Preparing cameras for LPR (explained)

LPR differs from other kinds of video surveillance. Normally, you choose cameras based on their ability to provide the best possible images for viewing by the human eye. When you choose cameras for LPR, only the area where you expect to detect license plates is important. The clearer and consistent you capture an image in that small area, the higher recognition rate you will get.

This section helps you prepare cameras for license plate recognition, but it also introduces you to important theories about cameras and lenses that are crucial to understand in order to get optimal images.

Factors that influence your configuration of LPR:

1. Vehicle

  • Speed
  • Plate size and position

2. Physical surroundings

  • Lighting conditions
  • Weather

 

3. Camera

  • Exposure
  • Field of view
  • Shutter speed
  • Resolution
  • Positioning

It is important to take these factors into consideration as they have a critical influence on successful license plate recognition. You must mount cameras and configure XProtect LPR in a way that matches each specific environment. You cannot expect the product to run successfully without configuration. A camera used for LPR has a CPU consumption that is about five times higher than a normal camera. If a camera has not been set up correctly, it will greatly affect the level of successful recognitions and the CPU performance.

Read the following sections to learn about the factors that influence your LPR solution:

Positioning the camera

Camera angles

Plate width recommendations

Image resolution

Understanding camera exposure

Physical surroundings

Lens and shutter speed

Contrast

Unwanted camera features

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