Frequently asked questions

• How is the 8 MP version better than the 5 MP one?

  Both are the same PS3E PoE bullet, but the 8 MP sensor delivers 4K (3840×2160) instead of 5 MP (2880×1620). In practice you read a number plate or a face at distance better and keep detail in the corners of the frame. If you only need the presence of a person in an area, 5 MP is enough; for identification at the gate choose 8 MP.
• Does it work with an NVR or with Home Assistant?

  Yes. The camera supports ONVIF and exposes an RTSP stream, so it adds to the imou N110, N110W and N118 recorders, and also to a Synology Surveillance Station, Frigate or Home Assistant directly — alongside cameras from other makers. It is not locked inside the imou Life app alone; for those systems use exactly the ONVIF/RTSP stream.
• 2.8 or 3.6 mm — which focal length should I pick?

  The lens is fixed, so the focal length is chosen at order time. 2.8 mm gives a wide 109° field for the whole yard, but distant objects look small. 3.6 mm gives 89° and a closer plane — for a drive or a gate where you want to read plates. On the 8 MP sensor the difference between focal lengths tells more than on a 5 MP one.
• How is it powered — do I need a socket next to the camera?

  Not necessarily. The camera runs on 802.3af PoE: a single Ethernet cable from a switch or PoE injector carries both current and data, drawing under 12 W. If you have no PoE, a DC 12V/1A adapter next to the camera also works. The network port is 100 Mbps and supports a cable run of about 100 m.
• Does it see in colour at night or only black-and-white?

  It has Smart Color Night Vision with four modes. With the built-in spotlight on, the night image stays in colour; in infrared mode it sees discreetly up to 30 m in black-and-white. The smart modes switch between them on their own by light level. When a person is detected, the spotlight and the 110 dB siren can fire as a warning.
• Will it survive a Moldovan winter outdoors?

  Yes. The body is IP67 — sealed against dust and brief immersion in water — and the operating range is -30 to +50 °C, so it takes a Bălți winter and a Cahul summer. When mounting, route the connector downwards and seal the network joint; the microSD card up to 512 GB and NVR recording stay in place.
• Will it alarm on every leaf that moves?

  No. IMOU SENSE classifies people, vehicles, intrusion, line-crossing and absence separately, so alerts come on meaningful events, not on every branch the wind moves. Zones and sensitivity are set in the app or the NVR, and recording goes to the microSD, the NVR or Imou Cloud on subscription.