People get way too caught up in the PTZ thing. Adds a lot of cost to the camera, deceases MTBF of the camera, and generally, the camera isnt pointing in the direction of the action when needed. They can also be difficult to control without dedicated joysticks, etc. Once you figure out the magnification level needed, you can figure out how many degrees the business park would take to cover probably one fixed camera would do it. And you run a better chance of PoE.
If your client just wants to see what it looks like up there pointing in a certain direction, Im sure a Ubiquiti airCam Pro would do the trick. Why spend more? You dont have 20x zoom on your eyes when youre up there usually, and if the idea is just a general look of the park a wider shot than a closer in shot is probably more valuable. Even multiple fixed cameras with an NVR system would cost less than a single PTZ camera. Really if the application is what does it look like up there I dont see the point in wasting money on higher end, security grade, cameras. Many cameras should accept DC input instead of AC. At least back when I used to install them on occasion. Axis was the brand I played with the most if I recall (I remember doing some Inscape cameras not sure if those guys are still around). Daniel White (303) 746-3590 From: Af [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul Conlin via Af Sent: Friday, December 26, 2014 7:15 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Tower camera recommendations Define useful. This is not a security application so we dont need to be able to read license plates. Dont you guys ever have customers ask you what the view looks like from up there? My response is usually why dont you climb with me and take a look. I was thinking a camera would give them the gee that is neat view and the occasional check of the weather. The problem is that I dont know what the image would look like with a $250 camera vs a $1500 camera. Or is more $$ required? Just wondering what others have done. EverFocus has a 2 MP 20x optical zoom H.264 speed dome camera EPN4220 for ~$1,550. Wondering what that would look like. Oh. Its 24VAC. Yuk. Are all these type cameras going to be AC? 30W and 10/100. So I guess I could do a passive POE with custom injectors at each end. Not horrible. PC Blaze Broadband From: Af [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Prince via Af Sent: Friday, December 26, 2014 8:29 PM To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Tower camera recommendations Seriously?� That would require a serious zoom/telephoto lens to get you any kind of decent resolution. I don't know anything off the top of my head that would be useful at a half mile. -- bp <part {dash} 15 {at} SkylineBroadbandService {dot} com> On 12/26/2014 3:18 PM, Paul Conlin via Af wrote: I�m thinking 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile would be fine.� Forget the IR thing.� Not needed.� Good day time image is what people will want to look at I think. � � � From: Af [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bill Prince via Af Sent: Friday, December 26, 2014 5:46 PM To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Tower camera recommendations � What kind of distance are you talking about?� Critical issue if you wanted IR, because there are serious limitations on how far you will get decent video with IR (no greater than 100', and that might be a stretch).� But the distance would dictate what kind of magnification/lenses are required. -- bp <part {dash} 15 {at} SkylineBroadbandService {dot} com> � On 12/26/2014 2:36 PM, Paul Conlin via Af wrote: This question comes up on the list periodically but I haven�t seen if for a while.� A 400 ft tower owner wants a camera to look down on his commercial business park.� We might install and provide local bandwidth for free if they buy the camera.� A little good will between us, them, and the community. �So knowing this is not a money maker for anyone, how much money are we talking to get something that doesn�t suck? � It would have to be PTZ and decent resolution.� Good low light would be nice but no IR illuminators needed, obviously.� I assume a small heater is required to avoid condensation but I don�t know that.� Are these available POE? � PC Blaze Broadband � �
