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We can’t stress this enough. PTZ cameras are some of the most advanced surveillance cameras in the world. While they look like any regular dome-shaped cameras, PTZ cameras have artificial intelligence software fitted within them.
You can zoom images in and out and tilt the camera to view different locations in the house. They are more powerful than most cameras, making them the perfect solutions for business premises and large homes.
PTZ stands for Pan-tilt-and zoom, the three features that define a PTZ camera. Some professionals call them robotic cameras or simply robos. They are used in a wide range of industries including television studios, film production and in sports. However, they are also designed for home and business surveillance purposes.
An average PTZ camera provides three movements. The first is panning, meaning the camera can swivel around for up to 460 degrees. The second is to tilt on a vertical range. Most modern cameras tilt up to 180 degrees. The third movement is to zoom objects up to 18 times closer to you. This works by adjusting the camera lens to change the focal length.
PTZ cameras offer more features than pan tilt and zoom. In general, here are what they can do.
PTZ cameras put control over your premises’ surveillance wholly on you. Most of them are digitized and transmit feeds straight to your devices. You can input passwords for security reasons and have total say over who can view the feeds.
With a single control point, PTZ camera systems allow you to tilt your cameras and adjust their angles to view different locations. You can alter your field of view and turn off different cameras at will. When you have the right systems, everything becomes under your control.
When monitoring large premises like malls, zooming becomes crucial. PTZ HD cameras give you the option to use optical or digital zooming technologies to bring images closer to you without affecting their qualities. The cameras also support angle adjustments to capture images where normal surveillance cameras can’t.
The best PTZ camera systems work 24/7 irrespective of the external weather conditions. Whether it’s raining, it’s foggy or simply pitch dark, some cameras can provide clear feeds. With night vision, however, the cameras provide black and white images.
Ideally, a good PTZ camera should give you ultimate control of your surveillance feeds. Its images should be HD clear and the systems should be able to serve you for years. In reality, only top companies achieve this. Below are some of the best-rated brands for pan-tilt and zoom cameras
Dome-shaped, 6-inch, and full HD lenses sum up why the IP Poe is SUNBA's best PTZ camera yet. Zooming is supported up to 20 times closer and night vision provides images up to 800 feet away. The camera also works during foggy weather. It comes with a single point control area managed over Ethernet cables and can be linked to smartphone apps for best management.
This camera is the smaller version of SUNBA’s IP Poe. At 4-inch, the camera is two inches smaller. It supports a zooming capacity of 20 times but its night vision only works 328 feet maximum. Like IP Poe, the camera features full HD 1080p images and transmits images to your android/iOS devices.
The cheapest in SUNBA's PTZ camera series, the 22x optical zoom camera offers basic services in the best way possible. Its images are easily adjustable and night vision works incredibly. The device works with an analog DVR, meaning it can't transmit images to your smartphone.
Ventech is known for its high quality, low priced cameras. Their range of PTZ camera extends this reputation, offering a 30x optical zoom camera for $279. When you purchase it, Ventech offers you a 100ft cable and an instruction kit for quick installation. Its night vision works under infrared light for a maximum of 390 feet. It’s an analog camera though.
Looking for an outdoor PTZ camera? Check out Foscam’s device. It’s designed to provide full HD images with its IP66design. It supports night vision up to 196 feet and has a weatherproof shell to stay active during all weather conditions. The Foscam camera is a digital device compatible with iOS and Android apps. It also has an option to email you feed in addition to storing them in an external SD card.
Like Foscam, Amcrest’s 4MP PTZ camera is designed for both indoor and outdoor activities. It’s large, digitized and easy to operate. It has an optical zoom of 12x and a digital zoom of 16x, allowing you to adjust the focal length or zoom images directly. The camera is waterproof and supports night vision with IR LED up to 328 feet away.
Amcrest’s motto is “bigger is better.” Their ProHD PTZ camera is not only big but it’s also better than most cameras prized higher. Its images are all full HD and can be stored inside an optional sd card. The camera is fitted with smart, AI technology that uses infrared to detect movement and alert you instantly. They are waterproof and work at night efficiently.
Having a professional come over to install surveillance cameras for you is expensive. Save the money and follow these instructions to do the job on your own.
Select the areas to install your cameras. Identify all major entry points and areas in your premises that could be compromised. At the back of the door are great places. Get your CCTV tools ready. The electric drills, cables, anchors, screws and everything else that will be used.
Find locations where the cameras will have the best views and screw them on the walls. Use the control panel provided to tilt the cameras to your desired angles. Make sure you have the routes important cables and wires will go through. It’s best to drill holes that will conceal the cables. Otherwise, they can easily be compromised.
You have the cameras drilled on the walls. You’ve wired the cables and connected them to adapters. Complete the circuit and power the system on. Test the systems and transmit data to your smartphones to view how well they work.
Outdoor PTZ cameras also work indoors but indoor cameras should never be used outdoors. Exposure to dust, moisture, and sunlight can cause total damage to your indoor cameras. Make sure you confirm whether your outdoor-intended cameras have the seals and waterproof builds designed for outside use.
Also, check the materials used on your cameras before using them outdoors. If they are not strong, metallic and capable of handling direct sunlight, they are probably not worth it.
Image clarity can make a difference when you need to apprehend an intruder in your house. The best PTZ cameras support full HD 1080p images or 4K pixels of between 3 and 8MP. Most cameras feature 2MP-4MP image qualities, which are clear enough for the human eye.
PTZ cameras are the best kind of CCTV cameras for the modern house or business premises. Whether analog or digital, PTZ cameras offer abilities to tilt cameras and zoom images up to 30 times closer. The best cameras display images in Full HD clarities and can transmit live feeds over the cloud or analog to your DVR.
Ensure you size up your premises to understand which PTZ cameras would offer the best services. Also, compare the brands reviewed above and pick the right company.