Security cameras for the S&B?

[sheridany]

Here’s something else to consider which is camera quality. Spend for good cameras and make sure they work at night. Little did I know someone drove over our irrigation main valve last night and left. Did significant damage. We just spent the last 1.5 hours replaying and zooming the video. We cannot read the license plate after they backed up clear into our driveway. Sort of worthless if you can’t read a license plate. The security company will hearing from us Monday.

 

[Neal]

I always wonder this when I see crime pics on local news and wonder why the image quality is always so poor. This is why I went with a 4K dashcam (blackvue) so I could actually get the detail needed should I ever need it.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

I have always wondered how the License Plate Reader cameras get such clear images. My home security cameras have the same issue at night.
There is a set of LPR cameras just down the street from our home. Day or night that camera catches plates with a legal issue. It took a couple months in service but now keeps the bad guys out of the area.
It is my understanding the LPR is connected to FL DOT computers as well as a NCIC system. Keeps that little three or four "on duty" Police officers busy. They had to shut down the "minor violations" from the output because of the number of hits they got during the day.
After some reading, it is my understanding that capturing reflective license plates with a infrared spectrum is very tough. The reflective plate material, as you can see above, reflects the infrared washing out the numbers. Note the unlit plate of the station wagon. Completely unreadable.
So just a better camera does not appear to be the answer. It appears they have to be tuned for this work. For those interested here is an abstract I found on the LPR camera. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8704889B2/en

 

[Akdare]

Yes, and those infrared lights also attract spiders that build webs over your camera lenses. I installed one of those ultrasonic pest deterrents next to each camera. It doesn’t completely solve the issue, but it certainly helps.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Thinking about the security camera image. If the plate is important to determine and you have access to the raw image file, you might try some adjustments to the image in a photo editor. Possibly adding a filter and reducing the exposure. There might be enough of the plate information in the image when matched to the truck to give you an ID.

 

[sheridany]

Good suggestion. Wouldn’t you know the security company has “locked” access to the DVR control tools except for playback and review. Monday cannot come soon enough.

 

[Tip&Tina]

Hey, sorry for the delay in replying!

We've had no problems with power outages. We have had internet interruptions and the cameras pick right up off the main wireless feed. The Ring Camera is the one I have to reset every time the internet burps. The Arlos have been very good about logging right back on. They are the Arlo Pro 2 also. I saved my receipt and am going to go get a price adjustment at Costco.