There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different security camera models and styles available, and all of them offer unique benefits and advantages. One of the ideal types is pan-tilt-zoom models, also known as PTZ cameras.
These state-of-the-art pieces of surveillance equipment make a great addition to any home because they can help deter criminals from targeting your home. Not only this, but PTZ cameras can also become the centrepieces of your home security systems.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about PTZ cameras, what their benefits are, and why they make a great addition as a standalone or as part of a home security system.
What Are PTZ Cameras?
PTZ cameras get their name from the abilities they offer and allow you to turn monitoring into an interactive experience. Not only are you able to monitor your home remotely, but you can change camera angles and positions to look at different areas around your house.
You can also set up specific PTZ cameras to go off or send you a notification if someone tampers with one of them, if they detect movement in a particular part of your house, or if a specific item in your camera’s range of vision is moved.
Benefits Of Using PTZ Cameras
Security cameras come in many sizes and shapes, but PTZ models offer the most versatile version. Although some other types can move, PTZ cams provide the broadest range of motion so that you can place them in different, unorthodox parts of your house.
Thanks to their design and the technology that powers them, there are other essential benefits that PTZ cameras provide. They can even be programmed to rotate in a particular order to cover different access points with one camera.
Other benefits of PTZ cameras include:
Wide Range Of Vision
Because they can pan, tilt, and zoom, these cameras offer the widest range of vision of all commercially available designs. Most other models are static or need to be moved manually, whereas PTZ cameras can be controlled and moved remotely.
In other words, you can connect to your PTZ video recorder through your phone and move it to monitor specific areas of your home even when you are away.
PTZ Auto Tracking
The most innovative feature often found in these incredible devices is PTZ tracking. This camera-based software is designed similarly to motion detection applications and can follow a subject once it moves out of frame2.
While using PTZ auto-tracking, the PTZ camera will make sure the subject remains on-screen, so it can follow possible intruders attempting to enter your home. Once the subject is out of the camera’s range of vision, it simply returns to its predetermined position.
Great Zoom Features
By using a combination of high-definition images and efficient design, PTZ cameras often provide outstanding zoom capabilities. Cameras on the lower detection range can still register motion up to 150 feet away, with high-end devices reaching up to 1000 feet.
Advanced PTZs that offer auto-tracking is designed to zoom in around 36x while still detecting a subject and following it until it’s out of range. Because of this, these cameras make a great addition to a parking lot and other open areas.
High-Definition Models Available
PTZs can easily outperform analogue cameras when comparing video quality. Moreover, specific models can even match or provide better performance than other high-end IP video recorders, supporting formats of up to 1080p.
The only downside of this benefit is that higher resolution images need more storage space, although this can easily be solved by purchasing a mass storage device or NVR upgrade.
Motion Tracking Capabilities
Not to be confused with auto-tracking, most PTZ cameras can use motion tracking capacities that allow them to notify you or the authorities of a possible break-in.
Motion sensors can help detect movement even when it’s dark, so your camera will not have to rely on lighting to know when to start recording or where to aim.
Various Alarm Alternatives
Different PTZ camera manufacturers produce these as a standalone security addition. Still, most of these devices can be used as a part of a more extensive security network that safeguards your entire home by connecting to a secure network or notification system.
Night Vision Options
Although not all cameras bring this feature, you can look for night vision-enabled PTZ cameras that enable you to record high definition video when it’s dark.
By pairing this feature with motion detection and auto-tracking, you will make sure your camera remains functional regardless of any power cuts or how dark an area may be.
Versatile Positioning
Due to the fact they have a more comprehensive range of motion and vision, PTZ cameras can be placed in unusual areas in your house. This also means that you can easily put them out of arm’s reach, so they won’t be tampered with or damaged by any criminals trying to break in.
Usually Weatherproof
Unless you install an indoor model outdoors, you will notice that most PTZ cameras are designed to withstand inclement weather without decreasing performance. Whether it’s heat, cold, rain, or dust and wind, PTZs are designed to perform under any circumstances.
Built-In Auto-Focus
PTZs also use auto-focus technology, similar to the one deployed in smartphones and digital cameras. In other words, regardless of where you turn, pan, tilt or zoom your camera, you will always get a crisp, clear image as a result.
Simple Installation
PTZ cameras come in both analogue and IP versions, and they are both straightforward to install and use. Note that IP cameras require fewer wires and hardware set up but more configuration, whereas analogues use more physical elements but require less setup time.
Finally
Although there are thousands of different models to choose from, PTZ cameras offer the most versatile and safest option. From a more straightforward setup to zoom capacities, using a PTZ camera in your house will help create a haven that will keep your family and valuables secure at all times.
