Frigate compatible PTZ cameras for auto-tracking

[Trakkasure]

I've bought 3 very nice PTZ outdoor cameras (with good optical zoom and night vision) but none of them support the relative FOV that is required.
In order to not spend more money on cameras that do not support this feature, in addition to wanting higher quality video and optical zoom, is there a list of cameras that support the required features for auto-tracking?

[NickM-27]

https://deploy-preview-6262--frigate-docs.netlify.app/configuration/cameras#onvif-ptz-camera-recommendations

[Trakkasure]

I know about that (your answer is correct) but almost all cameras in that list are not supported.
I'm looking for additional feedback here from users who have gotten their camera tracking working with cameras not on that list.

[psCLE]

I just purchased one of these DH-SD22404DB-GNY from a Chinese seller on ebay. The camera works great with Frigate auto tracking and the camera arrived 35 days ahead of schedule, well packed and flawless, the return address was Los Angeles. According to Duhua website the model DH-SD22404DB us coming to the US soon. I gambled on it because it is a new model but since the older models work I assumed this one did. And I was impatient and want to see for myself how it worked.

[psCLE]

Not going to share results because at the moment because it is sitting on a cat tree through a screen window with the plastic on the lens. I have it tracking people and even through the window screen and plastic wrap, my Coral PCI detects and Frigate tracks and zooms the target.

[Trakkasure]

I have 2 Dahua cameras and both do not support relative fov for frigate auto-tracking.
I will check that one out.

[Trakkasure]

Correction, They are sunbatech. Very nice video quality. I wouldn't buy them again for me needs.

[Trakkasure]

Anyone tried and Annke C800 for auto-tracking?

[ehn]

Is there any chance that Frigate might support autotracking without relative FOV in the future?

[NickM-27]

it's a very difficult proposition because without relative FOV movement, many parameters will need to be tuned to the camera specifically which will require a full manual user setup for each camera if it is possible at all.

[Trakkasure]

Is there any information that is required that would not be available from the ONVIF media profile, other than the lens type?
Also, could automated calibration/configuration be done by having a pattern printed on paper and walked around the field of view? Or placed up close?

[Trakkasure]

A poor-mans tracker (no relative FOV) could be something like the system attempting to move the camera plus or minus at a high or low speed, calibrated ahead of time, in the hopes that it could keep up with the target.
There are video applications that can map text on a wall and track placement while the camera is moving...
I'm no expert, and probably am way off, but it seems it could be possible given the abundance of real-time video processing apps that, when capabilities combined, could lend a hand at a solution.

[hawkeye217]

This would be a very difficult task to get right for the variety of cameras available today. Motor speed, latency, tracking model, etc. would make it extremely problematic.

With that said, some improvements are in the works for future versions to be able to support more cameras.

[anktababa]

Hello,
I didn't wanted to created a thread and i found this one.
My question is exactly, i discovered frigate and using it for some weeks with my basic low cost camera (dafang, foscam c1)
I received my Coral and now i would to buy "good" camera cameras, after reading the doc (very great btw) i understand that dahua, hikvision/armcrest are very good. Dahua seems to support almost everything needed on ONVIF (RelativeMove) which is needed for PTZ Tracking.

My question :
Do you have some camera that you are using that you would recommend ? Focusing on dahua as i want something that is working easy and working out of the box properly but if you have other suggestions that are working great always open.
Thank you

[NickM-27]

the recommendation for a ptz camera can vary greatly depending on your intended usecase (general spotter cam, license plate reading, far distance tracking, etc.)

[anktababa]

Yes you are right, I would say a general outdoor camera that can be use to detect things that are entering a zone and follow it, no need for a big zoom, just a good image quality (coming from a low cost camera the step is easy lol)
License plate would be amazing but too complicated for a home usage I think
Thank you for your answer

[NickM-27]

I believe this is one of the smaller ones https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1808627-REG/dahua_technology_lite_series_1a404dbnr_4mp.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&smpm=ba_f2_lar&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifL5k5ekhQMV5tjCBB2PSAqWEAQYAiABEgIasfD_BwE