Adjusting zoom on an IPC-B52IR-Z12EB-S2

[JPmedia]

Hi all,

Maybe I'm missing it, but I cannot find the zoom control for this camera in the Web GUI. There is a "FOCUS & ZOOM" selection, but it only shows the focus mode when selected, which is on Semi Auto.

System version is V3.100.0000000.6.R, Build Date: 2023-08-02

 

[looney2ns]

Make sure you are using Internet Explorer as the browser used to connect to the camera.
Yes IE is still there.

How to enable Native Internet Explorer in Windows 11 to access your IP cams.

How to enable Native Internet Explorer in Windows 11 to access your IP cams. Open Notepad: Paste the single line of code below: CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application").Visible=true Save as forceIE.vbs Make sure the the file name ends in .vbs not .txt, If it ends in .txt you must...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[wittaj]

And it isn't in the focus and zoom tab section of the settings, it is in the live view at the bottom left.

 

[JPmedia]

Yep, I see it now

 

[JPmedia]

I swear I didn't see it at first, I must be blind

 

[wittaj]

For LPR, you will want to change the focus speed from 20 to 1 while dialing in the focus.

That is the step count and trying to focus it on 20 will give big swings in focus.

 

[JPmedia]

For LPR, you will want to change the focus speed from 20 to 1 while dialing in the focus.

That is the step count and trying to focus it on 20 will give big swings in focus.

Thanks for the tip. I've been following the threads on this camera for LPR use. I plan on re-reading all info to do set up and take my time to dial it in for my specific use.

I've been experimenting with a 4mp PTZ with a zoom of 5 to 64mm just to see how it would do on picking out license plate info and it does quite well during the day. That and the forum threads is what pushed me to purchase the Empire Tech camera

 

[JPmedia]

Captured this guy in the rain driving erratically.

Keep in mind, these are all auto settings. This was before I read a lot of the helpful threads here on making adjustments to maximize the image.

 

[JPmedia]

I Have seen a lot of tinted plate covers in my neighborhood lately, which is illegal here in Florida (even clear covers are illegal). It is very difficult to get readable captures of the plate info with these tinted covers, but I managed to grab this one. Anyone else have difficulties capturing plate info with tinted covers?

 

[wittaj]

Those aren't bad, just remember that with enough light, the cameras can work in auto, but we want to try to capture as many as possible day and night!

Yeah the covers are hard. No system will get 100%. There will always be the tinted cover, temp tags, fake tags, no plates, etc.

That is why I am a big fan of making the plate as large as possible to help try to capture some of the questionable ones.

The plate covers, even if not tinted, are impossible to get at night because the infrared just reflects it all back, as are plates in back windows, but because enough IR cannot get to them.

 

[JPmedia]

Those aren't bad, just remember that with enough light, the cameras can work in auto, but we want to try to capture as many as possible day and night!

Yeah the covers are hard. No system will get 100%. There will always be the tinted cover, temp tags, fake tags, no plates, etc.

That is why I am a big fan of making the plate as large as possible to help try to capture some of the questionable ones.

The plate covers, even if not tinted, are impossible to get at night because the infrared just reflects it all back, as are plates in back windows, but because enough IR cannot get to them.

Thanks. The test using the PTZ camera was to see if it was possible to capture plates given the mounting location, angle and distance - roughly 160 feet. Otherwise, there would be no reason to invest in a LPR camera.

I wouldn't want to use the PTZ for LPR activity as I don't believe it would do well in low light. Plus, the reason for having a PTZ is to be able to view what you have interest in at the time, where manual settings would be difficult to implement given the wide range of scenes and lighting.

A dedicated camera for LPR makes much more sense as it can fine tuned to a predetermined location. Plus, the PTZ cameras I have are quite large - hard for them NOT to stick out

 

[JPmedia]

Yeah the covers are hard. No system will get 100%. There will always be the tinted cover, temp tags, fake tags, no plates, etc.

That is why I am a big fan of making the plate as large as possible to help try to capture some of the questionable ones.

The plate covers, even if not tinted, are impossible to get at night because the infrared just reflects it all back, as are plates in back windows, but because enough IR cannot get to them.

It makes you wonder what they are trying to hide. We live on a corner lot with a cul-de-sac on the outside corner. Many of the same shady vehicles choose to go out of their way to go around the far side of the cul-de-sac, for what reason, I have no idea

 

[JPmedia]

Just a quick question for those using this camera for LPR. I'm using this camera as an east-facing view LPR camera. In the morning picture is fine, but as we get into the afternoon and early evening sun, exposure can get blown out, especially as the vehicle enters the middle of the frame. It seems like the exposure gain increases as the target enters mid-frame.

My question is, should I lower the gain (currently 0 - 50), Iris (currently at +55) or the exposure compensation (currently at +50) to help mitigate the over exposure during the afternoon/early evening hours?

 

[wittaj]

That is the tough one. Some instances we just get stuck with a few bad moments.

Certainly for day you can crank the gain and iris way down. Supposedly exposure compensation only works if on auto shutter.

Now with the newer GUI, you could set up a profile just for that time of day during each month to better dial it in.

The old GUI that only had a day and night profile meant you had to set it for the majority of the time, but you could now with the new GUI set up a profile just for this bad time and adjust the parameters to deal with it.

 

[JPmedia]

That is the tough one. Some instances we just get stuck with a few bad moments.

Certainly for day you can crank the gain and iris way down. Supposedly exposure compensation only works if on auto shutter.

Now with the newer GUI, you could set up a profile just for that time of day during each month to better dial it in.

The old GUI that only had a day and night profile meant you had to set it for the majority of the time, but you could now with the new GUI set up a profile just for this bad time and adjust the parameters to deal with it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

The gain becomes more pronounced with darker color vehicles but also happens (though not as much) with lighter color vehicles. When the vehicle displaces the roadway in the frame (which are quite light here in Florida), it seems to compensate for the difference in light between the vehicle and roadway by overexposing the frame.

The shutter is set manually to 0-3, which I believe the slowest shutter speed would be 1/1000 sec, yes? I guess I'll have to experiment with exposure settings to help mitigate the issue. Thought someone may have experienced this and might be able to recommend a particular setting to start with

 

[bigredfish]

I have a similar problem with that camera and I minimize it by running 0-1.5 exposure range and gain and Exp comp T 50

 

[JPmedia]

I have a similar problem with that camera and I minimize it by running 0-1.5 exposure range and gain and Exp comp T 50

Aha, I figured you may have had similar issues as I believe you are in Florida as well? I'm currently running an exposure range of 0 - 3

 

[bigredfish]

Yep, my problem is on an west facing camera with targets going from east to west in the morning and between noon and 2 for some reason

Try dropping it to 1.5. Its not perfect but better

 

[JPmedia]

Yep, my problem is on an west facing camera with targets going from east to west in the morning and between non and 2 for some reason

Try dropping it to 1.5. Its not perfect but better

Thanks, I try changing the range to 0 - 1.5.

It makes sense that you have an issue with sun angles earlier in the day due to a west facing camera and I have an issue later in the day with an east facing camera for the same reason. Although, I guess I will find out soon enough when I install my west facing LPR camera in the next week or so if I experience the same issue earlier in the day

 

[bigredfish]

Yeah this time of year can be a problem. I have a west facing mini ptz that from 3:45-5pm I get horrible glare from. I think last year I changed its home preset, guess I need to do that again!