Should I even try to get plates with a 5442?

[MichaelWeston]

I just got a new IPC-T54IR-ZE from EmpireTech that I was going to attempt to read plates with but I'm not sure it will be possible. What do you think? Is this a camera issue or a settings issue? I realize the field of view is very wide even with the camera zoomed all the way in.

Should I attempt to mess with settings more or just give up and try a different camera with more zoom? I was attempting this camera because I was worried a bullet camera wouldn't look very good compared to the turret.

This is a daytime image attached

My settings:

Anti-flicker: Outdoor
Shutter: 1/100000
Gain: 10-20
Exposure comp: 0
Auto Iris: on
3D NR: on
3D NR Level: 50
2D NR level: 50
backlight: off
Style: Standard
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 100
Saturation: 50
Sharpness: 50
Gamma: 100
WB: Auto
Day/Night: B/W
Defog: off
Ai SSA: Off

 

[wittaj]

It is very capable if the plates are within 20-30ish feet. Outside of that you need more optical zoom.

You are using the wrong camera for your field of view.

The Z4E up to 60ish feet and the Z12E up to 200ish feet.

 

[MichaelWeston]

Thanks. That is what I figured. I may give it another go with the Z12E

 

[samplenhold]

Like Wittaj stated, you need more optical zoom. See these threads:

New to LPR? Considerations Before You Begin

Thought I would throw together a post on my experiences so far with LPR in an effort to help others that are considering running down that rabbit hole. There are some practical considerations you should know about LPR. I am approaching this from the position of using Blue Iris and Plate...

ipcamtalk.com

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

At the urging of several folks here, I created a thread to show the importance of focal length and how focal length can be more important than megapixels (MP). I mentioned some of this in the post regarding The Hookup’s latest video demonstrating different cameras, including one sold from a...

ipcamtalk.com

LPR Case Study: Scoping, Planning, Proof of Concept, Installation, & Results

Introduction This thread is about my journey into LPR (License Plate Recognition) after having about 18 months of experience with IP cams and having quite a bit of my system finished. I am not an expert on LPR, or IP cameras either. But I have spent a lot of time working with my system and...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[richardgohth]

It is very capable if the plates are within 20-30ish feet. Outside of that you need more optical zoom.

You are using the wrong camera for your field of view.

The Z4E up to 60ish feet and the Z12E up to 200ish feet.

off thead a bit
is there a C or CS mount version of the camera?

 

[Alaska Country]

is there a C or CS mount version of the camera?

You could check with Andy to make sure. However, IMO this camera only comes with a threaded lens mount. One could possibility find an adapter for threaded to C and test to see if a fixed focal length or zoom lens would work.

Keep in mind that where the image focus in regard to senor placement must also be taken into consideration along with the physical size of the lens. If you find something that works, please let us know as others may also have an interest in a lens modification for this camera.

 

[RJM_50]

With the 1/1.8 image sensor you don't need the shutter speed cranked that high. I have both of mine set a 1/1000 at night and it works with default shutter speed during the day.
I have both the a Turret IPC-T54IR-ZE and the Bullet IPC-T54IR-Z4E cameras doing LPR for me.
The more common Bullet 12x zoom IPC-T54IR-Z4E camera has a lot of zoom to get a close view of vehicle license plates. Mine is shooting over oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the roadway, and captures plates at ~75ft away. It's a 25MPH zone, but it captured a mini license plate on the back of a speeding motorcycle.
While the cheaper Turret 5x zoom IPC-T54IR-ZE camera is right next to the roadway almost square with license plates going past. We don't have front license plates in my State, so I have to capture everyone as their leaving. This small turret camera is only looking at vehicles ~15ft as they cross the field of view. It's possible, but it must be right up next to vehicles

 

[Flintstone61]

z4 will work. Thats 60-80 feet away almost fully zoomed.

 

[Flintstone61]

 

[Flintstone61]

new MN black plate. at twilight

 

[Flintstone61]

z12 will give you more zoom but less car. you will be getting mostly the plate. you could use the ZE as the color overview cam to capture the wider scene as the cars pass by. Camera's multiply like rabbits someone around here used to say.

 

[Flintstone61]

this is what a z12 will give compared to a z4 at the same intersection.