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FTFA: "Data on commercial cameras available at the time suggest that it is likely to be a Pan, Tilt, and Zoom (PTZ) model containing a 6–134 mm varifocal lens a

by brk 4y ago

FTFA: "Data on commercial cameras available at the time suggest that it is likely to be a Pan, Tilt, and Zoom (PTZ) model containing a 6–134 mm varifocal lens able to film at 4K or 8 megapixel resolution." This is so wildly inaccurate that it really makes this whole thing seem highly suspicious. The average CCTV camera in a municipal deployment, especially ones from several years ago, would be a fixed 1080p camera with an adjustable 4-8mm lens, which is set at a fixed focal point upon installation. In other words, not a PTZ, not a long range lens. The mounting height is usually 10+ feet high, which overall makes it really poor for face recognition purposes. This is not to say that many of these cameras cannot capture at least some faces with a level of detail that is sufficient for face-rec, but this camera network is nowhere near the ability to track a person/their movements throughout the city.

bberenberg 4y ago
Based on being on an NYC grand jury where we had to watch a fair amount of NYPD submitted surveillance footage: - NYPD uses PTZ, and the mount points aren't always fixed. They're also on poles which are connected to a mobile platform that is then deployed onto sidewalks / in parks etc. - Ability to track across multiple cameras exists today (this is intended to address density of cameras, not how tracking is done). However, there was no clear indication how automated this was. We were simply shown "Suspect on camera 1, and then you see them leave frame, and here they are on camera 2" - Faces could be seen fairly clearly even at night in a decently lit park setting. My gut feel was that as the hardware improves, 100% automated tracking of everyone is only a question of when.
BoorishBears 4y ago
New Haven, the city where Yale is and a much poorer city than NYC had PTZ surveillance cameras deployed when I lived there close to a decade ago. Cities can afford PTZ cameras and the backends to store mountains of high quality footage, the average small town municipality can't
- brk 4y ago
  There will almost always be some PTZs, but they are more of the exception than the rule. Also, when they are PTZs, they will tend to have smaller imagers and be 1080p max in previous eras (4K is more common in the last couple of years). The assumption that article makes about these cameras all likely to be 4K or 8K PTZs with the longest lens options is just absolutely wrong.

by brk 4y ago

bberenberg 4y ago

Based on being on an NYC grand jury where we had to watch a fair amount of NYPD submitted surveillance footage: - NYPD uses PTZ, and the mount points aren't always fixed. They're also on poles which are connected to a mobile platform that is then deployed onto sidewalks / in parks etc. - Ability to track across multiple cameras exists today (this is intended to address density of cameras, not how tracking is done). However, there was no clear indication how automated this was. We were simply shown "Suspect on camera 1, and then you see them leave frame, and here they are on camera 2" - Faces could be seen fairly clearly even at night in a decently lit park setting. My gut feel was that as the hardware improves, 100% automated tracking of everyone is only a question of when.

BoorishBears 4y ago

New Haven, the city where Yale is and a much poorer city than NYC had PTZ surveillance cameras deployed when I lived there close to a decade ago. Cities can afford PTZ cameras and the backends to store mountains of high quality footage, the average small town municipality can't

brk 4y ago
There will almost always be some PTZs, but they are more of the exception than the rule. Also, when they are PTZs, they will tend to have smaller imagers and be 1080p max in previous eras (4K is more common in the last couple of years). The assumption that article makes about these cameras all likely to be 4K or 8K PTZs with the longest lens options is just absolutely wrong.