Did I buy the wrong camera? B5442E-ZE

E

echelonff

n3wb
Oct 10, 2021
12
17
WI
Hi Everyone,
Enjoying reading here and learning. I have been on a steep learning curve though, running Rekor Scout (OpenALPR) and originally had it on a micro PC. Was running 100% CPU, so now I have it on a beefy alienware gaming PC, and cruising at 25%... so, resolved that problem.

I have this camera: Amazon.com : Loryta Smart 4MP Ultra Low Light Starlight+ WDR IR Bullet AI IP Camera 2.7mm ~12mm Motorized Lens, ePOE and POE Support, Smart H.264+/H.265+,IP67,IK10 Protection IPC-B5442E-ZE : Electronics

I live on a culdesac, and am at the very end. I think the angle is good because OpenALPR does grab plates when they are nearer. I have the camera pointed straight out at the street, and can only get captures when cars are going very slow right next to the curb, which is about 50 ft away from the camera. I want to reach out about 150-180 ft for the best shot. I have been adjusting settings for 2 days now, following the best practices in this forum, and I'm starting to think that I need more optical zoom to get where I need to. I thought the camera I bought was enough, but I'm starting to read that there may be other Loryta bullet cameras (Dahua) that have a better zoom. I'm open to buying another one if it's the right one.

Would you have any kind recommendations? I'm about at the end of things to try here!

Thanks everyone!
-Echelonff
 
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You need the Z4 version of that camera to get plates out at 150-180 feet and even then it'll be tuff. Have you looked in these threads?

New to LPR? Considerations Before You Begin

Thought I would throw together a post on my experiences so far with LPR in an effort to help others that are considering running down that rabbit hole. There are some practical considerations you should know about LPR. I am approaching this from the position of using Blue Iris and Plate...
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LPR Case Study: Scoping, Planning, Proof of Concept, Installation, & Results

Introduction This thread is about my journey into LPR (License Plate Recognition) after having about 18 months of experience with IP cams and having quite a bit of my system finished. I am not an expert on LPR, or IP cameras either. But I have spent a lot of time working with my system and...
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LPR

Licence Plate Reader cameras
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Review-Dahua IPC-HFW5241E-Z12E AI Varifocal Bullet

Courtesy of @EMPIRETECANDY at Empire Technology Co., Ltd - Small Orders Online Store, Hot Selling and more on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group And EmpireTech-Andy @ Amazon.com: Price Approximately $220US shipped via DHL...
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No need to read up, the Z12 is what you need. 2MP is all you need for plates (OpenALPR even suggest 720P). The Z4E is only have the optical zoom of the Z12E.

Here is a representative sample of plates I get at night of vehicles traveling about 45MPH at 175 feet from my Z12E:

1633985368022.png


It is available right here from @EMPIRETECANDY :

 
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The B5442E-ZE is a good camera, but not suit for long distance watching.
The IPC-B5442E-Z4E and IPC-HFW5241E-Z12E are the best ones for LPR now.

LPR For IPC-B5442E-Z4E

Here are some pics for LPR with IPC-B5442E-Z4E. Zoom in to Max. Drive way around 120ft. Just do some simple setting.
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LPR Setup SUCCESS with HFW5241E-Z12E

Thanks to Andy and Loony, I ordered an IPC-HFW5241E-Z12E from Andy's Amazon store, a bit of a sting at $250, but so far I am VERY impressed. This is just with me playing with random settings, haphazardly mounted on a tree at an awkward angle I have had a few that were not great, like...
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5241 z12 2mp catches everything i need in a choke point of a parking lot entrance. 1st pic is from an 5442 4Mp 2.8 mm overview cam. 2nd pic is the same car.
 

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This is the 5442 Turret AS-LED 6mm. catching plates in a very specific spot in the back of the P lot. it's 11-12 feet high on a telephone pole. I thought I could use it as an overview cam, but it's too narrow. but it's better suited for LPR....Now I can buy another overview cam. with Audio

Screenshot 2021-09-20 212111.png
 
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I think it will help with police reports, if I also have another cam with the color/make/model of the car, along with the Plate capture cam.
 
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Glad I noticed this thread as now the Z12E is on my short list.

How would it compare to these from Hik do you think?
iDS-2CD7A26G0/P-IZHS(Y) - 2MP DeepinView ANPR Moto Varifocal Bullet Camera
& Its 4MP sibling is: iDS-2CD7A46G0/P-IZHS(Y) - 4MP DeepinView ANPR Moto Varifocal Bullet Camera
 
echelonff said:
The 5241E-Z12E is 2MP.. the one I have is 4MP. Will I get any better reach with 4MP or is that not a thing?
Click to expand...

You're getting caught up in the megapixel thinking.

More mega pixels are better (sensor size allowing) when comparing 2 identical cameras and zooms side by side ie both having a 1/1.8" sensor, 3.6mm lens. However, For an object further away, a 2mp will get a better image than a 4mp if using a longer zoom eg 12mm and a tighter image. The reality of images is it's nothing to do with the actual megapixels but pixel density per sqaure inch. The tighter the zoom onto an object the less the pixels are spread out over a wider field of view, the higher the density on the object to be identified, and the better the quality the image. Thus you might have an object at 50 feet. A 4mp with 3.6mm lens will give a poorer image of the object than a 2mp with a 12x zoom at 50 feet because when zoomed in, the density of pixels is higher in the image from the 2mp camera. That's why PTZ cameras can see at hundreds of feet with perfect clarity with 2mp when even 8 or 12mp with a 2.5mm lens cameras can't make out a barn door at those distances. It's all about the field of view and howspread out the pixels are over the image as a result.

More pixels only gets you more if the field of view of both cameras is identical ie both cameras are using eg a 3.6mm lens and even then you have to beware sensor size and sensitivity implications for night time viewing.

More can be more, but only in the right circumstances. In this instance what you need is a long zoom to get a very tight image of the cars. If you need to guard the area surrounding that, then a 2nd camera is needed with a wider angle lens.
 
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geoguz said:
Glad I noticed this thread as now the Z12E is on my short list.

How would it compare to these from Hik do you think?
iDS-2CD7A26G0/P-IZHS(Y) - 2MP DeepinView ANPR Moto Varifocal Bullet Camera
& Its 4MP sibling is: iDS-2CD7A46G0/P-IZHS(Y) - 4MP DeepinView ANPR Moto Varifocal Bullet Camera
Click to expand...
Those hikvision ANPR can buy 2-3 Z12E :headbang:
 
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Be careful with this plate collection hobby. Soon just collecting plates on a cul de sac won't be enough; the ultimate LPR hobbyist moves to get a good overview on the i405 . . . ;-)

freeway_apartment_1.jpg
 
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