As the surveillance industry expands, it's easy for many to get bogged down and confused by the finer details of all the products that are out there. It doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, it can be simplified with this basic approach: The consumer must understand that the form and function of surveillance devices vary, and that each one is built for a specific purpose. Once the consumer understands this and figures out what best suits their needs and unique application, everything will fall into place. With this premise, let's assume you need a PTZ camera.
What Is a PTZ Surveillance Camera?
Despite the similarity in their names, a PTZ surveillance camera is not a PTZ camera designed for livestreaming purposes, like broadcasting events from a house of worship, classroom, or conference room. A PTZ surveillance camera is primarily for security and monitoring for safety or protection. PTZ surveillance cameras are capable of being controlled remotely to pan horizontally, tilt vertically, and zoom in on a particular subject or object for image enhancement. PTZ functionality can be controlled remotely via an app, software, or a joystick. The benefit of a PTZ camera is that despite it being mounted or installed in a fixed location, it can cover areas far and wide.
Some manufacturers refer to their PTZ cameras as "speed domes." A speed dome is just a PTZ camera in a dome form factor that can pan up to 360-degrees (also known as endless panning) and up to 180-degree tilting, along with optical zoom functionality. All speed domes are PTZ cameras, but not every PTZ camera is a speed dome. Got it? Good.
Like other surveillance devices that are designed for specific purposes, PTZ cameras are no different. They vary for different applications. Let's look at some of the different kinds of PTZ surveillance cameras out there.
Network PTZ Cameras
Network or IP PTZ cameras are surveillance cameras that connect to a network via PoE (Power over Ethernet). They are typically connected to an NVR (network video recorder) or network server as part of a wider surveillance system with additional cameras and other surveillance devices. A PoE connection simplifies connectivity by transferring power and data over a single cable. This application works for small, medium, and large applications. From homeowners to large businesses.
An example of a network PTZ camera is the Lorex LNZ45P25. This outdoor-ready camera captures 4MP resolution video and offers endless panning, a -15 to 90-degree tilt range, and a 25x optical zoom via a 5-125mm varifocal lens.
Wi-Fi PTZ Cameras
As the name implies, Wi-Fi PTZ cameras are surveillance cameras that have a Wi-Fi connection. Now, here's where it can get tricky. A Wi-Fi camera doesn't mean it is exclusively Wi-Fi. Some Wi-Fi cameras also have IP connections and can connect via PoE. However, for the sake of brevity, let's just focus on the Wi-Fi aspect.
The obvious benefit of a Wi-Fi PTZ camera is that apart from the camera's power cord, you'll have no cables to run. It doesn't get easier than that, which makes Wi-Fi cameras a popular choice for people who want flexible surveillance coverage in their home, but without the wires or an intricate NVR-based system. The performance of the camera will obviously be based on your Wi-Fi connection, so if you want to embark on this route, make sure you have a robust Wi-Fi connection.
An example of a Wi-Fi PTZ camera is the Uniview IPC6215SR-X5PAEW-VG. This indoor camera captures 5MP resolution video and delivers 350-degree panning, a 0 to 90-degree tilt range, and 5x optical zoom via a 2.7-13.5mm varifocal lens.
Hybrid PTZ Cameras
Hybrid PTZ cameras are surveillance cameras that combine two camera channels in one body. A typical configuration of a hybrid PTZ is a camera that has a PTZ channel and an additional camera channel, essentially having the functionality of two distinct cameras in one camera body, minimizing the number of additional cameras required for a cost-effective surveillance solution.
These PTZ cameras are ideal for large outdoor spaces like parks, airports, riverways, parking lots, forests, and large venues. An example of this type of camera is the Hikvision TandemVu DS-2SF8C442MXG-ELW/26. This camera features a PTZ channel that captures 4MP resolution video with endless panning, a -20 to 90-degree tilt range, and 42x optical zoom via a 6-252mm varifocal lens. The other channel captures 3632 x 1632 resolution video via a 2.8mm fixed lens.
Thermal PTZ Cameras
Thermal PTZ cameras are surveillance cameras that provide thermal detection, ideal for identifying human body temperature. Some of these cameras can detect a person thousands of yards away, making it ideal for border control and wide perimeter surveillance for farmland and vineyards. An example of this type of camera is the outdoor-ready Axis Communications Q8752-E PTZ Network Bispectral Bullet Camera. This rugged bispectral camera offers a thermal stream in 640 x 480 resolution, along with a conventional 1080p stream in one unit to provide thermal detection and visual verification of humans. It delivers endless panning, a -90 to 45-degree tilt range, 3x thermal zoom, and 32x optical zoom.
We would be remiss without noting that within the thermal PTZ umbrella, there is a specialized camera for surveillance in combustible and explosive areas. These cameras are explosion-proof and are ideal for surveillance on oil rigs, for gas exploration, for offshore drilling, for tracking wildfires, or for any area that is highly combustible, explosive, or extremely hot. They are often constructed out of steel or from any material capable of withstanding potential explosions and extremely high temperatures.
Analog PTZ Cameras
Not everyone is using PoE or Wi-Fi connections for surveillance. Legacy analog systems are still out there! Many legacy installs are perfectly functional and if you've invested a decent amount of money in a system that still works and is still supported, it makes financial sense not to rip out an entire system for the sake of "upgrading" if you don't have to. Depending on the size of the system, it can be cost-prohibitive to remove coaxial wiring, replace all your analog cameras, and recorders in favor of an IP surveillance solution. Analog cameras are still being made and supported, so analog systems will remain for the foreseeable future.
An example of a fine analog camera is the Hikvision DS-2AE7232TI-A TurboHD Analog HD PTZ Dome Camera. This camera transmits 1080p resolution video and offeres endless panning, a -15 to 90-degree tilt range, and 32x optical zoom via a 4.8-153mm varifocal lens. It supports HD-TVI, HD-CVI, AHD, and CVBS analog signal outputs.
So, there you have it. Five examples of PTZ camera surveillance applications. Are you interested in expanding your surveillance solution by adding a PTZ camera? What do you have in mind? Does anything here pique your interest? Drop us a line below, and we'll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
