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Security cameras
Bushi
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm gathering information about installing some Panasonic WV-NW484Ses to cover a good bit of outside ground. They would be installed about twenty feet off the ground, but what I can't figure out is what would the viewing range of the camera end up being? I know I'm going to need more than one, as it's covering an entire parking lot.
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It depends on the field of view and the focal distance. The formulas for field of view are
f=v * D/V
f=h * D/H
f is focal distance of the lens.
v is vertical height of the CCD (that Panasonic uses a 1/3" imager)
h is horizontal size of the CCD.
D is the focal distance (ie the distance to the object)
V is the vertical height of the field of view.
H is the horizontal size of the field of view.
The lens on that camera is a varifocial lens with a range between 3.8 to 8.0 mm. You will have to do a metric to imperial conversion at some point, so keep that in mind. Nor is that lens changeable.
Other things to keep in mind. A camera doesn't get a perfectly clear image for the entire distance of it's view. The value you put for D will be the point in which you get the best image. The image will be better for a further distance back then it will be in front of that point. Also, Panasonic makes a very good camera but it's cost is insane. The SDIII tech is great for dealing with low light and high contrast lighting conditions. But if it's a fully lit parking area, then it's more camera then you're likely to need. If it's not, then it's a good choice.
Are you an end-user, or an IT intergrator?
The reason I asked is that most states require a license to install security cameras. Most IT consultants/integrators/VARs it's not that big a deal. It's fairly rare for someone to get arrested for doing it without a license. Unless you fuck up in such a way that it leads to someone getting hurt. At which point you should expect to do prison time over it. For actual end users, most enforcement agencies tend to just figure you suffered enough.
May I suggest getting a proper site survey from an actual integrator? It may cost a little more but they will much less likely to run into surprises and make sure you actually get the coverage you're looking for.