Best Amcrest camera for day and night video and ability to send audio wav files to the camera

[wpoynter]

My use case is this...what is the best security solution for your home during the night? I security guard, armed, right?

Well, the next best thing might be upon a trigger using Blue Iris, send a audio file with a recording saying, "You have been identified and the home owner is awake and armed. The police have been notified and have a 3 minute arrival time."

I can't seem to get "two-way audio" enabled on my IP8M-2496 camera. Is this the wrong camera?

Amcrest doesn't seem to list which cameras have a speaker.

Help....

[Revo2Maxx]

Here is my list of the first ones that come to mind however they have many more.. For the future when you look at Amcrest Website looking for camera with 2 way audio when you visit the page of the camera on the left side is some pictures if you click on the one with the features it will show 1 way audio or 2 way audio and or if there is non listed like in that picture for the 2496 v2 and v3-Ai they are listed with no audio..

https://amcrest.com/4k-dual-lens-panora ... ew-ai.html
https://amcrest.com/5mp-ip-poe-camera-p ... 190ew.html
https://amcrest.com/5mp-poe-camera-pano ... ew-v2.html
https://amcrest.com/4mp-poe-camera-ptz- ... ew-ai.html
https://amcrest.com/smarthome-2-megapix ... white.html
https://amcrest.com/4k-dual-lens-panora ... ew-ai.html
https://amcrest.com/4k-poe-camera-turre ... ai-v2.html
https://amcrest.com/4mp-poe-camera-ptz- ... ai-v2.html

[Revo2Maxx]

Oh yeah and didn't even put one of the few I own. IP8M-TD2685EW-AI

[wpoynter]

ok, thank you but I have to ask then, what do you use for you environment? I am new to all this but committed to a solution. Axis?

[Revo2Maxx]

Sorry not sure I understand the question? Axis? This is an Amcrest Forum. I have many different cameras in my Fleet and sure I have Axis as well. But for cost and quality of cameras the Amcrest is better solution for me.

For me there isn't 1 brand that can do everything that I want.. So I have some very costly cameras that are from yet another brand that has an extra long range bullet camera that I use at one of my properties. Then because there was no solution at the time for another demand I needed I have a Dahua camera that is 12x for a solution, then have some IC-Realtime cameras for other things that I needed because the cameras they offered at the time fit my needs. I also have some Annke, LTS, and Hikvision. But if I had to answer what my main solution is that would be Amcrest. Most of my NVRs are from Amcrest, I do have Alibi 16ch POE NVR and a few of their cameras 1 being 4mp 25x PTZ but again was driven by the need of an option offered in that for my solution of the moment. My Axis cameras don't play well with my Amcrest or Alibi NVRs. But most of my devices are Dahua driven enivornment with Amcrest as about 89% of my gear..

[Volkemon]

My use case is this...what is the best security solution for your home during the night? I security guard, armed, right?

Well, the next best thing might be upon a trigger using Blue Iris, send a audio file with a recording saying, "You have been identified and the home owner is awake and armed. The police have been notified and have a 3 minute arrival time."

I can't seem to get "two-way audio" enabled on my IP8M-2496 camera. Is this the wrong camera?

Amcrest doesn't seem to list which cameras have a speaker.

Help....

Assuming you need outdoor cameras... I have similar needs. I got the IP2M-863EW-AI-V2. ($399 https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-Outdoor- ... B095XCJWRM )

One of the features is that it has EXTERNAL, HARDWIRE connections for an external speaker and mic. I have yet to try them, will report back when I do.

BUT... I am very hopeful that the external speaker output will do what I (we) want. I plan to have a speaker/mic combo in a box apart from the camera, but visible to it. I am also using blue iris, and am hoping to be able to use an event to trigger the playing of a .wav file through the speaker as you describe.

BUT...
NO auto tracking on the IP2M-863EW-AI-V2. (~$399) The 25x optical is awesome, but my IP2M-841W-V3 cams have auto tracking (but are indoor!!) and it works GREAT! Looking for it now on the exterior cams.

Got a IP5M-1190EW also, and did NOT realize it didnt have Auto tracking. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJVTJWM4) but it DOES have an external speaker. It was $99, and I am keeping it with the hope I can achieve 'auto tracking' through external software.
A Similar camera to the IP5M-1190EW is the IP4M-1098EW-AI, little less resolution, but 5x optical and Auto tracking. (https://www.amazon.com/Amcrest-Motorize ... B0CSM8F4G6) ($259) That Auto tracking is the extra $200. AND it has mic/speaker built in.

BUT... for the playback of a .wav file as a deterrent, I really like the external connections on the IP2M-863EW-AI-V2. The internal speakers on the cameras are audible, but hardly 'hi-fi' . Connecting a small amp, and quality speaker to the wired output of the IP2M-863EW-AI-V2 will allow a COMMANDING presence. And one NOT making the 'perp' assume the camera as the audio source. Thats a bonus for me.

My quest continues to find a 25x optical like the IP2M-863EW-AI-V2 but with auto tracking. But keeping those nice external wires for audio in/out.

Hope that assists! All the best.

[Revo2Maxx]

External Speaker output will need to go to an Audio Amp like a PA system for sound to go to a Speaker. That is one reason having built in Mic and Speaker is important for some no need for extra hardware..

[Volkemon]

External Speaker output will need to go to an Audio Amp like a PA system for sound to go to a Speaker. That is one reason having built in Mic and Speaker is important for some no need for extra hardware..

ABSOLUTELY! Probably why it is so hard to find. MOST ( 99.99% probably ) are as you say - no extra parts needed.


But I am happy that I can have a remote 2-way intercom 'box' located in the camera view. I am going to be camouflaging the camera to make it much less noticeable. If I am wanting to address a 'suspicious party' , the LAST thing I want to do is audibly pinpoint my camera with an internal speaker.

I will have an old cam in a case as a decoy nearby. Probably one of my old Axis 221's that is operating. So if the trespasser wants to react to a camera, they go for the obvious. Not the new big boy. This, with overlapping camera zones, should give some resiliency against 'attack'.

My Axis cameras don't play well with my Amcrest or Alibi NVRs. But most of my devices are Dahua driven enivornment with Amcrest as about 89% of my gear..

THANKS again! I have a bunch (20+) of the Axis 221's (c2008?) that were pulled from an upgrade job, and they have been my 'training wheels', then workhorses for some time. You may have saved me some headache trying to get them to play with the Amcrest apps/NVR's.