Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light

Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light

Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light
Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light
a week ago - last edited Friday
Model: Tapo C200   TC41  
Hardware Version: V2
Firmware Version: Firmware 1.2.2 build 251016 rel.59576n

 

 

I have two TAPO smart cameras. 
One is TAPO C200 (1080p) at 1.5 meters height (behind glass window). 
Another is newer TAPO TC41 (2K) at 2.5 meters height. 

 

C200, Firmware 1.4.4 build 250922 rel.711116n, Hardware v3. 
TC41, Firmware 1.2.2 build 251016 rel.59576n, Hardware v2. 

 

Both have latest firmware and latest app version, I always update them. 
Both have same full detection area (none crop), max. resolution 1080p and 2K. 
I use full-color mode and I didn't use infrared because it's too dark. 

 

Screenshot 2, at around 4.48 AM with lamp light, the TAPO C200 recorded person as motion, with glare because it's behind window. 
But at the same time, the TAPO TC41 didn't record anything. 

 

Screenshot 1, at around 4.44 AM with lamp light, the TAPO C200 recorded person, less glare since indoor lamp is turned off. 
But at the same time, again the TAPO TC41 didn't record anything. 

 

Even the TC41 detected a cat motion, but did not detect a human motion, as you can see in the screenshot. 

This should be concern, because most crimes occurs at evening - night - dawn when it's dark with lamp light. 

 

When in daylight they have no problem, both detect the same event, the difference (TC41 failed) only occurs when it's with lamp light. 

I think the TAPO's AI model should be trained with more "person under lamp light" samples, especially person with dark clothes. 

 

Questions are, why the more expensive TC41 has different worse AI detection compared to C200? 
Do they use different AI models? 

How to fix this problem for TC41? 

 

  0      
  0      
#1
Options
1 Accepted Solution
Re:Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light-Solution
Thursday - last edited Friday

  @Solla-topee 

The TC41 was behind transparent 10mm acrylic glass window. 
I've moved the TC41 camera to outdoor area, and it now has no problem detecting person or motion under lamp light when at night or dawn. 
Looks like the acrylic glass was the problem when it's under lamp light. 
 
So, I think my case is solved. Sorry for any inconvenience. 
Regards. 
Recommended Solution
  0  
  0  
#5
Options
5 Reply
Re:Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light
a week ago

  @sitoh 

Hi,
Whether the camera can detect an event is related to several factors, such as usage scenario, installation position, detection settings, etc. 

For the TC41, it's an outdoor camera; it's recommended to install it outdoors rather than behind a window, and set a higher person detection sensitivity value, then check if that helps.

 

For the reported phenomenon, please confirm the following information for further analysis.
  1. On the TC41's Device Settings > Detection page, please send us the screenshots of the detection, the detection zones, and the enabled detection types pages. Please also send us the same screenshots of the Tapo C200's detection settings pages.
  2. Please send us the video clips that show the Tapo C200 detecting a person (which are not detected by the TC41).
  3. If the TC41 selects Full-Color mode, whether the spotlight on the camera turns on at night or dawn?

 

You can upload the screenshots and videos to your cloud server (such as Google Drive), generate a download link, and send it to me (@Solla-topee) via a private message.
 

Best Regards

  0  
  0  
#2
Options
Re:Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light
a week ago

  @Solla-topee 

Thank you very much for the response. 
I've uploaded video clips and screenshots to google drive, please check private message. 

The person walking is myself to investigate why it's happened. 


Person sensitivity for C200 and TC41 is max 10. 
Motion sensitivity for C200 and TC41 is 8 out of 10. 

 

Detection zones for C200 is the same for motion and person, full area. 
Detection zones for TC41 is each, crop area for motion, full area for person. 

 

Previous and today experiments, videos and screenshots, 
1. 2025-12-02 04:44 AM, person with black shirt, C200 detected, TC41 failed. 
2. 2025-12-05 04:16 AM, person with gray shirt, C200 detected, TC41 failed.
3. 2025-12-05 04:19 AM, person with white shirt, C200 detected, TC41 detected. 

 

Notes: TC41 only detected person with white shirt when facing forward, but not when facing backward. 

 

Videos as comparison for TC41, white cat and motorcycle, 
1. 2025-12-01 04:16 AM, white cat, C200 detected, TC41 detected. 
2. 2025-12-05 03:30 AM, person with motorcycle, C200 out of range, TC41 detected. 

 

I'll try to move TC41 to outdoor area. 
TC41's spotlight is turned off, on that area there's downlight LED lamp enough to light it up. 

 

Hope it helps. 

  0  
  0  
#3
Options
Re:Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light
a week ago

  @sitoh 

Hi,
Thank you for the information and video provided. 
I have escalated your case to our tech team, and they will contact you via email to assist you further. Please wait patiently.
Best Regards

  0  
  0  
#4
Options
Re:Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light-Solution
Thursday - last edited Friday

  @Solla-topee 

The TC41 was behind transparent 10mm acrylic glass window. 
I've moved the TC41 camera to outdoor area, and it now has no problem detecting person or motion under lamp light when at night or dawn. 
Looks like the acrylic glass was the problem when it's under lamp light. 
 
So, I think my case is solved. Sorry for any inconvenience. 
Regards. 
Recommended Solution
  0  
  0  
#5
Options
Re:Tapo TC41 did not detect but C200 did under lamp light
Friday

  @sitoh 

Hi, 
Thank you very much for sharing your experience, and I'm glad to hear your case is resolved.
Best Regards

  0  
  0  
#6
Options