The Dahua IPC-HFW71242HP-Z is designed for demanding security applications, offering advanced AI features to precisely identify and track people and vehicles. It excels in environments where detailed monitoring and intelligent analysis are crucial, such as managing access, enforcing safety protocols, or monitoring customer flow. Its robust design ensures reliable performance in various outdoor conditions.
Key Features
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Advanced AI Detection: Accurately recognizes and differentiates between people, vehicles, and non-motor vehicles, reducing false alarms and focusing on relevant events.
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Face Recognition & Association: Identifies individuals by comparing captured faces against a database and can link faces to human body detections for comprehensive tracking.
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Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR): Automatically captures and recognizes license plates, vehicle types, and colors, providing valuable data for access control or investigation.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Detection: Monitors for compliance with safety protocols by detecting face masks, helmets, glasses, safety vests, and even clothing colors, triggering alarms for non-compliance.
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Perimeter Protection: Establishes virtual boundaries and triggers alarms for unauthorized intrusions or tripwires by distinguishing between humans and vehicles, significantly reducing false alerts from animals or natural elements.
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People Counting & Queue Management: Tracks the number of people entering and exiting an area, manages queues, and generates detailed reports for business intelligence and operational efficiency.
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Ultra Starlight Night Vision: Captures clear, detailed images in extremely low-light conditions, ensuring continuous monitoring even in near darkness up to 60 meters.
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Robust Weatherproof Design: Built to withstand harsh outdoor environments with IP67 and IK10 ratings, making it resistant to dust, water, and vandalism.
Perfect For:
- Commercial Building Entrances
- Parking Lots and Garages
- Industrial Facilities and Warehouses
- Retail Stores (for customer analytics)
- Construction Sites (for safety compliance)
- Border and Perimeter Security
Installer Tips
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Optimal Mounting Height: For accurate ANPR and face recognition, mount the camera at a height that provides a clear, unobstructed view of vehicle license plates and faces, typically between 2.5 and 4 meters, depending on the scene.
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PoE+ for Simplified Installation: Utilize PoE+ (802.3at) power supply to simplify wiring, as it delivers both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, reducing installation time and costs.
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Lens Adjustment for Specific Scenes: The motorized vari-focal lens (2.7 mm-12 mm) allows for precise adjustment of the field of view. Use the wider angle (2.7mm) for general area surveillance and zoom in (12mm) for detailed monitoring of specific choke points or entrances.
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Pairing with AI NVRs: For advanced functionalities like intelligent search, event extraction, and comprehensive report generation, pair this camera with a compatible Dahua WizMind NVR.
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SD Card for Edge Storage: Install a high-capacity microSD card (up to 256 GB) for reliable edge recording, serving as a backup or standalone storage solution in case of network interruption.
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Consider Anti-Corrosion Coating: For installations in coastal areas or environments with high salinity, consider the optional anti-corrosion coating for enhanced durability and longevity.
Downloads
Quick-Read Specs
| Feature |
Specification |
| Resolution |
12MP (4000 × 3000) |
| Lens Type |
Motorized Vari-focal (2.7 mm–12 mm) |
| Night Vision |
IR LED, 60 m (196.9 ft) range, Starlight+ |
| Deterrence |
N/A |
| AI Features |
Face Detection, Recognition, ANPR, PPE Detection, Perimeter Protection, People Counting, Video Metadata, Queue Management |
| Audio |
1 in, 1 out |
| Storage |
Micro SD card (max. 256 GB) |
| Power |
12V DC/24V AC/PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Weather Rating |
IP67, IK10 |
Extra Info
Dahua WizMind AI Solutions
The DH-IPC-HFW71242H-Z is a part of the Dahua WizMind 7 Series, a comprehensive suite of AI solutions. WizMind leverages advanced deep learning algorithms to provide precise, reliable, and comprehensive AI capabilities. This means the camera doesn't just record video; it intelligently analyzes the footage to extract meaningful data, making security systems proactive rather than reactive. This focus on intelligent analysis helps reduce false alarms and provides actionable insights for various vertical applications, from retail to traffic management.
Video Metadata for Enhanced Analysis
Dahua Video Metadata technology goes beyond simple motion detection. Using deep learning, it accurately detects, tracks, and captures detailed information about vehicles, non-motor vehicles, and people. This includes extracting attributes like vehicle type, color, and even human characteristics. The camera can count targets by direction (e.g., A to B, B to A, or both ways) and export comprehensive reports. This feature is invaluable for traffic analysis, retail analytics (understanding customer flow), and monitoring specific areas for activity. Instead of sifting through hours of footage, you can quickly query specific events based on extracted metadata.
Face and Human Body Association for Comprehensive Tracking
One of the standout features of this camera is its ability to perform Face and Human Body Association. This advanced deep learning algorithm detects both the face and the human body of an individual, capturing separate snapshots of each and then associating them. This provides a more complete profile of a person of interest, aiding in identification and tracking across different camera views or over time. It enhances the accuracy of investigations by providing both facial identification and broader physical characteristics, making it easier to follow a person's movements within a monitored area.
Advanced Customer Counter for Business Intelligence
Beyond basic people counting, the Advanced Customer Counter feature can filter out staff and returning customers from your store traffic count. This provides a more accurate picture of new customer acquisition and overall store traffic. Managers can gain deeper insights into customer behavior, optimize staffing levels, and evaluate marketing campaign effectiveness. By understanding genuine customer numbers, businesses can make more informed operational decisions, leading to improved efficiency and profitability.
PPE Detection for Safety Compliance
In environments where safety protocols are critical, the PPE Detection function is a powerful tool. The camera can automatically detect attributes such as face masks, helmets, glasses, safety vests, and even the color of tops and bottoms. It then determines whether these personal protective equipment requirements are met. This allows for automated monitoring of safety compliance in industrial sites, construction zones, or any area with mandatory PPE. Alarms can be triggered for non-compliance, enabling immediate intervention and enhancing workplace safety without constant human oversight.
ANPR for Automated Vehicle Management
The integrated ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology, powered by a high-performance GPU chip and deep learning, automatically collects and recognizes vehicle information. This includes license plates, vehicle logos, types, and colors. This is crucial for applications like automated gate access, parking management, traffic flow monitoring, and even identifying vehicles involved in incidents. It provides a seamless and efficient way to manage vehicle traffic without manual intervention, enhancing security and operational efficiency.
Cyber Security Measures for Data Protection
Recognizing the importance of data security, Dahua has equipped this network camera with a robust suite of cybersecurity technologies. These include security authentication and authorization, access control, trusted protection mechanisms, encrypted transmission (HTTPS), and encrypted storage. This comprehensive approach helps improve the camera's security defense, protects sensitive data from unauthorized access, and prevents malicious programs from compromising the device. Users can be confident that their surveillance data is secure and protected against evolving cyber threats.
Cybersecurity Protections
Dahua builds in strong cybersecurity protections including encrypted video streams, secure firmware updates, and access controls. This guards against data breaches or unauthorized remote access — a key consideration for business and home networks alike.
More About AcuPick - Smart Video Search with Precision AI
Dahua’s AcuPick technology revolutionises video surveillance by using advanced AI to pinpoint people or vehicles across recorded footage with remarkable speed and accuracy. Instead of scrubbing through hours of video manually, AcuPick enables users to filter footage by specific targets, drastically cutting down search times and boosting operational efficiency. Integrated into a range of Dahua cameras (including TiOC series) and compatible NVRs, AcuPick delivers a seamless and intelligent search experience.
Highlights of AcuPick:
AI-Driven Precision:
AcuPick leverages intelligent algorithms to differentiate between human and vehicle activity, refining search results to what truly matters.
Smart Filtering:
Search footage using key attributes like clothing colour or vehicle type—no need to know the exact time an incident occurred.
Instant Video Recall:
With just a few clicks, users can zero in on critical moments, improving response times and streamlining investigations.
False Alarm Reduction:
By filtering out irrelevant motion, AcuPick helps reduce nuisance alerts, leading to more reliable monitoring.
Flexible Deployment:
Whether through Dahua's smart cameras or NVR integration, AcuPick fits into a wide range of security setups.
Practical Applications:
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Retail & Offices: Track customer flow or monitor for unauthorized access.
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Car Parks & Garages: Instantly retrieve footage of accidents or suspicious activity.
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Public Spaces: Quickly find persons of interest using visual identifiers.
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Residential Estates: Enhance safety by identifying vehicle movements or visitors.
AcuPick transforms surveillance from reactive monitoring to proactive intelligence, saving time while elevating security across the board.
Q&A
Q1: Can this camera record in color at night?
A1: While the camera does not offer full-color night vision, it features "Starlight+" technology. This means it can capture clear, detailed images in extremely low-light conditions with minimal illumination, even without its IR LEDs. In complete darkness, it will switch to its built-in IR LEDs to provide clear black and white images up to 60 meters.
Q2: How loud is the speaker on this camera?
A2: The product specifications indicate an audio input and output, implying two-way audio capability. However, the exact decibel level (loudness) of the speaker is not specified. It's typically designed for communication and deterrent messages rather than high-volume alerts.
Q3: Can the built-in IR lights be disabled?
A3: Yes, the illuminator (IR LED) control is typically adjustable to "Auto/Manual" settings, allowing you to manually turn off the IR lights if desired. This can be useful in scenarios where the IR reflection is causing issues or when external illumination is sufficient.
Q4: Does this camera work with NVRs from other brands?
A4: Yes, the camera supports ONVIF (Profile S/Profile G/Profile T), which is a common interoperability standard for IP-based security products. This means it should be compatible with most NVRs that also support ONVIF, although full functionality of all advanced AI features might be best achieved when paired with a Dahua WizMind NVR.
Q5: How long does the SD card recording last with a 256 GB card?
A5: The recording duration depends heavily on factors like resolution, frame rate, video compression (H.265 is highly efficient), and the amount of motion in the scene. With H.265 compression and intelligent recording settings (like motion-activated recording), a 256 GB card can provide several days to a few weeks of recording for typical surveillance needs. For continuous 24/7 recording at 12MP, the duration would be shorter.
Q6: What makes this camera different from a "PRO" version?
A6: The term "PRO" often indicates a higher tier of features or performance. For Dahua, the "WizMind 7 Series" generally represents their top-tier AI capabilities. Differences with a potential "PRO" version might include enhanced AI algorithms, higher processing power for more complex analytics, additional specialized features (e.g., thermal imaging, multi-sensor design), or superior low-light performance. This 7 Series model is already highly advanced.
Q7: Will the ANPR and PPE detection alarms activate automatically?
A7: Yes, once configured, the ANPR and PPE detection functions are designed to activate automatically when their respective conditions are met (e.g., a license plate is recognized, or a person is detected without a hard hat). Alarms can be triggered according to your alarm settings, which can include notifications, local recording, or integration with an alarm system.
Comparison Table
Dahua WizMind Network Camera Comparison
| Category |
Newer Model (DH-IPC-HFW71242H-Z) |
Older Model (DH-IPC-HFW7842HP-Z) |
| Image Sensor |
1/1.7” 12 Megapixel progressive CMOS |
1/1.7” 8 Megapixel progressive CMOS |
| Max. Resolution |
12MP (4000 × 3000) @25/30 fps |
8MP (3840 × 2160) @25/30 fps |
| Min. Illumination |
0.01 Lux@F1.8 (Color, 30IRE)
0.001 Lux@F1.8 (B/W, 30IRE)
0 Lux (Illuminator on) |
0.005 Lux@F1.8 (Color, 30IRE)
0.0005 Lux@F1.8 (B/W, 30IRE)
0 Lux (Illuminator on) |
| IR Distance |
60 m (196.9 ft) |
60 m (196.9 ft) |
| Lens Type |
Motorized vari-focal, 2.7 mm–12 mm, F1.8 |
Motorized vari-focal, 2.7 mm–12 mm, F1.8 |
| Field of View (W-T) |
Horizontal: 103°–44°
Vertical: 75°–33°
Diagonal: 135°–55° |
Horizontal: 103°–44°
Vertical: 75°–33°
Diagonal: 135°–55° |
| Video Compression |
H.265; H.264; H.264H; H.264B; MJPEG |
H.265; H.264; H.264H; H.264B; MJPEG |
| AI Features (WizMind) |
Video Metadata, Face Detection, Face and Human Body Association, Face Recognition, Advanced Customer Counter, PPE Detection, ANPR, Perimeter Protection, People Counting, Queue Management |
Video Metadata, Face Detection, Face Recognition, Perimeter Protection, People Counting, Queue Management |
| DORI Distances (Wide) |
Detect: 93 m, Observe: 37 m, Recognize: 18 m, Identify: 9 m |
Detect: 87.6 m, Observe: 35 m, Recognize: 17.5 m, Identify: 8.8 m |
| DORI Distances (Tele) |
Detect: 205 m, Observe: 82 m, Recognize: 41 m, Identify: 20 m |
Detect: 186.6 m, Observe: 74.6 m, Recognize: 37.3 m, Identify: 18.7 m |
| Storage |
Supports max. 256 G SD card |
Supports max. 256 G SD card |
| Audio I/O |
1 in, 1 out |
1 in, 1 out |
| Alarm I/O |
3 in, 2 out |
3 in, 2 out |
| Power Supply |
12V DC/24V AC/POE+ (802.3at); ePoE |
12V DC/24V AC/PoE+ (802.3at); ePoE |
| Protection Grade |
IP67, IK10 |
IP67, IK10 |
Summary Recommendation
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Choose the Newer Model (DH-IPC-HFW71242H-Z) if:
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You require the absolute highest resolution available (12MP) for maximum detail and forensic capability, which is a significant leap from 8MP.
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Advanced AI features like PPE Detection are critical for your application (e.g., workplace safety monitoring).
- You need slightly improved DORI distances, particularly at the telephoto end, for better recognition and identification at greater ranges.
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The Older Model (DH-IPC-HFW7842HP-Z) might still be suitable if:
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8MP resolution is sufficient for your monitoring needs, as it still offers excellent image quality for many applications.
- The specific advanced AI features like PPE Detection found in the newer model are not a strict requirement.
- Budget is a significant concern, as older models are often available at a lower price point while still offering robust WizMind capabilities and similar physical attributes.
