Understanding the intricacies of today’s technology will benefit video production pros in coming up with novel ways to generate incredible content. For example, PTZ cameras help in a variety of ways. Although every camera has its own set of features, PTZ is something different. Hejc, not all people are aware of how to use them or how they might enhance a set. But fret not. Here’s a blog post that discusses the basics of PTZ Cameras. By the end of this guide, you will get a brief idea about how PTZ cameras can help with your next production. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Table of Contents
What do PTZ cameras do?
PTZ cameras, AKA Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras, are generally motorized cameras that have the capacity to pan left to right, tilt up and down, and zoom in and out. PTZ cameras may thus cover a vast field of view.
PTZ cameras can be operated remotely by camera operators or computer software, and a single switcher can manage several PTZ cameras. This enables a single camera operator to oversee a production using multiple cameras on their own.
When Is a PTZ Camera Useful?
The PTZ camera industry has grown dramatically in recent years, despite the fact that the initial PTZ cameras were intended for CCTV and surveillance purposes. PTZ cameras can be used in a wide range of applications nowadays in many different sectors. Listing a few examples include live broadcasting of events (eSports, conferences, concerts, etc.), places of worship, e-learning, and even television and film projects.
Upsides of PTZ Cameras
Some of the notable advantages and features of PTZ cameras include,
1. Auto Tracking Based on Motion
PTZ cameras may automatically alter their field of coverage to follow objects moving, thanks to the auto-tracking feature. The use case for this feature is frequently implemented best in quiet areas with no or little traffic. Example: a museum after closing.
2. Time-Based Auto Scan
PTZ cameras can be set up with auto-pilot so they move in patterns and scan pre-defined areas (tours). Preset locations may be programmed to move in response to time. To record various zones of interest within the camera’s overall surveillance area, you can set a PTZ camera to tilt or pan. You can even set it to zoom once (every 30 secs)
3. Remote Camera Control
Conventional PTZ cameras can likewise be manually and digitally adjusted to keep an eye on suspicious activity. As a result, users can easily alter the camera’s range of view without physically visiting the spot.
4. Zooming capacities
The majority of PTZ cameras have optical zoom capabilities, which are utilized to see and photograph distant objects such as license plates or faces. The optical zoom is calculated by dividing the maximum focal length by the shortest focus length (i.e., 20x, 30x, 40x). In other terms, the higher the number, the greater the zoom.
5. Reduced Manpower
A single camera operator may easily manage and operate multiple PTZ cameras at once. This is because they can all be remotely managed from a single switcher.
6. Unmatched Access
PTZ cameras are perfect for places that are difficult to access or hazardous for human camera operators to manually operate a standard camera because of their small physical footprint.
7. A wide field of vision
PTZ cameras have a wide field of view. Some versions can pan and tilt from 0° to 360° and 180°, respectively. PTZ cameras with digital pan and tilt capabilities enable editors to make adjustments to videos after they’ve been recorded, although with a minor loss of fidelity.
Downsides of PTZ Cameras
Although PTZ cameras have been idealized to a great extent throughout Hollywood movies, their versatility comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Below are some of the downsides of PTZ cameras.
1. Restricted View
A significant drawback of PTZ cameras that causes coverage gaps is their inability to record regions that the camera isn’t properly pointed at. In order to record potentially enormous areas, cameras can pan, tilt, and zoom, albeit not all at once. Accidents could occur, and trespassers could enter the camera’s field of vision undetected.
2. Reduced Lifespan
PTZ cameras are less robust than fixed alternatives because they have more moving parts (motors for pan, tilt, and zoom) that are prone to failure over time. The overall cost of ownership for cameras has a tendency to exceed the purchase price because of their high rate of failure.
3. Detection Blind Spots
PTZ cameras are notorious for pointing in the wrong place, especially when they are on “auto” or “home.” No matter what is happening in the field of vision, a camera can keep moving to the next preset. The best approach to operate a PTZ camera is to always have a guard watching it. However, even then, blindspots are still a possibility due to human fault if the controller is left in the incorrect location.
4. High Price
In many instances, compared to one PTZ camera, one or more fixed cameras (like fisheye cameras) can provide additional coverage at a lesser cost. For example, a 4K fisheye camera can be positioned to capture the same area as a PTZ camera and offer digital zoom on high-resolution footage avoiding the potential of an unintentional adjustment.
5. Temporal Sensitivity
Numerous PTZ cameras typically experience an issue with high command latency. The command latency is the amount of time it takes for the FOV to change on the monitor after an operator issues a command to adjust the camera’s FOV. It’s crucial to bear in mind that high latency can often cause PTZ controls to malfunction and move out of gear.
6. High Risk of Failure
PTZ cameras that are improperly mounted may have mechanical and legal problems. Technically speaking, camera hardware that has been poorly installed could malfunction in a spectrum of weather patterns. PTZ cameras that unintentionally capture even a small portion of private property in their range of view could get the installation and owner into serious legal jeopardy.
What Should You Consider When Purchasing a PTZ Camera?
These are some things to take into consideration when it comes to features, use cases, expenses, and more in order to make a knowledgeable investment decision. Before purchasing, ensure to ask these questions to yourself.
- Will there always be a camera operator present?
- How much visibility do you require? (4K resolution vs. 3MP? Viewing area? IR illuminators with low light?)
- What kinds of environmental risks do you encounter? (Is it waterproof? Are the temperatures operating?)
- What is needed for the installation? (Supporting apparatus? specialists in system integration?
- What sort of cabling is required for the system’s network connectivity? (WiFi, PoE, or wireless?)
- How much tilt and pan functionality are you looking for? (The corner camera wouldn’t need to capture the wall behind it, even though a 360-degree pan might eliminate all blind spots.)
- In what setting will the camera be used? (Door or window?)
- Which kind of camera best suits your requirements? (Bullet or Dome?)
Things To Know Before Purchasing a PTZ Camera
PTZ video cameras should be assessed based on the tasks they are used for and who creates the best streaming PTZ cameras. To get an instructive and high-quality image, you only need to carefully apply all the required settings.
You should consider several camera specifications before purchasing a PTZ camera, namely:
- Resolution: It is advisable to select cameras with at least Full HD resolution for formal conferences.
- A digital or optical zoom: How often you can alter the shooting scale is indicated by the optical or digital zoom value in the camera’s feature.
- Viewing position: Depending on the actual dimensions of the sensor and lens optics, it shows the amount of space that is included in the frame. 70 degrees will be sufficient for basic video conferencing in the workplace.
- Microphone availability: The built-in microphone on models in the middle class and higher frequently produces weak sound, making them only suited for casual communication. It is advisable to utilize a different solution or a USB headset to record audio during business-related online interactions.
Wrapping It Up
PTZ cameras, as we all know, are a fantastic way to maximize the effectiveness of your security system. They also enable you to use fewer cameras while seeing more, responding faster, and enhancing the protection of your property. They can also zoom in and out, tilt (move vertically), and pan (move horizontally). In fact, cameras with pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities are a fantastic choice for a wide range of enterprises and sectors.
Generally, PTZ cameras are used for remote surveillance in a variety of industries, including manufacturing facilities, retail outlets, and construction sites. Last but not least, having the option to zoom in and out of a scenario is really helpful because it enables users to see what’s happening better. All in all, PTZ cameras are particularly useful when attempting to identify a person or object and decide whether it constitutes a threat of any kind.
