Number Plate Camera

What makes an NPR or Number Plate Recognition security camera different to any standard IR security cameras? CCTV cameras cannot record a number plate at night and most are not battery powered. Trail Cameras for example are excellent by day albeit a slower response recording time however by night, a vehicle driven at speed with headlights and tail lights on, will simply be a blur which is useless in terms of recording vehicle registration numbers. 

Standard CCTV and trail cameras are ideal for personal identity day or night but recording car number plates, that's out of the question. It’s important to understand that just because an IR camera can see in the dark, doesn't mean it can record a number plate, especially when a vehicle is in motion.    

Our new release Number Plate Camera is designed for “specific use” to capture car or truck number plates day or night with headlights on or off up to 80kph. Our specialised Licence Plate Camera is designed to meet that challenge at any time, any weather, regardless or lighting and best of all, NO POWER or external lighting is needed.

Specifications
Primary Application: License Plate Capture
Image Resolution: 720 x 2048 Wide Screen or Standard Aspect Ratio
Video: 720P HD Video with Audio
Video Length: Up to 90 Seconds
Product Warranty: 5 years
Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 6.4cm
Operating Temperature: --29 to +50 °C
Illumination: No-Glow High Output Covert IR
Illumination Range: Up to 15m
Illumination On/Off Option: Included
Illumination Power Settings: Low/Med/High
Mapping & Image Management Software
User Defined Metadata Included
Metadata Export Included
Color by Day, Monochrome B/W Infrared by Night
Trigger Speed: 0.2 second
PIR Detect Range: Up to 30m
Rapid Near-Video Speed: Up to 3 frames per second
Frame Rate: up to 10 seconds between images
Photos per Trigger: 1 to 10 images per trigger
Delay After Triggering: 0,5,10,15,30 sec, 1,2,3,5 min
Day/Night Options for Pics and Videos: Included
Night Time Shutter Speed: 1/960
Max ISO Setting: 1600
Motion Sensor Scheduling: ON or OFF and Scheduled operation
Day of the Week Scheduling for Motion: Included
Time-Lapse Surveillance: 1 Pic and/or Video
Time-Lapse Interval: 5,15,30 sec, 1,5,15,30 min, 1 hour
Time-Lapse Scheduling: Up to 5 start and stop times (fixed and solar)
Day of the Week Scheduling for Time Lapse: Included
Loop Recording: Included
Memory Card Type: Class 10 or better (SD®, SDHC® or SDXC®)
Memory Card Capacity: 32GB to 512GB (64-128GB recommended)
Image Data: Time, Date, Temperature, User Label, Moon Phase
Geo-Tagging of Pictures: Included
Battery Life: Up to 80,000 images or 2 years
Battery Requirements: NiMH Rechargeable or 1.5volt Lithium only
Battery Quantity / Size: 12 AA
External Power Connection: Optional
Solar Panel: Optional
Camera Settings: Available options are set on camera
Theft Deterrence: Pass-Code Protection

SD Memory Cards
Standard SD cards are not suited to high-resolution cameras. We recommend our 128GB SD card (order online) although this Number Plate Camera supports up to 512GB. Customers may supply their own memory card if preferred.

How Does It Work? 
Records fast motion triggered JPEG time and date stamped pictures or AVI video, day or night. During the day with the NPR camera armed, it will record high-resolution colour JPEG pictures at 0.2 of a second up to 10 images per trigger.  It can also be set to AVI video motion recording. This battery powered No Glow License Plate Capture Camera will auto switch to night vision mode. Our Licence Plate Camera doesn't need to be armed 24/7. Set to "scheduled recording" mode, it's only armed during a selected time frame.  In other words, night armed only when day movement is not required.

Pointed toward the road, for best performance the ANPR Camera should be aimed to capture the vehicle rear. Frontal headlight recording works too but the rear is best. Its wise to NOT have the camera mounted too high.  The lower the better and at a slight angle. Trial testing is recommended before activating the device in live mode. Provided with an adjustable belt/strap, attach the camera to a pole, post or tree trunk and arm the device in "test mode".  

In test mode, upon sensing motion the camera mini LED's will blink but test mode is only active for a few minutes at a time. This initial camera setup function is ideal to actually see the camera recording trigger when any vehicle comes within the 15m Field of View. In other words, you see the camera detecting motion as the vehicle approaches or leaves the camera FOV so you know the event was captured and recorded. Replay the test recording from the camera screen whilst onsite.

After a few minutes in test mode, there's no need to do anymore. The Number Plate Camera will auto switch to "Live Mode" and the LED testing sensors will become inactive.  In test mode the mini frontal camera LED's are showing you where or from what distance motion is being detected. Once satisfied, leave the camera where it is, job done. When convenient, remove the camera SD card to replay saved recordings to PC or playback from the camera LED screen.  ANPR Camera access is of course password protected. 

It's also important to understand the a License Plate Camera is NOT designed to ID people or vehicle makes and models by night. This NPR security camera concentrates on the vehicle number plate only.  The No Glow IR enhances the plate number but dims the headlights or taillights. The result is a fast recorded illuminated registration number plate. This AA battery powered outdoor NPR security camera is not designed to see people or other objects by night which is one of the major differences between a Licence Plate Camera and a standard IR security camera.

The camera requires 12 x AA Energizer Lithium or NiMH batteries (not standard batteries) which allows the camera to record up to 80,000 high-resolution images over a period of time before the batteries need recharging or replacing. If not actively recording the camera can remain in standby mode for up to to 2 years. Our NPR cameras can be optionally solar powered. Call us for more information and pricing regarding various options. 

As mentioned, if the Licence Plate Recognition Camera only needs to be armed between say 6.00pm and 7.00am Monday to Saturday, set scheduled recording.  This mode reduces recording duration and conserves battery power.

Is there a 4G NPR Camera Option?
Yes we do have the option to supply a similar model of License Plate Camera in a 4G version. Once again the 4G model is optional (different pricing) so do call our office for pricing and further information. The 4G enabled Number Plate Camera allows you to receive images from your camera through our Mobile App for Android or IOS.  Use the App to create a custom mobile plan, manage images, check status or change camera settings from anywhere in the world. To start, simply open the App and tap the Add Camera button. No need to contact a mobile provider or guess which data plan will work for you.

Time Lapse Mode
In time lapse mode the camera takes an image and stores it to memory at scheduled recording times (eg; every 10, 30 min, on the hour or daily) This function is commonly used for monitoring construction sites etc although it could be used for any time lapse purpose. 

Optional Security Lockbox
The first concern most customers have is how to protect the camera from being stolen or damaged?  If the camera needs to be hidden or concealed, often an old hollowed out tree log, an electical plastic utility box, perhaps a wheelie bin or even discarded rubbish can all be used to conceal the camera because the casing is a camouflage colour which blends into the natural environment. However, there is another option available to help to conceal our Number Plate Recognition Camera or any other Trail type camera and its an outdoor camera camo disguise as pictured below. This optional camera tree and bark like camouflage is ideal and greatly assists to hide and therefore protect the camera from theft or intentional damage.

Another option to consider is a steel outdoor housing or lockbox. It to could be potentially camouflaged. The steel lockable casing is very strong and can be chained or secured to a tree or post etc with our optional Python lock, similar in some ways to a pushbike lock albeit much tougher.  

Pictured below is optional lockable steel housing specially designed for pole or post mounting.  The NPR camera fits snugly within the steel housing where only the camera lens and IR's are exposed. It's not hidden but the bracket does allow for the camera to be manually rotated or tilted in various directions. Call for pricing.

AA Batteries
12 x Lithium or NiMH batteries recommended for this camera. Batteries are optional but can be supplied on request. Do not order standard AA batteries with this camera.

NPR Night Vision Recording Examples
The following pictures depict what one can reasonably expect by way of night vision recording and the vehicles in motion. If a vehicle becomes stationary near the camera location, even better. All recordings are time and date stamped for authenticity.  Note the vehicle type or make cannot be determined (that's not the point) as the headlights are camera auto dimmed and the number plate enhanced.  This is NOT a camera recording fault, it's designed to do exactly that. Disregard any recording time or date as the pictures are examples only.

NPR Camera V Standard IR Camera

Number Plate camera recording with headlights on

All recordings are time and date stamped to the second.

NPR camera by day