As the name suggests, license plate cameras (also called license plate readers, among other terms) are a type of technology that will automatically read license plates and other vehicle registration marks as crab enters a particular area. That data can then be added to a database, compared against a pre-exisitng list of cars that are or are not allowed in an area, and more – all for the purposes of increasing security and efficiency across the board. Keep in mind that the most extensive ANPR camera systems use high-tech cameras and purchase the anpr software separately.
But at the same time, it’s also important to acknowledge that not all license plate cameras are created equally. There are a lot of options on the market that offer this basic level of functionality. If you truly want to invest in something that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations, there are a number of critical things you’ll want to keep in mind.
Aero Ranger’s Advanced ALPR & ANPR System (Second Generation)
No list of the best license plate cameras would be complete without a mention of the Aero Ranger Advanced ALPR & ANPR System. The second generation of this innovative hardware offers a wide range of features that cannot be ignored, including but not limited to 4G wireless connectivity, battery backup capabilities, accurate GPS integration and more.
This is a 12V plug and play solution, making it ideal for virtually any location that you’re working with. Not only is it easy to set up, it’s even easier to move – perfect for larger areas where you may be concerned with monitoring activity in more than one location.
These discreet vehicle ANPR cameras require just a single power and data cable to get up and running. They are IP68 weather rated, allowing them to stand up to whatever Mother Nature happens to throw at them. They’re easy to calibrate, and they can detect vehicles that are moving at speeds of up to 136 miles per hour. All this, coupled with the fact that they can take up to 5,000 vehicle scans per hour and compare that information with more than 500,000 hotlists, make it a great way to begin using ALPR technology for your organization.
The AXIS Communications Camera
Also available is the state-of-the-art License Plate Recognition System from AXIS Communications. This particular solution consists of a purpose-built camera that can be integrated with virtually any third-party analytics solution that you’d like. It automatically captures and detects license plate information in real-time, at which point that data can then be compared to or added to a list of your choosing.
This particular system is great for the purposes of access control, making it ideal for places like parking lots, parking garages and similar locations. Once a vehicle is scanned and compared against the database, certain functions can be automatically performed within the larger pre-existing system. A gate can be opened to grant someone entry into an area, for example. Or, a cost for parking can be added to their account. An alert can even be generated to let organizational leaders know who has arrived, when they got there, and more. These same features can also be used for toll roads to enable free-flow traffic through toll plazas, as well.
There are a few different camera models that you can choose from depending on your specific needs. The AXIS P1455-LE-3 is an easy, purpose-built camera designed for license plate verification in areas with historically slow traffic. The AXIS P3245-LVE-3 license plate verifier kit was designed to meet your access control needs. The ACIS Q1700-LE license plate camera is intended for areas with high speeds, generating crystal clear images regardless of how fast a car may be going.
You can also purchase multiple types of cameras for the same system, putting together the custom solution you need to accomplish all of your goals in the most effective way possible.
The DaHua Security Camera
Next up we have the DaHua Security ANPR Solution, which can be used with your own choice of analytics solution that is running on a server elsewhere within your enterprise should you so choose.
This particular system has a plethora of different features that make it notable, including but not limited to multilingual recognition. Not only will it use optical character recognition technology to identify license plates in English, but it can also support characters in other languages like Arabic, Chinese, Thai and more.
It sports a very high recognition rate – between 95% and 98% by most estimates. It also offers very fast recognition, fully processing all relevant visual information in as little as 100 milliseconds.
This is another all-purpose solution that works great in a number of different contexts. You could use it for road safety enforcement, for example, to automatically recognize any vehicle that is speeding through a work zone. It’s ideal for law enforcement situations as license plate and registration information can be quickly verified and checked against block lists.
It can also be employed for electronic toll collection, parking guidance, entrance and exit control, and more. The actual design of the system and the necessary hardware will vary depending on how you plan to use it, but the company has made all of these resources available so that you can put together the ideal solution to meet your needs.
MAV Systems, Ltd. ALPR Low Light Cameras
Last but not least we arrive at the ALPR Low Light Cameras from MAV Systems, Ltd. The brand itself has long been a favorite of law enforcement organizations around the world, having been installed in an estimated 45 different countries to date. Their IQX cameras are particularly notable, as they feature an updated design intended to extend their flexibility, sensor quality and 24 hour coverage capabilities farther than ever.
These cameras are designed to function particularly well in low light situations, which is critical for 24/7/365 performance. If a vehicle of interest enters or leaves a city, they aren’t necessarily going to do so in broad daylight. The low light cameras from MAV Systems, Ltd. can offer clear and accurate scanning in even the darkest lighting conditions, allowing police to identify vehicles virtually anywhere and at any time.
Based on that, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are often used for not only the prevention and tracking of drug trafficking but also suspected terrorist actions and other activities as well.
In the end, these are just a few of the many license plate camera systems that are available on the market today. But one of the most important things to understand about all of this is that the answer to the question “what is the best camera for license plate recognition?” will likely vary depending on who is asking it.
Some people like small businesses with a single location and a small parking lot will need something fast, cost-effective and easy to set up. Others, like larger businesses or organizations that are concerned about access control in large parking garages, will need something with a little more power and versatility.
Therefore, it’s important that you don’t start with a license plate camera system and hope that it eventually meets your needs. Instead, you need to take the time to understand what those requirements actually are. Only then will you be able to work your way back to the system that will give you the most value for your investment.
