Frequently asked questions

• Is the camera pan/tilt or fixed?

  It is a fixed bullet camera: you aim it once at the frame you want — gate, driveway, entrance — and it stays there. The lens does not pan or zoom optically; if you want tracking or movement, choose a PT model. For a spot that never changes, the fixed solution is cheaper and more reliable.
• Does this camera have full-colour night vision?

  No. The Bullet 2C 5MP (IPC-K3CP-5H0WY) uses black-and-white IR night vision up to 30 m, with no spotlight. The version with colour images at night and a spotlight is the sibling Bullet 2E (IPC-K3DP-5H0WF). If you need colour after dark we recommend the 2E; for classic surveillance the 2C is enough.
• It has an Ethernet port — is it a PoE camera?

  It has a 100 Mbps Ethernet port, but that port is data only, not PoE. The camera is powered separately on DC 12V drawing under 6 W, so you need a supply near the camera (or in the outdoor box). Alternatively it connects over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and the cable is then only for power.
• Can I use it with an NVR or Home Assistant?

  Yes. The camera supports ONVIF and RTSP, so the video stream is pulled directly by an NVR, Home Assistant, a Synology Surveillance Station or Frigate, with no dependence on the imou Life app. That way recordings stay on the home's own storage and integrate into the rest of the surveillance system.
• How does recording work and do I need a subscription?

  Local recording runs to a microSD card up to 512 GB with no subscription — the card is not included and is bought separately. Optionally Imou Protect offers paid cloud storage. Over ONVIF/RTSP you can also record to an NVR or Synology if you prefer the home's centralised storage.
• What is the difference between the 2.8 mm and 3.6 mm versions?

  The 2.8 mm lens gives a wider field (95° horizontal), good for a yard or a nearby entrance; the 3.6 mm is tighter (73°) but reaches further down a long driveway or to a street gate. Being fixed, the angle cannot be changed after mounting, so pick the version up front.
• Does it have a microphone and can I talk through the camera?

  The camera has a built-in microphone, so it hears and records ambient sound, but it has no speaker — two-way talk-back is not available on this model. It is meant for audio-video monitoring, not for speaking to a visitor at the gate.