I looked around the newbie and wiki stuff but didn't really find what I was looking for (or missed it). I'm setting up cameras around my house for some basic security and to watch around the house. I typically use Dahua or EmpireTech PoE for my outdoor cameras, but open to one that will do the job. I don't know if I need a dedicated LPR, but I was hoping that I could find a camera or find out what camera specs might be able to view the front yard area and be able to see license plates on a recording should it be needed at some point. The yard is very open and the license plate would likely be about 75ft from the camera. I welcome any suggestions or advice. Thanks!
Camera specs or camera for License plate reading
- Thread starter mm5300
- Start date
Do you want a camera that actually reads the plates and logs them or simply set up a camera that you can manually read the plate with your own eyes or use a 3rd party tool to read and collect the data?
The specs are you need a camera with the correct amount of optical zoom for the distance you are covering, the ability to set a fast shutter and the camera honors it, and the angle.
Most people underestimate distance and 75 feet turns out to be 100 feet and then it is a different camera.
The 52IR-Z12E would be a good one based on that distance (can work up to 150 feet, but some of stretched it to 200), but that only allows you to manually read the plates. The ITC431-RW1F would be close to working at that distance (wouldn't want to go much past 75 feet) and it automatically reads and logs the plates.
You would have to set the camera up specifically to read plates. You need the proper camera with OPTICAL zoom for the distance you are covering and the angle to get plates.
Keep in mind that this is a camera dedicated to plates and not an overview camera also. It is as much an art as it is a science. You will need two cameras. For LPR we need to OPTICALLY zoom in tight to make the plate as large as possible. For most of us, all you see is the not much more than a vehicle in the entire frame. Now maybe in the right location during the day it might be able to see some other things, but not at night.
At night, we have to run a very fast shutter speed (1/2,000) and in B/W with IR and the image will be black. All you will see are head/tail lights and the plate. Some people can get away with color if they have enough street lights, but most of us cannot. Here is a representative sample of plates I get at night of vehicles traveling about 45MPH at 175 feet from my 2MP 5241 (52IR) -Z12E camera (that is all that is needed for plates):
See the LPR subforum for more details.
The specs are you need a camera with the correct amount of optical zoom for the distance you are covering, the ability to set a fast shutter and the camera honors it, and the angle.
Most people underestimate distance and 75 feet turns out to be 100 feet and then it is a different camera.
The 52IR-Z12E would be a good one based on that distance (can work up to 150 feet, but some of stretched it to 200), but that only allows you to manually read the plates. The ITC431-RW1F would be close to working at that distance (wouldn't want to go much past 75 feet) and it automatically reads and logs the plates.
You would have to set the camera up specifically to read plates. You need the proper camera with OPTICAL zoom for the distance you are covering and the angle to get plates.
Keep in mind that this is a camera dedicated to plates and not an overview camera also. It is as much an art as it is a science. You will need two cameras. For LPR we need to OPTICALLY zoom in tight to make the plate as large as possible. For most of us, all you see is the not much more than a vehicle in the entire frame. Now maybe in the right location during the day it might be able to see some other things, but not at night.
At night, we have to run a very fast shutter speed (1/2,000) and in B/W with IR and the image will be black. All you will see are head/tail lights and the plate. Some people can get away with color if they have enough street lights, but most of us cannot. Here is a representative sample of plates I get at night of vehicles traveling about 45MPH at 175 feet from my 2MP 5241 (52IR) -Z12E camera (that is all that is needed for plates):
See the LPR subforum for more details.
wittaj, thanks so much for the info! I'm not looking to have it automatically log the plates. I'd just like a camera that if something happens, I can go back over the recording and see the license plate. More of a "when I need it" type thing. Would the 52IR-Z12E be a good option for that? Thanks again!
