PTZ CCTV cameras - principle of operation, advantages. PTZ camera - what is it? PTZ camera control over the network

PTZ cameras are cameras equipped with an electric motor and a rotary mechanism, operating in ip and analog video surveillance systems.

A distinctive feature of the popular PTZ camera is the ability to control this mechanism. This is indicated by the abbreviation PTZ, which can be interpreted as panorama - tilt - zoom. Such a camera is controlled remotely. The operator, sitting in front of the monitor, has the ability to rotate the camera at an angle of up to 360 degrees, change its tilt, and also make an approximation due to the variofacal lens. This wide range of camera manipulation allows it to replace several cameras that have a static position and transmit an image from only one visible view.

How a PTZ camera is controlled

The actions aimed at controlling the PTZ camera are provided by the built-in electromechanical actuator. With its help, the camera is able to make turns and change the angle of inclination. The camera has a built-in optical zoom that allows you to remotely control the focal length of the lens. The very manipulation of the mechanism can be carried out through specialized programs or through the interface of the video recorder. It is also possible to control the camera using a special PTZ remote control. The latter, by the way, is the most convenient solution, but it requires additional costs.

It is very easy to manipulate the PTZ camera manually. In this case, the operator, sitting at the computer, makes turns and inclinations using the keyboard buttons or a joystick.

The principle of automatic maneuvering of the camera is its response to changes in pixels in the area of the camera. That is, through the installed program, the camera reacts to movement in the tracking focus. If the fixed object moves, then it turns and tracks its movement. If the object stops moving, then the camera also stops. The camera stops and returns to its original position when the fixed object leaves its working area. The program can be configured in such a way that the camera will not react to areas where regular, non-hazardous movement is recorded. An example of this constant movement is the dog enclosure.

Another indisputable advantage of many PTZ cameras is the ability to program them to automatically patrol a given area. In this case, the camera automatically tracks the perimeter, moving along the programmed trajectory. Various modifications of cameras allow programming from 8 to 200 presets.

The available "auto flip" function allows the camera to automatically rotate 360 degrees before it reaches the mechanical stop. Then the mechanism continues its "tour" around the programmed perimeter.

On the video: How the ptz camera patrol mode is configured.

Additional Features of PTZ Camera

For analog PTZ cameras, the optical zoom of the lens can be up to 36x, for digital cameras - 22x. The digital zoom reaches a maximum of 18x.

Similar to fixed video tracking mechanisms, PTZ cameras can have sensors that respond to motion, noise effects, etc. PTZ cameras have at their disposal a day / night function, which automatically switches to black and white images in the evening and at night. In addition, dome or spherical cameras are equipped with built-in IR diodes. This makes it possible to illuminate when shooting in night mode.

PTZ camera modifications

Both static and PTZ cameras intended for video tracking may differ from each other in their housing. They are also used for indoor or outdoor surveillance. PTZ cameras are available in box, dome and hemispherical versions. Dome cameras are most popular with customers as they are the most reliable. Safety is ensured by the closed location of the camera under the dome. The working mechanism is protected by a dome device and protects it from mechanical damage and various negative natural manifestations during its direct operation.

Dome cameras make it possible to adjust its viewing area downward at a right angle and program it to rotate 360 degrees. All cameras of this kind are equipped with good IR illumination, which can be installed by the structural features of such models.

In the photo: Dome PTZ camera for mounting on a socket

Hemispherical and domed rotary cameras intended for external observation are reliably protected from all adverse climatic manifestations, since the entire working mechanism is enclosed inside a hermetic sphere.

As for the case chambers, their mechanism is in direct contact with aggressive environmental influences, and the case does not protect their mechanism from the adverse effects of precipitation and other natural manifestations. Therefore, box-type PTZ cameras are mainly used for indoor tracking and in those rooms where there is no dust or excessive humidity.

Types of PTZ cameras

PTZ cameras, like all similar devices, are divided into 2 types: analog and digital.

Among analog PTZ cameras, cameras deserve more attention. These modern devices have a simple connection, high picture resolution (HD, Full HD), which is compatible with an IP video tracking device, which is not observed with analog mechanisms of the old model. A modern analog AHD camera is easy to connect, which consists in the transmission of video and audio signals, as well as in the manipulation of the camera, which is carried out over a single coaxial cable. For similar old cameras, to control them, you need to run an additional cable.

IP PTZ cameras have high resolution, and they can also be connected to the Internet or to a cloud server for remote monitoring. It also makes it possible to control the camera from anywhere on the map using any gadget with the Internet. All types of signal are transmitted by one UTP 5e cable.

An example of a PTZ IP camera for outdoor surveillance is the Hikvision DS-2DE7174-A model, with a 1.3 MP matrix and a maximum resolution of 1280x720. Wi-Fi allows you to provide a wireless connection between the camera and a router and via the Internet you can control the device through any gadget or computer. The WDR (Wide Range) function provides high-quality video tracking in unusual conditions of poor visibility. Information reading and device control is carried out by or. This camera is equipped with a motion sensor, IR cut filter and illumination with a range of up to 10m. The working temperature scale for the camera is located in the range from -30 to +50 degrees.

Video: Operation of Ptz camera Hikvision DS-2DE7174-A

Scope of PTZ PTZ Camera

The rotating mechanism of the PTZ camera is able to provide control of the entire territorial area. This camera is used in cases where you need a general overview around the area and within a few seconds to enlarge the frame with the scene of the incident. These facilities include shops, banks, educational institutions and other public facilities.

The greatest effect is achieved by joint operation of static and PTZ cameras. Static cameras are monitored on an ongoing basis. In case of an unforeseen situation, a PTZ camera is connected. It gives an all-round view of the emergency site and allows you to bring the object as close as possible to determine a non-standard situation. An excellent solution to this problem is the Trassir Activedom + software module.

PTZ cameras can be used both for indoor and outdoor video tracking. Outdoor cameras are placed in a special casing that protects them from precipitation and aggressive environmental influences, as well as from temperature extremes. Some outdoor chambers are equipped with a heating system, which allows them to operate reliably even at very low temperatures. When choosing cameras, you should take into account the possible range of negative temperatures and choose the appropriate models. Basically, for PTZ cameras, the working temperature zone is in the aisles from -50 to +60 degrees.

Video: Collaboration of a high-speed camera in conjunction with static, general overview.

PTZ cameras are a branch segment of compact video surveillance devices. The developers of this equipment have raised security miniature cameras to a new level by endowing them with more efficient automatic and, in some cases, robotic intelligent control systems. Partially similar technologies were used in the first generations of video surveillance systems, but modern solutions differ noticeably in a number of parameters, which is confirmed by the example of a PTZ camera. What does this mean in practice? First of all, it is more extensive possibilities of control over the camera settings, moreover, in a remote mode. In addition, the creators of PTZ models pay attention to the basic characteristics of shooting, allowing you to get high quality images while maintaining a modest size of the camera itself.

General information about PTZ cameras

This is a non-standard camera, the main difference of which is the presence of a built-in electronic-mechanical drive. Moreover, the matrix itself, which provides fixation of the video stream, is fully consistent with the characteristics of traditional compact cameras for video surveillance. Features are determined by the drive with a robotic control principle, which, by the way, can act as a separate part - a complete set. However, the latest models of this type also differ in their internal structure. Optical zoom, in particular, allows you to change the angle of view that the PTZ camera captures. What is it from the consumer's point of view? In essence, this means a variable with optical reduction and magnification of the target object. Signals to control the drive mechanism and internal sensors can come from the remote control, or they can be generated by controllers that interact with the computer. That is, through the software, the user can configure the fully automatic operation of the camera.

Main characteristics of the camera

The number of pixels is the main indicator of the quality of work for all types of such cameras. The simplest versions are provided with 0.3 MP matrices, and high-tech ones - with 5 MP modules. The number of recorded frames per second is usually in the range of 6-30 units. Of course, in assessing the image quality, one cannot do without the resolution of the PTZ device - HD cameras, for example, confidently support the 1920x1080 format. At the same time, the aging VGA matrix at 640x480 remains relevant. In security complexes, the use of such modules is often justified. But if the above characteristics fully fit into the set of qualities of conventional CCTV cameras, then PTZ has noticeable advantages in the speed of rotation and increase in focus. So, optical zoom can be 36x, and digital 18x. As for the swing speed, in modern models it reaches 400 ° / s. Also, advanced modifications are equipped with 3D positioning technology.

Applications of PTZ equipment

Experts identify two areas in which the operational capabilities of such cameras are most advantageously revealed. These are security systems for security and video communication in conference rooms. In both cases, users appreciate the flexibility of the hardware in terms of control and the virtually unlimited physical installation of the hardware. It is important to note here the wireless connection systems supported by a modern PTZ camera. What does this mean during operation? Wireless technologies virtually eliminate the need to run cables to the device. From the point of view of camouflage, this is the optimal solution, since the attacker will have less chances of detecting signs. And vice versa, the operational work of the camera's rotary mechanics will allow you to track what is happening in the room with the most advantageous positioning.

Types of video camera designs

Manufacturers produce cameras of this type in several variations. The most widely used PTZ camera in the form of a hemisphere. This type is called Speed Dome and is highly resilient. The design itself, due to its geometric shape, minimizes the risk of dust and moisture particles entering the housing.

Another option is a spherical design, which is in many ways similar to hemispherical cameras. These models are usually equipped with powerful infrared illumination and anti-vandal protection. In general, PTZ dome cameras are designed in such a way that all mechanical components of the filling have minimal chance of direct contact with the environment. This advantage is especially evident in the cases of street models, which deserve special attention.

Features of street models

Outdoor operation of video surveillance systems requires taking into account a number of additional factors. Among them are the nuances of ensuring communication between the camera and the control panel, the organization of the power supply system and the issues of protecting the equipment from external influences. As for protection, the housings usually receive a thermal casing with dust and moisture protection insulation. Some models are additionally equipped with a heater and ventilation system, which provide the ability to cold start at peak negative and positive temperatures. Power can be supplied directly or by batteries. By the way, the use of uninterruptible power supply sources also justifies itself. Even a typical PTZ camera setup can automate the process of switching to backup power in the event of an unstable network power supply. Communication, in turn, is also organized either directly through a cable or wirelessly using a radio module.

Analog and digital models

In analog models, the resulting record is automatically processed by a digital processor. Then the material is sent to an electronic converter, in which the conversion takes place again, but in the opposite mode. The communication connection of such equipment is provided by coaxial wires. The disadvantages of models of this type include low resolution, which does not allow counting on a high-quality image when shooting at long distances. Digital PTZ video surveillance cameras also provide for preliminary processing of the signal in the processor, after which the material can be transmitted via the TCP / IP protocol in the originally specified format. The main advantage of digital models is precisely the high-quality "picture", since in terms of communication and mechanical equipment, analog devices in some cases turn out to be a more reliable solution.

Camera control

In addition to configuring the basic parameters of shooting, PTZ cameras provide a lot of control possibilities already in the process of direct use of the device. When installing the camera on site, the user can pre-program it with hundreds of preset positions. For each mode, a whole set of position parameters are assumed, including the angle value, zoom level, etc. Some models also allow you to assign individual scripts for automatic scanning. For example, an outdoor PTZ camera is the most developed in this regard, since it has to cover large areas, including those with distant shots. The remote control, in turn, enables tilt correction. For this, a telemetry console is most often used.

PTZ camera manufacturers

High-tech segments are quickly filled with products from large manufacturers. In this case, the situation is somewhat different, since the less well-known companies demonstrate the most successful developments. The Axis PTZ camera occupies a leading position, modifications of which are focused on both specialized and universal video surveillance tasks. Also noteworthy are proposals from Dahua, Geovision and complete solutions from Optimus. Samsung engineers have mastered PTZ technology quite well from large world famous brands, although due to the high cost, these products are not so popular in comparison with counterparts from the aforementioned manufacturers.

Conclusion

The interest of consumers themselves in video surveillance systems of this type is not so expressed. Despite the obvious technological breakthrough of individual solutions, these products still occupy a separate narrow niche. Manufacturers who are keen to develop new options and functionality that a PTZ camera can in principle understand is also aware of this. What does this mean in the context of the overall development of the segment? At this stage, technologists are betting on optimizing the communication interaction between the camera itself and the control complex. In practice, this will mean a simplified means of organizing communication between individual components of video surveillance systems, and at the same time, a tighter convergence of camera mechanics and software.

This review is devoted to the ways to control high-speed PTZ integrated cameras Speed Dome.

The consumption of high-speed PTZ cameras has grown dramatically in the market over the past 10 years. A significant decrease in the price of these devices, as well as an increase in their technical capabilities: speed, optical magnification, functionality, affects. Now the normal rotation speed during the installation of the "preset" reaches (often exceeds) 400 degrees / s, the optical magnification has long exceeded the 30-fold value, and some cameras even got the opportunity to track objects in their field of view on their own.

Modern prices for "domes" range from $ 500 to $ 600 for Chinese brands to several thousand euros for well-known Japanese, American or European brands. Unlike individual rotary mechanisms, where control is carried out by its own pair for each degree of freedom (mainly with an alternating voltage of 24 or 220 V), a telemetry receiver is integrated into the SpeedDome, which allows you to control the camera using just two wires (in the case of RS-485; some models require 4 wires for full duplex control) or over a video cable. And the SpeedDome IP video cameras do not require additional control wires at all, although they usually have the ability to work "the old fashioned way".

Controllers and Keyboards

The simplest and most "ancient" way to control a Speed Dome-camera is using a keyboard, as well as a separate stand-alone device with its own power supply. The lowest cost keyboard will control pan and zoom using buttons and RS-485 protocol only. Buttons are quite enough when you just need to set up cameras and then control, for example, presets. But if the operator needs to constantly control the cameras, the remote control will greatly slow down his work. For such cases, a remote control with a joystick will be much more convenient - it allows you to control the camera in two coordinates at once, the focal length of the lens, as well as the speed of rotation with one movement of the hand. The higher the cost of the keyboard, the more additional features it has (for example, controlling video recorders, displaying signals from video cameras and recorders on the built-in TFT monitor). Working with DVRs is limited only by the fact that they must be produced by the same company as the keyboard; there are no such problems with controlling video cameras - usually remotes support several protocols, which means that you can control cameras from different manufacturers. With the advent of IP video cameras, the question of remote controllers for them arose. Of course, almost all PTZ IP cameras have the ability to control via RS-485, however, dragging additional wires when there is already a high-bandwidth digital network is pointless. The only drawback of an Ethernet network based on copper UTP, which is the basis for 99% of IP video systems, compared to an analog one, is the small segment length from the device to the switch (about a hundred meters if you do not use optics).

PTZ camera capabilities

Two things can be said here. First, some camcorders have built-in advanced controls. A properly configured video camera constantly monitors with a maximum viewing angle. When the built-in detector detects movement, the camera zooms in on the area and "guides" the moving object as far as possible. At the moment of such tracking, the camera "does not see" the surrounding environment and cannot switch to another object without returning to its original position with a minimum zoom. Of course, not all cameras even have a built-in motion detector, let alone automatic tracking.

The second concerns only IP video cameras. It has already been said above that the Speed Dome IP camera can be controlled using either a regular remote control or an IP remote control. However, IP PTZ cameras are in some sense self-contained devices and have a Web server on board. Logging in from any computer through a web browser, you can get an image from the camera, configure its parameters and control the rotary mechanism and lens. It offers 2 methods - a simple one that imitates the buttons on the control panel and allows you to simultaneously control two coordinates, and an advanced one that differs for each manufacturer in detail. Here you control rotation and zoom using your computer mouse. By drawing a rectangle in any part of the camera window, you will force it to zoom in on this area, or by moving the cursor to the edge of the image, you will receive an arrow hint; which you can move the camera in the desired direction (at the left edge - to the left, at the right - to the right, and so on).

DVR control non-PC

PTZ camera control has long been an integral basic function of DVRs. Only very cheap and very limited functional DVRs can afford it. Cameras with non-PC DVRs are controlled in 99% of cases using the RS-485 interface. Some newer hybrid DVRs, which can work with both analog and IP cameras, may support control over IP. According to the control method, all DVRs can be divided into 3 types: controllers using the DVR's keyboard (from the front panel), controlling only the mouse (for DVRs where there is no keyboard) and DVRs that support both options. The first option is acceptable only for those who very rarely use manual control of PTZ cameras (cameras are configured to bypass "presets" or "tours" in automatic mode). In most cases, using the front panel of a video recorder to control a PTZ camera is a real torment, since you have to work only with buttons in a limited number: no 3D joysticks. Mouse control can also vary greatly. A simple option is an imitation of the same limited set of buttons from the front panel, it is not much more convenient. Other DVRs can use approximately the same mechanism that is described in the previous section and is presented mainly for IP video cameras. Of course, you will have to configure everything using the same buttons or the on-screen menu, but this is the only option for all recorders. Total: the mouse is good, the keyboard is not very good. The good news is that there are more and more mouse-controlled recorders, but the latter's internal software can vary greatly.

The control methods listed above have one common drawback. Any Speed Dome camera has 2 control speeds. The control speed in manual mode usually does not exceed even half the speed of camera rotation at the time of using the presets. At the same time, it is obvious that the higher the speed of such manual control, the less accuracy, accuracy of positioning the camera on the area or object of interest. It can be noted here that the camera is not used to all 100% of the possibilities it has, and the efficiency of its use could be higher. New computer interfaces and developments are called upon to cope with this task.

Software (PC-based DVR)

DVRs always outperform non-PCs in terms of capabilities. Firstly, new technologies, especially resource-intensive and complex ones, are easier to develop and debug on computers, and secondly, competition with DVRs based on embedded processors forces the same developers to constantly add new functions and capabilities, make their software more flexible and powerful. ... So what new do the developers of programs for video registration and control of PTZ cameras offer us? If we discard the variations associated with the interactivity of controls directly on the image, or the imitation of a 2D joystick, then we can separately distinguish 3 categories of new products (interfaces). The first is to add the ability to automatically control those cameras that do not have it initially, that is, control the camera using a motion detector in the software. Such detectors can be more powerful and advanced than those built into cameras. The second and third are associated with the use of at least one more video camera (overview), the field of view of which fully or partially coincides with the rotary one at the minimum value of the focal length.

Manual control

In this mode, the combination of the overview and PTZ cameras allows the operator to control the PTZ camera with one click of the mouse or, by highlighting a rectangular section of the image with the overview one, to get it optically enlarged using the PTZ camera. At the same time, 2 drawbacks of the interfaces described above disappear at once, control is carried out at a speed1 that is maximum available for a video camera (usually declared as the speed of positioning by presets), and the operator does not lose sight of the protected area - he sees the whole situation as a whole and its details with maximum optical zoom, so it can point the camera from one position to another as quickly as it could not with traditional interfaces.

The fact that the Speed Dome camera does not need to return to the survey position in order to select a new object also plays a role in the control speed, and this, as already noted, is the slowest part of positioning. When the camera is positioned without much zooming (almost without using the zoom), the speed increases significantly.

Automatic control

This refers to the same combination of overview and PTZ cameras. The motion detector analyzes the image from the overview camera and issues commands for the PTZ camera - now the control is fully automatic. Systems of this kind appeared many years ago, however, then they worked according to presets - each square of the overview camera image was assigned its own position, and as we remember, the Speed Dome can have up to 256 presets. However, now developers are using the capabilities of not only modern detectors, but also video cameras. The detectors are smart enough to transmit not just the coordinates of the object, but also the vector of its movement, since while the camera is turning towards the object, it may already be displaced. And cameras have the ability not only to work with presets, but also to execute direct commands for setting along certain coordinates; they are also fast enough. It should only be noted that not all Speed Dome cameras, even from the middle price range, will support these functions. Do not expect that the Chinese noname will be as fast and will have a fully implemented protocol, especially a borrowed one. If several objects appear in the field of view of the overview camera, the PTZ will switch between them, following each one for a set time. Today, some developers supply systems where simultaneous control of several Speed Dome cameras is possible, and almost unlimited combinations of panoramic and PTZ cameras, when you can have a live picture of what is happening in 360 ° around, while providing high resolution and detail of moving objects. It would seem that with an increase in resolution, when there are already digital video cameras with 5, 8 Mpx and more, the need for such a solution is not so high. But the optical zoom is still difficult to replace, and a combination of overview and PTZ cameras using, for example, 35x magnification gives the equivalent of a system resolution of more than 300 Mpx - digital cameras will not be able to achieve the same result soon. Again, the use of megapixel overview and PTZ cameras will always push this barrier forward. Of course, this system also has disadvantages. First, as mentioned, not all PTZ cameras are compatible, and not all of them are fast enough to track objects moving at high angular velocity. Secondly, the system increases in price (however, the cost is worth it - as well as any increase in functionality that increases the safety of the facility or your enterprise). Thirdly, the system requires calibration - setting the correspondence between the coordinates of the overview and PTZ cameras (although there are positive shifts here - for some cameras it is required to set only 9 anchor points, and the rest will be calculated by the system itself).

It can be noted in which direction the development of the technology of manual and automatic control should be expected:

Transition to megapixel survey and PTZ cameras and striving for higher resolution;
construction of panoramic images, composed of pictures obtained from a variety of survey cameras, where images of rotary ones are also inscribed. Thus, a single interactive scene of an object or its section is created. However, it will be incomplete without the ability to reproduce the archive in the same form (although this can be a serious load on the server);
improved performance of motion detectors. New technologies for tracing, scene and object recognition, improving the quality of tracing at night.
Of course, you should not rely entirely on the capabilities of the detectors. Don't skimp on video cameras, hoping that the detector will cope with both noise and low-resolution images. The general rule of thumb for any security system is that a system will be as bad as its smallest component. A cheap lens attached to an expensive camera, a cable with a poor quality connector, or any other component can take all your costs away.

Glossary

Speed Dome- high-speed dome PTZ camera. Fast compared to conventional slewing gears. Dome, since more than 90% of such cameras are designed in the form of a cylinder with a domed optically transparent casing that protects the optics and the mechanism from dust and moisture. Speed Dome cameras are also called integrated cameras, implying that all the necessary components are assembled in one body: the video camera itself, optics, a two-coordinate mechanism and a telemetry receiver.

Preset- the ability of the Speed Dome to be set to a preprogrammed position with the maximum available speed. Various modifications can memorize from 32 to 256 presets.

Tours(Tour, or Touring) - The ability of a PTZ video camera to execute a series of commands, such as a sequence of presets. The extended version assumes that the camera memorizes your actions with subsequent cyclic execution. Protocol is a set of commands for controlling PTZ cameras using a telemetry receiver. Usually large manufacturers use their own protocol, but they also necessarily integrate additional ones such as Pelco, which has become the de facto standard due to the openness of the manufacturer's policy. Small manufacturers use only such open protocols and implement (depending on their laziness or camera capabilities) only a part of the commands. PTZ is an abbreviation for Pan, Tilt and Zoom, respectively, the rotation of the horizontal, vertical and lens control. PTZ-camera - respectively an integrated camera with a rotary mechanism and a zoom-lens.

Until recently, video surveillance systems used mainly cameras with a fixed angle, field of view, and focal length. The disadvantage of this method is the need to use a large number of CCTV cameras, the presence of dead zones and the impossibility of obtaining a clear picture of the intruder at different distances from the camera.

The solution to these problems was the development of devices that allow remote control of the key functions of a video surveillance camera.

The scope of PTZ cameras is rather narrow due to their high cost. Their use is most effective at facilities of a large area with a complex configuration, which have several controlled areas. In this case, the use of one PTZ camera can replace several conventional - fixed ones and will be financially justified.

In the case of integrating video surveillance into a security system, such cameras can be used to check the alarm and localize the intruder. Modern analytical control systems make it possible to use PTZ cameras to actively track the intruder - they lead the object in the area of responsibility.

MAIN TYPES OF EXECUTIVE DEVICES

PTZ - (Pan Tilt Zoom).

An electro-mechanical device that performs the functions of tilting, rotating and changing the focal length. Currently, there are two types of PTZ devices:

A separate product to which the casing is attached to accommodate a box-type CCTV camera.
Drive as part of a mechanism integrated into the dome camera.

Varifocal zoom lenses.

Lenses with a movable lens system, which interrelatedly move relative to each other in such a way that when the distance to the object or the scale changes dynamically, the picture is always in focus. External control can be carried out over a powered zoom. Remote change of the focal length will allow the person on duty to quickly bring the object closer to examine individual details.

The most effective, but also expensive, models are devices that have the ability to preset the position. Camcorders with such lenses achieve the maximum effect in combination with PTZ devices.

PTZ CAMERA CONTROL

INTERNET CONTROL OF CCTV CAMERAS

With the proliferation of digital IP - surveillance cameras that transmit information directly over the local Ethernet / WiFi network without laying special communications, the issue of controlling video cameras through various external devices and the Internet has become an urgent issue.

The transmission of video and control commands carried out via public cables and, especially, via radio channels, has insufficient security, despite the spread of various encryption algorithms. Therefore, such video surveillance systems are widely used in private homes and small companies. They are often integrated into security and alarm systems.

The most basic (freeware and shareware) programs offer a limited set of functions:

enable / disable recording;
viewing an image in On-Line mode or from an archive;
image search by several parameters;
PTZ module rotation control.

In most cases, a WEB-interface is used for control with varying degrees of automation of searching and configuring cameras on the Internet.

There are two sources of software that is used to remotely control CCTV cameras over the Internet.

The first is software supplied by video surveillance equipment manufacturers. As a rule, such software is only compatible with cameras of its own production. The second source is business applications and their free versions, which offer a wide range of functions, including analytical ones, and are compatible with most popular brands.

These programs include:

NetStation from Armo Systems;
CMS from VidStar;
Intellect from the iTV company.

It is enough to install such software on your computer and the operator will have a rather impressive set of functions with the ability to automate many processes for controlling PTZ cameras:

patrolling;
choice of target for tracking;
prioritization and detailing;
automatic selection and activation of a PTZ surveillance camera to guide a target across several areas of responsibility.

Also, many software modules were developed for mobile devices: smartphones, tablets, etc. Their functionality is aimed at viewing images and controlling PTZ cameras in real time. For example, Line 7.0 is available in various versions for the most popular operating systems: iOS, Android, Windows Phone and Windows Mobile.

CLOUD CAMERA CONTROL

Cloud-based video surveillance services VSaaS are one of the most promising trends in video surveillance and remote camera control. Usually cloud services only offer remote viewing without analytics and management features. But well-known manufacturers of video cameras, as new products are released, include the functionality and the ability to remotely control.

Cloud services are offered by companies such as:

Axis and its cloud resource Axis AVHS;

DSSL - Trassir Cloud;

Domestic companies - Satellite Innovation;

Mobile operator - Megafon, etc.

Thus, remote control of various functions and PTZ executive devices of video cameras can be implemented in various ways, both with the involvement of large funds and specialists, and independently with a minimum budget. One thing is certain, remote control will significantly increase the efficiency of the video surveillance system at the facility.

(starting from version 7.3.2) you can rotate and scale the PTZ camera of the interlocutor (including the camera of the remote terminal). In the classic application, only SIP cameras and H.323 devices could be controlled via the server gateway.

How to enable remote control of SIP / H.323 cameras via your server?

This section is intended for TrueConf Server administrators

Permissions for remote control of cameras with SIP and H.323 connections are set separately from each other, in different menus of the server control panel.

To enable this function, enter the section of the gateway you need (in the list on the left, selectNetwork → SIP gateway or Network → H.323 gatewayrespectively). In the sectionGlobal settingsenable the checkboxEnable remote camera control via Q.922 / H.224 / H.281(it is named the same in the configuration menu of the SIP gateway and the H.323 gateway, but in fact they are two different checkboxes responsible for different resolutions). Don't forget to press the buttonApplyto save your changes.

How to regulate access to control your camera when making a call from TrueConf for Windows

If a subscriber participates in a conference through the TrueConf client application, then his camera can be remotely controlled only if he uses the client application version 7.3 or newer.

By default, control of a PTZ camera of a subscriber using TrueConf for Windows 7.3+ is available to any other user.on request ... This means that when an attempt is made to intercept control of the camera, a window will appear in front of the camera owner, where he will have to confirm that he permits to do this.

In the settings of the client application, you can disable this mechanism - you can prohibit sending requests (thereby making the camera in principle inaccessible for external control) or allow all users to access the camera with one click of the mouse, without asking and confirming permission.

To do this, enter the menuSettings → Video and Sound → PTZ Camera Controland at the very bottom under the headingWho can control my camerachoose one of the options:On request, All users or No one.

How do I control the camera?

To start controlling the camera, right-click on the interlocutor's video window and selectShow camera control.

If the interlocutor has selected the optionOn request, then the application will prompt you to send such a request. In the new application, this is done in the form of a text message, and in the classic one, an icon appears in the upper right corner of the video window, by clicking on which a request will be sent.

After gaining access, the camera control panel will appear in the corner of the video window.

When you close the panel, a small icon of crossed arrows will appear in its place in the corner, clicking on which you can return the window

Can I control the camera of the interlocutors during a group conference?

Yes, you can. But this can only be done .

How to control your own PTZ camera from TrueConf for Windows

If you have selected a PTZ camera in the client application (version 7.3 or later), then an icon of crossed arrows will appear in the corner of your video window, by clicking on which you will open the control panel for your camera.

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