Review-Dahua IPC-A46 4mp indoor PT cam.

looney2ns

looney2ns

IPCT Contributor
Sep 25, 2016
16,302
24,204
Evansville, In. USA
Once again courtesy of @EMPIRETECANDY at EmpireTech Empire Technology Co., Ltd - Small Orders Online Store, Hot Selling and more on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

We have the IPC-A46 2K H.265 Wi-Fi PT Camera to look over.

This camera is available here: Aliexpress.com : Buy IPC A46 2K H.265 Wi Fi PT Camera IPC A46,free DHL Shipping from Reliable wi-fi camera suppliers on Empire Technology Co., Ltd

Also available here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-I...e=UTF8&qid=1540568229&sr=8-1&keywords=IPC-A46

Time of this post approximately $115 shipped via DHL.

Spec Sheet: http://www.dahuaconsumer.com/upload/2017/06/23/14982066211446al3nz.pdf
http://www.dahuaconsumer.com/product/info_

This cam works with:
  • SmartPss
  • Lechange App
  • Blue Iris
  • Dahua NVR
  • Dahua Configtool
  • Direct Web Interface
Each present's different options that can be adjusted in the camera. To get the best results from the cam, you will need to poke around in the settings with both the Lechange App and the Dahua ConfigTool.

The two way audio works as designed with Lechange, SmartPss, DirectWebUi. Audio is completely acceptable in both directions. I have not attempted to get "Talk" to work with BI. Receive Audio works fine.

Cam is easy to install either with the Lechange App or to the default IP of 192.168.1.108.

The only real quirk I've come across is that the Smart Tracking is spastic at best. ;)
That may work better in a room that does not have so many windows as the one I'm testing in.

20180812_134005.jpg 20180812_133540.jpg

Ceiling or wall bracket. Mount bracket, twist cam onto bracket.
20180812_133624.jpg 20180812_133522.jpg 20180812_133936.jpg

Video Samples. All settings at factory default.



 
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The sound made by the pan/tilt reminds me of the sound effects used for the robot in "Forbidden Planet" just before he speaks each time. Plus I got dizzy watching that!
 
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Did you connect using WiFi or Ethernet?

My cam is providing excellent video but Audio has annoying static and clicking sounds while sitting still in a completely silent room.
Also if I’m correct the camera sent to was from another member who was complaining of the same audio problem.
Wondering if maybe the problem is on the installation
 
Pmedicj said:
Did you connect using WiFi or Ethernet?

My cam is providing excellent video but Audio has annoying static and clicking sounds while sitting still in a completely silent room.
Also if I’m correct the camera sent to was from another member who was complaining of the same audio problem.
Wondering if maybe the problem is on the installation
Click to expand...

Ethernet connection.
It's been my experience that lots of WifI cams suffer from digital noise that goes away when hardwired.
I have a 7-8yr old TP-Link, used as a cat door cam that does the exact same thing. Static on Wifi, none on Ethernet.
 
looney2ns said:
Ethernet connection.
It's been my experience that lots of WifI cams suffer from digital noise that goes away when hardwired.
I have a 7-8yr old TP-Link, used as a cat door cam that does the exact same thing. Static on Wifi, none on Ethernet.
Click to expand...

Thank you Looney2ns, I suspected as much and was going to try it anyway but I ran out of cable.
I currently have mine on the WiFi. Video quality is fantastic and Audio is useable but does exhibit static when quiet. When it is picking up on a conversation it isn’t that bad.

Cool tip!
I connected mine to my NVR and I was able to set ptz presets and tours. I can activate them from my phone on IDMSS. The lechange app only lets me play with the ptz function :(

Overall much better and cheaper than Nest cams! Which by the way I still have a nest cam connected and twice this week I received notifications “Nest cam is Offline” logged in and checked, sure enough it was down but my IPC-A46 was still up and recording:headbang: my network was fine it was Nest’s servers.
 
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How close does it focus. I have been looking for a camera that can remain sharp down to a foot or two.

Wayne
 
Thanks Looney! This cam would be a huge hit here in the US, but for some reason Dahua USA isn't carrying it over. I still should grab one for myself. I know it would sell hella fast! I don't understand why they wouldn't make this poe also??
 
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I was going to get a mini black face ptz for my living room and put this cam in the kids room but I may just get another one of these. The video is fantastic. Night vision is great as well.

I just used the 2 way audio to say goodnight to my kids and it worked very well. I think I will get even better overall performance going with the Ethernet cable.
 
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Pmedicj said:
I was going to get a mini black face ptz for my living room and put this cam in the kids room but I may just get another one of these. The video is fantastic. Night vision is great as well.

I just used the 2 way audio to say goodnight to my kids and it worked very well. I think I will get even better overall performance going with the Ethernet cable.
Click to expand...
Everything is better when hardwired. If only Dahua could get their doorbell right!
 
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blake said:
This cam would be a huge hit here in the US, but for some reason Dahua USA isn't carrying it over.
Click to expand...
Dahua USA is odd. They never carried over the super popular Starlight 5231 varifocal turret, AFAIK. And they put the Starlight tag on some 5MP models that don’t seem to perform nearly as well in low-light as Starlights should. :banghead:

I’ve had an A46 installed at a family member’s house for a few months now. Other than gripes about the crackling audio and how klutzy the Lechange app can be, they like the camera. I hope Dahua can really spruce up the Lechange app before any official US launch. It looks like amateur hour compared to Nest/Arlo, etc.
 
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I agree, Dahua USA is weird. Stuff they should bring over they don't. Stuff I don't see feasible they bring over. Maybe they're making a bunch off of their huge clients so the products carried are based more toward them.
 
I use everything based thru BI or Dahua nvr. I don't use Lechange. I even have Hik cubes with 2-way audio still in service working thru BI.
 
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