Need recommendation; identify plates at 70 yards

[C4talyst]

First post but have been using ip cams for years. I need a high-quality cam that will identify license plates and people at around 70 yards. I can go as high as $1,000 but was hoping for something closer to $500.

I've been using Hikvision for the past few years and am aware of their issues. Pretty happy with the capability vs cost though.

Appreciate any insight...

 

[bigredfish]

This is to be a fixed camera with a single fixed target area of what size?

 

[C4talyst]

It's a community gazebo that has become a hub for drug sales. My home is the closest at about 70 yards. Total area size is maybe 30-40 feet, including the gazebo, sidewalk to it and street where people park.

I imagine fixed focal length is fine.

 

[bigredfish]

Is it well lit? Getting a fixed lens box camera to see that far shouldnt be hard (but doubtful on your budget) but 210ft is ways for IR without a PTZ.

Also remember if its primarily LPR, you'll be running IR at night and a very fast shutter speed, with a tight FOV and wont see anything but the plate and maybe vehicle lights


I'd think a number of PTZ models would work and be within budget, I'd stay with 2MP if you want plates. Always cut rated IR distance in 1/2
SD5A245GB-HNR

Problem is you need two cameras is you want reliable plates plus area surveillance for humans

 

[C4talyst]

Appreciate the info. It's relatively well-lit however most of the activity has been during the daytime so night shots with IR aren't as important. We're trying to gauge activity and frequency of visits and I'd probably place a higher importance on plates than identifying faces.

Do fixed focal lengths provide more picture clarity than PTZs? My understanding of this may be off but I was thinking along the lines of a fixed length that was zoomed in to some degree, like 100mm lens, or should I just be focused on PTZs?

 

[ctm]

I took to long to post, l)my information was redundant (and less thorough).

 

[bigredfish]

I think for both , you'll want a PTZ. It can get complicated

Here's a 45X $1200-$1300 PTZ example.
Its already zoomed some and picks them up at 400+ft from the camera. It could be zoomed in much tighter at 200ft and pick them up quicker, but you sacrifice the narrower FOV

To do both that and LPR, IF you have a fixed target zone for plate capture, and using another "spotter" camera, you could have the spotter watch the capture zone and have the PTZ zoom in to catch the plate on that predefined zone. Again the problem would be at night unless you get lucky and have enough light to keep it in color (using B&W with IR would present the problem I mentioned above)

 

[bigredfish]

Of course you dont have to have it autotrack if you want to have it parked at a specific spot to get plates, or as overview for humans. Again doing both with one camera is not in the cards both day and night

 

[C4talyst]

That is a nice picture...definitely looks like the range would work and probably has features I don't need, tempting though. Would it be possible mount an IR "spotlight" of sorts on my home that would light up that area at night?

I've looked at license plate readers and have wanted one for our home. We're relatively close to the street and it seemed like we had good angles for capture, but I understand 70 yards away is another story.

 

[bigredfish]

Example of a second "spotter" camera telling the PTZ to zoom to a predefined spot to catch plates.

*Advantage here is that they more or less have to stop or rolling stop. This would be a LOT harder to pull off if they are moving at say 30-50 mph
View attachment HOA Entr_ch1_20210727090834_20210727090849.mp4

 

[bigredfish]

This wont "read" plates. It simple captures them. To create a database and do true LPR (recognition) will require an NVR with that capability

For $250 or so you can get a 5241Z-12 bullet camera that many of us use for LPR (again not automated) at up to say 120ft easy. Again this stays fixed tight focused on the capture area

100ft

 

[wittaj]

Appreciate the info. It's relatively well-lit however most of the activity has been during the daytime so night shots with IR aren't as important. We're trying to gauge activity and frequency of visits and I'd probably place a higher importance on plates than identifying faces.

Do fixed focal lengths provide more picture clarity than PTZs? My understanding of this may be off but I was thinking along the lines of a fixed length that was zoomed in to some degree, like 100mm lens, or should I just be focused on PTZs?

All great info above. If you want plates, especially for night it has to be dedicated.

The reason folks are suggesting PTZ is good luck finding a 100mm fixed lens LOL. The workhorse Z12E is 64mm and that is the biggest most have. Unless you spend big bucks.

The picture quality from a PTZ is fine and is not a degradation over a fixed lens. Some would even argue it is better because it has more room and more processing power. Your understanding is wrong.

 

[C4talyst]

So I've heard of Dahua but know nothing about them. How do they stack up against Hikvision?

 

[bigredfish]

Some would say they're effectively equal. Most here are Dahua fans, perhaps not the least reason is we have a great supplier here on the forum who treats everyone right.

HiK worlds largest, Dahua #2
From a shear size standpoint nobody else is close

 

[wittaj]

Hikvision and Dahua are direct competitors. Most here are Dahua fans with a great member here that sells Dahua OEM on Amazon @EMPIRETECANDY

It is like asking people:

Ford versus Dodge

Honda versus Toyota

 

[bigredfish]

You could get a box camera with a fixed lens say 100mm, but it would be way over your budget. Not to mention you;d need a housing for it to live in...
IPC-HF7442F-Z-X

That one will do ANPR or true plate recognition

 

[C4talyst]

I kinda sensed Dahua was preferred here. Definitely willing to check them, but my home network and NVR is all Hik. I was looking at this one...ton of features I don't need though. It's about $800.

4 MP 25x IR Varifocal Bullet Network Camera

us.hikvision.com

 

[bigredfish]

That actually looks pretty damn cool on specs, only thing I dont like is the sensor size but Dahua does that too on some models. '
4MP needs a 1/1.8 sensor IMHO especially for night use.

 

[wittaj]

That actually looks pretty damn cool on specs, only thing I dont like is the sensor size but Dahua does that too on some models. '
4MP needs a 1/1.8 sensor IMHO especially for night use.

And especially at that distance!

 

[Parley]

That actually looks pretty damn cool on specs, only thing I dont like is the sensor size but Dahua does that too on some models. '
4MP needs a 1/1.8 sensor IMHO especially for night use.

Agreed.