Amcrest PTZ Speed Dome Camera | 12x Optical Zoom | Integrated with Home Assistant and Blue Iris 

Now you can see why I was excited about it. Still love this thing. Only thing I could say negative is it is a little on the big side.

@@digiblurDIY I have it mounted about 25' off the ground near the peak of my garage...it does not that big from the ground. It was a bit stressful hauling it up the ladder and mounting it though! Different topic, any managed network switches that you prefer?

Yes. But being a dome with motors you have to mount an external microphone.

I do prefer this camera myself as I have used both ptzs.

I think you can do a web call or something like that directly to the camera to tell it which preset to go to but I don't know how to do that

That would be pretty easy to do with NodeRed and/or Home Assistant. PIRs trigger MQTT, then it does the call service on the PTZ position via the Amcrest integration.

Yes I do believe that was another one out there that would fit. I might just make my own from the hardware store eventually.

Pretty cool idea!

Working on the mullet for 2020.

It can work in standalone mode all by itself.

Weird. I can't find that one either. I will email their support.

I would just use the Dahua HACS plugin myself but I use this with Blue Iris and Frigate myself, not HA

@@digiblurDIY I tried Dahua but it also did not work. Apparently it only works with specific amcrest cameras.

Well that would explain it.

Yes. It records whatever you are viewing.

I wouldn't say it should be submerged into water or placed underwater. It's rain proof though.

Yes there are several options for automating it, Presets, Tours, Scans, Patterns and Pan

That is an issue I see as of course if I move it BI doesn't know and calls it motion but I'll be fine with it recording when I move it anyways. I use a combination of the turrets along with the PTZ as I could have the PTZ pointed some other way and forget to put it back and miss something. Best of both worlds.

They've upgraded some of the models with more zoom - 2MP - amzn.to/3rfj53D 4MP - amzn.to/3ikqVVw 4MP - amzn.to/3ioTVLG

@@digiblurDIY phewwwww $900??? too rich for my blood. :)

Yeah same here. I don't need 32x zoom either. Parking lot camera indeed!

Yeah it is a little bigger but I guess that comes with the improvement. I was too wowed by it to really notice and my neighbors think I am weird already.

It can be used with any rtsp onvif system.

Not really sure. I'll have to check it out.

I did see that and not sure why the wifi version has 25x zoom. Has to be nuts! It does look like the same camera. I haven't seen any pole mounts but you could do a mount to a pole with the arm and some u bolts.

@@digiblurDIY The 25X zoom model is only 1080p. There are actually 3 models of this PTZ Cam... Only one of them is higher than 1080p. It is 4MP and does 2592 p. I would go with the higher quality picture of 4MP and 2592p.... It's a little more but the picture is clearer.

Yes. You can use the cellphone app

I don't have it myself to compare but if you are doing digital zoom on videos then it would definitely help.

@@digiblurDIY That's what I'm figuring. I'm really curious, though, because the 1080p on this camera seems on par or better than the 5mp ptzs that I've purchased in the $150-$225 range. And the 12x zoom seems more like a 16x on a cheaper camera.

Clarification of the question What type or number of NVRs are compatible with the Amcrest PTZ

Really anything that supports ONVIF

I was told adapter only and no POE

If it supports onvif it should be fine as I have seen others use it with various brands.

Ty I saw reviews saying that you couldn’t use the zoom feature with the Lorex system

Another guy responded the other day he uses it with the Reolink system. I use with Blue Iris and such too.

Indeed! Especially if you have enough street light you can turn on color for night and WDR works pretty decent.

No. I haven't seen the 4K one out yet.

Color night if there is enough light. No auto tracking that I know.

It is nice to see it has more zoom but myself I didn't want to have to run another power wire to it. It really depends on what you can and can't run wires to, of course this one has WiFi too.

Yes. People do that every day.

This looks like the same as the wired model I like but with wifi. It also states it has more zoom. amzn.to/2KPPAEE

Does it support RTSP/ONVIF?

@@digiblurDIY it does

@@estherbushay1873 I have an Onwote system this camera was very easy to add with the Onvif capability.

In theory it should work as it is full ONVIF compliant.

@@digiblurDIY thank you, and have you heard anything about the above mentioned camera model. I'd really like a low profile dome ptz.

I have seen the listing for it but honestly never paid much attention as I don't like the plastic/glass dome ones much. I've had too many issues with them in my high humidity area long with weird reflections.

Amcrest

It does support onvif and I have used other amcrest cams with the Reolink NVR without issue.

I honestly don't know. Never tried. I know BI picked up the PTZ commands with ease so it might work.

digiblurDIY how do you get the IP for the camera? Can you set static IP? Also I’m using BI software but what software are you using in this video ? Or did you just type the ip, where did you get the ip ?

I was using Windows10 and the IE browser. I was also able to use their Addon with Google Chrome to view the camera. They need to upgrade the firmware on it quickly!

Yeah I would just attach it to your network and the NVR will pull it from the network side.

@@digiblurDIY Interesting. Thank you. Would I need a poe+ injector? I have a ubiquiti poe switch and a reolink NVR

According to the specs yes. POE+ is required. I do not believe the NVR can do POE+ but you can check out your models specs.

@@digiblurDIY Thank you for your time.

It does not auto track. I do not have any experience with those.

@@digiblurDIY looks like an opportunity for a new video....?

Yes. It can be used standalone and works with other onvif NVRs.

digiblurDIY do u think it will work with the HeimKits 541 ? Not sure if the heim can handle this camera as it might need a plus Whatever that is 🤦🏼‍♀️ this is new to me but I like this Camera

I will say the dynamic range is pretty amazing on this camera. I couldn't show some examples of places due to some possible privacy concerns. It's RTSP so the stream can be fed anywhere you want.

I do believe you can but I'm not sure the pivot is designed to be face up though.

It's not loud. You have to be near it to hear the motors and they are still pretty quiet.

@@digiblurDIY - Wonder if the mechanisms are the same between our models, because there's nothing quiet about this one. This damn thing couldn't even sneak up on Beethoven... Have you had the pleasure of trying to run yours on Windows 10 with a 4K monitor? I've got screen zoom maxed out and still can't read anything on their menus. So far I get a gopro taste out of this thing - looks to be a pretty decent camera (that noise notwithstanding) but if you have any hope of not hating it, you'll have to PAY FOR somebody ELSE'S software to run the thing. In fairness, I haven't ventured onto their mobile app, when and if my headache recovers I'll see if that gives me any better results... The manual that came with it referenced a dead link on their website, a website that boasts plug-in-free compatibility with Chrome (and Chrome sends it into an endless plugin-loop. MS Edge brings the plug-in prompt, which leads to a screen saying it requires Chrome... -- My very first IP camera gave me similar headaches. The next 8 or so went pretty smoothly. This one.. I ~really~ want to not hate it... I hope the mobile app can bring some kind of redemption.

The mobile app is decent and the desktop app seems to be okay but for the most part I just use the web interface on it for the least delay when needed.

Web interface allowed me to actually access settings, but I get no video feed from it (from Chrome's "app-within-an-app" garbage. Straight web-based interface just brings an endless "download plugin" loop. Very 20th century... Web app seems very limited as to what you're able to control and set up (at least so far for me) - After a couple days I'm lumping this thing in with GoPro - a potentially decent piece of hardware crippled by virtually useless software/firmware :-/

@@Charley_Buehner sounds like your plugin isn't setup right. I tested both in IE and with the Chrome plugin and the video worked right. I would try to reset your browser settings/cache and re-download the plugin.

In theory it should as the camera uses ONVIF but I don't have the combination to try, I've only use stationary Amcrest cameras with the Reolink NVR before.

I think they gave some anchors for brick with it? As long as it can hold its own weight and it level then it is all good!

@@digiblurDIY Will the bolts go into the anchor?

I don't think it has RTMP. You would need to transcode it via ffmpeg or OBS which is relatively easy to do.

The measurements are on their website, but I can say I loved the XBox OG Duke controller!

I could see it working as one but might be a waste given you wouldn't move it much.

Yes, Blue Iris

@@digiblurDIY Thanks so much buddy! Yesterday I've spent a lot of time trying different softwares that allows keyboard control. I think the very best one is called "IVMS-4200 from Hikvision. However it refuses to find my Lorex NVR and PTZ camera. I want to try Blue Iris. Hopefully there's a free demo just for testing. If I like it I will buy it.

Amcrest also has their own software.

@@digiblurDIY Hi. Yes, I had the one from Amcrest already and it works. It's the exact same program than Lorax cloud but with a different name. It doesn't allow keyboard support. I don't know why the developer refuses to add this feature.

@@digiblurDIY Yes. I also have an indoor Amcrest PTZ camera and it's the exact same program than Lorex Cloud. The only difference is the name. I would say everything is great in this software except that we can't control the PTZ with the keyboard. Amcrest has a very efficient technical support. Lorex customer service is horrible. They're in the Philippines and don't know much about their products. I don't think they care. Once I called and there was a rooster crowing super loud in the background. He was louder than the guy on the phone.

You can try, I'm not sure if it uses any special commands to the camera or not. Does that camera support ONVIF?

digiblurDIY Yes from the product description info.

They might have some check of course but give it a shot. Otherwise you might need to use some other app that supports multiple camera types.

digiblurDIY Not to be too much of a PITA but, Any suggestions?

I still use it today with Blue Iris and it works great as do most of the Amcrest cameras with BI and various RTSP software. There is a buffer in BI and this is probably what you saw in the video on the delay compared to the web interface.

There is but you need to connect it to the wiring harness. I assume that is due to the PTZ nature of the camera would just hear the motors.

Hands down the Amcrest. Still love this thing

@@digiblurDIY can I add this PTZ to Reolink NVR system.

POE? RTSP? ONVIF?

I know it works with their regular PC and phone apps side by side with their other cameras. I would assume so at that point but don't have any concrete list.

digiblurDIY, thank you!

Probably going to have to be like in the at least 500 dollar threshold like the Dahua PTZ

@@digiblurDIY I recently bought a Reolink E1 Outdoor. I like it for $100. It has person vehicle detection and horizontal auto tracking. Works great following someone walking on my sidewalk left/right. But it does not have vertical tracking. It looses someone when they walk straight to the camera. The new Reolink PTZ 823A 4K $250 has auto tracking but I don't know if its just horizontal or also has vertical I want a PTZ with both horizontal and vertical. I want to mount one on the corner of my garage so it can follow a person walking toward it and actually under it as they head to the front door. The 823A is just 5x zoom but that's enough for me and my small yard.

I haven't, I've been trying to find an older one though so I can downgrade and then use Dahua on it.

@@digiblurDIY Curious if you ever figured out a way to load Dahua firmware on this PTZ?

No. I searched and searched but haven't found anyone with the older version of firmware.

Yep. One of the things I cover in an upcoming video. If you can lock the Iris it is fine but for license plates it is best with a designated LPR camera.

@@digiblurDIY Thanks, looking forward to that video!

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-avIzrQOkI9E.html

Sorry, I don't do paid reviews as it ruins the bias.

Not that I found unfortunately. I will reach back out to them.

@@digiblurDIY On the Amazon Amcrest product page, the "Amcrest Team" responded to the same question: "Due to the camera's Heavy Build, a ceiling mount will not support the camera therefore we are not going to ever offer a ceiling mount." Have you looked at the same model made by Axis camera? They have a ceiling mount--though I can't tell if it will work with this PTZ by Amcrest.

I haven't seen one by Amcrest themself but I have seen people using them on poles on various Amazon comments with third party mounts.

Yes. They have a smartphone app.

@@digiblurDIY thank you for your reply. and also can I just plug it up instead of running cables to a box?

I would need power and network. They do make a wifi one.

I haven't looked on their site in a bit for it, but I'll reach out to see what they say.

digiblurDIY interested!

Nothing crazy I would think for a PTZ, little bigger than the Reolink one I did. If you can't find the specs in this, let me know and I'll take some other measurements. s3.amazonaws.com/amcrest-files/Documentation/IP2M-853E+Technical+Specification.pdf

Not required. The power plug is fine.

@@digiblurDIY appreciate a youtuber that replies to comments thank you very much

Anytime!

Someone linked a dahua one to me somewhere which made sense it would fit.

I don't recall, there were probably at least 2 inch since I wanted to get into the proper wood studs behind it and not cheap facia board stuff.

@@digiblurDIY cool thanks I did 21/2 just to be sure that camera is so much better than the 2 chinese ptz cameras I had going to get a second one soon as i can swing it

I am definitely not a lovelace person. I just use the entity cards with the wizards when needed. We just don't use the HA GUI in our home.

@@digiblurDIY I am basically looking to do what you did here. Hitting a button and the camera going to the location. What card and code did you have to use? I have the sensors already in my config. I just cant find what to do to set up the goto preset in the cards. Thanks

Gotcha let me see which one I used.

@@digiblurDIY Thanks, I have this PTZ as well but the 4MP version. Love it. If I can do what you did herein HA this will be a big help.

I used the Button Card through the Lovelace GUI wizard. I set it to the camera, then changed it to call service.

You can do that.

I haven't tried but the controls work fine in other software NVRs that support ONVIF.

@@digiblurDIY so i will try to setup this camera on reolink nvr

@@digiblurDIY works really good with reolink nvr and you can move the ptz via app reolink

That was quick! Thanks for letting me know.

Mine? They love it. I helped a couple neighbors set up cameras on their house.

@@digiblurDIY I was just kidding. Love your videos. The format and information are much better than most.

All good and I appreciate the comment! Some people get a bit weirdo about cameras in some countries but they probably shouldn't be running naked around the yard anyways 😎

@@digiblurDIY You probably should NOT be spying while they are on their private property anyways 😎

It is probably against few laws to dance naked in the front yard., 😎

Nope. I would have said that in the video. I speak my mind on all my reviews...and sometimes smash things. Lol

digiblurDIY got it. Just wanted to make sure

They are pretty great especially the newer models.