Uniview Pro 4K Camera Tested (IPC3238ER3-DVZ)

By: Derek Ward, Published on Aug 29, 2019

In our 8MP / 4K Fixed Lens Camera Shootout, Uniview's low end 8MP was firmly in the middle of the pack.

Does their higher end Pro Series 4K camera improve on this?

We bought and tested the IPC3238ER3-DVZ to see how it performs, examining:

  • How does this new 4K model perform in full light (~400lx), low light(~2lx) and dark (~0.02lx) scenes?
  • How does installation compare to other dome models?
  • How does U-Code smart codec H.265 bandwidth compare day and night?
  • How well do they integrate to VMSes?
  • How does it compare in price to competitive 4K domes?

This is the latest in our continued series of updated 4K camera testing, following these other reports:

Avigilon, Panasonic, and Vivotek are coming soon. Suggestions? Let us know what other 4K cameras we should test.

** ****** / ** ***** Lens ****** ********, *******'* *** *** 8MP *** ****** ** the ****** ** *** pack.

**** ***** ****** ****** ****** ** ************* ** ****?

** ****** *** ****** the**********-***** *** *** ** performs, *********:

  • *** **** **** *** 4K ***** ******* ** full ***** (~*****), *** light(~2lx) *** **** (~*.****) scenes?
  • *** **** ************ ******* to ***** **** ******?
  • *** **** *-**** ***** codec *.*** ********* ******* day *** *****?
  • *** **** ** **** integrate ** *****?
  • *** **** ** ******* in ***** ** *********** 4K *****?

**** ** *** ****** in *** ********* ****** of ******* ** ****** testing, ********* ***** ***** reports:

********, *********, *** ******* are ****** ****. ***********?*** ** **** **** other ** ******* ** should ****.

[***************]

*******

** *** *****, *** Uniview ** **********-*** *** multiple *********:

  • **** *** *****/**** ***** quality:*** ***** (~* ***) and **** (~*.** ***) images **** *****, ********** of ********, ******* ** produce ****** ******* ** even ~** ***.
  • **** ** *********** **, depending ** ****:***** *******'* ******* ** mode (******), ******** ** the ****** ** *** field ** **** **** moderately *********** ** ~**' and ******. *** ******'* "Restrain" **** ******* **** overexposure, *** ****** *** edges ** *** ***** of ****, ******** *******.
  • **** *** ******* *********:******* ****** *********, ******* features **** ****** ***, producing ** ****** *******.
  • **** ********:*-**** ***** ***** *.*** bitrates **** ****** **** average ******** ** *********** 4K ******, ** ~**+% during *** *** *** significantly ****** ** ***** (~20-30%).

***** ****** *** ****** to **** **** ******* 4K ***** ************ ** many *****.

*******, *** *** *****, a ******** ** *** cost ** **** *********** 4K ****** ******, ** well ** *******'* **** closely ********* ******* *** limited ****** ***** ***** be ********** ** *********** looking *** ************ ** other *** **** ***** such ** ***** ** Hikvision.

*******

*** ******* **********-*** *** be ***** ***~$*** *** ******. **** ******* ** well ***** **** ***** 4K ****** ******, ********* $900+. **** ******* ** somewhat ******* ** *****'* newer **** ** *****, the*******, ***** ***** *** ~$375.

Limited ******* *********

******* **** *** ***** open ****** ***** ** pricing (**** ****), **** a******* ****** ** ************, ****** **** ***** brands ***** *** ** found *********** ********. **** may ** ********** ** many *********** **** ** customers ***** ******** ***** products.

*******, **** ********* ** decreasing ********. ** **** tests, *** **** ******* results *** ******* ******* were ***** ** **** or *******. *******, ** 2019, ******* ****** *** now ** ***** ********* ****** ************, **** ** *** margin. ***** *** ** widespread ** ********* ** Dahua, **** ** * moderate ********* ** ***** channel *********.

Size **********

*** ******* ** ****** is ******* ** **** and **** ****** ** competitors **** ** *** Axis *****, ******** ******* than*********'* * ******.

Loose ******* *****

** ******** ******* *****, gaskets **** ***** ** falling *** ** *** dome *****, ***** *** lead ** **** ***** lost, *******, ** ********** sealing *** ****, ******** moisture **** *** ******. However, **** *** ***** has ***** **** *****, with *** ****** *** held ** **** ********, remaining ** ***** **** when ******, * *** improvement **** **** ******.

Double ***** ****

*** ******* ******** *** cable *****, *** *** PoE/Ethernet *** ***** *** another *** */*, *****, and *** ***** *** for ******. **** ******** issues **** ******* ******** the ******, ** *** whips *** ****** *** enough ***** **** **** likely ******* *** ************ to ** **** ** the ******** ******* ******* of ***.

** **** ** ***** and ***** ******** ****** in **** *****:

No ****** *********

*** ******* ****** *** not ******* *** ***** of ************ *** ****** without ****** **, ****** by ******** ** ******* it, ***** **** ******* field ** **** ***** more ******* **** ***** models ***** ******* **** feature.

Weak *** *** ***** ***** *******

** ***** ***** (~**'), the ******* ** ************ in *** ***** (~* lux) *** **** **** IR ** (~*.** ***), though ****** *** ***** in **** ******, ********* and ******** ********* *******. Full ***** ****** (~*** lux) *** ***** *** easily ************ *** ****** exposed, **** ***** **** to **** */* ** the *****.

Weak Low Light Dark Details At Close Range

*******, ** ~**' *** beyond, *** ***** *** dark ***** ******* ****** very ****, **** *** camera ****** ** ******* recognizable ******* ** *** subject ******* * ********** high ~** ***. **** light ******* *** ************ but ****** **** *********** the **** ***.

Weak Facial Details In Full Light Recognition Only In Low Light Dark

IR *****: ******** ************ ** *** ** ***

*** ******* ***-*******-*** ******** to ** ** ******* named "****** ****" ***** attempts ** ******* ***** and ********** ****** *** full ***** ** **** but ******* ** ******** overexposure ** ~**' *** nearer, ****** ***** **** moderately *** *****.

********* ** *** "************ Restrain" ****, *** ****** reduces ************ ** *** center ** *** *****, with *** ******* ******** exposed. *******, *** **** of *** ***** ** view ******* ********** ******.

********** ****** ** **** test **** ***** ***** IR ******** **** ** reduce ************.

Weak *** ***********

** ****** *** ******'* WDR *********** ***** * backlit ******* ** ***** 2,000 *** **** ** indoor *** ** ~**, a ******** ** ~***.

******* ****** *********, *** subject's **** ** ******* washed ***, **** *** simply ********* ** * silhouette *** ***** **** lost ****** **** *. In *** ****** **** next ** *** ****, details *** *****, **** of *** ******* *** test ***** **** ** line ~*/*.

H.265/Smart ***** *******

******* ******* ******* *.*** as **** ** ***** "U-Code" ***** *****, **** two ***** ****** ******* "Basic" *** "********." ** our *****, *** *** modes ******** *********** ********* bitrates.

*-**** *.*** ******** **** higher **** ******* *** other ***** ***** ** models ** **** ******, with **** ****** ********* <2 **/* ****** *** day *** at ***** **** ** on. ***-***** *.*** ******** were **** ******, *** and *****, *********** *** camera's ** **/* *** (the ******* ******* ******* in *** *** **).

VMS ***********

*** ******* **********-*** *.*** and *.*** ******* ******* and **** ************ ** all ***** ******. ****** side ****** ********* *** supported ** *** ***** but ******* *****. ****** side ********* ******* *** weaker, ********** **** ** Exacq *** ********* (*** *** **** ** Uniview's *********/***).

Country ** ******

*** ******* **********-*** *** made ** *****:

Test **********

*** ****** *** ********* prior ** ******* **** a *** *********** ** standardize ******** **** **:

  • *** ******* **** ****** WDR *******.
  • ************ ******** *** **** for ** ***********.
  • *.*** *** *******.

Versions ****

*** ********* ******** ******** were **** *** *******:

  • ******* **********-***: ************-*************

Comments (35)

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

08/29/19 03:01pm

*** *** ******* **** with * ******** **** is **** * **** out ** ****?

******* *** * ***** firmware ****** ******* ** the *** ***.

Avatar

Derek Ward

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/29/19 03:44pm

***** ***,

********** *** ***** ** concern, *******, ** *** found **** *** ******* of ******** ****** ** the ****** ******* *********. No ******** ******* ***** on ****** *** *** GUI:

*** *** ***** ** update ********* ******* *******'* EZTools *******:

** *** **** * link ** **** **** or **** **** ******** "newer" ********, ****** ****! We **** **** *********** updates ** * ***** version ** ******** *** an ****** ** ****** performance. ****, *'* **** many ** *** ******* could **** **** *** of ** ********** ******** for ******* ******** *******, as ******* ** ******* but *******, ** *** report ******.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Derek Ward | 08/29/19 04:04pm

*** ****** **** *** used *** **** ******* is **** * ***** old. *** **********-**** ******** the ****** **** *** this ******* **** ** December ** ****. * don't **** ** *** of *** ********** ********* that ***** ***** *** DVZ ***** *******.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 12:18pm

**************** **********?

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/29/19 05:25pm

*********** ** ** ****** an ********** ********. **** history ** ******* ******* online.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 05:58pm

***********.***

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/29/19 06:28pm

** *** ***** *** list ** ************ ** the ** *****, ***'** see **** *** *** on **** ****.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 09:30pm

** *** ***** *** list ** ************ ** the ** *****, ***'** see **** *** *** on **** ****.

****, ****’** ***** ***** (alphabetically, ** *** ******, link ** ** ******** post)...

**** ** *** *****, I **** *** *********** of *******’* ********** ************ list ****** **** ** case ******** ******* ** challenge ** ** ****?

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/29/19 09:51pm

*******—******** ******* ************ **., Ltd.

******** ************: ** ****** and ******* ****

******** ************: *** **** Supply.com, ****.***, *****, *** Voltage ******, *** ************ and ******** ****** *****.

* *** ******** ** sales **** ** *** partner **** *** ******* and **** **** ***** Eye *** ******.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 09:53pm

** ****** **** ********** Uniview *********** ****.***

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 11:44pm

* *** ******** ** sales **** ** *** partner **** *** ******* and **** **** ***** Eye *** ******.

**** **** **** ** google *** “******* ******** partners ***** *******”, ****** the **** ******** ******* - ******** Uniview ************ **., ***.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/30/19 09:16am

*** ** *********, *** you ** ***** *****?

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/31/19 06:30am

*** ** *********, *** you ** ***** *****?

******* **** ** ***** be **********?

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/30/19 01:23pm

**** *** ****** **:***** *******—******** ******* ************ Co., ***.

**.

**** *** **** ** the ***** ****

*******—******** ******* ************ **., Ltd.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/30/19 02:09pm

*****'* * **** ***** explanation *** *** '**' link, ****** ** ******* it ** ****** ******* for ******* ********, *.*.:

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to John Honovich | 08/30/19 02:19pm

**** ******* ** *** following ** ********:

*. *** **** **** I **** *** ** controversial, *** '**' **** is ***** ***** ******* Google *** ******* ** in * ******** *** search.

*. *** ***** *** people ***** ******** ** threatening ** ****** ***** membership *** *** ****** on **. ** **** not. ***:**** ***** ***** "******* Tasting" **** *********** ***********

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to John Honovich | 08/30/19 11:21pm

*** ****** *** ** arrogant ******

Avatar

Kyle Folger

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/30/19 10:15pm

*'* *** **** *** John *** ***** ** "arrogant ******". ** ********* posted *** **** ***** I *** ***** ** when * **** **** responses *********. * ******** your ***** *** ********** worked. * **** ******* the **** ***** **** night ***** *** ***** that **#* ******, "******* official ******** ***** *******" and *** ** **** was *** ***** **** down *** **** **** includes *** ** * North ******** *******. * am ** **. *** kr **** ***** ********* 2011-2018, ***** *******.*** ***** copyright ****-****. ** ** appears ** ****** **** site ****** ** ***** down ** ****** **** search ******* ** ** lists ********* ***********.

*** **** ****** ** refuse ** *********** **** Uniview **** ** ***** in ***** ******* *** should *** ** ** prevent ****** **** ******* a **** ** ***** America *********** ********* ***********.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Kyle Folger | 08/30/19 11:26pm

**'* **** ******** ** his *** ** *** word *****. **** ** trivial *** ** *** enough ** *** ** off.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/30/19 11:32pm

*** ** *** **** banal

* *** *** ******* you *****. *** '***** explanation' * ********* *** that ******** ** **** binary ******** ** "**** the **** ** *** world ****" *** ****** that ****** *** ******'* this **** ***** *** a ******* ****** ******, that **, ** *** not ** ***** **** U2 ************, **** **** Google *** ********* **** to ****** *** ******** for **** ***********.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to John Honovich | 08/30/19 11:43pm

****'* *** * **** it.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/31/19 06:35am

**'* **** ******** ** his *** ** *** word *****.

***** *******’ *****...

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/29/19 09:59pm

**** ****** ****.******** ******—******** ******* ************ Co., ***.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/29/19 06:28pm

*********, ***** **** **** you * ****** *** camera **** ****** ** get *** **.

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 06:35pm

.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 05:35pm

***** **,*’******** ***.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 05:23pm

** **** ** ******* testing * ***** *****, we ****** ****** ** be ********, *** *** over *** ******, ** have *** *** ********** on **** ** **** testing *********:** ******** **** - What ****** ** ****?************* **** **** *** to ******* *** ** has **** ***** ** the *** ** ***** 4K ****** ** **** done ** *** **** month, *************,*****,*****,*********. ** *** **** Uniview ** ************ *** mentioned * ******* ***** now.

** *** ***** ** purchase *** **** *** DVPZ *****. *** ************ in *******, **** ** the **** ******* ******** version ** **** ** these *******?

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/29/19 05:50pm

*** *** ******* *** manufacturer ******** ***** ** testing ** ****** *** latest ***** *** ******** is ***** ****? ** you ******* *** ****, then **** ** ***'* fault *** ******** ** old ****** ** ** tested

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Sean Nelson | 08/29/19 05:55pm

**** ** *** *****. While **** ** *** have *** ***** ******, we *** ******* **** in ***** *** ***.

*****, ****** ********** **** Rich's **************, *** ******* HQ.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/29/19 06:26pm

** ** ********** *********** for ******* ********, * know * ****'* ********. Firmware *** **** ***** will *** ** *****

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 06:30pm

****, ** *** *** going ** ******* **** authorized ***********.

*** **** **** *********, right? *** ***** ** that ** ********** **** we **** ***** **** test *** * ******,** ****** *** ***** Uniview ***** ****** ** tested **** *** *** past * ****** *****.

Avatar

Rich Moore

In reply to John Honovich | 08/29/19 06:33pm

*'* **** * ***** sales ****** ** *** of *** ************. * have ********* ** ** superiors *** ** **** didn't ** ******** ***** it *** ******* *** any ** *** ***** distributors, ****, ****'* ***** my *** *****.

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Rich Moore | 08/29/19 06:35pm

**** **** ***** **, we *** ****** ******* on **** ***!

***, ** **** ******* in ** *** **** I **** *** *** design ** *** *** email ******* ************* **** up ***

Ashley Schofield

In reply to Ethan Ace | 09/02/19 12:12am

*** ***** **********-**** *** latest ******** *********-*************

*** ***** **********-*** (*** in **** ****) *** latest ******** ************-*************

*** *** **** **** numbers ******** *** **** when *** ******** ******* its ***********...

Undisclosed Integrator #3

08/29/19 01:03pm

*'** ****** *** **********-****.

*******: ***** ***** *** video.

********* ********: ******** *** useless.

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

Camera Field of View (FoV) Guide on Nov 13, 2019
Field of View (FoV) and Angle of View (AoV), are deceptively complex. At their most basic, they simply describe what the camera can "see" and seem...
Color Low Light Mega Camera Shootout - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Speco, Sony, Vivotek on Nov 12, 2019
This is the biggest color low light shootout ever, testing 20+ super low light models from 10 manufacturers: Increasingly, each manufacturer...
Open vs End-to-End Systems: Integrator Statistics 2019 on Nov 11, 2019
Preference for open systems is on the decline, according to new IPVM statistics. We asked integrators: For video surveillance systems, do you...
Biggest Low Light Problems 2019 on Nov 08, 2019
Over 150 integrators responded to our survey question: "What are the biggest problems you face getting good low-light images?" Inside, we share...
Rhombus Cameras, VMS and Analytics Tested on Nov 06, 2019
Rhombus boasts they have created "the new standard in Enterprise, cloud-managed video security" and told IPVM in January 2019 they offer twice the...
Aiphone Video Intercom Tested (IX Series 2) on Nov 05, 2019
Aiphone was one of integrator's favorite intercom manufacturers but how well do their products work? The company's newest offering, the IX Series 2...
90+ Companies Profile Directory on Nov 05, 2019
While IPVM covers the largest companies in the industry regularly (like Axis, Dahua, Hikvision, etc.), IPVM strives to do a profile post on each...
Avigilon Appearance Search Tested on Oct 30, 2019
Avigilon Appearance Search claims that it "sorts through hours of video with ease, to quickly locate a specific person or vehicle of interest...
Remote Access (DDNS vs P2P vs VPN) Usage Statistics on Oct 25, 2019
Remote access can make systems more usable but also more vulnerable. How are integrators delivring remote access in 2019? How many are using...
Security Canada Central Show Report 2019 on Oct 24, 2019
IPVM attended Security Canada Central in Toronto to see what is new in the Canadian market. Inside, we share videos and dozens of images...

Most Recent Industry Reports

ADT Stock Surges - "Leading The Commercial Space" on Nov 15, 2019
Don't call it comeback... but maybe call it a commercial provider. ADT, whose stock dropped by as much as 2/3rds since IPOing in 2018, has now...
Gatekeeper Security Company Profile - Detecting Faces Inside Vehicles on Nov 14, 2019
Border security is a common discussion in mainstream US news and politics, as is the use of banned Chinese equipment by US Government agencies....
Hikvision CEO And Vice-Chair Under PRC Government Investigation on Nov 14, 2019
In a surprising and globally covered move, Hikvision CEO Hu Yangzhong and Vice-Chairman Gong Hongjia are being investigated by China's securities...
Camera Field of View (FoV) Guide on Nov 13, 2019
Field of View (FoV) and Angle of View (AoV), are deceptively complex. At their most basic, they simply describe what the camera can "see" and seem...
UK Big Brother Watch: Hikvision Is 'Morally Bankrupt' on Nov 13, 2019
UK civil liberties advocate Big Brother Watch has condemned Hikvision as being 'morally bankrupt' following IPVM exposing Hikvision marketing...
Color Low Light Mega Camera Shootout - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Speco, Sony, Vivotek on Nov 12, 2019
This is the biggest color low light shootout ever, testing 20+ super low light models from 10 manufacturers: Increasingly, each manufacturer...
Wireless / WiFi Access Lock Guide on Nov 12, 2019
For some access openings, running wires can add thousands in cost, and wireless alternatives that avoid it becomes appealing. But using wireless...
Hikvision Global News Reports Directory on Nov 11, 2019
Hikvision has received the most global news reporting of any video surveillance company, ever, ranging from the WSJ, the Financial Times, Reuters,...
Hikvision Markets Uyghur Ethnicity Analytics, Now Covers Up on Nov 11, 2019
Hikvision has marketed an AI camera that automatically identifies Uyghurs, on its China website, only covering it up days ago after IPVM questioned...
Open vs End-to-End Systems: Integrator Statistics 2019 on Nov 11, 2019
Preference for open systems is on the decline, according to new IPVM statistics. We asked integrators: For video surveillance systems, do you...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?