PTZ Pros and Cons
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:29 am
we will tackle the pros and cons of Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZPTZ) systems vs. Mechanical PTZPTZ systems. First, a primer. Mechanical Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras consist of motors, slip rings, gears and/or belts and wheels. Traditionally, they were controlled by proprietary keyboards but recently, they can be controlled by software. These devices are available as integrated units, most commonly domes, or you can purchase the camera separately and mount it on a Pan/Tilt motor. The amount of zoom, e.g.. 25X, depends on the ratio of the telephoto setting to the wide angle setting. So, a lens that goes from 4mm to 100mm will have a 25x zoom. A lens that goes from 50mm to 150mm will only provide 3X zoom but will be much better at zooming in farther away because of the 150mm telephoto setting, however this wonę° have as wide angle a setting (50mm) as the 25X lens (4mm).