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Test of 3 cameras - with pics

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by Mike-and-Kim, Aug 1, 2011.

  1. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    Tests of 3 cameras available (in monitoring systems) from Costco. Qsee QSM5265C was seen to be a very decent camera, at an effective cost of around $25-40 each. All 3 cameras feature split glass to minimize IR reflections. This is an especially important feature since without this as the camera cover gets dirty over time the internal LED's will reflect off this being picked up by the camera.

    Part numbers and descriptions:

    Cam 1 - Qsee QSDS3612D (part of Costco 543871):
    "Outdoor or indoor use
    Horizontal resolution: 420 TV Lines
    Image sensor: 1/4” Sony color CCD
    3.6mm lens providing 50°-55º field of view
    Up to 40 feet night vision (24 IR LEDs)"
    (I doubt if this has ICR as it is not mentioned and the color is not entirely correct during the day, i.e. they left out the IR filter needed during the day to filter the IR from the sun to get correct colors)

    Cam 2 - Qsee QSM5265C w/ sunshade (part of Costco 569071):
    "These premium sensor cameras capture 520 TV lines of resolution and boast 1/3” enhanced infrared cut sensors, allowing for a higher quality picture, accurate colors, and better image quality in the day or night than most standard surveillance cameras.
    The four cameras are each equipped with 36 infrared LED lights that can record at a distance of up to 100 feet in the dark.
    Field of Vision: The cameras are equipped with a 5.0mm lens, which provides a 50°-55º radius of vision"
    (note: this has the same angle of view as Cam1 but a different lens, this is because the sensor on Cam2 is larger. All things being equal larger pixel sizes will have better low light sensitivity, my favorite camera has a 1/2" sensor)

    Cam 3- Lorex MC6950 (part of Costco system 554029)
    "High resolution AIS (Advanced Image Sensor) produces sharp and clear video at 480 TV lines of resolution
    True day/night operation using integrated automatic Infra Red Cut Filter (ICR) ensures accurate color representation in all lighting conditions
    Lorex Pure Flat™ 5.0mm lens eliminates image curving for an undistorted view providing a close up image with a 50 degree diagonal field of view
    Night vision range up to 50ft (15m). Infrared illumination range under ideal conditions."
    (From above note, this field of view implies a 1/3 inch sensor. As we will see, this does not translate in to good low light performance for this camera)


    For the first test I wanted to get an idea of how much IR the cameras put out. The distance to the birch by the fence is about 45ft. The IR from the Cam2 is a wider beam (Cam1 and 3 are more like a spotlight), these are being picked up by a CNB BBM24F (which is a little out of focus). The CNB when compared to the other pics later can be seen to have a little more sensitivity to IR (e.g. note the brightness of the far trees when comparing to other pics that follow), note that it also has an adjustable lens which was set to a much wider angle view than the other cameras to capture the entire IR output area.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    For the second test I wanted to see how the picture from the 3 cameras compared. The picture from the Qsee (Cam2) is superior to the other Cam1 and also the Lorex (Cam3), the Lorex was so poor that I thought it might not be working so we tried another one. Same thing, really poor picture at night.

    I've actually seen Lorex in the past that did better than this model (ref http://www.broadlandshoa.org/hoaforum/showthread.php?t=23587). The last picture is Cam2 plus a CNB MIR1000 IR illuminator rated for 60 meters. Note the shadow cast by the bird feeder pole, which is not present in the other pics. This is all from IR lighting which is (mostly) not visible to the human eye, i.e. 850nm wavelength will put out a faint red glow.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    Third test: Baseline pic is a Bosch LTC0495 (lit by a 23W fluorescent flood, no IR) and the 3 cameras (plus a flood light helping them out).

    While the Bosch has a better picture and more flexible controls, it costs a lot more. Similar results to the second test. The distance to the oak is 45ft. The results between the 3 cameras are very similar to the first test, with Cam2 having the best picture (compared to Cam1 and Cam3).
     

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  4. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    Fourth test: I've also provided some pics looking at the IR output (plus a 23W flood) from the 3 cameras using a Bosch LTC0495.

    I'm actually pretty impressed by the Qsee QSM5265C, given that one can purchase 4 of them plus cables and a DVR for $300 from Costco (if we say the DVR is 100, wiring 100 and cameras 100 this works out to $25 a camera). They can also be found without the DVR and cables on the internet around $40 ea in quantities of 8.

    Hope this help someone
     

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  5. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    One comment to hopefully prevent confusion:

    Test 1 is always the same camera (CNB) looking at just the IR output of the 3 cameras. I'm an engineer so I was curious how much IR these cameras put out, perhaps I should not have put these pics first.

    Test 2 is the results of the cameras (Qsee and Lorex) being evaluated. In this test it is easy to see that camera 2 has the best picture at night.
     
  6. volvo_nut

    volvo_nut New Member

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  7. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    We've never tried that brand (FWIW I think it is considered a mid range brand, whereas Bosch Panasonic Pelco are what you usually see at banks/prisons etc).

    If you're looking for the best low light try to find something with exview sensors, it looks like that brand has a few. Avoid their cameras that use sense up (slow shutter) to get super low lux ratings.

    Use an online calculator to get a reasonable number of pixels for the area you are trying to cover - analog cams are roughly 640 across and they are usually a 1/3" sensor. Main point is don't buy a super wide angle camera like 3mm.

    The only mid range camera brand I've tried is CNB, just thinking of trying a CNB wcm-20vf to replace the qsee bullet that did so well (as the DVR it came with has been dying so thinking of returning that portion of the "rig" to Costco).

    Otherwise I've gotten good pics from Bosch (e.g. LTC0498 and 495), with external illuminators. Let me know however I can help, install questions etc.

    One last thing you might consider is skipping the DVR and running an encoder and software - for what a quality DVR goes for you can pick up used Axis 241S encoders for around $100 ea and run software on your computer (e.g. Milestone Xprotect go - free, BlueIris - $50, Vitamin D) or even use something like a Synology NAS to record.
     
  8. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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