When it comes to home security or business monitoring, there are truckloads of IP cameras and security solutions available, and it can sometimes be an uphill task choosing the right option. This review looks into the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Dome Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus to see its capabilities and overall performance.
Lorex is one of the brands that pop up in the minds of many who are in search of a security solution, and among the several Dome/Turret Shaped IP cameras from the brand, the Lorex E893DD-EP is one of them. It is a security camera that is designed to deliver 4K Ultra High Definition resolution and Smart Deterrence features for safeguarding your environment.
But how does the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP camera really perform? Does it live up to the standard that Lorex has set over the years or does it exceed it? This review will provide answers to these questions and help you decide if the Lorex E893DD-EP aligns with your performance expectations and budget.
Overview of the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Camera
Looking at the Lorex E893DD-EP, it is in a low profile shape with a durable construction made of Aluminum Alloy. Depending on where you intend to position the camera, its shape and size could provide a discreet installation that would minimize visual obstructions. Aesthetically, the camera fits well in any environment and is IP67-Rated. With this, it can withstand the harshest weather conditions and provide optimal performance in challenging outdoor environments. Its Cold Rating is -22°F | -30°C, and Hot Rating is 140°F | 60°C.
The dimensions of the Lorex E893DD-EP in (H x Dia) are 101” × 4.0” (101 mm × 83 mm) and the camera weighs 1.1 lbs / 0.4 kg. It features an 8MP/4K 1/2.8” CMOS Image Sensor, a Fixed Lens (2.8mm F2.0), High Dynamic Range, a Spotlight for Colored Night Vision, Infrared Night Vision, Microphone and Speaker for Two-Way Audio, SD Card storage space, and is a PoE IP Camera (802.3a). In addition, the camera supports a 12 Volts D.C Power Supply. When you receive the package, you will find the camera itself, quick start guides, Ethernet cables, mounting kit, and an NVR if you added this to your package.
How to Install the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Dome Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus
Firstly, the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Camera performs Person and Vehicle Detection as well as Face Detection and Mask Detection, but you need to install the camera for it to be optimized for only Person and Vehicle Detection or just Face Detection. However, it is recommended to position the camera to be optimized for Person and Vehicle Detection; Face Detection is OFF by default.
Secondly, the Lorex E893DD-EP is a Power over Ethernet (PoE) camera. This means that you cannot ”directly” connect it via Wi-Fi. You need to connect it to a switch preferably a PoE-Enabled switch. With this, the camera will receive power to come ON and also Data with just the Ethernet cable that you plug to it and to your switch. If you already own a switch that is not PoE Enabled, you can power up the Lorex E893DD-EP with a 12 Volts D.C Adapter or you can use a PoE Injector along with your switch or better still, include a Lorex NVR (16-Channel or 8-Channel) with your order as each Ethernet Port is PoE Enabled (shown below).
The Ethernet Port just before the VGA Port is for your ISP. With these in mind, you now have to figure out how long your Ethernet cable should be, and the Maximum Cable Run Distance is 300ft (91m). Depending on how many cameras you intend to have, and if an NVR is included, you will receive 30-meter network cables. Another consideration is the positioning of the Lorex E893DD-EP. For it to be optimal for Person and Vehicle Detection accuracy, it should be 2.5-5 meters off the ground, and you should angle the camera’s lens between 30-60° downwards. Now, it is better to power up the camera and integrate it in the Lorex Home App (Android and iOS) along with your NVR before proceeding to mount it. Do note that the Lorex Cirrus App is suited for Lorex Wire-Free Security Cameras and the Lorex Cloud App is suited for Lorex Professional Security Camera Systems.
So, go ahead and download the app, and follow the in-app instructions to integrate the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Dome Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus along with your NVR. Afterwards, disconnect the camera and proceed to mount it. On your desired mounting location, ensure to follow the appropriate measurements we mentioned earlier so that the camera is optimized for Person and Vehicle Detection. So, take out the Mounting Template, paste it on your wall or ceiling, and mark out the holes for your screws and Ethernet cable. Then, drill these holes accordingly, bring in your Ethernet cable, pass it through the camera’s base, and screw the base into position. Now, fix the camera itself while plugging in the Ethernet cable to it, and remove the vinyl film from the camera lens to complete the process.
Features and Performance of the Lorex 4K Camera, E893DD-EP
The very first feature and perhaps the most intriguing of the Lorex E893DD-EP is its 8-Megapixel image quality. This also is one of the attractions of Lorex cameras generally, and the Lorex E893DD-EP is no exception. It reproduces images and videos in 4K at 15fps, 5MP at 30fps, 1080p at 30fps, and 720p@30fps with HDR. The results are beautiful with clear images and balanced colors while you have a 108° wide viewing angle to adequately monitor your commercial venues, driveway, or any use case.
Another primary selling point of the Lorex E893DD-EP 4K Ultra HD camera is its Smart Deterrence and Motion Detection Plus features. This is a super active and ever-responsive feature that detects movement in an instant, for Humans and Vehicles, performs Facial Recognition, and helps you stop unwanted events before they happen. Remarkably, the camera is built also with a Safeguard feature that would notify you when you’ve left something behind, or something has been removed. Simply activate it, Draw, and Select your desired coverage areas, and it becomes functional (Up to three different coverage areas). Then also, you have Motion Zones which is another great feature to enable you to control what you want to see and receive alert notifications for, and what you do not want. So, simply grey out areas in the live view and the camera will respond accordingly. In addition to these, you have the camera’s Motion-Activated Spotlight, Siren, and Two-Way Talk to deter intruders or to make your presence felt, letting them know you are watching.
Night Vision performance is a very important factor in deciding on a surveillance camera. If a camera performs well in the day and doesn’t at night, it’s not good enough. The Lorex E893DD-EP provides colored night vision as well as black and white. Both of these are well-toned with ambient light and even better with external lighting. You do have to play around with both to see which is best for you. However, the results you would get are largely dependent on the lighting around the camera’s location.
Moving further, the Lorex Home App and the NVR’s Graphical User Interface both give you full manageability of the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP camera. The App is lightweight and loads up really quickly. From the home screen, you have a live view of the camera with multiple options to tweak the camera’s performance.
Just below the live view, you can tap on SD to change the image quality from SD to HD. You can also drag the view for a closer look, or tap on the Maximize Button to view the full screen. Then, you have a Speaker Button to turn the sound ON or OFF, a Timeline Button that gives you access to the camera’s recordings, a Snapshot Button to enable you take a picture of what you are currently viewing, a Talk Button that gives you Full Duplex communication, and a Record Button to enable you record the live view and save the footage to the App’s album.
Then you have a Siren Button which you can use to manually activate the camera’s siren, and a Light Button to activate the camera’s spotlight. Then, at the top right-hand corner, you have three dots that take you to the camera’s Settings. Within the Settings, there are features you would want to tweak to get optimum performance from the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Dome Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus.
Firstly, you have Notifications which apparently, must be Enabled. Then, you have Schedule (00:00 – 23:59) which allows you to select specific times of the Day when you want alert notifications and when you do not. Next, you have Push Notification Thumbnails which when Enabled, gives you a Snapshot along with an alert notification. However, it is worth mentioning that this may make your notifications slower.
Secondly, Motion Detection Settings are features you want to ensure are fully optimal. Within this area, you have Motion Detection, Person Detection, Vehicle Detection, Face Detection, Missing Object Detection, Abandoned Object Detection, Motion Sensitivity, and Motion Zones. As mentioned earlier in this review, you do have to set up the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP camera to be optimal for Person and Vehicle Detection or just Face Detection.
Now, if you turn ON Face Detection, you will see a message letting you know that Person and Vehicle Detection will be Disabled. For Missing Object Detection and Abandoned Object Detection, you have to set these using your NVR’s Interface. Then, you do have to play around with Motion Sensitivity and Motion Zones to see how the Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP camera quickly detects motion within the area, as you change the sensitivity. Overall, these work pretty well with no false alarms. Lastly, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Smart controls are features you will benefit from using your NVR with your Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP camera.
Specifications of the Lorex 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Dome Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus
The specifications of the camera are included in the Lorex E893DD-E Series and are shown below.
Final Thoughts
The Lorex E893DD-EP, 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Dome Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus is a satisfactory IP camera performance-wise. Its features and capabilities are nothing short of impressive, providing the essential requirements of image and video clarity daytime/nighttime, smart motion detection, deterrence, and smart home integration. Evidently, it is adequate for any surveillance need, and we have no reason to fault it in any way.
If you would like to see another brand with very similar camera specifications and performance, you may take a look at our review of the Reolink RLC-833A.
