TCM-5311 Configuration Advice for Indoor and

Transcription

1 ACTi Knowledge Base Category: Installation & Configuration Note Sub-category: Video Quality, Application Model: TCM-5311 Firmware: Software: N/A Published: 2009/08/24 Reviewed: 2009/12/09 TCM-5311 Configuration Advice for Indoor and Outdoor Applications Contents Introduction Environment Analysis Configuration Advice References Remarks Introduction In order to let your camera have the best possible performance in the environment you want to apply the camera to, it is necessary to understand the environment first and then adjust the camera settings accordingly. The default settings of the camera may not always be ideal for your case. This configuration advice will help you configure TCM-5311 camera for the best video quality in any possible environment. Environment Analysis There are mainly three types of application for cameras indoor, outdoor normal, outdoor traffic. All of those applications require different settings due to the difficulty level of the environment. Object Speed Lighting Condition Environment Fast Normal Normal & Stable From Very Bright to Very Dark Difficulty Indoor Normal Outdoor Normal High Outdoor Traffic Very High 1

2 While some cameras are limited only to certain environments, TCM-5311 can be used in all situations mentioned above either indoors (schools, retail, hospitals, etc) or outdoors (city surveillance, traffic monitoring, etc). It is not possible for cameras to have a single setting that covers all possible environments. There is a set of optimal settings for each particular environment, depending on the color temperature, lighting conditions, object size, speed of moving objects, etc. Such combinations of settings are called profiles. TCM-5311 is adaptive and customizable for any application. It is especially powerful for Outdoor Traffic Surveillance, as this is the most difficult environment by having to capture objects moving at high speed (shutter speed must be fast) and still able to provide good video quality. The default settings of TCM-5311 focus on outdoor traffic and outdoor normal (less motion), it aims to achieve ease of installation when installed in outdoor application to reduce further adjustments after installation. Below there are two example video recordings of TCM-5311 as outdoor applications, based on default settings: Moscow Night mode [View Full Resolution] Taiwan Day mode [View Full Resolution] More Example Videos of TCM-5311 at Configuration Advice One common practice in the camera presentation during project bidding process is to perform a Demo or Product Validation, which can take place either in an office (indoor) or onsite (outdoor). This part of the article will explain what values to adjust in order to get the best video quality during this stage, especially for Indoor Office Validation. 2

3 Recommended settings for following applications Application LENS Shutter Speed DC Iris Day/Night AGC Gain (Suggeste d) Auto Manual Auto Off Mode and Threshold Indoor Day LEN-207 1/60s 44 Indoor Night (for LEN-207 Max 44 demo) 1~2 sec Outdoor Normal LEN-210 1/60s 44 Outdoor Traffic LEN-210 1/60s~ 30~44 1/250 * For some environments with a lot of IR light, the Day/Night threshold Gain must be changed otherwise the camera might switch between Day mode and Night mode continuously. We suggest to extend the gap between Day and Night Threshold Gain for instance (15 ~ 75) Day mode settings When you do the Day Mode Validation in the office, you may just use the default setting provided by the firmware. Night mode settings In order to demonstrate the Video Quality for Night Mode, please make sure to adjust these settings to harness the flexibility of this camera in low light conditions. Set: Shutter Speed -> Auto (Max. 1 sec or 2 sec), so it gathers more light. How to Setup-Shutter Speed: Path: Setup -> Video & Audio -> Advance -> Shutter Mode -> Auto & Maximum Auto Shutter Speed = 1(or 2) 3

4 References Some other settings are also important for better video performance, but they do not change with the application. Therefore these settings are offered here as an additional reference. Please see the table below. Other important settings Setting Description Recommended Value Streaming Mode Video Bit rate Mode Resolution Back Focus Adjustment Single: Camera can stream one single type of stream (same resolution, codec, frame rate). The frame rate per stream would be higher in this mode. Dual: Camera can stream two types of streams (two resolution, codec, frame rate combination) Constant: Camera sends stream with a constant bit rate. (Best in moving scene / Low light scenarios) Variable: Camera sends stream with a constant quality. The bit rate would increase/decline according to the video change. (Best in static scene / good lighting needed) 15fps: Better 15fps 30fps: Good 30fps. Feel the power of the real time Megapixel CCD. To obtain the best quality, the back focus should be well adjusted. The back focus adjustment is different for each lens. Please refer to support package for details. Single 1. Priority on video quality (Constant) 2. Priority on storage size/bandwidth (Variable) 30fps Refer to Support Package. How to Setup - Streaming Mode Path: Setup -> Media 1 - > Streaming Mode -> Single Stream Mode 4

5 How to Setup Bitrate Mode Constant Bitrate provides more stable quality, while Variable Bitrate provides storage savings in static scene. Below is a sample result. Settings Bit Rate In Static Scene Video Quality Bit Rate in dynamic scene / low light Video Quality VBR -> High Around 1.1 M Excellent 5~6M Excellent Constant at 3M 3M Excellent 3M Good Path: Setup -> Media 1 - > Video bit Rate Mode -> Constant / Variable How to Setup - Resolution In order to get the smoothest video, you need to adjust resolution to 1280x720 to reach 30fps. TCM-5311 can adjust its back focus to optimize performance for each lens. Please refer to support packages for adjustment instructions [Click here]. Reference Images 5

6 For providing a better reference about the effect of CCD megapixel camera compared to CMOS megapixel camera, a simple comparison test between TCM-5311 and ACM-5611 was made under extremely low light conditions. ACM-5611 at slowest shutter: TCM-5311 at 1/60 second shutter TCM-5311 at 1 second shutter 6

7 Remarks A special manufacturing process is used for CCD production, making those CCDs be able to transport charges across the chip without distortion. This process leads to very high-quality sensors in terms of low-noise images and better light sensitivity. TCM-5311 is equipped with SONY Progressive Scan 1.25M Pixel EXviewHAD CCD Sensor. While some other cameras IR illumination is a limited option due to various reasons, TCM-5311 can still perform effectively with its naturally excellent light sensitivity. 7