Looking for advice on my install locations.

JPmedia said:
Couldn't hurt to try it. If it doesn't work out at that location, I'm sure you can find another spot where it would
Click to expand...
It's really there, or nowhere. Everything else is behind that point and would have poor line of site with the house or trees. The only other option is on the second story soffit, but I tried that with my mini PTZ and obviously moved it down. However, this was before I removed the tree though, so maybe it could work up there. I would need to worry about IR bounce back from the lower shingles though. $800 is a lot to throw out for something I am taking a chance on working.
 
Ri22o said:
It's really there, or nowhere. Everything else is behind that point and would have poor line of site with the house or trees. The only other option is on the second story soffit, but I tried that with my mini PTZ and obviously moved it down. However, this was before I removed the tree though, so maybe it could work up there. I would need to worry about IR bounce back from the lower shingles though. $800 is a lot to throw out for something I am taking a chance on working.
Click to expand...
How high is the soffit where the X3 is?
 
bigredfish said:
May be a bit too low. I'd be afraid of things blocking the view..

Can you hang in on one of these peaks?

View attachment 223263
Click to expand...
I've thought about asking the neighbors if I could set up wireless bridges and hang cameras off of their houses, but I always figure they will say no...

Here is the front of my house. The mini PTZ used to be in the corner with the green circle on the upper soffit.

1750791541747.jpeg

Here is a video with it installed in its current position.


Here is a video with it installed on the upper soffit. My concern is IR bounce off of the roof and loss of LOS to/down the near sidewalk. I am able to get a deeper view/angle to the left with it down lower due to the neighbor's tree.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mat200 and bigredfish
Ri22o said:
I've thought about asking the neighbors if I could set up wireless bridges and hang cameras off of their houses, but I always figure they will say no...

Here is the front of my house. The mini PTZ used to be in the corner with the green circle on the upper soffit.

View attachment 223264

Here is a video with it installed in its current position.


Here is a video with it installed on the upper soffit. My concern is IR bounce off of the roof and loss of LOS to/down the near sidewalk. I am able to get a deeper view/angle to the left with it down lower due to the neighbor's tree.
Click to expand...


Yeah I just assumed you had a similar roof structure to the homes cross the street.

You're right in that you lose some LOS to close in sidewalk that high.

I suppose the current mini-ptz location is it then
 
bigredfish said:
Yeah I just assumed you had a similar roof structure to the homes cross the street.

You're right in that you lose some LOS to close in sidewalk that high.

I suppose the current mini-ptz location is it then
Click to expand...
Yea, I like the look of my house, but the lack of gables complicates things like this and Christmas lights...

I still have ethernet at the upper soffit location, so trying it there is still a possibility, but wanted to have a back up plan in case it was less than ideal.

I would prefer it up higher, and a little less obvious, so I am hoping it works there, but if it doesn't, it doesn't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
It's too bad you weren't closer as I would have lent you my PTZ5A4M-25X to test as I haven't used it yet. :thumb:
 
I also have the mini-ptz, I put that to use above my front porch, to keep an eye out on the left half of my yard that the main PTZ can't see.

Here is a picture of what I see with the main PTZ. About 35 feet to the sidewalk where they're walking.
 

Attachments

  • 624251.jpg
    624251.jpg
    681.5 KB · Views: 0
  • Like
Reactions: looney2ns
Here are my thoughts on my options (acknowledging the existence of the sunken cost fallacy).

  1. 3Xs and better PTZ
    1. Details:
      1. Keep the current 3X install and install my second 3X, looking the other way, crossing the driveway.
      2. Get the 3X quality as good as I can and accept that it will only be likely-to-recognize and not ID. They may not have the detail, but will give me a very good idea of what is going on in the entire scene.
      3. Replace my mini PTZ with a better one. This will hopefully track and give me the ID I need.
    2. Thoughts:
      1. What I like:
        1. I own the 3Xs.
        2. I have the 3 views from the 3X, which include the sidewalk, mailbox, and street.
        3. The PTZ will have better quality.
      2. What I don't like:
        1. The 3X is struggling to give ID at night.
  2. 3X, better PTZ, Z4E
    1. Details:
      1. Keep the current 3X install.
      2. Get the 3X quality as good as I can and accept that it will only be likely-to-recognize and not ID. It may not have the detail, but will give me a very good idea of what is going on in the entire scene.
      3. Replace my mini PTZ with a better one. This will hopefully track and give me the ID I need.
      4. Install a Z4E to cross over the 3X, covering only the street in the other direction.
    2. Thoughts:
      1. What I like:
        1. I own the 3X.
        2. I have the 3 views from the 3X, which include the sidewalk, mailbox, and street.
        3. The PTZ will have better quality.
        4. The Z4E will have better quality at the street.
      2. What I don't like:
        1. The 3X is struggling to give ID at night.
        2. I will need to buy a Z4E.
        3. I lose the additional views from the other 3X.
        4. I need to find somewhere to utilize the other 3X.
  3. Z4Es and better PTZ
    1. Details:
      1. Install dual, crossing Z4Es, to cover the street and opposing sidewalk.
      2. Replace my mini PTZ with a better one. This will hopefully track and give me the ID I need.
    2. Thoughts:
      1. What I like:
        1. Much better detail using the 4MP cameras.
      2. What I don't like:
        1. I will need to buy 2 Z4Es.
        2. I will need to find somewhere to utilize the 3X cams.
        3. I lose the additional views from the 3X cams.
          1. I like the additional view at the sidewalk, but this could be considered with the FOV of the Z4E

All of the above also ties in with my trying to cover the path behind my house and likely abandoning the 3X cameras for that area. I liked the thought and form factor, but I just don't think they're going to work. If I went Z4E for the front I would test one on the path to see if it could be a consideration later on.
 
The new PTZ will be able to cover the mailbox, if I'm looking correctly? I'd almost keep the X3 covering the mailbox, etc... then have that call the PTZ for better identity/coverage.

You could also consider a 7 series cam if you want face detection, LPR, etc...

Might try out the new TIOC Pro coming out with the sale and see what that does in front and back?
Otherwise I'd go for the 5442 for the path due to very low light and you know it's just going to work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
Timokreon said:
The new PTZ will be able to cover the mailbox, if I'm looking correctly? I'd almost keep the X3 covering the mailbox, etc... then have that call the PTZ for better identity/coverage.

You could also consider a 7 series cam if you want face detection, LPR, etc...

Might try out the new TIOC Pro coming out with the sale and see what that does in front and back?
Otherwise I'd go for the 5442 for the path due to very low light and you know it's just going to work.
Click to expand...
I don't plan to have the PTZ parked over the mailbox and would rather a dedicated view cover it, but mailbox coverage is not a requirement. It was just nice that the 3X offered coverage.

I already have LPR and don't require face detection. If the TIOC Pro is a fixed focal length, I'm not interested.

The plan for the path is to put the 2.8mm T54IR-AS back next to the gate where the 3X is now and cross either another 2.8mm or ZE on the other side. I will try a Z4E if I get one and if it works, it works. I am over it at this point.

wittaj said:
Nothing wrong with more views of the same area - help to fill in missing pieces and coverage if a camera dies at the wrong time.
Click to expand...
That is why I was considering using the 3Xs since I have them, and only adding the better PTZ, but is the effort worth it to only hope to recognize when I could maybe get ID with the Z4E? I have some potential uses for the 3X if they came to sitting on the shelf.
 
Ri22o said:
I don't plan to have the PTZ parked over the mailbox and would rather a dedicated view cover it, but mailbox coverage is not a requirement. It was just nice that the 3X offered coverage.

I already have LPR and don't require face detection. If the TIOC Pro is a fixed focal length, I'm not interested.

The plan for the path is to put the 2.8mm T54IR-AS back next to the gate where the 3X is now and cross either another 2.8mm or ZE on the other side. I will try a Z4E if I get one and if it works, it works. I am over it at this point.


That is why I was considering using the 3Xs since I have them, and only adding the better PTZ, but is the effort worth it to only hope to recognize when I could maybe get ID with the Z4E? I have some potential uses for the 3X if they came to sitting on the shelf.
Click to expand...
No, I'm not saying park the PTZ over the mailbox. I'm saying for the 3x to call the PTZ when it detects someone, hence the PTZ providing better ID.

The new tioc pro comes in fixed and variable focus, but no clue what the performance is going to be at this point, being brand new.
Yeah, I'd just keep the X3 in front where it is, get the new PTZ, and get the 5442 for the back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom