Indoor camera for remote viewing of screens

[Warthog]

Hi,

I've joined this forum in the past looking for some outdoor cameras for my home.
Now, the current situation created a requirement for my company to be able to look at screens in a room.

The room is probably 4 x 5m wide and the screens are positioned towards the center so I was thinking of installing a PTZ camera in the centre of the room on the ceiling.

Now I'm trying to decide whether go varifocal or get a camera with optical zoom, but I'm leaning towards an optical zoom. I think 4K would be beneficial as the screens need to be readable and I have remote control over lights so that wouldn't be a factor.


Could anyone make any recommendations?
Budget wasn't specified yet I'm afraid.

From what I've seen optical zoom domes are usually around 30x zoom and priced > 1000 GBP
A step down would be a varifocal lense which will give me between 3x and 5x zoom for something between 300 GBP and 500 GBP?

Problem I have is the fact that all tools focus on whether I'll be able to recognize face or license plate from a distance while I need something much smaller - the text on a screen.

Again I'll really appreciate any assistance!

 

[StratRider]

Hope you get more feedback but from what I have seen, optical zoom and varifocal are are the same thing but are measured different - just make sure you get motorized.
You can get a Dahua 4mp 5x optical zoom from Andy for $50 GBP if you just wanted to test one out. I couldn't find any videos yet that show what you are trying to accomplish at the distance you indicate.
My 2mp (1080p) 12x optical cam , easily reads license plates at 100m and I just placed a book at 21 ft (6+m) and could also easily read it with that PTZ at 12x.
Sorry I can't put a monitor out there but you get the idea.
Maybe if you state the exact distance from cam to monitor someone else can or has already tested this. Good Luck

 

[Warthog]

That sounds quite good to be honest, better than expected.
Maybe I need to ditch the 8MP idea in favour of better zoom. I'd imagine if you can read a book I should be able to read the screen contents.

If anyone tested something similar or has a camera positioned in a way they would be able to look at a computer screen from let's say 3.5 m (12ft) I'd appreciate any help