Time to upgrade my system

[Oldman11]

I have a 2017 manufactured HIK NVR with 8 POE cameras, all 5mp that seem to work perfectly after some years ago I "lost" the camera password and they all shut down. Thanks to some very clever work by Alistair and a gentleman in Western Australia they got me going again and the system has been faultless since. However, recently an event occurred that needed me to read a license plate of a parked car some 25 meters from the camera in broad daylight - and I could not do it.
So, this got me thinking that it was time to upgrade the specific camera to see what difference 8MP would make. On contacting a local (Australian) reseller he could not tell me if my NVR would work with the cameras as it "may be too old". He was lacking any real interest in solving my problem so I thought I might put it to the forum before taking my business elsewhere.
The NVR is a Model DS-7608NI-12/8P, with a serial number that has the following Code after the year and date of manufacture: CCRR797113694WCVU, Firmware V3.4.95
Is there a way that I can establish that this NVR will work with current camera models, even if only 8MP with infra-Red lighting. I don't need night color though it would be nice, just so long as there is clarity of vision
I note the current cameras seem to all be AcuSense models with additional "smarts", not sure what effect that may have on my NVR which is only recording data already processed and encoded (perhaps the encoded data may not be readable?)
HIK here in Australia will not communicate with mere mortals such as I yet the retail outlets either lack the knowledge (as in my case) or are not licensed to sell the product in Australia, so you buy without proper warranty or support
And HIK don't give a toss.
Any contributions gratefully received

 

[trempa92]

Itll work just fine, you dont need new nvr.

Some options might be available only on newer firmware,But if you gonna go with acusense cameras you dont need those options on NVR, cameras will handle everything else.

 

[Oldman11]

Thats good news trempa92, thanks for the quick response. Tell me though - you said an acusense camera will work with my old NVR, but then qualified by saying that I don't need some of the options on NVR - what do you mean?
Sorry but I am a novice in these things and would like the upgrades that come with the newer cameras, not just the 8MP, so if I may trouble you, a more in-depth explanation would be much appreciated.
The knowledge base on this forum is incredible and for beginners like me it is invaluable. Kind regards - Oldman

 

[wittaj]

Many here will say 4MP is the sweet spot for these types of cameras.

Digital zooming only works in the movies. Getting an 8MP camera on a 3.6mm lens will not read plates at 25 meters.

You need to select the proper focal length for the distance you are looking at.

Except for PTZs, there are no 8MP cameras on a focal length large enough to IDENTIFY at 25 meters.

You want cameras with MP/sensors in GREEN.

See this thread for the commonly recommended cameras (along with Amazon links) based on distance to IDENTIFY that represent the overall best value in terms of price and performance day and night.

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

 

[Oldman11]

Hi wittaj, thanks for that very detailed link - I think
The information is amazing but for a novice such as myself it is "information overload". I read where beginners rush in and do upgrades, or so they think, but are missing the main point (getting useful information that one can act on.)
I agree but seven years after my installation seems about right to taking that next step. In the ensuing years I have added a couple of separate infra-red lamps to provide better night- time illumination in dark spots.
How does one determine the focal length of any given lense, or is that up to the manufacturer and one must check the data sheet of any camera to find this out?
As previously stated, my cameras are all 5MP and from what you say, there is no point adding more pixels, when all I need is focal length control, so is there a specific model in the HIK range - say "set and forget focal length"?
There is no particular urgency, I would just like to buy and try something as a steppingstone in my experience and learning - and I don't need to spend a fortune to learn (would much rather not)