Image quality

[TheRealStew]

Does anyone know the actual resolutions of these cameras?

I have one of mine set to the highest setting (may shorten battery charge) and while recording outside on a sunny day walking by, I couldn't make up my own face (was just like a blur) even though I was only like eight feet from the camera (the closest I came).

Has anyone had a similar experience?

I'm just wondering how useful these cameras footage may be for me when I may need to refer to video of an actual intruder - if I can't recognize myself, how can I recognize someone I have never seen?

Thanks.

[TomMac]

• Video resolution

  • Configurable up to 1280 x 720

Post a clip of the video... or snapshot... at 8ft it has good rez.

( not to joke, as others have done this, have you removed the plastic film over the front of camera? )

[jguerdat]

Best quality is 720p. Optimized is 640 and battery-saving is 320. There's very significant compression being used, too.

[TheRealStew]

Attached are two snapshots per your request.  Keep in mind that this camera (the only one I've installed so far) is set at the hightest resolution (may shorten battery charge?).

I was hoping I jumped to a wrong conclusion by watching it online so, this morning, I downloaded the files and it is absolutely the same.  Truly bad.

The film is indeed removed from the lense so that's not the problem..

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

[TheRealStew]

I'm actually considering just returning this (they'll probably refuse to give me my money back).

If I'm having this issue and it is the only camera I have installed (work long hours), what are the chances any of the other cameras will look any better where I placed them?

That's besides the fact that I set this one up for best resolution - I'd much rather set them all to the middle resolution for the sake of the battery charge.

I just don't know....

Thank you for your answer though.

[TheRealStew]

jguerdat,

If you don't mind me asking, How long have you had your cameras for?  I bought mine about 1 1/2 weeks ago.  I was kind of looking forward to installing the rest if not at least 2 more over the weekend coming up.

I got a 4-camera Pro setup for $599.99 - never found a better price (found plenty of much higher priced ones though)

Sigh.

[TomMac]

Ok, thanks for the pics...

I can see it's not 8 ft.... is it about 20ft?

It is about what you can expect from a camera with a 130 degree angle at that rez.

( and wasn't making fun of you with the plastic as several have done it )

You have to remember, there are two types of cameras , 1) ID 2) Activity

#1 is where you cover a SMALL area like your doorway or back porch... You get a good picture of the face, etc but if the person goes somewhere else, you have NOTHING.

#2 is where you cover a large area and will see what happen and when... getting an id shot from these cameras is hard due to the fact the person is usu small.

Best setups have a combo of both types of cameras so you get where - when AND a good photo.

You can place some of the cameras covering a smaller area... Are you concerned about someone walking on the sidewalk or at you back door... ?

In the end, Only you can decide if these cameras fit you needs or not.

Edit PS; I run all my cams at Best video and the OEM cells last almost 4 months... But I also took a bit of time placing them to eliminate false triggers and I only cover small areas... I use a Q camera thru my front window ( ac powered ) to cover the street as it is to busy for a battery camera.

[jguerdat]

I've had my cameras since shortly after they were released. Not sure what difference that would make but running changes are always possible.

I agree with Tom - I think that's about as good as you're gonna get given the resolution, compression and angle of view.

[redrob]

Are there any plans to allow end users to adjust/reduce compression to allow better video quality?  I have a high end 50 Mbps down, 25 Mbps up network connection (just tested it before this post), wired ethernet of course to the VMB4000 and 3 full bars of RF signal on each of my 2 cameras.  However I'm really not getting anywhere close to 720P due to video compression.  I would gladly accept higher network bandwidth consumption and lower battery life during motion detected recording to enjoy improved video quality.

Is compression fixed by hardware or software adjustable?  Are there plans to allow less compression if software adjustable?

Does the Arlo Q use the same compression?  I'm considering returning the Arlo Pro (>$400) for the Q or augmenting my Pro with a standalone Q for better quality in a key location in my house but concerned I'll see the same highly compressed video even though the Q is 1080.

I LOVE everything else about this system.

Thanks in advance, hopefully.

[jguerdat]

I haven't heard anything about changing the compression level, which is something I'd like, too.  Of course, that would be an issue for slugs like me that have ISPs that don't offer high upload speeds - I "upgraded" to get 2Mbs.  That could have a real issue for Netgear to define the lowest common denominator for these systems.

As for the Q, the compression seems to be the same although also having 1080p resolution. Don't forget that the Q has a wider FOV (130 degrees vs. 110) so the end result is about the same by the time you're done.  Zooming isn't for capturing details.

(Side note - just read today that Google has technology that may eventually allow us to add detail to low-res images - https://www.dpreview.com/news/4871415337/google-ai-adds-detail-to-low-resolution-images )

[redrob]

Thanks for the response.  Where would I post this question to get someone from Netgear to respond?  Do they respond to this forum?

[redrob]

I posted my question as an email to "Support".  Will post the response here if I receive one.

[TheRealStew]

Wow.  That Google article (thanks for the link) just blew my mind.