Camera Calculator Version 1 Released

JH
John Honovich
•Published Aug 04, 2014 04:00 AM

The new IPVM Camera Calculator is a game changer that enables you to truly see and understand what image quality and coverage you will get from various combinations of lenses and resolutions.

[UPDATE April 2015: Version 2 of the Camera Calculator now supports Google Maps.]

Take a look at what it does first:

We let you dynamically try out different camera and lens settings, instantly showing how the FoV changes in real scenes and what the impact on PPF / potential quality is.

Experiment with different settings - resolution, angles, distance, width, PPF, etc. Select different scenes, pan and tilt within them.

You can learn more in our 12 minute in-depth video.

Let us know what you think!

[UPDATE: Metric Support, Customer Image Added]

Metric support and uploading your own images as scenes to the calculator has been added.

Try It Out

Comments (140)
ZB
Zachary Brunette
•Apr 24, 2015

John,

We love the caluclator and consult it frequently. Two questions. I appologize if these have been posted and answered previously, I did scan the posts to try and check first.

As one of the things we use the calculator for is setting image qaulity expectations for particular camera models and HAoV -

1. Would it be accurate to assume that the sample images provided in the calculator represent best-case in terms of low compression/high-quality settings?

2. To my eye, it appears that the sample images provided by the calcualtor have a greater level of detail and legibility than comparable pixel/ft images from your "PPF Test" Article from Apr 04, 2010. Do you see the same thing, and if so, would you comment on which you think might represent the more accurate sample image? Or - would you say they are both valid and simply represent the possible range of actual video quality outcomes, given the variety of factors always contribute?

JH
John Honovich
•Apr 28, 2015
IPVM
In reply to Zachary Brunette

Zachary,

Sharp eye and thanks for the good questions.

1. We used default quality / compression levels for the sample images. That said, there can certainly be some variation depending on how aggressive one is in increasing or decreasing compression levels but we think the sample images are representative of typical use.

2. As for the 2010 PPF Test, I do think the old samples are of poorer detail / legibility than the newer ones. Between the two, I feel much more confident about the newer ones because (1) it represents more modern / current cameras, (2) our newer testing is more comprehensive both in terms of models and attempts.

That said, as you note, these are sample images and variations can exist, depending on many things, including compression levels, light levels, lensing, etc.

Avatar
Octavio Villa R.
•Apr 28, 2015
IPVMU Certified

What is the resolution of the monitor for viewing the tool correctly because I'm using 1920x1080 and screens are not complete?

JH
John Honovich
•Apr 28, 2015
IPVM
In reply to Octavio Villa R.

Octavio,

The new version of the Camera Calculator is bigger (because we added Google Maps), as such it does not fit embedded anymore.

Use the full Camera Calculator here.

Thanks for your feedback and sorry for the confusion. We updated the post to make this clear.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #12
•May 06, 2015

Not to be spoiled, but is there a way to incorporate the corridor view option that Axis has for hallways?

JH
John Honovich
•May 06, 2015
IPVM
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #12

You are spoiled :)

No, it's a good idea and a few others have requested it as well.

It is currently in queue and should be live by next month, June.

Btw, though Axis marketing people will be happy to hear how you describe that option, quite a number of manufacturers now support it, see: Here are the Manufacturers that Do and Do Not Support Corridor Mode

Avatar
John Bazyk
•Aug 17, 2015
Command Corporation • IPVMU Certified

I love the camera calculator, how amazing is this thing! I have not only been using it to help myself layout camera systems but to also show the technicians what cameras go where. One thing I would also like to see, if the ability to upload a PDF for interior camera design, obviously it would be difficult to provide scale for camera distance but it would be nice to show the technicians where everything goes. I would also like to add door access, alarm points and motion detectors. Maybe I’m alone in this, but that would be amazing.

JH
John Honovich
•Aug 17, 2015
IPVM
In reply to John Bazyk

John, thanks!

We agree. Uploading images and PDFs for interior design is what we are currently working on. Expect it to be released next month / September.