Dirty Dome Camera Test
By: John Scanlan, Published on Nov 28, 2016
Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.
Related Reports
Axis ~$150 Outdoor Camera Tested
on May 21, 2019
Axis has released the latest in their Companion camera line, the outdoor Companion Dome Mini LE, a 1080p integrated IR model aiming to compete with...
Facial Recognition Systems Fail Simple Liveness Detection Test
on May 17, 2019
Facial recognition is being widely promoted as a solution to physical access control but we were able to simply spoof 3 systems because they had no...
Panasonic 32MP Multi Imager Camera Tested (WV-X8570N)
on May 16, 2019
Panasonic has released their first multi imager models including the 32MP (4x4K) WV-X8570N, claiming "Extreme image quality for evidence capturing...
Hikvision DeepinView Camera Analytics Tested
on May 08, 2019
Hikvision is expanding its 'deep learning' offerings with a new camera series called 'DeepinView' claiming false alarm reduction and improved...
Dahua ePoE Long Distance UTP / Coax Tested
on May 03, 2019
Dahua's Enhanced PoE (ePoE) line is claiming extended video and power transmission over 600m without repeaters, with devices interchangeable via...
Verkada Cloud VMS/Cameras Tested
on May 02, 2019
Verkada is arguably the most ambitious video surveillance startup in many years. The company is developing their own cameras, their own VMS, their...
The HIVIDEO $31 Face Detection DVR Tested
on Apr 25, 2019
Face detection in a $31 DVR? That is what "HIVIDEO" (not to be confused with Hikvision, even if the company intends to do that) was promoting at...
Speco Ultra Intensifier Tested
on Apr 22, 2019
While ISC West 2019 named Speco's Ultra Intensifier the best new "Video Surveillance Cameras IP", IPVM testing shows the camera suffers from...
Dahua Repositionable IR Multi-Imager Camera Tested
on Apr 16, 2019
Dahua has released their first repositionable multi-imager camera, the Multi-Flex 4x2MP, claiming integrated IR, true WDR, and flexible...
ISC West 2019 Report
on Apr 12, 2019
The IPVM team has finished at the Sands looking at what companies are offering and how they are changing their positioning.
See below for 50+...
Most Recent Industry Reports
Access Control Job Walk Guide
on May 22, 2019
Significant money can be saved and problems avoided with an access control job walk if you know what to look for and what to ask.
By inviting...
ASCMA / Monitronics Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
on May 22, 2019
Monitronics is entering into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company, also called Ascent Capital Group Inc., aka ASCMA, aka Brinks Home Security,...
US Considers Sanctions Against Hikvision and Dahua
on May 22, 2019
The US government is considering blacklisting "up to 5" PRC surveillance firms, including Hikvision and Dahua, Bloomberg reported, with human...
Dahua USA Celebrates 5 Years of Errors
on May 21, 2019
Dahua USA is, in their own words, 'celebrating' 5 years in North America or as trade magazine SSN declared:
Dahua Technology finds success in...
Axis ~$150 Outdoor Camera Tested
on May 21, 2019
Axis has released the latest in their Companion camera line, the outdoor Companion Dome Mini LE, a 1080p integrated IR model aiming to compete with...
Covert Facial Recognition Using Axis and Amazon By NYTimes
on May 20, 2019
What if you took a 33MP Axis camera covering one of the busiest parks in the US and ran Amazon Facial Recognition against it?
That is what the...
Amazon Ring Public Subsidy Program Aims To Dominate Residential Security
on May 20, 2019
Amazon dominates market after market. Quitely, but increasingly, they are doing so in residential security, through a combination of significant...
LifeSafety Power NetLink Vulnerabilities And Problematic Response
on May 20, 2019
'Power supplies' are not devices that many think about when considering vulnerabilities but as more and more devices go 'online', the risks for...
Facial Recognition Systems Fail Simple Liveness Detection Test
on May 17, 2019
Facial recognition is being widely promoted as a solution to physical access control but we were able to simply spoof 3 systems because they had no...
Inside Look Into Scam Market Research
on May 17, 2019
Scam market research has exploded over the last few years becoming the most commonly cited 'statistics' for most industries, despite there clearly...
The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.
Comments (22)
Dan Clinton
Great test John! We too have seen quite a bit of this issue, particularly with dirty IR dome cameras. As you mentioned IR Bullets are less suspect - this is because most have a physical barrier that blocks IR LED light from being transmitted through the glass in front of the lens.
With most IR dome cameras no barrier cuts through the actual dome itself. So even with the foam IR rings and rubber gaskets around the lens - IR Light is still transmitted through the thickness of the dome itself.
We have a product that combats this called the IR Shield.
I feel that this is a relevant cross post.
Create New Topic
Jon Dillabaugh
For the dirty domes, can I recommend the DomeCleaner?
Create New Topic
David Johnson
Our location sees salt spray deposited as fine crystals on the dome and has a similar effect as the fine scratches. Turret style devices and bullets work well and have completely replaced outdoor IR Domes for us.
Create New Topic
Lee Zanter
We started applying novus #1 to our domes. Worked well for us. Given only been couple months since we started.
Create New Topic
Tony Lagan
At my time working for Hikvision we found the the 2CD25xx Dome (being a micro dome) was the most susceptible dome in the range for image degradation if there was dust/fingerprints on the poly-carbonate.
Like you stated some domes are impacted differently to others and the standard sized Hik domes while also suffering some performance issues were not as bad as the 2CD25xx range.
Obviously if IR performance is paramount then a turret or bullet are the best options, the main issue here is from what I can see there are not many Vandal Resistant turrets or bullets on the market so if this is a requirement there are not too many other options left unless you use a separate illuminator.
Create New Topic
Blake Murphy
Excellent test, except we find raindrops the most common cause of dirt issues on the domes installed without a wall bracket, it would have been interesting to compare rain drops with the other causes of dirt
Create New Topic
Keith loch
Reminds me of my customer who wasn't happy with the quality of picture he was getting a short time after installation.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #2
This is why I prefer turret style cameras,they seem to take a lot more abuse before image degradation.They don't require disassembly during install so no moisture issues. On the other hand they are not the aesthetically pleasant to look at.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #3
We almost exclusively use "eyeball style" cameras.
1. For their infinite positioning ability
2. The ring of IR leds is separated from lens and no IR flashback
Create New Topic
Robert Forte
I have found that the turret style cameras don't get as dirty nor do they get a lot of scratches..
Create New Topic