looking for a good ANPR camera

[ArnonZ]

The main problem is that I would probably need a HIKVISION alternative as well (long story, but good chance they'd need to choose a HIKVISION camera).
So I'm currently looking for both Dahua and Hikvision ANPR alternatives.
With HIK, the main problem I had was with the focal length: with a big focal length, I can zoom in for a longer range and therefor, the height of the camera would be less significant because of the angle.

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[wittaj]

Do you need the camera to actually read and log the plates or just the ability for you to visually read the plates or use a 3rd party to then read the plates?

And what is the distance? Most ANPR focal lengths are not large.

Many here use the 5241-Z12E and is capable of about 200ish feet. But this camera does not read the plates and you use a 3rd party if you want to have them read. But you can clearly read the plates.

 

[ArnonZ]

Thanks,

1. Yes, I need to OCR and have a log.
It's not like a parking lot where I need to 100% identify the number and connect it to the payment
It's also not like a parking lot where I can have the camera 3-4ft from the plate when the car is standing in front of the gate.
2. 200ft sounds good enough. The question here is the angle you get. I guess that with a longer range, the angle to the plate would be good enough even though the camera is mounted relatively high.
3. Naturally, I'd rather have a dedicated ANPR cam but it's all about the cost - if the price makes no sense at all and better use 3rd party for recognition, we can consider
4. I guess that the 5241 is not ANPR cam but it's also a Dahua alternative. From the little I remember, the HIK ANPR models are very far from 63mm - closer to 12. couldn't find there a camera with a reasonable focal length.
I'm looking for a HIK alternative as well even though I always prefer Dahua.

 

[ArnonZ]

And some other questions regarding the 3rd party SW:
1. Is it possible to integrate with NVR or only PC with or without BI?
2. Does it mean I do not get logs?
3. If I do take ANPR and NVR, do I need a special NVR that support the AMPR cams or most common NVR's would give me a log and list of captures with video to run

 

[looney2ns]

1-Yes
2- No
3-Yes.
Look here for equipment: Dahua Technology - Leading Video Surveillance Solution Provider with CCTV Produc

Study this area of the site, it will answer lots of your questions.
LPR | IP Cam Talk

 

[Alaska Country]

Two Dahua LPR cameras.

HFW-7442H-Z44MP AI IR which is a 4MP, 1/1.8” CMOS - 8 mm to 32 mm Zoom

ITC237-PW6M-IRLZF1050-B which is a 2 MP, 1/1.8 " CMOS - 10 mm to 50 mm Zoom

Non LPR and less costly.

HFW-5242H-Z6E-MF which is a 2MP, 1/1.8” CMOS - 8 mm to 48 mm Zoom

 

[Wiz_ard]

Alaska Country gave you some good options,

We sell hundreds of these a year, ITC237-PW6M-IRLZF1050-B which is a 2 MP, 1/1.8 " CMOS - 10 mm to 50 mm Zoom - i dont know of another ANPR that can beat this one in the same price range.

 

[ArnonZ]

Thanks helpers,

And as for the Hik alternative, I was thinking about either DS-2CD7A26G0/P-IZHS8 or DS-2CD7A26G0/P-IZHS
Both are very expensive and personally I'd take the Dahua but the good thing is that both of them support also 8-32mm (not 50mm but still better than 2.8-12mm).
If the cameras could be mounter low enough or the LP of the cars was high enough, I would not be worried about the angle but that's not the case for real life.

ITC237-PW6M-IRLZF1050-B would also be my cost-effective choice if it was up to me.

 

[wittaj]

The question is how far away will the plates be?

Many have tried to use the Dahua 5442-Z4E that is 8mm-32mm at 60 feet and felt like the plate wasn't large enough to read effectively and ended up replacing it with the 5241-Z12E

 

[Alaska Country]

This is an image from a Dahua HFW-7442H-Z44MP AI IR LPR camera at 100 feet with the lens at maximum zoom (32 mm).

The lens is too short as a larger plate would be better IMO. i.e. either more zoom or less distance

When the weather warms up (June!) will reposition the HFW-5242H-Z6E-MF (48 mm) that is mounted within a foot of the 7442 and see how the two compare when operating side by side and pointed at the same exact location.