Will a 54IR or a 22IR camera be sufficient for LPR if I'm mounting on a mailbox?

[flatface]

My mailbox is at the street.

I saw another member's post here a while ago but I can't find it now, where they mounted 5442s underneath their mailbox using 3D printed mounts for the cameras.

Just wondering if you guys think a 5442 or a 22IR would be sufficient for a street mounted camera, or if I need to go with a longer zoom. Do I even need the varifocal at all or am I okay to do a 6.0mm fixed lens if I'm working at street level

 

[flatface]

One thing to note is that while we do have street lights, it is a quieter residential street so the lighting level is fairly low, with long distances between the lights.

I believe the bullet cameras have double the IR emitters, if that makes a huge difference for LPR.

 

[JPmedia]

My personal experience, the 5442 FOV wasn't enough to get the plate even being 5 feet off the road. And then there's the light issue. The turret cams can have hotspots in the middle of the image. The bullet cams do much better with IR as there is twice as many and the illumination is more even. Unfortunately, while the bullet camera wins for performance, it is more difficult to integrate in the surroundings due to its size. The turret has the advantage for blending in as they are relatively small.

See my thread: Property marker LPR camera

 

[bigredfish]

I would test it and hang it temporary, run a cable on the ground if you have to and see.

I would think at min I'd prefer a VF 12mm bullet for reasons stated above and distance as proper angle usually means more distance than you think

 

[JPmedia]

I would think at min I'd prefer a VF 12mm bullet for reasons stated above and distance as proper angle usually means more distance than you think

In my case, a lot more distance. The minimum camera I would have to use to have the reasonable angle and zoom as well as enough IR would be the B54IR-Z4E.

As I found out, best to try a temporary setup to get an idea before you go through a permanent installation. Even more important is to measure the distance from the cam location to the area where you can capture the plate - that will give you an idea on what lens you'll need, which will determine what cameras you have the best chances with.

 

[wittaj]

A ZE at full zoom will work if the mailbox is literally at the street (you can retrieve your mail sitting in your car). But if there is any offset back into the yard, then no it won't work as JP found out.

 

[samplenhold]

Always, always, always test the location BEFORE running any device.

 

[samplenhold]

Here is a cap from BI on my T54 6mm. The BMW is about 35 feet from the cam and almost head on. You can zoom in and read the plate. However, the cap of the pickup truck is at a not so good angle and is 50 feet from the cam. Not going to get that plate.

 

[JPmedia]

Here is a cap from BI on my T54 6mm. The BMW is about 35 feet from the cam and almost head on. You can zoom in and read the plate. However, the cap of the pickup truck is at a not so good angle and is 50 feet from the cam. Not going to get that plate.

View attachment 224922

View attachment 224921

These captures look great as they are stationary, and they have a good angle. To have this good angle, the camera would have to be right at the edge of the road. The angle and speed will determine if you get a readable LP capture. In my case, not enough zoom to make the plate large enough to read and the angle was too severe, making the plate an even smaller target. They say to get a decent readable plate, it needs to be at least 300 pixels wide minimum. I think 300 is fairly small. If the camera angle is sharp and the vehicle is going 35 or more, it may be difficult at best to read a plate 300 pixels wide.

 

[samplenhold]

These captures look great as they are stationary,

Not stationary. Both vehicles are moving. Obviously the BMW was going slow into the driveway. The pickup was humming along, but you won't get a good plate on that one as I said.

The purpose of my post was to give the OP some real data to make a decision. The difference between 35 feet and 50 feet and the angles with that specific cam.

 

[JPmedia]

Not stationary. Both vehicles are moving. Obviously the BMW was going slow into the driveway. The pickup was humming along, but you won't get a good plate on that one as I said.

The purpose of my post was to give the OP some real data to make a decision. The difference between 35 feet and 50 feet and the angles with that specific cam.

These serve as a good idea of relation to angles, speed and target size of the plate. As mentioned by many, a good capture will depend on many variables. Best to do a temporary setup for oneself to see what results you can get in your application.

 

[observant1]

If you can afford an ANPR camera they can't be beat for capturing license plates at night on moving targets. (even in heavy rain) I completely understand for home use when you have time to dial it in as many on here have done.

 

[wittaj]

If you can afford an ANPR camera they can't be beat for capturing license plates at night on moving targets. (even in heavy rain) I completely understand for home use when you have time to dial it in as many on here have done.

That would be a little big on a mailbox lol