8 - Selecting the Right Camera & Mount
The following video was taken from segments of our Professional Consultants Training Course. It provides a clear understanding of how to select the right lens for the target viewing distance.
We offer two high performance IP network based systems to choose from. ProVue is the cost effective high performance business and home solution. Cyber Secure is packed with the latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) and essential for effective business video security and automated facility management. Click here for more detail about each Series features and benefits.
ProVue - Popular Wide Angle Lens Cameras
Target Distance 3-60 Feet - PoE - Weather Rating IP67 Outdoor
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Pro-Dome - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 60ft Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - 2.8 Wide Angle Lens | Pro90D-4K - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 90ft Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - 3.6 Wide Angle Lens | Pro60VB - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 60ft Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - 3.6 Wide Angle Lens | Porch Cam - Box Style- Active Deterrence - Two Way Audio -Siren/Strobe - Wide Angle Lens |
ProVue - Popular Zoom Lens Cameras
Target Distance 3-200 Feet - PoE - Weather Rating IP67 Outdoor
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Pro75MZ - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 75ft Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - Motorized Zoom 2.8-12mm | Pro90MZ - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 90ft Night Vision -4K Resolution - Motorized Zoom 2.8-12mm | Pro120-4K - Bullet Style- Outdoor Wall/Ceiling - 120ft Night Vision -4K Resolution Live 30fps - Motorized Zoom 2.8-12mm | Pro240MZ - Bullet Style- Outdoor Long Range - 240ft Night Vision -Extreme Motorized Zoom - 5-50mm Zoom Lens |
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PTZ-Dot - Motorized Pan, Tilt, Zoom- Indoor/Outdoor - 90ft Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - 3K Resolution, Zoom 2.8-12mm | Pro-Active - Motorized Pan, Tilt, Zoom- Indoor/Outdoor - 90ft Night Vision -2-way Audio, Siren & Strobe - Motorized Zoom 2.8-12mm | PTZ-Mini - Motorized Pan, Tilt, Zoom- Indoor/Outdoor - 200ft Night Vision -4K Resolution Live 30fps - Motorized Zoom 2.7-13.5mm | ProPTZ-4K - Motorized Pan, Tilt, Zoom- Outdoor Long Range - 300ft Night Vision -4K Clarity, Built-in Mic - 4-94mm Zoom Lens |
Shop all the ProVue Cameras
Cyber-Secure - Popular Wide Angle Lens Cameras
Target Distance 3-60 Feet - PoE - Weather Rating IP67 Outdoor
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CS100LTE - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 100ft Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - 2.8 Wide Angle Lens |
CS100BLTE - Vandal Dome- Indoor/Outdoor - Audio Built-in Mic -24hr Color Night Vision - 2.8mm Wide Angle Lens |
CS90-4K - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 24Hr Color Night Vision -Audio Built-in Mic - 2.8 Wide Angle Lens |
CS-PorchDome - VandalDome- Indoor/Outdoor - 24hr Color Night Vision -2-way Audio, Siren/Strobe - 2.8 Wide Angle Lens |
Cyber-Secure - Popular Zoom Lens Cameras
Target Distance 3-300 Feet - PoE - Weather Rating IP67 Outdoor
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CS120-4K - Vandal Dome |
CS180-4K - Bullet Style- Outdoor - 180ft Color Night Vision -4K Resolution - Motorized Zoom 2.8-12mm | CS360-4K - Disc Style- Indoor/Outdoor Wall/Ceiling - 360 Degree View - 4K Resolution Live 30fps - 2-way Audio | CS-PTZ300 - Pan, Tilt, Zoom- Outdoor Long Range - 300ft Night Vision -Extreme Motorized Zoom - 4.8-120mm Zoom Lens |
Shop all the Cyber Secure Cameras
Optical Zoom vs Digital Zoom
The video below is a good example of using both optical and digital zoom. It was made with a 3K camera equipped with a long-range optical zoom lens. The reason we can easily read the license plates is because the optical zoom lens was used to target a specific area about 40 feet wide where the vehicles plates consistently pass. Then after recording, digital zoom is was used to zoom into the 3K image allowing us to capture the plate.
How to Capture License Plates with Security Cameras
One of the most common requests our customers have is the ability to identify vehicles on or near their property. This can be achieved if you follow the rules and recommendations we detail below.
- Speed of the Car
The average speed that vehicles will be traveling is an important factor to consider when selecting the camera. It is best to select a targeted area that requires the car to reduce its speed as much as possible. If the car is traveling faster than 30mph, you will require a specialty license plate camera that has the ability to adjust shutter speeds so that the image does not blur. If the vehicle is traveling under 20mph, the task becomes much easier.
All of our ProVue IP and Cyber-Secure cameras have the ability to increase the shutter speed. This is needed if you plan on capturing plates at speeds above 20mph, for best performance increase the shutter speed as the vehicles speed increases. This will increase the clarity of any object at high speed.
- Camera Location
The location of the camera to the car's path is very important. If the camera is placed at too much of an angle from the plate's path, it will not produce the desired results. The best location for a camera is one that allows the camera to view the plate perpendicularly (as close to straight on as possible). The easy way to test the camera location is to simply park a car at the location you plan to capture plates, and then stand at the camera location. If you can clearly read the plate, the location should work.
- Dedicated Camera
The most common mistake made is to ask one camera to do the work of two or three. Often a customer will expect their camera to simultaneously view their driveway, see a person's face in a car and read the license plate. This is not possible. Each one of these tasks requires a different field of view (or focal length). Usually the camera is set to a wide viewing angle to see as much as possible, completely eliminating the ability to capture the detail needed to read a license plate. So here is the Golden Rule: One camera must be dedicated to ONLY reading license plates! This will allow you to adjust the field of view specifically for this task, assuring success.
- Glare
At night, cameras have the difficult job of balancing between the darkness and the intense lights of an oncoming car. The solution for capturing plates at night is to have the ability to adjust the cameras built-in WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), backlighting and image options. The cameras have backlighting adjustments which eliminates the glare. Most HD cameras can easily capture plates during the day, but there is no guarantee of successfully capturing plates at night.
- Selecting the Right Camera
There are two distances that matter when choosing the right camera for your application:
A) The distance from the camera location to the location you expect to capture the plate
B) The horizontal viewing distance at the location of the plate
Both distances can be accommodated by using a camera with a manual or motorized zoom lens. The manual zoom allows you to mount the camera and then zoom the camera's field of view in or out until the maximum horizontal distance is achieved.
As the chart below indicates, using a 2.8 to 12mm lens will allow you to mount the camera 60 feet away from the plate location and still achieve a horizontal field of view of 18 feet.
The green chart below indicates lens viewing distances.
The following MAXIMUM horizontal distances should be followed for best performance:
Cameras Mounts
Certain camera mounting locations require a back box or mounting box when the cable connections cannot be protected from the weather or tampering. This usually occurs when mounting to brick, concrete or poles. Anywhere you need to protect the cable connections.
We recommend ordering a back box for any outdoor location if you have not verified the cable connections will be protected. The boxes can be returned for a full refund if they are not needed. Not sending the back box with the initial install kit can mean a 3-5 day hold on installation as a mounting box is sent out to the site of the system. Interior cameras usually do not need a box because the cable connections can be pushed up above a ceiling or back into a wall and the camera mounted directly over the hole.
Most cameras have specific mounting box options. The boxes are not included with cameras but offered as an add-on option. If you are using one of the few cameras without an assigned mounting box, we recommend using our patented product, the M5 Universal Camera Mount. This unit supports any outdoor camera installation. Installers love them because they solve several problems that are common with other mounting boxes.
While the M5 is a superb product we still recommend using the factory mounting box provided for the camera. There are several ways to locate the correct box for each camera. The video below explains.
Below is a reference chart for the mounts available for the Cyber Secure Cameras.
Chapters
1 - The Smart Way to Shop for Security Cameras
Many consumers are more confused at the end of shopping for a security solution than when they started. (video)
2 - Choosing the Right Technology
There are so many different technologies on the market: solar, battery, wireless, wired as well as Consumer Grade and Professional Grade versions of these products. How do you know which is right for you? (video)
3 - Industry Warranty's Indicate Quality
A security camera's warranty is a good indication of its quality and how long you should expect it to last. Industry warranties range from 1 to 10 years. Know the warranty before you buy! (video)
There are golden rules that should be considered when designing or purchasing any security camera system. We explain each rule so you "Get It Right the First Time"! (video)
5 - Understanding Resolution & Frame Rates
Let's cut through the confusion and keep things simple when it comes to video clarity and resolution. Which resolution is right for your application? (video)
It's important to learn the basic parts that are used in all video security camera systems: camera components, cable, recorders, monitors and internet connection. This video covers it all. (video)
7 - Best Camera Locations & Heights
Learn recommended camera fields of view, installation locations and heights for best coverage. Your design should be flexible while following these best practices.
8 - Selecting the Right Camera & Mount
One size does NOT fit all! Learn how to select the right camera for each location. Optical Zoom vs Digital Zoom, how to capture license plates, color night vision & more. Follow the Pro's tips and get it right the first time. (video)
9 - Video Recorders & Best Locations
How to select the right security NVR (network video recorder) for your application. Click through to learn the best locations for video surveillance recorders.
10 - Video Storage, Hard Drives & Cloud
Use our storage calculator to easily calculate what size hard drive need. Learn how to expand storage, protect against theft and what cloud options we offer. (video)
11 - PoE Units & How to Use Them
PoE units make installation more cost-effective and provide flexible system design options. Learn what they are and how to use them.
12 - Wire & Cable - Alternative Transmission Options
Learn how to wire a system, plan cable runs and design efficiently. If the camera installation is difficult, our wireless transmission options will solve the problem. (video)
Learn how to design an effective business security camera system. Effectively secure your assets and employees while managing your business operations from anywhere. (video)
Learn how to design an effective home security camera system to secure your home, assets, and family. Monitor your home remotely from anywhere. (video)
15 - Interior Camera Placement
Learn how to effectively locate security cameras inside of your home or business for the best coverage while maintaining privacy.
16 - DIY Installation or Pro Install - You Choose!
Most of our customers install the system themselves with our expert factory support, but you may want that clean professional installation completed by a pro. We support both options nationwide and you choose which you prefer. (video)
17 - Live & Remote Viewing with Alerts
You choose how you interface with our state-of-the-art-systems. All options are available and any combination of viewing options can be used: direct connect monitors, personal computers, tablets, and smartphones - Super fast, clear, and no monthly fees.
One of the most common requests our customers have is the ability to identify and capture license plates. This can be achieved if you follow the rules and recommendations we detail. It is important that you follow them, simply because capturing a license plate is one of the most challenging tasks for security cameras.
19 - Customizing Kits - Sending Quotes - Financing
Learn how to customize any of our kits to meet your exact needs, then send a line-item PDF quote to any email you choose. Use our instant financing option during checkout to fit the budget. (video)
20 - ProVue vs. Cyber Secure - Feature Comparison
We offer two high performance series. Both are cutting-edge 4K solutions. Which series is right for you?
Design Tools & Resources
Let one of our experts design your system. Its the sure way to get it right the first time at the lowest price. Book a 30-minute design appointment using our online calendar. You'll be glad you did!
Do-it-yourself System Designer
Design your home or business security system like a Pro. Locate cameras and their viewing areas to provide a visual of the effective coverage of each camera and evaluate the overall design. This surveillance system design tool covers it all.
Build a complete custom system for your home or business without any confusion or mistakes. This easy to use tool makes sure you select all the components you need for a complete system. You can even include installation!
Use our video storage calculator to determine the size of the hard drive you need based on the number of cameras and the desired storage days.
Not sure what Cat6 is? Would you like to know the difference between a DVR and an NVR? Here are simple and clear explanations of the industry terms.
How to Troubleshoot Security Cameras & Systems
CCTV Security systems consist of several electronic parts. The system requires all of them to be operating flawlessly for reliable operation. When one item fails it can be difficult to find the issues because each part relies on the other for system-wide operation. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions and you'll quickly identify the part causing the problem.
Industry News & Events
What is a Surveillance Trailer?
Why are these strange, purpose built, surveillance trailers popping up all over the country? Are they the only reliable and cost-effective solutions available for crime deterrence and response? How do they work? Are they Effective? What do they Cost?
US government banned the use of Dahua, Lorex, Hikvision and other security cameras in federal facilities due to hidden backdoors. In June 2021, the FCC unanimously voted to start procedures to ban the sale of these brands to the general public by denying new products FCC approval.
The NDAA law banned the use of electronic equipment provided by specific companies. What’s interesting about the law is that it bans companies rather than countries. It ignores borders and focuses on individual entities.
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