You can't really tell from the reduced size version of it in my All-cameras-grid, but the Acti in my garage has absolutely terrible focus over most of the frame and it is unfixable. I tried. I even RMAd that camera and they sent it back with a new lens and the same problem. The one outside is focused sharp, but the sensor and H.264 encoding are both so poor you get about the same level of detail at 3 MP resolution as you do at 10 MP resolution.Love the Acti labelled junk. That was my opinion of even their lowlight series of a few years ago.
Acti must not be Scottish-
auto exposure + IR reflection = increased shutter speeds (darker image as it gathers less light).. with dynamic exposure any changes to lighting might not result in the brighter image that you expected as it adjusts for it.. you still typically end up with a better overall image with more detail, and less noise/motion blur.. but looking at still images/video w/no human targets it can be quite deceiving as to the actual gains.. with the snow all around; its not all that surprising.It's very interesting that the picture is brighter with the IR off. I suppose the camera tries to compensate for no IR somehow?
can be updated, i just send the firmware to one of the members here, the first guy who get this camera but firmware is July version, latest new one is as Ryan posted.N00b here -- Does that mean the firmware can or can't be upgraded?
Yes, the new starlight's IR LEDs were off, but there was IR from two other dahua cameras, a hikvision turret, and a Univivi 12 LED illuminatorAre these with the external IR sources turned on?
That looks cold and miserable. Reminds me of when I lived in the Midwest. Brrr. Great shots though.It is snowing right now
1) I don't know.Thanks for all the great info guys. Couple of little questions before pulling the trigger...
Thanks.
- Does the aperture stay at f1.4 throughout the whole zoom range? I know in photography it's common for it to narrow (less light collected) the more you are zoomed.
- What's the in-built mic like? In practice do you get loads of wind and background noise making it messy to listen to, and is it only for close range?
- Does anyone know of a mount, equivalent to the ceiling mount on the domes, that will allow me to recess these into soffits a bit so they are even more discreet?
- I'm assuming Milestone Essentials has support already, right? I'm building a new cam network around this now it's free.