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  1. smithb

    IPC-HDW5231R-ZE connector questions

    Here's the "new" Dahua connector style. I was wrong... the larger piece has the special notch for the RJ45 connector. The smaller piece just has a large hole... hehe...
  2. smithb

    IPC-HDW5231R-ZE connector questions

    That is some nice work.
  3. smithb

    IPC-HDW5231R-ZE connector questions

    Yeah, the one that came with my mini wedge is different. The smaller piece has a cutout that fits the dimensions of the RJ45 connector. I’ll post some pics later.
  4. smithb

    IPC-HDW5231R-ZE connector questions

    The Dahua waterproof connectors that I’ve used can be slipped over an RJ45 connector. I just did it the other day. You need to cut a slit in the rubber grommet, but everything else slides right on so long as there isn’t a strain relief boot on it.
  5. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    Good point. I’ll take the dome off and see how it looks. I also have an IR flood that I can experiment with.
  6. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    I agree that the left side has the better vantage, but I tested it out quite a bit and found myself naturally drawn to look to the right of the door because the left is somewhat obstructed by the stone wall and the right has an open view of the driveway and neighborhood. Plus, the wife did not...
  7. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    One cool thing about having the camera installed to the side is that you can take full advantage of human ear recognition. I don't know much about it but I've read that the human ear is as individual as a fingerprint.
  8. smithb

    Test lenses? Is that a thing?

    You could certainly do that, but I think you'll be wasting both time and money. If you don't need audio, you can grab two IPC-HDW2231RP-ZS varifocal turret cameras, a couple of long patch cables, and two bucket rigs for a total cost of about $300. If you buy one of each fixed lens type you're...
  9. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    I grabbed these snapshots this morning to show how bad the IR reflects off the dome. When I first pulled the camera out of the box I thought that it wouldn't be a problem because there is a rubber hood that encircles the lens and seals against the dome to block out IR. In practice it doesn't...
  10. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    I just wanted to add that I still plan to experiment with landscape some more. As you can see, corridor shows a bit more ceiling than necessary with the 3.6mm lens. If I do go with landscape, I may need to add a second porch camera in the overhead at the far end to observe what’s happening with...
  11. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    My house is laid out fairly conveniently for running cables. The front wall and garage are accessible from my basement workshop, so it's a straight shot up through the sill plate. The hard part is fishing the wire through a 3/4" hole. I had to cheat to make it happen this time. I cut a hole...
  12. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    I’ll post some pics tonight if I get a chance. I’m still debating whether to use corridor or landscape. Definitely have some tweaking to do.
  13. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    Thanks! I’d be lost without the guidance I’ve been given from the good folks on this board. All told, you guys have probably saved me over $800 in crappy cameras and cables that I almost purchased and would have had to replace sooner rather than later.
  14. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    If you’re asking why I wanted a wide angle lens, it’s because the subject will be within 6 feet of the camera. At this distance a 2.8mm or 3.6mm can both identify visitors and watch packages immediately in front of my door. I have other cameras covering the approach and getaway.
  15. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    The main reason for going with the 3.6mm was that Andy didn't have a 2.8mm in stock. I waffled a bit but ultimately decided that the difference was minor. I think it worked out just fine.
  16. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    And just like that, ladies and gentlemen, Phase 2 is complete! I installed a 3.6mm front door cam at 6 ft in corridor orientation. I was going to install it at 5 ft but I just happened to be checking things out at sunset the other day and noticed that it was in direct sunlight. Taking my time...
  17. smithb

    Dealing with the pigtails..

    Check out my installation thread for some insight on discrete mounting: Just Sharing My Progress Here are pics of my cameras with mounting boxes. The boxes only add an inch of depth and the turrets are way more discreet than bullets.
  18. smithb

    Name My Kittens...win a new IPC-HDW5231R-Z varifocal

    Lion-o and Cheetara
  19. smithb

    Name My Kittens...win a new IPC-HDW5231R-Z varifocal

    She has the look of a true death dealer. I’ll take a feral cat over a house cat any day.
  20. smithb

    Name My Kittens...win a new IPC-HDW5231R-Z varifocal

    A boy and a girl.
  21. smithb

    Name My Kittens...win a new IPC-HDW5231R-Z varifocal

    How about Dexter and Dee Dee from Dexter’s Laboratory.
  22. smithb

    Small camera under the mailbox

    I just got my IPC-HDBW4231F-AS yesterday and started playing around with it. I don't have a patch cable long enough to make it to my mailbox, so no footage, but it's very discreet when mounted flat to the bottom of the mailbox. I think a 6mm lens would do the trick nicely. After fiddling...
  23. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    I just confirmed that the corporate WIFI that I was using was blocking access.
  24. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    Just confirmed that everything is now working fine on both my phone and laptop. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
  25. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    The phone is good to go. It’s the laptop that I'm having trouble with. It might be because I'm connecting from a corporate guest WIFI. I'm going to try to connect through my phone's hotspot and see if that does the trick.
  26. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    I just figured it out. Had to change the WAN address to match the LAN address. I assume this is because the app thinks I'm connecting from outside the network? Now I just need to get OpenVPN to work on my laptop. So far, it times out when I try to connect. I'll reload the config file and...
  27. smithb

    Just Sharing My Progress

    Yes, I just got OpenVPN connected on my phone. However, when I attempt to connect to BI it says “Unable to make connection; check server address.”
  28. smithb

    Small camera under the mailbox

    I just received notification that my camera will be delivered on Monday so I should have something to look at by next weekend.
  29. smithb

    Small camera under the mailbox

    One possible problem with the IPC-HDBW4231F-AS is that it tops out at a 6mm lens. It might be ok being located so close to the road at a such a low viewing angle, but I think most folks prefer a higher focal length and optical zoom for LPRs.
  30. smithb

    Small camera under the mailbox

    I’ve been considering doing something similar. My mini wedge should arrive in a few days. I’ll try to set it up as an LPR on my mailbox and get some pics and video before I install it at my front door. It’s a 3.6mm so it might not work too well, but it should be good enough to see if it’s at...
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