Why Is Ubiquiti Image Sensor Pixel Count Vs Resolution Different?

IPVMU Certified

I am putting together a bid for the below listed spec on the camera. After questioning why they are choosing a particular manufacturer and pointing out that the camera does not have 3 MP resolution, they pointed out the fact that the imager is actually 4MP even though the resolution is only 1080. I suppose that may meet the spec but why would anyone do that? I am curious as to what advantages or disadvantages. The manufacturer in question does not have any cameras above 1080p. And would you bid it under those specs? It doesn't feel right to me.

Thanks,

Tom

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Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified

In cases where the bandwidth is constrained or the storage capacity is a concern, a camera capable of a higher resolution may be streamed in reduced resolutions than it is ultimately capable of. This may be one advantage of such a spec.

Several camera manufacturers sell cameras with a certain resolution stream defaulted but the camera itself is often capable of higher resolution streams. (Hikvision & Dahua as examples.)

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Tom McVey

IPVMU Certified

In reply to Brian Rhodes

UniFi Video Camera G3 Dome is the camera they are asking for.

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

Yes, I’m seeing this combination of HD stream with much higher spec’d resolution imager more often now.

Usually the idea revolves around cloud recording, where you are trying to limit the bandwidth on the network to 1080p. In that case having a higher resolution imager can provide a few benefits:

1) allows you to change the FOV of the camera without repositioning it, by selecting a subset of pixels to render the HD stream from.

2) allows “magic wand zooming” in live view, where one can use a summation of all pixels in the imager for the FOV, but then on demand, can view a given regions pixels at full resolution.

3) allows for upgrading, by the manufacturer, the cameras capabilities later to higher res.

cf. Dropcam (now Nest), Meraki

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Tom McVey

In reply to Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

Do you know if this is possible with the UniFi Video Camera G3 Dome

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Undisclosed #2

As far as bandwidth in Unifi the difference is your live view matrix configurations and if you use it local or remote. The small UBT NVRs have no local viewing ability so everything is remote. If you build your own machines and have local viewing, one could configure the local camera views with the highest resolution however on the remote client views configure those with auto mode enabled so Unifi will stream the resolution based on screen size. As far as mobile, I have not figured that one out yet, I think UBT just scales the live mobile video and you have no control. Downloading recorded clips are different as these are what you set them for. The G3 is 1080 FHD and the sensor is 4mp. Post your same question and see if you get a UBNT response(20 days later).

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

Do you know if this is possible with the UniFi Video Camera G3 Dome

looks like at least “magic zoom” functionality is supported:

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Carl Lindgren

It also allows camera manufacturers to spec out one imager for production of multiple camera lines. That consolidation results in overall lower per-imager costs.

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Tom McVey

In reply to Carl Lindgren

IPVMU Certified

That was my original thought. I just don't see why its spec'd at 3MP I don't think there is any advantage in the particular camera they have chosen.

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Carl Lindgren

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ON-Semiconductor/AR0543CSSC25SUD20?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvhQj7WZhFIAC2rXnWrkPQ12twALCQDC7mHXrIGzjBYtA%3D%3D

There wouldn't be. In fact, using a higher resolution imager than a camera's spec actually utilizes could add to the camera's production cost. However, when you allow for typical quantity discounts, using the same imager in multiple cameras would yield an overall cost-per-imager reduction across all lines.

As with anything, quantity discounts on imagers can be substantial. For example, this ON Semiconductor 5 MP 1/4 HB CMOS Image Sensor costs $8.82 each in 100 lots but only $6.69 each in 1,000 lots, about 25% savings.

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Benjamin Kirk

Typically down-sampling the resolution on a camera increases the quality of the images, as they are often sharper. This would all depend on the specific camera and the capabilities of the image sensor. The downside to utilizing a 4MP sensor would be the trade off for low light situations, as the image sensor is larger and requires more light to produce a clearer shot.

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Michael Miller

Does someone really spend the time to put out a bid spec for super low-cost UBNT cameras? How many cameras is this system for?

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Tom McVey

In reply to Michael Miller

IPVMU Certified

142 cameras. Looks like they are doing the installation and set up.

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Undisclosed #3

am I the only one who finds these two specs offered by the author of this proposal to be an obvious indication that the spec writer doesn't know what they are talking about in relation to resolution specifically?

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Undisclosed #2

In reply to Undisclosed #3

I like how the bullets change with the indent...thinking about a few sales reps that do that.

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Undisclosed Integrator #4

In reply to Undisclosed #2

I like how the bullets change with the indent...thinking about a few sales reps that do that.

No sales rep but I am guilty as charged. That's the default within Word. Is it actually an issue?

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Tom McVey

In reply to Undisclosed #3

IPVMU Certified

That's what has me stumped. I tried to bid an earlier job and was told I needed at least 3 MP resolution. Now on this rfp which is the same spec I dealt with before I am being told that the 4MP imager will meet the requirement of 3 MP even though the resolution I see on the camera is only 1080.

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Undisclosed #1

IPVMU Certified

...on this rfp which is the same spec I dealt with before I am being told that the 4MP imager will meet the requirement

Short answer, Tom, is it won’t meet the req, although the extra pixels over 2MP are being put to some use via magic zoom, as I mentioned here.

but it’s not the same as a 3 or 4MP stream.

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Tom McVey