Choosing an IP camera for home monitoring - image quality, parameters, 4mpx models

As you can see, the topic is not that simple
And I think that a lot of people are guided by pixels because they think that the more the better.
The above 3 cameras are from the Hikvision acusense line

Gentlemen,
In which section should you post an advertisement for the sale of cameras? Maybe someone will benefit because the price is very good with Acusense (2nd gen) and with a 7-35mm lens and this zoom is the reason for selling because it was supposed to be 2.7-13.5mm

Take it to the bazaar.

koleś kit wrote:

Because, for example, I noticed that on a 16-port POE hik, there is a problem with image preview. For example, with ten 4mpx cameras, there is a problem with image preview. The word noresource appears. Apparently this is due to "clogging" of the network or overload of the recorder. What it comes from ? Changing the codec does nothing. Although apparently it doesn't affect recording. Is it because this hik is just rubbish?

The idea is to preview all channels at the same time - then the processor is not working and such a message appears. If you choose, for example, only the 2x2 (4 at a time) or 1x1 (one at a time) preview, it should work.

The thing about cheaper models is that they cannot cope with playing/displaying more cameras at the same time. Well, something for something.

koleś kit wrote:

Okay, ok, but what should you consider when purchasing? You buy supposedly 16 cameras and this happens?

You should pay attention to technical parameters, not just price.
For example, Hikvision recorders for 16 IP cameras come in several series, and within each series there are 3 or more models and their versions.
The differences are in the number of disks, maximum input bitrate, output bitrate, maximum number of simultaneously played channels, intelligent image analysis function, control and alarm inputs and outputs and other functions.
Each number and letter in the recorder's symbol is usually crucial to its functions.
If you buy the cheapest recorder for 16 cameras, you are limited in the number of channels viewed at the same time. If you buy the most expensive one, you will far exceed your needs. Therefore, you must first consider what is needed. And then read the technical parameters carefully and choose the appropriate model.

koleś kit wrote:

Parameters you say? That's how it was. It was supposed to have 16 POE ports, it had an input bandwidth of 80 Mbps, it was. So 4 mpx cameras should work. Somehow it was not written anywhere that the "equipment" becomes clogged at 40Mbps.

It is sometimes written when the recorder is clogged, but it is not among other parameters.
Example comparison of Hika recorders:

DS-7616NI-K2/16P
DECODING
H.265/H.265+/H.264/H.264+/MPEG4 decoding format
Simultaneous playback of 16 channels
Performance 2 @ 4K, or 8 @ 1080p


DS-7716NI-K4/16P
DECODING
H.265/H.265+/H.264+/H.264/MPEG4 decoding format
Live View/Playback 8MP/6MP/5MP/4MP/3MP/1080p/UXGA/720p/VGA/4CIF/DCIF/2CIF/CIF/QCIF
Synchronous playback of 16 cameras
Capacity 2-ch @ 8 MP (25fps) / 4-ch @ 4MP (30fps) / 8-ch @ 1080p (30fps)


DS-7616NI-I2/16P
DECODING
H.265/H.265+/H.264/H.264+/MPEG4 decoding format
Live View/Playback 12MP/8MP/6MP/5MP/4MP/3MP/1080p/UXGA/720p /VGA/4CIF /DCIF/2CIF/CIF/QCIF
Synchronous playback of 16 cameras
Capacity 2 channels @ 12 MP (20fps) / 4 channels @ 8 MP (25fps) / 8 channels @ 4MP (30fps) / 16 channels @ 1080p (30fps)


As you can see, only the last recorder can play 16 channels at 1080p.
The first one costs 2,600 net, the last 4,200 net. Most customers will buy the cheapest one because they don't see the difference. And if you can't see the difference, why overpay.

koleś kit wrote:

Do you also know where the problem is? Probably partly due to pseudo-sellers who push bullshit without knowing what they are selling. Somehow I haven't seen a description anywhere like: Note: after exceeding, for example, 12 cameras and a bandwidth of 60 Mbps, the equipment may not display the image preview correctly. This is due to hardware or network overload.

That's why it's good to buy from companies that have full-time technical support engineers who know the equipment almost inside out, and if they don't know something, they take it from the warehouse and test it.
As you called them, "pseudo-sellers" only deal in trade without even knowing what exactly they are selling. They do not offer purchase advice or after-sales assistance. Only very conscious customers who know the equipment well can afford to buy from them.

Well, back to the topic of good (image quality) 4MP cameras, but I can`t find any 😉
I have already tested several 4MP cameras, but none of them satisfy me.
Of course, it`s great during the day, but at night it`s not so colorful if you compare it with the current 2MP cameras from Darkfighter.
Cameras tested include:
ds-2cd2043G0-I
ds-2cd2043G2-I
ds-2cd2045FWD-I

Overall, the latter camera is the best in this ranking, but it still doesn`t look better compared to 2MP cameras (ds-2cd2025fwd-i)
The biggest disappointment was the ds-2cd2043G2-I camera because it supposedly had good parameters, but at night it was very dark with a bright center.

Do you know anything specific with 4MP that will work at night, but only from hikvision?