Would a higher res 4k or varifocal have captured better plates?
Higher res will have poorer images in low light.
Work on getting good low light pics first. Then the daylight results will almost certainly be acceptable.
Varifocal doesn't affect image quality, as compared to a fixed focus cam.
Instead, varifocal lets you "dial in" the FOV you need. Typically,
after you identify the optimal cam mounting location.
That fence dictates the cam must be located high, to get the downward angle to catch the plate. The high mounted cam is a less-than-ideal location, however.
I would consider a small box on the fence that is inconspicuous, mounted about 4ft off of the ground, so that the camera is protected.
Coworkerbob, that's good advice (above) from bababouy. Consider mounting the box on the inside of the fence. Then just cut a round hole in your fence for the camera. The hole will have to be large, to eliminate reflections from the cams IR LEDs. You can make the hole in the fence smaller and more discrete if you turn off the cam's IR and use auxiliary IR illumination, located away from the cam. Eg: on the high spot where the cams are located now.
Would a 12mm lens have captured better plates?
Short answer, YES!
Read up on "Pixels Per Foot". A higher PPF gives sharper images. Visit the IPVM Camera Calculator site. Enter you address, it will use Google Maps to approximate the PPF from the cam to the subject, for a given lens size.
I suspect you cropped the 3 of the 4 images you provided.
1) only 1 image had the time and date stamp. (the date is 12/1/2000. The same date flashing on your VCR? Just good natured ribbing, lol)
2) I kinda doubt you have 4 cams aimed at nearly identical areas of interest.
LPR at night is a challenge. And not an easy objective to achieve. There's many threads here on the subject.
Your neighbors were burglarized. And your neighbors appreciate your help, and your security cams. Here's an idea:
Mount a cam on their property, recording to your NVR.
- For their privacy, mount it looking away from their house/windows.
- If next door neighbors, running cable is simple.
- if across the street neighbors, a point-to-point wireless link is better than relying on Wifi. Lots of threads here explain how to connect point-to-point wirelessly (better than WiFi, which sucks for security cams)
Your NVR probably has inputs for "external alarms". Consider using them, if only to get the "alarm event" marked on the video playback timeline. External alarms could be a switch on your front gate, a light tripwire (as with front doors of retail stores), or a PIR+Radar sensor. These are more robust, with fewer false alarms, than MD or IVS. (your costco units may not support IVS?)
Lastly, a Camera System is a lousy substitute for an Alarm System.
- When an Alarm sounds, it's a deterrent. The thieves won't linger.
- A Camera System might be a deterrent, if the cams are visible to the burglars. And if they care. If they have hoodies, they'll cover their face.
- To use a favorite quote from
@looney2ns, cameras can give a false sense of security. After the thieves leave, the homeowners then learns the painful lesson:
"The Camera showed 'WHAT' happened, but not 'Who Did it!"
Best wishes to you for helping your neighbors, and making yourself more secure.
Fastb
PS: don't forget to "like" bababouy and tangent for their help!