Advice for PTZ camera placement

[CanCuba]

I'm looking at purchasing a 4MP PTZ camera with 25x zoom, specifically the Dahua SD49825XB-HNB. The model I will be buying is an OEM model which will come with auto-tracking enables in the OEM firmware. Dahua has removed this feature from their own firmware.

I currently have 12 cameras (10x 4MP Starlight bullet cams, 1x 2MP video doorbell and 1x 8MP bullet cam, all Dahua equipment) hooked up to a 16 channel Dahua POE DVR.

Due to a deteriorating security situation (lots of burglaries) which will eventually lead to more violent robberies (home invasions, etc), I continue to fortify my property. Later this month, will will be putting barbed wire along the perimeter that does not front with the street.

I have several LED solar reflectors up (visible in the pictures) and will be replacing them with more powerful units (currently using a mix of reflectors between 50 and 120 watts and will be going to 200+ watts in every location).

The 8MP camera (Dahua N85EFN2 Night Colour) is mounted in position but lower than the indicated spots in the pictures. It has a great wide view (2.8mm) and is pointed towards the intersection. There are also 4MP cameras mounted in positions 1 and 3. Again, lower since I need as wide coverage as I can get. The video doorbell is mounted in the column of the front gate. The remaining cameras are spread out and I have 365 degree coverage of the perimeter of the property.

Since the PTZ has 25x optical zoom, the higher up the better. The indicated positions (1 to 5) are approximately 12 meters (approximately 39 feet) from street level. This unit should have no issues providing clear video of persons which I am most interested in. The identify distance is 254m (833.3 feet) which much more than I need.

Personally, I'm leaning towards positions 3. Mounting it at the top of column at position 3 would provide the widest field of view. Using tripwires on the other cameras, I can trigger the PTZ to preset positions and begin autotracking.

Position 5 is where the 8MP Night Colour camera is. But in this position, it would be obstructed by the terrace. Even worse in position 4.

Positions 1 and 2 would not provide adequate coverage of the garages but a better view up and down both streets. However, I need to cover the garages as there are doors to the different floors of the building.

Having now typed this out, I believe I've answered my own question. However, it's still good to consult the hive mind.

All advice is welcome.

 

[mat200]

bienvenidos @CanCuba

Good to have you here ..

Those mounting points are high for most cameras .. normally we try to post about 6-8 feet high for most cameras ( about 2M )

give me a moment to inspect the images ..



Good I see your fixed view cameras lower .. I would still like to see them lower .. not certain what your restrictions are ..

Position #3 looks good .. remember to test what you want ..

I would try to have cameras at face level by the doors also .. by the gate, around the top of the garage gates ..

 

[CanCuba]

bienvenidos @CanCuba

Good to have you here ..

Those mounting points are high for most cameras .. normally we try to post about 6-8 feet high for most cameras ( about 2M )

give me a moment to inspect the images ..

View attachment 142547

Good I see your fixed view cameras lower .. I would still like to see them lower .. not certain what your restrictions are ..

Position #3 looks good .. remember to test what you want ..

I would try to have cameras at face level by the doors also .. by the gate, around the top of the garage gates ..

Thanks for the tips!

Unfortunately, I can't put the cameras any lower for two reasons.

1) The entrance to the right of the open window is mine as is the second floor. The first floor/ground floor is another property. I don't imagine the owner would have an issue with me mounting the cameras lower....BUT...

2) The thieves here in Cuba are ninjas. The cameras would be gone overnight. An option would be mounting them on poles closer to the sidewalk but then there's the issue of them only catching the tops of people's heads.

It may not be visible in the pictures, but I have concertina wire on top of the window bars of the above ground garage. This was installed after a thief managed to climb up onto the terrace overnight.

As well, we've installed broken glass in the handholds of the columns. Like I said, these guys are ninjas.

As for the PTZ, I am now thinking position 3 but as the same height at the other cameras. The trees would be an issue but I keep them trimmed as much as possible.

There's never a "perfect spot", is there?

 

[looktall]

The first floor/ground floor is another property. I don't imagine the owner would have an issue with me mounting the cameras lower....BUT...

You should ask them.
Remembering that the cameras will be protecting their property too.

 

[CanCuba]

You should ask them.
Remembering that the cameras will be protecting their property too.

Issue continues to be increased chance of tampering/damage/theft at a lower height.

 

[CanCuba]

After doing some more research, I've pretty much settled on a Dahua/EmpireTech SD1A404XB mini-PTZ. I would mount it in position 3, 6 meters up (at the corner underneath the terrace just over the street numbers).

The 4x zoom is just what I need and the camera itself is much smaller profile. Mostly people wouldn't even realize it's a PTZ. It would allow me to do face detection into the street and for the entrance from the street. Subtle yet effective.

I'll use my fixed cameras to trigger it to move to preset positions based on tripwires and intrusion triggers. This will allow me to dedicate to face detection 24/7. In between triggers, I can pan and tour preset locations.

This is, IMO, the best solution and much less "in your face" than a full-sized PTZ.

If this camera works out, I can add another on the opposite corner under the same terrace. This will allow me to monitor the other sidewalk (damn corner properties). Again, I'll use the fixed cameras' IVS to focus the second mini-PTZ to do face detection in between pans and tours.

All things considered, I think this is the best solution.

Thanks to all who responded!

Cheers