Today I learned I know nothing about cameras

tylorwashere

tylorwashere

Well-Known Member
I'm trying to decide on a board camera for my fpv setup. All I know for sure is that I want it to capture video in 4:3.

What is tvl? When I see things like 2.88mm, is that like the diameter of the lens?

Can someone give me a starting point? I'd appreciate it.
 
 
holtneil said:
Hi mate for fpv go for a large view angle like 148 degs Sony do some nice cheap board cameras

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjUhoLFy5XLAhUHbhQKHfifDKMQFghCMAI&url=http://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/cc1333-b-board-camera-sony-super-had-ccd-with-600tvl-ir-blocked-cc1333&usg=AFQjCNHtmehjvljG33kg2SL4B9g9NYU0egsome really good ones
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjUhoLFy5XLAhUHbhQKHfifDKMQtwIIPDAA&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdqsClsJyUU&usg=AFQjCNEMZGnUO115Gh3xCYQGBYxBVrUR_A

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjUhoLFy5XLAhUHbhQKHfifDKMQFghCMAI&url=http://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/cc1333-b-board-camera-sony-super-had-ccd-with-600tvl-ir-blocked-cc1333&usg=AFQjCNHtmehjvljG33kg2SL4B9g9NYU0eg
Click to expand...

So would something like this be sufficient?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Z...ard+camera&dpPl=1&dpID=51rg1dJzaGL&ref=plSrch
 
Nightowl said:
TVL is the term for tv lines. Its the number of horizontal "lines" on the screen to make the picture. Lines of resolution. Older cameras were 480 tvl when newer ones supposedly go up to 1200 right now and price reflects it. The more "lines" the more compressed, the more compressed the better the picture. Computers use the term "DP" but is pretty much the same thing. They utilize "dots per". The more "dots" the better the picture. The mm is the size of the lens. The smaller the number, the smaller size the lens measures across. Not the glass or outer cover, but the inner working part. Focal length is basically how far it can see focused. Then you have the angle. The bigger the number, the "wider" it will view.

Now we have digital. 1080P, 720P etc... The "P" is basically referring to pixels. The more pixels the better the picture. Have you ever seen a computer screen with a weird colored dot somewhere on it? Or heard the term "Dead Pixel"? That's 1 single dot gone dead.
Click to expand...

Alot of cameras im looking at don't give the angle for FOV, is there a way to estimate it based on lens size? Is a bigger lens always better?
 
tylorwashere said:
So would something like this be sufficient?
Click to expand...

Look for specs like that Crazepony in a CCD camera rather than CMOS for several reasons: Better low light and high light performance, (more sensitive in lower light AND they don't "wash out" everything else (as bad) in high light, e.g. when you point at the sun), 2.8 mm is good, you DEFINATELY want WDR (wide dynamic range) and "ultrawide" is even better, DNR? meh (adds latency), 800TVL is fine (no real need for any higher), FOV is a matter of personal taste, many pilots say more (beyond a point like about 90 degrees) isn't always better. With higher FOV comes more distortion and less clarity. Also the "mm" refers to the focal length of the lens not how big it is, the lower the number the more FOV (as well as curved horizons and other "fish eye" effects) and loss of fine detail conversely with higher numbers (say 3.6 mm or 4 mm) there's less FOV (you'll get used to it) but also less distortion and a more crisply detailed image.
If you've got a little more money and can find one, Super HAD is even better than regular CCD (twice as sensitive) ... That's about all I got on the subject ;)
 
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