Should I replace these BB-HCM531As or just install lighting?

[voip-ninja 0]

Hi Buell,

 

Thanks for the information. Are you confirming that the ACM-3511 camera element can be tilted, rotated and panned so that I can put it on the wall and then orient it down and level it? I would prefer not to have to purchase a pendant style wall mount.

 

As far as the weather sealing and insulation capabilities of the ACM-3511, the information you provide is valuable, but I have some previous experience modifying non outdoor cameras (such as the Panasonic BB-HCM511A) for outdoor use. In the case of the Panasonic I ordered a few parts to make it the equivalent of the much pricier BB-HCM531A.

 

I suspect that I could probably make a foam baffle ring for the ACM-3511 with about $8 of materials from the local hardware store that would seal it up pretty well against the wall and further insulate the body a bit.

 

I love the idea of the 7811 and the demo pictures look outstanding, but it is quite a bit more expensive ($650 vs $400) and seems (to me) to be total overkill for an entry camera that does nothing fancier than recording UPS drivers and dog walkers 99% of the time.

[buellwinkle 0]

Yes, you can adjust the lens tilt by rotating it. This drove me crazy on the TCM-7811 because I couldn't find how to do it. Then I found out the adjustment is inside the camera, you have to take the cover off the camera (not the cover off the dome, that's different) and it pivots back to reveal the lens rotating mecahnism. Thanks, if you didn't remind me about this, I would have given up and had a weird angle because my eaves are at an angle.

 

While the TCM-7811 is a great camera, the ACM-3511 is still very good. Same sensor/lens as my ACM-1231 that I have outdoors that have done service for years. Just have to figure out how to seal the back of the camera while still allowing the ethernet cable through. Indoors, in pitch blackness, it lights up the area which is a hallway, living room and dining room (about 35').

[voip-ninja 0]

Okay, thanks, it sounds like it might work then. I already have a low voltage box cut into the house siding for the ethernet cabling that will provide a place to anchor the unit (with maybe a little bit of trim installed) so I don't think it will be too tough to do.

 

I will be going on vacation soon but will try to get it ordered soon and provide some feedback here.

[MaxIcon 0]

What's the max exposure set on Vivotek? During my testing, I set it to 1/30th since that's realistic to capture motion but the camera may come from the factory set at a longer exposure.

 

Mine are both set at 1/30th max, but can go to 1/15 or 1/5 if blur's not an issue. I got them used, so I don't know if that's the factory setting. They get a little blur with low light, but not too bad.

 

They're also set for exposure level 4 (out of 8 ) and max gain 4x (vs 2x or 8x). I haven't played with those settings at all, and probably should to see if I can clean up the low light signal. I just realized I can set profiles for day/night/times, which may help as well, since I've got them optimized for bright sun/deep shadow.

 

I guess I should spend more time exploring the options on these things!

 

eta: I added a shot with IR on, no light, and gain reduced from 4x to 2x. It reduces the noise a good bit and doesn't seem to have any downside, at least at this fairly short distance. Changing the exposure levels didn't make much difference.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11322&p=188429#p188429

 

eta - edited to change to 8 )! lol!

Edited April 17, 2012 by Guest

[buellwinkle 0]

Thanks for sharing the pictures and conducting different tests.

[voip-ninja 0]

Max,

 

What's the coldest temperature you have operated the 8332 in? Vivotek says 34F which sounds a little silly to me, I would imagine it can go lower than that.

[MaxIcon 0]

Yeah, that sounds unreasonably high.

 

I'm in Silicon Valley, and weather's pretty moderate here, but we get down into the 20-30F a few times a year, and I haven't seen any problems. Mine are both under eaves, so are protected from direct weather. Though pretty low power, they're fairly compact and well sealed, and I'd imagine the heat of operation keeps the interior temp up a bit, especially at night with the IR on.

 

If I had a spare, I'd pop it into the freezer and see how it holds up. I'm considering getting another for a particular spot, but haven't decided to pull the trigger yet. If I do, I'll give it a test.

 

Despite its flaws, I'm happiest with these out of all the cams I've been testing, and I haven't found anything to compare for under $300.

[voip-ninja 0]

Yeah, that sounds unreasonably high.

 

I'm in Silicon Valley, and weather's pretty moderate here, but we get down into the 20-30F a few times a year, and I haven't seen any problems. Mine are both under eaves, so are protected from direct weather. Though pretty low power, they're fairly compact and well sealed, and I'd imagine the heat of operation keeps the interior temp up a bit, especially at night with the IR on.

 

If I had a spare, I'd pop it into the freezer and see how it holds up. I'm considering getting another for a particular spot, but haven't decided to pull the trigger yet. If I do, I'll give it a test.

 

Despite its flaws, I'm happiest with these out of all the cams I've been testing, and I haven't found anything to compare for under $300.

 

Yes, other than the level of IR glare it produces it is exactly what I need, OTHER than the somewhat higher than normal temperature rating. I know that generally dome cameras don't perform as well in low temps as bullet cameras, but I'm rather surprised that the bullet camera with the same optics is rated down to -20F and this one is rated at 32F.

 

We rarely get sub zero temperatures here but it does happen (Colorado). On the plus side it is incredibly dry here so condensation with cold temps is less likely to occur. My cameras, like yours, are under eaves and other than one location are generally in spots that don't get much direct weather.

 

I might just give it a try... if it doesn't work out I can probably eBay it for 50% of what I paid for it. I might still get an Acti 7811 for my one corner location as I think it has a marginally wider FOV and better IR performance than the Vivotek.

[buellwinkle 0]

A bullet cam is sealed pretty well within the can with just a small opening for the lens and illuminators, a dome is covered mostly by the plastic dome and that's where the heat dissipates. Since I'm in So Cal and probably much colder than Colorado, I can tell you when the temps dip into the teens in the local mountains, even my indoor Axis camera that's pressed against the glass stops working even though it's 57F inside. Most of the webcams up in the mountains also stop working and everyone asks, what happened to the webcams, hmm, maybe because they didn't get the high power PoE injector or 12V power supply so when the temps dip, the heater comes on, trips circuit on the PoE switch and all comes down.

[voip-ninja 0]

That's rather strange to me. My Panasonic PTZ cameras have operated even in temperatures as low as -15F. Admittedly they might be sealed a little better than the average dome camera but I'm surprised that you have had your cameras as intolerant to cold weather as that.

[buellwinkle 0]

Sure, but look at the dome on your panny, it's tiny, maybe the size of the front of my bullet cameras and the lens is pressed against it, not much free space since that dome only pan's tilts on 2 axis and very limited. When you put in a real dome, it's big in comparison and there's lots of open space inside. I did ask ACTi for you at the show, they said at some temperature, it will stop working and they test their cameras in freezers. It won't damage the camera, just stops working, like me when it gets below 0F.

[voip-ninja 0]

I appreciate that, thanks.

[MaxIcon 0]

Yes, other than the level of IR glare it produces it is exactly what I need, OTHER than the somewhat higher than normal temperature rating. I know that generally dome cameras don't perform as well in low temps as bullet cameras, but I'm rather surprised that the bullet camera with the same optics is rated down to -20F and this one is rated at 32F.

 

You're talking about the FD8134 dome, and not the IP8332 bullet? My outdoor cams are the IP8332s. I have an 8134 as well, but only use it indoors, and it's a good bit less flexible (like most domes), due to more limited mounting orientations. My 8332s had the dessicant packs in them when I got them, but I took them out and haven't replaced them, and have had no problems so far.

 

We rarely get sub zero temperatures here but it does happen (Colorado). On the plus side it is incredibly dry here so condensation with cold temps is less likely to occur. My cameras, like yours, are under eaves and other than one location are generally in spots that don't get much direct weather.

 

I might just give it a try... if it doesn't work out I can probably eBay it for 50% of what I paid for it. I might still get an Acti 7811 for my one corner location as I think it has a marginally wider FOV and better IR performance than the Vivotek.

 

The 8332s hold their resale value pretty well, I find. I bought both of mine used on ebay, and they were in the $225-250 range, compared to $300-ish new. My 8134 was only $100, and there was a lot less action on the auction.

[voip-ninja 0]

Yup sorry, I was referring to the 8134 domes, not the bullet cameras. I might potentially just break down and buy one ACTi and one Vivotek dome and have a fight to the death between them!