Increasingly, higher levels of processing performance have made multi-sensor panoramic cameras an affordable option, delivering high quality images with 180 and 360 degree views. Able to offer an overview of a protected area, these cameras can enhance security as well as business intelligence. FLIR has launched the Quasar 4x2K camera to address this market.
What is it?
Panoramic cameras have been available in the security sector for nearly two decades, but in recent years the increase in processing capabilities coupled with economies of scale have made high resolution options affordable. The devices permit all areas of a protected scene to be captured, allowing a thorough analysis after an event.
The application of digital panning and zooming within the viewed scene means that all angles can be investigated, eliminating issues with mechanical PTZ cameras where a unit could be pointing in the wrong direction.
FLIR’s Quasar 4x2K camera makes use of four independent HD1080p cameras with a frame rate of up to 25fps per device. The camera can be configured to deliver either 180 or 360 degree coverage.
The camera can be deployed using FLIR’s proprietary VMS, or can be supported by compatible third party VMS packages.
How is the image delivered?
The camera has two operational modes: 180 degree and 360 degree. In the 180 degree mode the camera will deliver a 3840 x 1440 pixel stream plus an additional D1 stream at 25fps, or a 3840 x 1440 pixel stream, plus additional 1920 x 720 and D1 streams at 20fps.
In 360 degree mode, only H.265 and H.264 streams are supported. The camera delivers the four streams as a quad view using 1920 x 1080 streams at 25fps, or as a quad view of 1920 x 1080 streams plus an additional 1920 x 1080 stream and D1 stream at 15fps.
What about video features?
The Quasar 4x2K camera is a day/night model supporting H.265, H.264 and M-JPEG formats. It includes integral IR LEDs with a quoted range of 25 metres. The camera includes video motion detection, tamper detection, privacy masking, two-way audio, noise reduction, edge recording via a microSDXC card (up to 128GB supported), alarm I/Os and a maximum bit-rate of 20Mbps. The dome housing is rated to IP67.