What are Pan, Tilt, and Zoom Cameras?
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| What are Pan, Tilt, and Zoom
Cameras? |
An alternative to fixed cameras, pan, tilt, and zoom cameras (otherwise known as
PTZ cameras) get their name because of their ability to pan left and right, tilt
up and down, and zoom in and out of a picture plane. They can do this due to a
unique combination of a pan/ tilt head and a zoom lens. The total zoom
capability of a PTZ camera is actually a combination of digital zoom capability
and optical zoom capability. Digital zoom uses electronics to zoom in and out
while optical zoom uses lens motion. The total zoom of a camera can be
calculated by multiplying the digital zoom by the optical zoom. As far as PTZ
functionality, a keyboard and receiver is required to operate PTZ functions.
Most PTZ dome security cameras have receivers built in to them, however.
A
traditional PTZ camera with IR illuminators.
|
PTZ cameras are made for both outdoor and indoor applications, adding to
their versatility. Outdoor PTZ cameras have pan/tilt heads that are
weatherproof, heavy duty, and more robust than their indoor counterparts. The
reason for this is that they often need to carry heavier housings and
accoutrements such as IR lights. Indoor PTZ cameras often employ housings made
from plastic and are therefore lighter in nature.
A recent development in the history of the PTZ camera is the popularity of
PTZ dome camera. They operate in the same manner as traditional PTZ cameras but
differ in that both the P/T head and the control electronics reside inside the
dome. The domes themselves range from transparent or semitransparent to opaque,
making them suitable for even discrete applications. PTZ dome cameras have
several advantages over traditional PTZ security cameras. Domes can efficiently
move in all directions, including 360 degree rotation and viewing straight down.
Dome cameras utilize auto-flip to view something directly below it. Auto-flip
allows the security cameras to rotate automatically when something passes
directly below it, ensuing that the object or person remains upright on the
viewing screen.
An
example of a dome PTZ camera. |
Many PTZ cameras can be programmed with preset positions and can be made to
survey these locations on a regular basis. The number of preset positions varies
by camera manufacturer and model, but common presets average from 8 to 32 in
number. The precision of a camera’s ability to return to a preset position
varies based on the mechanics, electronics, and software used. In addition to
preset positions, PTZ cameras can be made to operate only when a specific change
occurs, such as a noise, motion, or a change in heat. This is done with devices
such as motion detectors connected to the PTZ camera. In this way, recording
times can be minimized to crucial events.
Furthermore, IP PTZ cameras come with a built-in IP address, enabling remote
surveillance from anywhere in the world using a standard web browser. Users
simply connect the camera to a network and they then can take advantage of many
common software based features included with IP PTZ cameras, including a web
server, an FTP server, and an e-mail client.
Another feature common to PTZ cameras is privacy
masking. This provides the ability to mask certain areas in a camera’s view,
such as a window or a door of a house. The position of the mask can interlock
with the camera’s movements, so that if a camera pans, tilts, or zooms, the mask
will reposition and resize accordingly to make sure what needs to be hidden
stays hidden. This affords the user of the camera an escape from litigation due
to infringement of privacy.
Before
and after pictures of privacy masking taken with a Pelco Spectra IV PTZ camera |
|
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