How to Calculate Field of View for a CCTV
Closed circuit television systems serve as security devices for many businesses, including gas stations, banks, and other shops. However, implementing an effective CCTV system is more than simply placing cameras in "key" spots and hoping for the best. Based on lens sizing and camera type, the proper field of view can change. This makes placing cameras an issue of calculating the right field of view to determine the best location.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine the lens format of the camera in use by reading the camera's documentation. Imager size, or the size of the opening of the camera, is represented in fractions of an inch, such as 1/3 inch or 1/2 inch.
-
2
Enter the focal length of the lens, gathered from the lens documentation. Focal length of a camera lens is represented in millimeters (mm).
-
-
3
Use the following formula to calculate the field of view. Assume a camera with a one-quarter inch imager view and focal length of 7.7. Here, 'W' equals the field of view width, 'D' equals the distance from the camera to determine the field of view, and 3.2 mm is the conversion to millimeters of one quarter of an inch.
W = D * (3.2mm)/(7.7mm)
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The formula for field of view is only an approximation, and does not take into account manufacturer defects or camera positioning variables, such as height.
