The bench test 1: Speed camera!

What our experts say …

LG is a familiar consumer electronics and white goods brand in the UK, but in the wider world it has followed the well-trodden path of several other Korean companies and is beginning to make a name for itself in the security and surveillance market. The LPT-SD168 Speed Dome camera, which we are looking at here, builds on LG’s established reputation for well-specified products at sensible prices.

In this Bench Test we also look briefly at the companion LCC-S100 controller, though the camera is also capable of integrating with other mainstream video surveillance products and PCs through the use of industry-standard communications protocols. Nevertheless, the camera is the focus of this review, so we’ll begin with the headline features.

At its heart is a 1/4-inch Super HAD CCD image sensor, sporting 795 x 596 pixels with a claimed resolution of more than 480 lines. In normal operation low light sensitivity is just 1 lux; extra processing in the form of an electronic ‘slow’ shutter and increased gain takes this down to 0.01 lux, and an automatic black and white Night Mode, using a mechanical IR cut filter (and IR illumination), gives it full zero lux capability.

In front of the sensor there’s a 27x optical zoom lens (f3.25 – 88 mm), augmented by a 10x electronic zoom.

The pan/tilt platform provides full 360 degree rotation at up to 240 deg/sec, whilst the tilt range extends from -20 to +90 degrees at up to 180 deg/sec. An ‘auto flip’ facility rotates the dome through 180 degrees as the camera tracks objects passing beneath the dome.

A maximum of 128 preset positions can be programmed into the dome via the controller. There’s also a privacy-masking option and it has a simple motion detection system that displays an on screen message if there is any movement within the image area.

However, as far as we could see, the latter isn’t linked to any other function – though apparently this does trigger an alarm output. This lack of integration is somewhat strange and results in a ‘Motion Detected’ warning message appearing on the screen every time the camera moves.

Inside the dome the camera module is mounted on a single arm extending from a cast alloy chassis. Tilt motion is controlled by a hefty looking stepper motor using an unusually complex twin belt reduction drive mechanism.

A second stepper motor, also mounted on the chassis, rotates the platform, this time using a single belt arrangement.

Beneath the camera module on the rotating platform is a large PCB containing the video processing, motor control and communications circuitry. A second PCB, mounted in the base (top) of the dome assembly, handles power, video and communications connections to the outside world using a pair of multi-way sockets (one for power and telemetry, the other for the external alarm inputs). There is also a BNC socket for the video output.

All of the major mechanical components are made of metal, which bodes well for strength and stability, but it does mean than that it is heavier than some recent designs, which rely increasingly on lightweight plastic to reduce the mass of the moving parts. In theory this has a direct bearing on pan/tilt speed and positional accuracy, though as we shall see this is not an issue with this particular model.

The dome’s outer casing is formed from a lightweight alloy with a built-in fan and heating element, which ducts air onto the inner surface of the dome. Before the camera can be attached it is necessary to fix a simple bayonet-type mounting plate inside the housing that mates with the top of the camera. This is quite awkward and the locking mechanism is stiff and could pose problems for installers teetering on top of a long ladder.

The high-impact plastic dome fits snugly onto the outer casing by four screws, and a circular rubber gasket maintains weatherproofing. A variety of mounting options are available. Our test sample came supplied with a pendant-type wall bracket that screws onto a collar on the top of the housing, and again ingress of water and dust is prevented by a sealing ring.

Overall the standard of construction of the mechanical parts is very good, though in comparison with several models we have seen recently, it is unusually complex in places. The twin belt drive mechanism is unusual and whilst we have no reason to suppose that it is any less reliable than the more common single belt drive, commonsense says that there is more to go wrong.

On a more general note, the lack of safety suspension cables for the dome and the camera unit is either an oversight or unwelcome evidence of cost cutting and careful handling, when working on the unit is strongly advised.

The LCC-S100 Speed Dome controller is housed in a sloping console that the instruction manual curiously describes as a ‘simple biotechnology design structure’. We have absolutely no idea what this means since the layout is pretty conventional.

There’s a joystick in the bottom right hand corner and four banks of buttons for selecting cameras, controlling functions like focus and zoom, plus various operating and setup functions.

In the middle of the panel there is a small illuminated LCD that shows camera numbers, position and status displays. The rear of the console has just two sockets for telemetry and the external 12-volt DC supply and an on/off rocker switch.

Communications between the controller and Speed Dome camera are handled by LG or Pelco D protocols. Surprisingly little information is provided in the various manuals as to how a multiple camera installation might be configured (though in practice it should be quite straightforward) but for a single camera all that is required is a single twisted pair cable. Some information is included on setting up a PC connection, using optional software, but again details are somewhat sketchy.

Setup and operation

All camera setup functions are shown on a series of menu-driven on-screen displays that are accessed from designated ‘cursor’ keys on the controller’s numeric keypad or the joystick. The main menu page has nine options, each leading to a set of sub menus.

The first menu screen is used to set the camera ID, for communications purposes. Menu two covers focus settings, with selections for auto/manual mode, minimum focusing distance, zoom start and end, zoom speed, zoom tracking and reset. White balance adjustments are on the third menu and this has options for auto/manual operation, red/blue level tweaking and ‘push’ auto.

The exposure system settings are next and these include AE mode selection, auto/manual iris, AGC set, brightness adjustment, backlight, flickerless operation and manual shutter speed (1/25th to 1/10000 in 26 steps).

A variety of setup functions are assigned to the Special menu, such as composing a camera title, picture sharpness, ‘mirror’ mode, colour/black and white, negative picture and ‘wide burst’, which supposedly compensates for colour errors on long cable runs. The motion detection system is rather basic by current standards, with just an on/off switch and sensitivity setting in 14 steps. The OSD menu enables the various elements in the displayed image to be switched on or off.

The last two menus are labelled ‘E Sensitivity’ and ‘WDR’ but there’s no explanation of what they are for, nor were the UK agents able to enlighten us. However, after fiddling around with them both, we are reasonably sure they relate to the camera’s exposure sensitivity and dynamic range.

The previously mentioned zone masking facility is available on models sold in the UK, though this wasn’t available on our review sample. However, we understand a number of variable-sized ‘dynamic’ masks can be created, which remain in position when the camera moves.

Whilst the actual display and menus are all reasonably easy to navigate and use, the SD168 is let down by poor documentation. The camera instruction manual in particular is poorly translated and glosses over many important functions, or worse, ignores them altogether.

It’s not all bad news, though, and programming the dome’s preset positions only takes a few moments. This is carried out from the controller and involves positioning the camera, setting the zoom, then assigning a preset number and dwell (halt) time. A similar procedure is used to program auto panning and patrol zones.

Performance

There are no real problems with the actual camera, which produces a bright, crisp and highly detailed image that is at or close to the manufacturer’s stated resolution figure.

Low light sensitivity is also as described and Night Mode kicks in well before the image disappears into a noisy mush. The auto exposure and white balance systems cope effectively with both gradual and sudden changes in lighting conditions, and despite some misgivings about the effectiveness of high-powered electronic zooms, this one works rather well and produces a quite decent image up to around 150x magnification.

The auto focus system responds quickly in good light, though it usually needs manual intervention as light levels fall. The resultant drop in contrast causes the system to ‘hunt’ and it has difficulty maintaining a solid lock.

Unfortunately the manual focus controls are a little coarse, so it can be difficult to use when objects are less than five to 10 metres from the lens. Although the camera works well, we did notice a fair number of internal reflections, mostly of the camera lens, caused by the dome housing. However, much depends on the direction and intensity of the scene lighting, and it should be possible to negate the worst effects by careful positioning.

The pan/tilt mechanism is very quiet but the motion is not especially smooth. Changes in pan speed are not progressive, and it increases in perceptible ‘jumps’ as the joystick moves from the centre position to the side. Moreover, there is a very slight stutter between each change in speed.

There also appears to be several tilt speeds, which can make it difficult to track very slow moving objects precisely and to follow targets that move faster or slower than the preset speeds.

What the manufacturer says ...

The new LG Digital Speed Dome Camera from Genie CCTV provides a plug-and-play design with wide dynamic range and a host of advanced features fitted as standard.

Manufactured by LG Electronics, the new camera (model no: LPT-SD168HP) is suitable for use in many of today’s surveillance and security applications, and is built for total reliability.

It features Digital Signal Processing with simple on screen menu operation, can operate with LG and Pelco D protocols, and has selectable dynamic privacy zones in line with current UK legislation.

Its compact body design incorporates a high resolution day/night camera which combines the use of a ¼” Super HAD CCD with LG Electronics’ latest digital signal processing technology.

The built-in 27x optical zoom lens (F1.5(W), F3.8(T) f=3.25mm-88.0mm) with 10x digital zoom combines with a horizontal resolution of over 480 TVL to produce remarkably crisp, clear images in all light conditions.

An in-built ‘Step Motor’ makes the preset focus very accurate and an ‘Auto Flip’ rotates the dome 180deg at the bottom of tilt travel.

The signal-to-noise ratio is just 48dB, and the digital speed dome camera incorporates a motion detection function allowing for up to seven alarm inputs.

Weighing just 1.9kg, the camera comes with 127 preset positions offering 360 degree endless panning (maximum 240 deg/sec panning speed), and a flexible power supply requirement of AC 24v/DC 12v enables it to be easily installed and used in a wide range of environments.