What does PTZ mean?

Live night vision image from our PTZlink camera

PTZ is short for pan tilt zoom in the video security industry, which represents the Omni-directional (up and down, left and right) movement of the pan-tilt and lens zoom control. Therefore, the PTZ camera is a camera with the above functions. But the PTZ camera is not limited to a dome camera, such as a bullet camera with an electric zoom lens and zoom functions. It can be a PTZ camera too.

PTZ camera integrates color security camera, pan tilt, waterproof, intercom and other functions. It is easy to install, simple to use but powerful. It is widely used in open areas such as scenic spots, construction sites, factories, and squares. and also can be widely used in indoor and outdoor small and medium scenes such as hotels, hospitals, schools, complexes, amusement parks, office buildings, factories, clubs, farmer’s markets, etc. With the popularity of pan tilt zoom cameras and the reduction of the cost, PTZ has entered the ordinary household use.

And this post, we are talking about the PTZ security cameras for home and small business use with reviews and step-by-step setup.

Basic Features for PTZ Cameras

1. Preset Point or Preset Position

The PTZ camera can save the camera’s relevant parameters, such as horizontal angle, tilt angle, camera focus length of the pan/tilt in the current status. So you can quickly call these parameters when needed, and the camera will back to the position wherever you want.

2. Automatic Cruise

Some preset points can be programmed into the auto-cruise queue in the required order by pre-programming, and they can be automatically set in order by an external command.

3. Automatic Scanning

You can set the PTZ camera’s left limit and the right border in advance. After setting, it can automatically scan back and forth at a proper speed level between the left and right limit positions.

4. Pattern or Pattern Scanning

The camera can continuously record the trajectory of the user’s rotation and lens operation for a certain period, and you can cycle the operation process automatically through the operation command. The industry also refers to this as self-learning or intelligent memory.

5. Automatic Operation

When you leave the camera for a while, it will automatically back to a position or execute an action, like automatic scanning, pattern scanning, or auto-cruising.

6. Zoom and Lens Control

The system defaults to autofocus. You can adjust the focal length to get a more clear video or image when the lens zoom-in or zoom-out. The camera automatically focuses on the center of the scene view to maintain a clear picture; in individual cases, you can manually focus on achieving the desired vision.

There are different optical zoom lenses, such as 4X, 5X, 10X, 18X, 30X, 33X, 36X.

7. Aperture Control

The camera has automatic backlight compensation. In the strong light background, it can compensate for the darker target for brightness automatically. We are lighting a bright background. Avoid a situation where the intensity of the environment is too high, the whole picture is shining, and the target is indistinguishable due to darkness, thus achieving a clear view.

8. Automatic Flip

The camera will automatically flip 180°, and then turn up, and the scene on the back can be directly viewed, thereby achieving continuous 180° vertical monitoring.

9. Automatic Focus/Speed Matching

When the focus distance is long, the high-speed response of the dome makes the slight touch of the joystick may cause the screen to move quickly, resulting in loss of picture.

10. Other Functions

When the focus distance is long, the high-speed response of the dome makes the slight touch of the joystick may cause the screen to move quickly, resulting in loss of picture.

LEDsIR Distance
4Pcs Array 35Mil IR LEDUp to 30 meters
6Pcs Array 42Mil IR LEDUp to 80 meters
4Pcs Array 42Mil IR + 2PCS Laser LEDUp to 100 meters
8Pcs Array 42Mil IR LEDUp to 150 meters
10pcs Array 42Mil IR Led+2PCS Laser LEDUp to 180 meters
8Pcs laser LEDUp to 300 meters

How to Install A PTZ Camera?

Different bracket types should match different installation places. Generally speaking, there are two installations for ordinary households, one is for wall-mounted, and the other is ceiling-mounted.

Step 1
Place the mount in the desired installation position. Use a marker to mark the screw installation locations. Select a drill bit with a diameter of 10 mm to drill holes with a depth of about 80 mm. Use a claw hammer to install the expansion bolts into the holes. Then, screw off the flat washers, spring washers, and nuts from the
expansion bolts.
Step 2
Remove washers, spring washers, and nuts from the expansion bolts, and thread the cables through the mount. Put the four expansion bolts through the four screw holes on the base of the mount, replace the washers, spring washers, and nuts on the expansion bolts, and tighten the nuts.
Step 3
Connect the network cable. Loosen the components 1, 2, and 3 of the waterproof connector kit on the network cable port in sequence, thread the network cable through the kit, and install the components in the sequence marked in the following figure. The waterproof connector of the network cable must be secured tightly, or they may come loose later.

How To Connect A PTZ Camera?

From the signal system division, the PTZ Camera is divided into ordinary IP network PTZ camera and analog PTZ camera; the analog camera needs BNC cable and DVR to use. The IP network PTZ camera is divided into POE PTZ camera, wifi PTZ camera, and solar-powered PTZ camera.

Here we want to introduce the connection for the POE PTZ Camera.

There are four ways to connect to this camera.

1. Via Normal DC12V 2A Power Supply;

2. Via POE Adapter(support IEEE 802af/at 10/100/1000M bps, I/P: AC 100-240V 50-60Hz 0.6A; O/P: DC 48V, 0.5A);

3. Via POE Switch(IEEE: IEEE802.3af/at 1/2+3/6-; PSE Output: +52V-2.3A 120W, Power in: AC110-240V);

4. Via a POE NVR or Normal NVR

Note:
PoE+ injector/switch required (802.3at) 24W;
Conventional PoE (802.3af) only delivers 15.4W and will cause underpower!

How To View A PTZ Camera?

For an analog PTZ camera, if you want to use it for video surveillance, you must have a monitor, a DVR, and some BNC cables. But for the IP network PTZ cameras, you only need one router, one computer(or smartphone), and one ethernet cable. As to the wireless IP PTZ camera, you even do not need the ethernet cable.

Any of the PTZ cameras, as long as it is an IP network one, you have these steps to build your own surveillance system.

Step 1: find out the IP address for the camera that has completely connected to the internet.

Step 2: Login to visit the IP PTZ camera
If you want the remote view or remote control for the camera, then you can go to

Step 3: Download and install a free APP of the camera or install a “Client Management Software” to your computer.

Best Wifi PTZ Cameras

WiFi security cameras for home and business are easier to install, more flexible and much more portable, than traditional wired surveillance cameras.









Best POE PTZ Cameras

Power over Ethernet (PoE) helps to transmit videos and power via just one network cable. It reduces the number of wires, and has greater installation flexibility, which suits DIY enthusiasts.









Best Auto Tracking PTZ Cameras

Auto-tracking means the camera can automatically track the moving objects, meanwhile auto zoom in/out and incorporating the auto-focus to get the clear image and video.





Best Solar Powered PTZ Cameras







Best PTZ Cameras Under USD $100