Review&Test 4 Chinese Network IR PTZ Dome Cameras

Network PTZ dome cameras enter era of high definition, the development of network PTZ dome camera meet the needs of market. PTZ dome camera itself has the great flexibility, pan & tilt mechanical design with powerful optical zoom lens, it's inevitable choice for large video surveillance monitoring area. In this test, we choose 4 different network PTZ dome cameras that represent the latest frontier technology of PTZ dome camera, also represent the continuous improvement and development of network PTZ. 

Higher resolution, more accurate optical zoom lens, richer smart video analytic, and more stable cruising tracking technology, better infrared illumination, laser illumination technology, more intact outdoor protection withstand harsh weather conditions, more user-intuitive UI design etc.  Herein, we would like to gratefully and sincerely thank Dahua, Hikvision, Uniview and Tiandy. Through a half month testing and in-depth understanding, we hope that this article can provide some insightful information for current network PTZ camera, additionally offer some reference advice on equipment selection.

1# Hikvision DS-2DF8223I-AEL(W) DarkFighter

DS-2DF8223I-AEL(W) / DS-2DF8223IW-A is the latest network PTZ camera in Hikvision's DarkFighter product portfolio. This camera adopts 1/1.9" large size high performance progressive scan CMOS image sensor, high clarity image, precision motor-driven, response quickly, smooth rotation, precision deviation less than 0.1 degree. During camera's rotation, no image jitter occurs. Additionally, this camera is IP66 rated weatherproof IP camera, it can be used in a variety of different network video surveillance applications.

2# Dahua SD6AE230F-HNI

Dahua SD-6A9230F-HNI is a starlight smart network PTZ camera, it utilizes sleek cast aluminum housing durable design, the camera adopts 1/1.9 inch progressive scan CMOS image sensor to deliver 1080p full HD (2MP) resolution images, selects aperture F1.5 big lens, maximum support 30x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom. In terms of camera interface, the camera has rich interface includes Analog video output, network RJ45 port, 7CH Alarm Inputs and 2CH Alarm Outputs, as well as 1CH Audio I/O. Additionally, the camera has SD card interface to support maximum 128G on-board storage. 

3# Uniview IPC6242SWH-X22U

Uniview IPC6242SWH-X22U is a 2 megapixel network PTZ dome camera comes with 22x optical zoom capability. This camera also uses white cast aluminum housing durable design. It utilizes 1/1.9 inch CMOS image sensor, selects aperture F1.5-F3.4, 22x optical zoom lens. On the interface, this camera is designed to be more unique, it's compatible with ONVIF, GB28181, IMOS, API etc standards. In addition to Audio I/O and Alarm I/O, this camera has 1CH RS485 serial port, Ethernet port has 6KV rate surge protection design.

4# Tiandy TC-NH9806S6-MPIR-CW

TC-NH9806S6-MPIR-CW is a 2 megapixel starlight network PTZ dome camera adopts rugged aluminum housing design. The camera uses 1/1.8" Sony Exmor Progressive Scan CMOS Image Sensor, selects Aperture F1.6 lens, supports auto-focus, maximum offers 30x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom. This dome camera supports WDR and auto-tracking function. On the interface, the camera has network RJ45 connector, Debugging port, Alarm I/O, Audio I/O, analog video output, RS485 control, additionally has built-in MicroSDHC slot to support on-board storage. In this test, the camera connects to AC 24V power, and network router through a Cat5 Ethernet cable, easy to install and operate.

Pan & Tilt as the core components of network PTZ dome camera, it is also the key factor why PTZ dome camera is accounted for most of the market share in commercial video surveillance applications. As the key component of PTZ dome camera, it presents the cutting-edge technology of motor mechanical structure and control, it's the driving power to pan & tilt camera. The smooth running of pan & tilt rotation depends on whether the equipped motor's performance is excellent. Currently, the widely used motors include 2 types: DC motor and Stepper motor. All the dome cameras in this test adopt stepper motors, stepper motor works determine its pulse counting can be driven below the discrete control systems. To rotate the camera from one position to another position, at a constant speed, only needs to calculate the difference of number of steps between the two locations. Because of this rotation design, PTZ camera is suitable for large area video surveillance.

In real-time monitoring scene, the changes of environment may bring some challenges to network speed dome camera. Such as fog, strong light, rain-storm etc, these 4 PTZ cameras are able to withstand/overcome the harsh conditions to deliver high definition video.

Hikvision DS-2DF8223I-AEL(W)

Dahua SD6AE230F-HNI

Uniview IPC6242SWH-X22U

Tiandy TC-NH9806S6-MPIR-CW

Low illumination is one of important factors to judge security camera performance. Put network cameras into dark box, as we manually reduce the illumination to check the threshold value when cameras change image mode from color to monochrome. Among them, Dahua and Uniview, as well as Tiandy have better performance, When Dahua network camera works in minimum illumination is 0.00 Lux (real Lux is in the range of 0.001 - 0.009Lux) condition, the camera still can capture clear images, and almost no image noise, its low illumination performance is excellent.

Hikvision Low Illumination

Dahua Low Illumination

Uniview Low Illumination

Tiandy Low Illumination

All 4 network PTZ cameras offer excellent 1080p full HD quality images. In terms of resolution, Dahua SD6AE230F-HNI, Uniview IPC6242SWH-X22U, Hikvision DS-2DF8223I-AEL(W) can deliver images with horizontal resolution reaches up to 1100TVL, edge resolution is approximate 100TVL. Basically, all these products can provide excellent images, they are well-matched.

Hikvision Resolution

Dahua Resolution

Uniview Resolution

Tiandy Resolution

Dahua Close-up

Uniview Close-up

Hikvision Close-up

Tiandy Close-up