Camera Height

[khngai]

Hi all! Got a question on how to determine camera height? Is that any standard/guides out there? Said what is the suitable height for general monitoring and identification respectively.

Thanks.

[hemi444]

If you are talking in a retail store, I remeber that the LP director were I worked at would not allow a pan and tiilt camera attached from a ceiling/pole to be less than 8 feet from the floor. This way it was clearly out of the way from tall people and then the lens could not be seen while it was being used, because the domes were not relly dark.

Speaking of cameras, we had a bunch of wannabee professional shopp lifters come in and take pictures of the location of each camera by using cell phone cams.

[wisconsinite]

It is my understanding, that a private business can employ as many cameras as they want. There is no minimum or maximum height requirement, because most retail companies have very tall ceilings. (i.e. Target, Sam's Club, Kmart) You can have stationary cameras, or PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) cameras, encased in a tinted dome, or mirrored dome. But you MUST post signs at entry and exit points, clearly informing customers and visitors that there IS electronic surveillance equiptment in use. That way, they cannot claim that they were entrapt, or uninformed, should matters come to court proceedings.

[Will]

Our fixed cameras are probably about 20 - 25 feet up, and our domes are ceiling high, which is about 38 feet or so.

[Bill Warnock]

Hi all! Got a question on how to determine camera height? Is that any standard/guides out there? Said what is the suitable height for general monitoring and identification respectively.

Thanks.

Suggest you email Charlie Pierce at [email protected] He will have all the information you need. You might look at some of the back issues of ST&D for some of his articles. He is a contributing technical editor, and smart.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[astorms]

Hey Khngai

There is one important thing to remember, in regards to stationary camera's (not ptz). If you mount the camera 12 feet off the ground, the camera's field of view will be reduced by that amount under it. So, you won't be able to see the first 12 feet under the camera. If you have a wide angle lens, that effect will be reduced slightly, but not eliminated. If you have PTZ, this is not a concern, but most retailers don't have 100% ptz camera's.

So, make sure the camera's has all high $$$ items 100% in their FOV. PTZ camera's should be able to zoom to any point in the store, without obstruction. This is difficult, as most large retailers have merchandising fixtures hanging from the ceilings. LP and merchandising managers need to work hand in hand. If a camera can't see, what good is it?

Also, make sure there aren't any lights near the camera, this will affect the Iris operation, and focus may be affected. If it is a clothes retailer, PTZ camera's should be programmed to not be able to be aimed near changerooms. LP should be able to follow the person to a changeroom, but not be able to see in. It sounds simple enough, but retailers have been in enough trouble for privace issues. There should be a fixed camera at the extrance of the store, in order to see all people entering and exiting. Usually, a wide angle lens on a stationary camera will do.

If you have other questions, you can e-mail me at [email protected]
I'm just about to write my PSP exam with ASIS, so im just full of great info! (please see the humor in that)

Adam

[Will]

Hey Khngai

There is one important thing to remember, in regards to stationary camera's (not ptz). If you mount the camera 12 feet off the ground, the camera's field of view will be reduced by that amount under it. So, you won't be able to see the first 12 feet under the camera.

Actually, it would be more than that. Depending on the lens, it could be anywhere from 18-22 feet if I had to guess. Since that lens does not get a straight down shot beneath the housing, it starts whereever it starts.