We have seeen so many of these cube cams – Hikvision’s, Dahua’s, but this one is special. IMOU 4 mp. 2560x1440p resolution Cube camera, sold in 4 variations. We’ll start from unboxing, up next is camera’s body and functional features overview, video quality test, start-up, activation and impressions. You’re on Pipl Systems Store, my name’s Daniel
2 out of 4 versions of these cubes feature 2mp. 1080p, annnd we are going to skip them because, come on, the days of 2 mp. are gone. The standard, the entry level now is 4 mp. and I don’t see any sense in purchasing FullHD 2 mp. cam now. The point of this material – IMOU Cube 4 mp. cameras, where one features only a wired ethernet and supports PoE feature, no Wi-fi though, but the 2nd one features both Wi-fi and wired ethernet options, but has no PoE. That’s interesting, and this is where the differences of consumer and business segments show up. Visually – the difference is indicated with this little element on the boxes – PoE no Wi-fi and Wi-fi no PoE, also there’s a one more indication on the informational sticker on the device body.
Body Overview
The box contents is different for all versions – with Wi-fi version you have the camera, bracket, power supply unit, quick start guide, mounting sticker, and a pack with screws and anchors. And no power supply in the box for PoE version, well obviously because it’s assumed that you will supply power and network via 1 cable coming from PoE-switch. And the box construction inside is identical to cut expencesm all good though.
The camera now – the body is a solid piece of plastic, where 2 parts, the front and back panels, are fastened within each other by 2 screws. So you take the bracket, grab the camera and then turn it around until you reach a required position. Then you can loosen the joint and adjust an angle the way you want.
Alright, on the front we’ve got microphone, LED-indicator for status, and 2.8 mm. focal length, 4 mp. 2560x1440p resolution camera module with a 115 degrees FOV and 30 FPS recording ability. And to be consistent, of course, here’s a comparison. You will see a 2 mp. 1080p version and 4 mp. QHD. Now finally a split-screen with 2 mp. on left and 4mp. on right. And from my perspective – I can clearly see that 4mp. version is way more detailed in compare.
Back to camera body – there are quite decent infrared LED’s for night vision with a view distance parameter of 10m. or 33 ft. And here’s demo:
Now this is what I love – a decent hardware IR sensor for motion detection, not like that crap with software pixels change detection, but a normal IR lights PIR, that highly decreases false alarms amount rates. On the back we’ve got RJ-45 for ethernet, reset button below it, 12VDC power in and the Alarm line in and out interfaces. And this is what makes a clear distinction from just a home format. I mean, do you normally have alarm interface in home Wi-fi cameras? Nope, that’s a bit unusual but awesome. And we’re finishing it with a speaker behind holes on the device’ rear.
Features & Functions
A little word about functionality. The thing I didn’t mention is a microSD port here on the side, supporting up to 256 GB capacity, and in combine with H.265 compression, that cuts a video file size in around 2x times compared to older H.264, you know what’s that – a great storing capabilities. 2-way audio owing to speaker and the microphone, and ONVIF support which is totally not common for consumer segment, and it basically allows you to connect it to any other manufacturer video recorder. 30 FPS recording, 115 FOV, night vision and a decent IR sensor for motion spotting, such smart functions as configurable region for alarm alerts, abnormal sound detection, when it kind of spots a too abrupt change in the environment’ volume, alarm interfaces, Power over internet or a Wi-fi, it’s up to you, but man this all, I think, makes a great device to purchase.
These are very popular among installers and consumers when it comes to low-cost solution either for house, apartments, cafes or stores and etc. Why? Because these are standalone and easy to manage, easy to activate, easy to set-up, no any advanced skills required. 1 Word – simple. So the device start-up and initial configuration – this time you have options. Firstly, it’s a power and network supplied via 1 twisted pair cable due to the PoE feature, or you go with Wi-fi version, and if you want, you can make it access network via cable as well. Then you can start the camera up with IMOU Phone App that we usually use for IMOU Home Wi-fi cameras.
You press add, scan a QR-code located on a device rear part, wait till it’s online and bound to your account, and boom, you can access it as a regular Wi-fi camera, you can view live video stream, you can initialize two-way audio, record, snapshot, and even configure a few more advanced settings here
Or you can go straight to camera’s web-interface by typing its IP-address into your browser address field and then you need to input its activation code as a password, it is located on a device rear part on the informational sticker, and you’re in. There’s live stream, and then you have access to the advanced configurations, like you normally have with IP-cameras – you have advanced settings for video, audio, network, events, storage, system, and etс. And you can also work with the camera in Dahua’s PC tools, such as Config Tool, used for Dahua IP-cameras initialization, and you can add the camera to Dahua’s SmartPSS IP-devices management PC Software. In total, that makes 4 options to work with the device, but I think there’s a bit more, although I’ve mentioned the most common ones, but that’s already a lot, suiting for all segments: consumer, advanced consumer, installers and professionals, who need to keep an eye on dozens of cameras simultaneously.
In my home now I’ve got IMOU cameras and I think I’m seriously considering updating my setup based on these cameras. I really like the number of options to work with these cameras via different tools and the option to go either Wi-fi or a PoE option. I like the advanced configuration, ONVIF support to make the recorded footage to be saved onto a third-party network video recorder or whatever! Instead I can use a 256 GB microSD in combine with H.265 compression rate and have a great storing capabilities. And the longevity, the life cycle, you know, I think it will hold out for a long time in your home if you will get it right now on the Pipl Systems Store along with a microSD’s, video recorder, PoE-switches or what else do you need? Alarm systems, video doorbells, video intercom systems, IP-Cameras and many else!
