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 Field of View (FOV), shown as horizontal and vertical angles of view in the table below.

Another aspect of selection is the tradeoff between higher resolution and a PTZ function.  The OTDAU software 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 via a browser.  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.

Because we need to image above the horizon, and not below it, UFODAP camera mounts orient the camera lens/dome up.  It is thus important that the camera stays waterproof in that orientation.  For that reason, UFODAP cameras have been selected among those with an IP67 rating:  Combined with their high-level water-ingress protection indicated by the second digit (7), IP67-rated enclosures are able to withstand waterhose and jet sprays and can sustain momentary water immersion in depths of 150mm to 1000mm up to 30 minutes maximum.

However, we have been assured by Dahua that the 4A425DBNR (the replacement for the 42212TNI camera) will stand up to extreem wet outdoor conditions even though it is rated as IP66.  Out experience with the 42212, also rated IP66, bears that out.

See the individual data sheets for each camera, available in the Downloads section of the ufodap.com website, for more details.

For an explantion of IP ratings, see, for instance: https://clarionuk.com/resources/ip-ratings/