CCTV Camera Types - PTZ Speed Domes Explained | CCTV Training Oman

These are also dome-shaped CCTV Cameras but include pan, tilt, and zoom capability. These cameras can be set up to follow pre-programmed routes and presets. Most applications include a joystick - keyboard, operated by a surveillance personal. It is recommended to use Speed Domes for vast area projects like car parking lots and shopping complexes

Generally for reliable security, it is recommended to stick to static (non-rotating) CCTV Cameras, as very often during important incidents the Speed Dome monitored another area and no evidence was captured.

All security risk areas like gates, ground floor window rows, doors, and fire exits should have their own static camera, zoomed in on the highest risk area.

What is PTZ?

PTZ stands for and signifies the camera's ability to Pan, Tilt, and Zoom. Effectively this means that the camera can be controlled from a remote location, such as a control room, a keyboard/joystick in an office or in a security watch room, etc.

Typical PTZ Applications are vast areas that would require such a large number of static CCTV Cameras that would exceed the budget for equipment and labor. Many static CCTV Cameras, optimally focussed on risk areas are always more effective, but PTZ Cameras are a very nice bridge between requirement and cost. Additionally, when security staff is employed or the camera includes the PTZ Object Tracing function, objects can be followed at a high optical zoom level and produce high-quality crime scene evidence.

It is my opinion that PTZ Cameras are the only CCTV Camera in the analog range that can compete and even out-perform HD IP CCTV Cameras.

Advantages of PTZ Speed Domes

• Drastically reduce the number of cameras needed, as one model can surveil a vast area and even distant perimeters

• Powerful zoom lenses allow for close-up zooming and therefore high detail of distant scenes. Even number plates and faces can be recognized over several hundred yards

• Auto-Focus: PTZ Dome Cameras predominantly are equipped with a function that automatically focuses the optical lens on targeted objects and subjects as standard. This eliminates one of the most frequent causes for extra annual maintenance visits: adjusting out of focus lenses

• Usually 360 degree reachable viewing field

• If no security staff is employed to operate the camera/movement, then most PTZ models have programmable tours or patterns, which can simulate a security guard presence and simultaneously view/record all desired views in turn

Disadvantages of Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras

• PTZ Cameras as a rule of thumb do require more maintenance visits per year than fixed cameras. This is due to a lot more internal mechanisms being in place, such as motors, belts, auto-focus and zoom lens (moving parts), heaters and fan

• If no security staff is employed to operate the camera live, then special attention needs to be paid to a professional and reliable auto-patrol setup. 

•  The chance that the scene has not in surveillance in case a tour is activated for the camera