01304 827609 info@use-ip.co.uk Find us

Best settings for DS-2CD2387G2-LU ColorVu turret cameras?

Geordie564

Centurion!
Trusted Member
Messages
175
Points
18
I'm struggling with the settings for DS-2CD2387G2-LU Colorvu cameras.

WDR is better when it's dark but looks too light during the day, also I'm struggling with exposure, currently at 1/150 but dark at night.

I've got the LEDs on the cameras set to the brightest setting.
 
Vivotek AI Network Video Recorders
You'll need a longer exposure to get a good picture from the ColorVu cameras, I'd start with 1/50.

The longer the exposure, the more light the camera can take in, and the brighter / more vivid the picture will be.

This thread should be helpful to you:

You can also schedule the image settings so that WDR is only active at night, it's just a case of:
  1. Setting any two scenes to use in Image >> Display Settings, one with the best daytime settings, and one with the best night-time settings

    1643041445664.png


  2. In Image >> Image Parameters Switch, tick enable, and fill out the calendar to schedule when you want each "scene" (set of settings) to be in use

    1643041811063.png
 
Is that OK for substream?
 

Attachments

  • 20220125_122819.jpg
    20220125_122819.jpg
    3.1 MB · Views: 382
Yes, those are fine.

The substream is just what you see when viewing the camera live in Hik-Connect or on a PC / local GUI.

You could increase the resolution to 640*480, but no need if you're happy with the video.

H.264 is generally the most reliable for video quality (it compresses the video less than H265/H.265+),

The max bitrate is fine, you could try 1024kbps for this too (but I wouldn't go higher).

CBR vs VBR is a matter of preference (CBR can be beneficial when viewing from a mobile device, as the download speed can often be poor):
CBR stands for constant bit rate, aims for a constant or unvarying bandwidth level with video quality allowed to vary
VBR stands for variable bit rate and allows the bit rate to vary but maintains a constant video quality level
MBR stands for maximum bit rate allowing the bit rate to vary but only up to a maximum value, effectively VBR with a cap.

This is a nice summary of good substream settings to use:
The sub stream is what you're going to be looking at while out and about on your mobile device - a small phone screen. As such it needs to be low enough for use on the mobile network or the flakey WiFi in the pub (definition: pub/boozer/public house - an establishment where one could relax, have a beer, socialise and watch the football - unavailable for safe use since early 2020). While we all have 4G these days, there are frequent occasions where despite showing all the bars, the download speed is too low to support that connection, due to the providers network. I tend to leave mine on H264, constant bit rate (more predictable actual bit rate on an unknown network), 12 FPS (more than enough) and 768 kbps. Better to have the sub stream low - you can always switch stream if necessary during remote viewing.

In summary:

Main Stream - use the tables as a starting point, increase by 20-30 percent if using Higher, watch your Smoothing level.
Sub Stream - H264, CBR, keep below 1024 kbps to avoid connection issues on mobile.
 
Very helpful, thanks.

What is the difference on Hikconnect between 'basic' and 'HD' are they both the substream quality?
 
No worries and no, HD is the Main Stream :)

So, it's often useful to keep the Sub Stream settings lower so you can always at least get a stream in Hik-Connect, and just switch to HD if the quality isn't good enough for you.
 
Thanks! That makes sense.

Is WDR best left on or off?

I think it's giving everything a bit of an orange glow
 
It depends on the scene - it can improve the picture if there is a strong light source in the background overexposing the picture:

But if the picture is better without, leave it off, as it will save on the bitrate.
 
Thanks!

Is the line crossing detection playback on Hikconnect substream or main stream?

Also, I've enabled daylight saving time but I don't have a (W) next to the time stamp? Is that right?
 
It depends on the scene - it can improve the picture if there is a strong light source in the background overexposing the picture:

But if the picture is better without, leave it off, as it will save on the bitrate.

Wow, small world. Just realised I've unknowingly driven past you guys loads over the years.
 
I've changed it to H265+ and it seems to load quicker, is that OK?

Is 15fps enough for main stream with exposure 1/100? I need to get a clear shot of moving faces.
 
I've changed it to H265+ and it seems to load quicker, is that OK?

Is 15fps enough for main stream with exposure 1/100? I need to get a clear shot of moving faces.
Yes, should be fine. If there turns out to be problems with the video then I'd change it to a lower compression codec like H.264.

15fps is good too, I wouldn't go any lower though as this is the lowest frame rate that we've found to give a smooth video so that nothing key is missed between frames (although it is the main stream that is most important for this anyway, as this is what is used in playback).

If you're finding that the image is too dark then you might want to shorten the exposure time too, but I expect 1/100 should be OK.
 
Wow, small world. Just realised I've unknowingly driven past you guys loads over the years.
Small world indeed!! Are you local or is that just from commuting through Dover?
That's actually the old office in the video, although we're still on the same road, just further down :)
 
I've had to change back to H264 because the playback was stuttering and jumping seems smoother on H264 but it's using quite a bit more bandwidth.
 
Do those settings look ok for my main camera? Wanted 20fps as it's the front door
 

Attachments

  • 20220127_150817.jpg
    20220127_150817.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 376
Small world indeed!! Are you local or is that just from commuting through Dover?
That's actually the old office in the video, although we're still on the same road, just further down :)

Just passing through Dover along the coast :)
 
Last edited:
Back
Top