360 degree IP cameras

[CCTVguru]

How would you model a ceiling mounted 360 degree camera such as the Mobotix Q24
http://www.mobotix.com/eng_AU/content/view/full/25611

[Support]

Here is a typical way for modeling non-standard cameras:

Use angles of view from the the camera specification as the most definite data.
Try to get the same angles of view in camera model in VideoCAD.
For this purpose open the Special sensor size box, then adjust the angles of view.

However wide-angle cameras have significant geometrical distortions as a rule. The distortions lawless geometric optics and depend on lens construction. Practically, field of view has not rectangular form, it seems like an oval. It is impossible to model 180 degree lens.
VideoCAD can't model unpredictable distortions therefore it is possible to model wide-angle cameras only approximate.

You can test a camera with a lens by placing it on a table. The parameters and results can be divided by any constant value. For instance, you can place a camera at 50-cm. height above a table, which will be equivalent to 2.5 m with factor 5. Set required view area upper bound distance, for example 1 m on the table, which will be equivalent to 5 m with factor 5.
Then measure view area bounds on the table. All the results obtained should be multiplied by 5.
Then compare camera model in VideoCAD with obtained results.
I suppose there will be difference because of geometrical distortions.