Collection: Cameras

OTDAU software requires one camera, and optionally two, to detect and then track moving objects.  It provides for two types of hardware and software interface to cameras:

• USB webcams which may be external to your computer or built-in
• IP cameras by Ethernet connection thru a router or directly to your computer

Two cameras may be used to track and zoom in on an object that may be first detected in a direction that is much wider than the PTZ camera’s field of view (FOV).  Making the initial detection using a wide-angle fixed camera and handing off continuous tracking to the PTZ camera can make best use of both their capabilities.

When the general direction of interest is known, the selection of a single camera may hinge on its FOV, shown as horizontal angle of view in the table below.

Another aspect of selection is the tradeoff between higher resolution and a PTZ function.  A PTZ camera can continuously track (center) a target while zooming in which effectively increases the number of active pixels, thus compensating for its lower un-zoomed resolution.  However, a fixed camera will not experience the motion lag of a PTZ camera and thus does a better job at tracking faster-moving objects.

Note also the difference in light sensitivity between these cameras.  In color mode, this will not be apparent during the day but may result in more granularity of the image in very dark conditions.

Each camera may be set to a “black and white” mode by accessing its Setting menus, in Camera > Conditions > Day & Night and setting the profile to night.  This removes the IR cut filter and thus enhances the camera’s ability to image near IR wavelengths.  If the camera has an IR illuminator, it should always be disabled by setting its Mode to off in the Illuminator menu.

See the individual data sheets for each camera, available on the ufodap.com website, for more details.