HD System for Marine Habitat Observing

[beppodb 0]

My research group is working on a proposal for a marine observation platform, and I'm looking to have a PTZ HD system put together that can stand up to this environment. Can someone please make recommendations on the following fronts:

 

Camera: From people's reviews, and from the specs, I like Sanyo's HD2300 / HD2500. The CS-mount systems should give us some flexibility with the lens that we use (i.e., possibility of greater than 10x zoom). However, are there CS-mount variable focus lenses, where the zoom can be controlled remotely through a separate PT unit?

 

Enclosure: Salt spray is an issue, although we will have maintenance available at least every few months, so stainless might not be necessary. The much (MUCH) bigger issue is pelicans. They perch and leave "evidence" on any surface that will support them. We'll do our best to keep them off the box, but a wiper / washer combo seems like a must, unless there's a better way to remotely clean up the viewport.

 

PT: Something that will stand up to this environment, and something that we can program for -- that is, we need APIs or programming guides available for the PT mount.

 

Mounting: Parapet mount -- on top of a fiberglass building or wireframe antenna tower.

 

Supplier: We plan to do our own installation. But if there's a knowledgeable company who can specify options for this and put the equipment together into one unit for us, that's extremely helpful. Please name the company or email me offline. Admittedly, this is just a proposal right now, and the soonest we could order would be August 2011. But I need to get a quote or close estimate for the proposal.

 

Thanks a ton.

Dan

[Guest]

My research group is working on a proposal for a marine observation platform, and I'm looking to have a PTZ HD system put together that can stand up to this environment. Can someone please make recommendations on the following fronts:

 

Camera: From people's reviews, and from the specs, I like Sanyo's HD2300 / HD2500. The CS-mount systems should give us some flexibility with the lens that we use (i.e., possibility of greater than 10x zoom). However, are there CS-mount variable focus lenses, where the zoom can be controlled remotely through a separate PT unit?

 

Enclosure: Salt spray is an issue, although we will have maintenance available at least every few months, so stainless might not be necessary. The much (MUCH) bigger issue is pelicans. They perch and leave "evidence" on any surface that will support them. We'll do our best to keep them off the box, but a wiper / washer combo seems like a must, unless there's a better way to remotely clean up the viewport.

 

PT: Something that will stand up to this environment, and something that we can program for -- that is, we need APIs or programming guides available for the PT mount.

 

Mounting: Parapet mount -- on top of a fiberglass building or wireframe antenna tower.

 

Supplier: We plan to do our own installation. But if there's a knowledgeable company who can specify options for this and put the equipment together into one unit for us, that's extremely helpful. Please name the company or email me offline. Admittedly, this is just a proposal right now, and the soonest we could order would be August 2011. But I need to get a quote or close estimate for the proposal.

 

Thanks a ton.

Dan

 

Hi Dan,

 

Some questions first

 

What is the maximum distance you wish to see and what is the target size you wish to see at that distance?

What percentage of the screen do you expect to the target to occupy?

Do you expect the system to operate during the day and the night?

 

Regards

 

Ilkie

[beppodb 0]

Thanks for your reply, Ilkie.

 

If I could capture a medium-sized bird (say, 1/2m x 1/2m) at 25m occupying 1/4 of the screen, that would be very nice.

 

I'll have to do some geometry to figure out how high I'd need to mount the camera to get the water's surface near the platform..., but I think above should suffice.

 

We aren't expecting to use the system for night operation off-the-bat, but it would be nice to have the option in the future. I know there are some cameras that filter IR light, and we would prefer not to do that.

 

Hope this helps.

[Soundy 1]

"Quality" color cameras normally filter IR light, as it can adversely affect exposure and color balance. "True day/night" cameras can move the filter out of the way when they switch to "night" mode, as they then operate in B&W and color balance isn't an issue; instead, they benefit from the additional long-spectrum light collected. Most "pro-grade" PTZs have "true day/night" functionality, so you'd be good to go for future night use already.

 

For the design you want, I would suggest taking a look at the Pelco Esprit line - it's a pedestal-mounted high-speed housing with a standard C/CS-lens-mount camera inside with a range of lens options available. We have one atop a 50' tower in direct weather and it's been running perfectly for years. The front glass is shielded by a small overhang/sun-shield, which should nicely protect it from the birds, and it is available with a wiper as well.