Advice sought for NPR security camera

Spotty100

I currently have the need to acquire a CCTV camera which can read car number plates.  I would like it to be battery operated and WiFi.  I've done some searching but my brain is fried with all the technical information.  Does anyone have any suggestions which may fit the bill?  Obviously I don't want to pay through the nose for it but neither do I want something cheap and cheerful which won't do the job.

[Deleted User]

You are getting into the world of commercial products instead of the domestic products from Amazon for example and it would be best writing a list of requirements to take to various suppliers to get a quote.

It is near impossible to recommend a product from what you have mentioned without knowing exactly what it will be used for, especially when cheap is probably £2k for something that works reliably.

Is it for domestic or business use? 
Public or private property?
Short range / long range - more specifics needed?
Will the vehicles by moving at speed?
Height of the camera?
Quality of image capture needed? Is it a photo or video needed? Colour / B&W /  resolution etc
Will it need to operate accurately in the dark / poor weather or ok if it misses the odd plate?
What error rate is acceptable - is 10% of incorrectly read plates ok for example? 
Any requirements to defeat non-retro reflective plates?
Will it control something - eg a barrier? What systems will the data integrate with or control?
Will the images / number plates be used for anything like parking charges, 'enforcement' purposes etc and therefore need a very high level of accuracy and stand up to scrutiny?
What will be done with the data?
Have you considered all the regulatory sides of it including GDPR, privacy notices, codes of practice, signage to inform the public etc?
How long does that battery need to last?
How far away from wifi access point?
What happens if wifi is disconnected?
What do you need from the software in terms of reports of the number plates?

Spotty100

Thank you for your reply.  It would need to have the following:

For domestic use

Private property

Short range

Vehicles at low road speed

Intended height - 4'

Image capture not important as long as number plates are readable

For operation in total darkness

It won't be used to control anything

The images won't be used for any parking or enforcement and will be 100% legal.

Dependent on the vehicle the information may be passed on to the police

GDPR etc has been considered

The battery should have a capacity for around 8-12 hours

Approximately 20' from WiFi access point

WiFi disconnection is unlikely but should it occur would be accepted

The only thing required from the software is to generate a recognizable image of a number plate

Sandtree

How many non-vehicle things pass this point?

It doesn't sound like you are wanting NPR but simply a camera that'll capture vehicles as they pass. As long as you dont get lots of people walking up and down the drive (guessing thats where you want it) could you not just get one of the wide range of smart CCTV cameras that allow you to set zones and capture video/stills when movement is detected within the zone?

Spotty100

Thank you for your suggestions Sandtree.  There is little or no pedestrian traffic in the area.  I'd be very content if a camera such as you suggest would do the job but the over-riding criteria is that it must be able to capture number plates in total darkness.

Sandtree

Total darkness isnt difficult... any camera should have IR lights on them for night time recording. Whats more difficult is cars with their headlights on

Spotty100

I'm finding it difficult with the cams I've got to get a clear NPR.  I am able to get the rear aspect but it's far from clear.

matelodave

A trawl of t'interweb gives lots of options for ANPR cameras and systems - perhaps you need to try and get a demo.

In the end it all depends on what you are actually looking for (features and funtions that are needs, wants or nice to have etc) and how much you are prepared to pay.

Spotty100

Thanks Dave.  My brain was overloaded at first but I'm past that now and have taken one for trial from Amazon which guarantees to recognize number plates.

matelodave

Spotty100 said:

Thanks Dave.  My brain was overloaded at first but I'm past that now and have taken one for trial from Amazon which guarantees to recognize number plates.

Interested to see what you got and how it peforms

Spotty100

Dave what I got was a eufy solo.  Unfortunately it won't work for me because it can't be controlled from a PC and I don't use a smartphone.  May as well have got it from the Pusser.