Body type
The case type describes not only its shape, but also some layout features that can affect the functionality of the product.
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Dome. In accordance with the name, on the body of such a camera there is a characteristic transparent dome, inside of which there is a lens — and, usually, controlled by PTZ (see "Camera capabilities"). The dome not only protects the optics from various adverse factors (such as dirt or moisture), but in many models it also hides the position of the lens; for this it is darkened. Thus, the object of observation does not know where the camera is pointed, which is useful in some cases (for example, when observing a suspicious visitor in a supermarket). At the same time, for a number of reasons, this option is poorly suited for advanced optics with large dimensions.
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Directed. Directional cameras are called cameras in which the lens "looks" along the body. This arrangement allows the use of powerful lenses with good aperture and optical zoom (see below), but the cameras are also quite bulky.
— Directional (
without a lens). A variation of the directional cameras described above, which has interchangeable lenses; The lenses themselves are usually not included in the kit, they must be purchased separately. The meaning of such a configuration is that the user can independently choose optics for specific needs. This categor
...y includes mostly fairly advanced models.
— Hidden. This category includes cameras of a small size, which allows them to be installed discreetly — for example, in a wall niche. However, even with an external installation (this option, usually, is also allowed), such devices are also very inconspicuous due to the mentioned compactness. By itself, the body shape of hidden cameras is most often close to directional (see above), although there may be different options.
— Desktop. Cameras designed to be mounted on a tabletop or other flat, horizontal surface. For this, an appropriate stand is provided in the design; it can have movable mounts that allow you to tilt the camera and rotate it from side to side. The main advantage of such cameras is the utmost ease of installation; this, in particular, makes them almost perfect for home use.
— Portable with fastening. In fact, it is a kind of desktop cameras (see the relevant paragraph), in which the stand can be used not only for installation on a horizontal surface, but also for wall mounting. From other "wall" varieties — hidden and directional (see relevant paragraphs) — cameras of this type differ in layout: their body is usually flat, rectangular or oval, and the lens is located on the widest edge (similar to how it is done in mobile phones ). The mount is often made movable, to adjust for tilt and/or rotation.Smart features
Functions that automate the process of video monitoring, analysis and response to events, which helps to minimize the human factor and increase the efficiency of video surveillance systems.
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Perimeter protection. This option is used when deploying complex video surveillance systems with a recorder and cameras, combining the expanded functionality of intelligent video analytics capabilities for monitoring boundaries. Perimeter protection can cover various functions, for example, tracking the intersection of virtual lines, the appearance or disappearance of objects in the frame, setting up protected zones, if the boundaries of which are violated, an alarm will be activated, and so on. The full list of features should be specified separately. It is important to note that for the listed functions, analysis of objects in the frame can be used - detection of people, classification of vehicles, etc.
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Definition of a person. Cameras with this function can detect the presence of people in the frame by the characteristic outlines of their silhouettes. Once a person's presence is detected, an alarm can be activated, and moving PTZ cameras can follow people in the frame.
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Definition of a car. The ability of a video surveillance camera to automatically recognize and highlight objects in the frame that are vehicles. This can be useful for monitoring t
...raffic, controlling parking, or ensuring the safety of roads within a controlled perimeter. A more advanced implementation of this function is license plate recognition (see below).
— Definition of animal. The function of identifying various “living creatures” in the frame: pets, neighbor’s cats and dogs, alien wild animals, etc. Video surveillance systems with this functionality can be used to minimize false alarms, monitor pets to make sure they are safe and in order, and to solve other similar problems.
— License plate recognition. Special tools that provide additional capabilities for reading license plates. The specific capabilities of such tools may be different in different models; they should be clarified separately. So, some cameras only read letters and numbers and transmit the information to the recorder for further processing. Others have built-in databases, so they can compare the read number with the base and provide various actions depending on the result - for example, send a signal to open the barrier if the number is “allowed”. However, in any case, cameras with this feature are well suited for objects where it is necessary to control the movement of cars - for example, parking lots (including closed service ones).
— Facial recognition. Cameras with this function are able to at least recognize the presence of faces in the frame; but the further use of this data and the special functionality of such cameras may be different. Thus, relatively simple models react only to the very fact of detecting a face, but even this provides quite extensive additional capabilities: focusing on a face, tracking a person in the frame (in moving PTZ cameras), etc. And more advanced cameras can recognize characteristic features faces by which a specific person can be identified. This functionality, among other things, allows the surveillance system to compare the faces “seen” by the camera with the stored database and take various actions based on this - for example, allow or deny access, warn about an unwanted visitor or unauthorized use of a key card, etc. P.
Note that face recognition tools can also be found in recorders to which cameras are connected. However, the presence of such functions in the cameras themselves can also be useful - especially if the existing recorder “does not shine with capabilities” in this regard, or the system does not have a recorder at all (for example, it consists of IP cameras connected via a router to a PC).
— People counting. A function that allows the camera to count the number of people in the frame; the received data is stored in its own memory and can be sent to a recorder or other external device. Note that in most models this feature is combined with the face recognition described above, thanks to which the camera is able not only to count all people in a row, but to recognize tech who are in the frame again. However, people counting can be used for both statistical and security purposes. For example, at large facilities such as office and shopping centers, it allows you to determine whether all visitors who entered the premises left it before the end of working hours.Recording 25/30 fps
The highest resolution at which the camera is capable of recording video at a frame rate of at least 25/30 fps. The parameter is specified for models that have high resolution shooting with a low frame rate (for example, 4K at 15 fps). It gives an understanding of the specific resolution at which video recording is supported with a frame rate of 25/30 fps, at which the picture is perceived smoother and details in dynamic scenes are better seen (if there are moving objects in the frame).
Video compression format
The video compression format used by the camera.
Compression is used to reduce the file sizes of captured video; different technologies can be used for this — the so-called codecs, their list is given in this paragraph. From a practical point of view, compatibility with external recording and playback devices primarily depends on the supported codecs. If you plan to use a computer as a recorder / player, you can ignore this list: modern PCs and laptops usually support a very extensive list of formats, and in extreme cases, the missing codecs can be installed separately. But if we are talking about specialized registrars, individual players (like home media centers), etc. — codec compatibility should be clarified further. So, if the advanced modern
H.265 standard is very widely supported nowadays, then the more specific
H.265+, originally created for surveillance systems, is much less common even in specialized equipment.
Material
The main material used in the construction of the camera body.
— Plastic. Inexpensive and at the same time quite practical material. Plastic is light, quite strong (not as strong as metal, but still quite sufficient for most cases), chemically inert (and therefore not susceptible to corrosion and insensitive to moisture), and also has a relatively low thermal conductivity (which provides additional protection for extreme temperature fluctuations). Due to all this, this material is very popular in indoor chambers (see "Usage"). At the same time, it is somewhat less suitable for outdoor work.
— Metal. The main advantage of metal, in comparison with plastic, in the case of surveillance cameras is high strength and reliability. This allows you to use it even for street models that work in difficult conditions and must have a certain anti-vandal resistance (at least not immediately “give up” when trying to break or break). At the same time, such material is much more expensive, and therefore less common.