Avigilon HD Multi-sensor: First Varifocal Multi-Imager Cameras
2015 is the year of multi-imager cameras, with Axis unveiling a 33MP model, Pelco announcing DragonFly and DW coming out with a 48MP model.
However, all of them are fixed focal only.
Now, Avigilon is introducing multi-imager cameras that not only are varifocal but remote zoom too.
In this note, we examine the key features, pricing and competitive positioning of this line.
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From their announcement: "Each of the three or four cameras can be positioned independently along three axes (roll, pitch, and rotation), exposing all areas that would otherwise be obscured."
If Avigilon will let us in the booth, we'll take a quick video of it and post it.
I am curious myself to see how much / well it can be adjusted.
There is lots of adjustment options with the camera heads including rotating the imagers and the ability to point any of them down to cover the area below the camera. The 3 head version will work well for mounting on the corner of a building which needs 270 degrees of coverage.
Having installed many Arecont cameras the remote zoom/focus is a huge advantage. Struggling to focus those M12 lenses on a bucket truck is now a thing of the past!
To provide an answer to when these are needed, our application of varifocal is having the lens in a wider view during the day when lighting provides the best results. Then as the light fades, we use presets to move the camera to have a image of the most important scene elements; door, gate, etc. We knowingly sacrifice the view of the open areas, in exchange for the critical areas. We do this with single lens varifocal cameras, and doing that with a multi-lens makes sense too.
Have you heard about Smart Focus technology? that is way different from motorized camera. Much faster and accurately focused automatic. We do this as a manufacturer for more than 3 years delpoying thousands of cameras for city surveillance projects. I think it's suitable for your application.
Add some varifocal aware stitching and you have a poor man's Dallamier Panorama.
You have my interest.
Finally...
I have been hearing about this for abou a year now.
The old models were too expensive and not that good (image quality).
Also have you seen this:
The original panoramics (available since 2009) have grown stale, and I look forward to working with these.
However, with a multi-sensor (3 or 4) camera, the tendancy is to visualize the camera mounted on the X or the y axis. By adding a variable mounting angle, my mind is now blown as I architect camera placements for the aisleways of a 1mil. sq./ft. factory with many 3 and 4 way intersections, all while maintaining a minimum image requirement and 100% coverage.
The tools we developed are getting a workout as we consider mounting cameras at off-angles with the 3rd sensor either above or below the two. Then rotate one or both outer lens and capture on the 3 x 4 axis, while we capture the 3rd sensor on the 4 x 3 axis. This opens up a lot of possibilities to have cameras overlap coverage and minimize camera counts.
Don't forget, we can also Mount the 4 sensor at 75 degrees, where the bottom sensor can capture on the 4 x 3 axis (93 degree HFOV) looking downward , the outer and upper sensors on the 3 x 4 axis to the left, right, and forward, at a narrow (24 degree HFOV.)
I expect this to be my new favorite camera if I keep my sanity.
New information:
Avigilon now has a demo page with a few examples of using HD multisensor in real world applications. Here's an elevator / hallway:
Also, here is the HD multisensor install manual.
Finally, Avigilon has a new blog post where they declare themselves #1 in panoramic cameras.