Recommendation for replacing IPC-HDW5231R-ZE and/or firmware update

JSP said:

Hi,

I got 5 cameras I got from Andy years ago, all IPC-HDW5231R-ZE, one of them hands/crashes every few days, but comes back up after I power cycle it.

They are all running "V2.800.0000018.0.R, Build Date: 2021-07-07", perhaps it would be worth updating the firmware? Anyone knows where I can find a more recent one?

I'm also considering buying a replacement, I would want it to fit on the same mount as the existing camera. Night time quality is the most important to me, and given spider webs are an issue, I'm not looking for bullet style cameras.
Any suggestions?

For recording, I'm using frigate running on a TrueNAS system, it can easily handle higher bit rates, so 4MP, 8MP or even more is ok - but given I'm looking for night time quality, perhaps a lower resolution large sensor is better. If there are cameras that realistically can read number plates at night, I could consider those too.

thanks
Jesper

Click to expand...

I would suggest the EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3.

The 5231 series was a great camera, 7 years ago.

Bullet cameras do not attract spiders any more than turrets. That thinking comes from 10 years ago with bullets that had a ring of LEDs . Location makes far more difference than the form factor. I get far more spider webs on my two turrets because they are in locations facing a canal with lots of bugs that spiders like to eat.

Updating fw won’t change anything on those cameras. It will risk breaking something though

For current best nighttime image in IR, the 4MP 5442 series are the successor and far superior to the antiquated 5231 series. The 5442 is the go to series for good IR nighttime performance. If you are open to running white light LEDs there are other choices.

LPR or reading license plates requires dedicated cameras to doing only that. They are of little use for anything else due to the night settings and highly zoomed field of view required. There are a lot of factors to consider first a dedicated license plate camera. Location, angle, distance, car speed, etc.
This is all you will see at night

If you're open to white light LEDs as a deterrent, an can get by with fixed 3.6mm lens, the 3449 TioC Pro is the better choice.

The bullet would be even better as it has 2x the lights. Same camera, different housing

Same sized sensor as the 5442 series but with Smart Illumination features.
Depends on the distance you're looking to use it for. 15ft to front of Toyota -25ft to rear


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