Subscriber Discussion

Aiming/Positioning Cameras: Out Looking In Or In Looking Out?

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Derek Ward
•Oct 17, 2017
Hanwha

I've been curious about this for some time, but I'm interested to hear other's thoughts. Do you find it more useful to have cameras located on a perimeter looking "in" towards a target of interest, or having cameras mounted around the target looking "out"?

Basic example: a building with cameras mounted on it vs. cameras in a parking lot or other outside perimeter looking towards the target building. For this example, let's say associated cost/time is a non-factor. While not a perfect 1-to-1 example, I could argue that both were good shots. But if you had to choose one, which one would you prefer?

From building looking out:

Out looking towards building:

Calculator overhead example:

What other real use-cases have you encountered where an in-to-out or out-to-in view worked better? Did one have a certain edge over the other? Does one always have a certain advantage over the other?

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Brandon Knutson
•Oct 17, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Excellent question!

If the surveillance target is the building, I much prefer "out looking towards building," but usually don't because of added cost. No blind spots.

I've (mostly) unsatisfactorily tried to mitigate the blind spots when mounting to the buildings by using 180 degree cameras. Perfect camera combo would be "out looking towards building" with the addition of interior cameras watching the building entry/exits. 

If the surveillance target is something outside of the building, like an adjoining parking lot or loading zone, I then prefer the "building looking out" scenario.

Give me both for real coverage!

 

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Derek Ward
•Oct 17, 2017
Hanwha
In reply to Brandon Knutson

Great feedback Brandon! I had a recent install with 2 new cameras mounted on a school building to overlook a refurbished playground. We mounted them on the building per engineering/customer demand, but for the hell of it, I took one of the cameras and a monitor over to a nearby pole and hoisted myself up in the truck.

I actually preferred the view at the pole because not only did I capture a good image of the playground, I also got the entry/exit doors of the building too! It worked out doubly nice since the doors had overhangs and you couldn't see directly at the door where the cameras are currently installed. All well, customer was fine with it in the end, so I suppose that's all that matters ;).

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U
Undisclosed #1
•Oct 17, 2017
IPVMU Certified

Do you find it more useful to have cameras located on a perimeter looking "in" towards a target of interest...

In, for sure.  The only problem is the "target of interest" is often the easiest/only place to mount and get signal to.

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Michael Miller
•Oct 17, 2017

If you're using analytics pointing cameras at the building and help eliminate false positives from nearby traffic and head lights at night time.   

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