifSnapPic&channel=0

If it asks for a password click "cancel" as it's bogus since I'm using ONVIF as my .jpeg protocol

 

[ning]

I have two of the Reolink Duo cams. One of them I also use for a public picture on demand jpeg image. You can see it here. These are Dual 4k cameras so best viewed on a very high resolution 4k tv or monitor.

http://onvif:lhsconvif@lhsc.changeip.org/cgi-bin/api.cgi?cmd=onvifSnapPic&channel=0

If it asks for a password click "cancel" as it's bogus since I'm using ONVIF as my .jpeg protocol

hey if that's you, put some pants on!
(jk)

 

[charlessenf]

a public picture on demand jpeg image.

That is, as I once said when a kid, "cool!" No idea one could do that.

My wife has two Wireless Game Cameras: Reveal Tactacam motion detection units that take images of a distant property when a deer walks across the field of view.

She has a cellular contract that cost her "a hundred some dollars for two years." (Me, I'd know to the penny, but Ah, Married Life.

I have some old CELL PHONES with WiFi and no contract and was wondering if any of these cameras they sell could be mounted to cover my driveway entrance, say, such that I would be able to view the scene over wifi on one of these retired cell phones.

Since she has these cameras setup, I am also interested in how you setup that image. Must each image required a unique URL, for instance? Or, can you effectively share a single URL, the target (image) of which, is simply replaced each time the scene is updated - new motion is detected?

 

[ning]

can you effectively share a single URL, the target (image) of which, is simply replaced each time the scene is updated - new motion is detected?

Looks like it updates fairly often, same URL - click it, wait a few seconds, refresh, watch the time stamp change.

 

[charlessenf]

Looks like it updates fairly often, same URL - click it, wait a few seconds, refresh, watch the time stamp change.

Right, Thanks - I noticed the new TS. You are correct.

I was hoping to hear from stevem5215 to learn the how and how much etc.

​

 

[stevem5215]

This camera as mentioned is a "picture on demand" camera setup. This snapshots a image as soon as you click the link. The image is fresh each time. I have tons of experience with live cams and have been doing this for years. There's a few methods I use for taking snapshots. One is a motion based snapshot that the camera can take as it sees motion in a targeted area that's setup in the camera settings. That can be sent to email, a ftp page, video can be taken based on seconds and sent to a ftp page, there's also "push options to a website" that I don't use. There's DVR setups that can detect motion of those same cameras also. Lots of things you can do.

As for the question from charles. The URL as mentioned is a ONVIF determined method of getting images from the camera as .jpg types. The snowmobile club has a IP address and that IPaddress is used for many different cameras with a special use of "ports". Such as www.lhsc.net:70 or port 80 or the like. That's how you can use different devices so they can be seen outside in the public domain for internet access remotely. To use game cameras I've found that the game companies block access to their online software and pictures. You can't get a snapshot off them easily. I used Spypoint for a while on a remote location that did give me notifications of motion in a driveway as that was my security goal. To watch vehicles coming and going to ensure no one was there who shouldn't be. It worked well for 3 years with a wired connection and 250 pictures a month for 5 bucks a month. I did have it wired to a DC transformer to be always on unlike most game cameras which save the power and loose some sensitivity due to being in sleep mode. Depends on your goals. If you are trying for security remotely you don't have a lot of choices unless you have power and internet access.

 

[stevem5215]

One of the long term very very reliable cameras I use in remote places is from MicroSeven. Here's a link to live video off one I operate and is accessible to anyone. It is also linked off the www.lhsc.net Snowmobile club website I operate.

Microseven IP Cameras

The Microseven Cam Outdoor security camera connects to WiFi, POE and can stream 1080p HD video to your phone 24/7. Use it as a surveillance camera or outdoor cam. It's the best way to keep an eye on home.

www.microseven.com

 

[Camofurever1]

Who is the manufacturer of those cams? They have been private labeled. Microseven isn't the manufacturer.

There is hardly any technical data on the cams. There is no DORI data given. The most expensive cam on the sales site is only $299.00. It can only handle 90% RH? The lowest temp it can operate in is only 14F? Most quality cams will operate in temps as low as -40F. With the CCD only being 1/2.8”, you will get an semi acceptable general picture during the daytime, but it will be worthless at night if the camera picks up any motion. The sensor isn't big enough to collect enough light from IR. It will be extremely noisy video feed. It claims it has a 30X optical zoom, but it is only 5.3-96mm. Most quality 30X optical zooms will operate from 5-180mm.

The purpose of a cam isn't to prevent or stop crime at the moment, it is to capture enough data and evidence that you can prosecute someone after the crime is committed. A blobby face, blobby license plate, ghosted images and a pretty scenery picture in the back ground isn't going to supply you with any of that data. It will be as useful as the clips they show of a robber on the 6:00 news of a blobby face with the caption of: Do you recognize this person? Yeah, that is "Leisure Suit Larry from the land of the lounge lizards" VGA video game from the early 1990's.

If you notice on the attached screen capture just captured in full daylight, I can't even read the license plate numbers on the cars from 100' away. Facial recognition is nill from 60' away. I can't read the street signs. What you have is just a pretty general picture during the daytime.

 

[LouNY]

No camera is going to get a readable license plate from 100 feet unless it is zoomed in and only getting the plate. Close up many can get a good picture.

Edited;
a picture from one of my cameras,

and a zoom in of the same picture, Yes I am aware that my plates are quite visible, big deal, not concerned.

 

[stevem5215]

A 5mp camera isn't going to get license plate numbers. Even a 4k resolution camera won't get them at 100ft. They must be zoomed in for enough pixels to be available for detailed people pictures or license pictures. The baloney you see on TV shows is just that. They can't make a picture clearer without the camera having the capability to do so. Lost pixel data can't be recovered.

Reolink does make a 12mp camera. I have not tried it yet to see what the quality is like on .jpg images or from the video feeds which are still compressed h .264 or .265. Full resolution of any high resolution camera would be HUGE data storage problems. Hence the compression that comes with these things.

 

[Camofurever1]

A 5mp camera isn't going to get license plate numbers. Even a 4k resolution camera won't get them at 100ft. They must be zoomed in for enough pixels to be available for detailed people pictures or license pictures. The baloney you see on TV shows is just that. They can't make a picture clearer without the camera having the capability to do so. Lost pixel data can't be recovered.

Reolink does make a 12mp camera. I have not tried it yet to see what the quality is like on .jpg images or from the video feeds which are still compressed h .264 or .265. Full resolution of any high resolution camera would be HUGE data storage problems. Hence the compression that comes with these things.

I beg to differ that you can't get a license plate read at 100'. Chasing Mega Pixels on cameras does not give you better resolution for LPR events. Some of the best LPR cameras available today are 2 MP with a larger CCD and a reduced frame rate (15 fps ) on the video feed. Also, your shutter speed needs to be above at least, 1/60s with decent IR illumination for night time. The higher the shutter speed, the better the capture. That is why you can't setup a camera with everything set to automatic. You have to manually tune each cameras settings to available light, shutter speed, and frame rate.

A DORI rating would tell you how good the camera optics and CCD are. If a camera seller does not advertise it's cameras DORI rating in it's technical specs, that is a key indicator that the camera is a cheap consumer grade camera and you should stay away from it, unless you are just after a pretty overall picture. That camera is just going to give you a pretty overall picture during the daytime, at best. Most consumers think a pretty overall still picture is all they need. That is, until an event happens and they need license plate numbers, facial recognition and a clear nightime capture in complete darkness to give to the cops. The internet is full of blurry, blobby pics with a caption: Do you recognize this person?

This is the DORI documentation on a decent quality 4MP 25X optical zoom PTZ camera with a 1/1.8" CMOS sensor. It has a 500' IR night time illumination range. Based off the DORI numbers, this camera is more than capable of capturing moving license plate numbers of distances of greater than 100'.

If a camera seller doesn't have DORI documentation, just look elsewhere. Is the DORI documentation exact? No, but by the manufacturer posting this data, at least it is going to be in the ballpark and you can get a feel of how good of quality the lenses and CCD is.

I agree, you can't make a bad, pixely picture better by running it through secret software that doesn't exist.

 

[Camofurever1]

Sample pics of one of my 25X PTZ cams. It has a optically zoom ratio of 4.8-120mm. It is a 4MP camera. The first pic is optically zoomed all the way out @4.8mm or 1X. The pole with the transformer on it is 175' away from the camera.
The second picture is the camera optically zoomed in at 10X. The last picture is the camera zoomed all the way in @25X or 120mm.

This is the DORI rating of this cam.

PTZ cameras are not typically used as a LPR, due to the mechanical zooming in and focusing time lag. My PTZ's can capture license plates as far as 300' from my camera, all day and all night, provided it is not raining, snowing or foggy. Dedicated fixed bullet cams are normally used as LPR's, with a internal trip wire setup and a narrow field of view window to capture the plate in.

 

[LouNY]

When you throw in optical zoom it changes a great many things, yes you can capture details but you have a very limited field of view.
My little 4k cams have an optical zoom capability, of 5 wich reduced the field of view from over 100 degrees to a little 32 degree field of veiw.

 

[stevem5215]

Those are some high quality camera shots. They were not achieved with consumer grade inexpensive products. What is the cost for yours ? I'm assuming it's in the 500-1000 buck range. Those products don't come with a cheap price tag for sure. Just like you mention that license plate reading devices are lower resolution just because those are tuned for success at it.

What the OP was asking about is for a low cost solution and that's an issue with most people. Personally I'm not trying to get license plates read with my camera setups. Low cost cameras is what I use to take scenic pictures used for determining conditions for snowmobiling. Usually including a snow stick of some type.

If I could get a camera like that one at a low cost I'd be buying them instead. Got a link to who offers it ?

 

[Camofurever1]

Those are some high quality camera shots. They were not achieved with consumer grade inexpensive products. What is the cost for yours ? I'm assuming it's in the 500-1000 buck range. Those products don't come with a cheap price tag for sure. Just like you mention that license plate reading devices are lower resolution just because those are tuned for success at it.

What the OP was asking about is for a low cost solution and that's an issue with most people. Personally I'm not trying to get license plates read with my camera setups. Low cost cameras is what I use to take scenic pictures used for determining conditions for snowmobiling. Usually including a snow stick of some type.

If I could get a camera like that one at a low cost I'd be buying them instead. Got a link to who offers it ?

Sure. Search the Web and e-bay and you can find this model all day long. It is a Dahua 6C3425XBPV. You can pay full retail, or with a little shopping around and wheeling and dealing, I got this one for $200.00 on e-bay. It retails new for $1k. This one was new, still in the factory sealed box. It replaced a 8 year old Hikvision 5MP 30X optical zoom PTZ that I paid $1,700.00 (full retail) for 9 years ago.

DahuaWiki

dahuawiki.com

When you start delving into the professional category of cameras, you get what you pay for. High quality cameras don't come cheap. I have one 45X PTZ cam I paid over $2,200.00 for (discounted retail). I can count the ticks on a deer standing 400 feet away with it. Great for wildlife observation.

 

[Camofurever1]

45X Optical Zoom Ultra Smart PTZ | EmpireTech

EmpireTech's Ultra Smart Series boasts a 45X optical zoom and employs AI chips and DL algorithms for AI-powered solutions. It can detect people and vehicles quickly and accurately, while providing intuitive functionality through its wide selection of products and services.

empiretech01.com

Empiretech is about the best cameras you can get for a smaller amount of money. Andy has all of his cameras private labeled by Dahua. Andys cameras have more features enabled in the cams with his custom firmware than Dahua brand labeled cams do. Customer service is top notch. I can contact Andy directly and have an answer from him on an issue within minutes to hours.

These two PTZ cams shown above are identical, except for the price and the MP. The cheaper cam is going to give you a much better quality of picture at night under IR. The daytime picture will be good, also. The more expensive cam is going to give you a crisper picture during the day, but night time IR viewing is going to be noisy and ghosting of moving objects.

When selecting cameras, you need to determine what your primary objective is for that viewing scenario. Is night time IR viewing more important? Go with a lower MP and the largest CCD you can get. If daytime viewing is the most important, you can get away with a higher MP and smaller CCD. Don't expect good IR nighttime results from a high MP camera with a small CCD. If you rely on viewing a good night time IR image, stay away from dome cameras. The IR light bounces around the inside of the dome and right back into the lens, giving you a non-removable halo effect in your night time image. I have a box full of old dome cameras that I had to learn that lesson the hard way years ago.

 

[LouNY]

About like an Amcrest camera, same specs. Maybe better support.

 

[Camofurever1]

About like an Amcrest camera, same specs. Maybe better support.

Kind of.