Camera Image Settings

Getting the correct image settings takes some trial and error because no two scenes are alike. If your goal is to capture plates 24/7 you’ll have to make some trade-offs. Settings that work best at night aren’t necessarily going to work best during the day and vice versa. Most modern IP cameras provide good image quality using the default/automatic settings. However, here are some suggestions you can try to improve accuracy in varying lighting conditions.

These are starting recommendations — adjust based on your scene, distance to the plate, and camera capabilities. Use the pixels-on-target calculation to determine maximum camera distance, and consider Detection Zones to reduce processing load.

Resolution / Frame Rate

• Recommended: 720p (1280x720) at 20 frames per second (adjust based on camera distance to the plate).

• Note: Increasing resolution increases CPU processing unless you limit analysis with Detection Zones.

Compression

• Recommended value: 20

• Note: Lower compression values yield better image quality at the cost of more bandwidth.

Smart Codecs

• Recommended: Off

• If the camera manufacturer compresses using region-of-interest or motion-based techniques, disable that behavior.

Camera Capture Mode

• (No specific setting provided — configure according to your camera model and scene.)

Wide Dynamic Range

• Wide Dynamic Range: Off

• Reason: This feature can add noise, adversely affecting low-light accuracy.

Image Appearance

• Color level: Default

• Brightness: Default

• Sharpness: 60%–65%

• Contrast: 60–75%

White Balance

• White balance: Automatic

• White balance window: Automatic

Wide Dynamic Range (additional)

• Enable Dynamic Contrast: Off

Exposure Settings

• Exposure value: 70%

• Exposure control: Automatic

• Maximum Exposure Time: 1/1000 second

• Backlight compensation: Off

• Exposure zone: Auto

• Shutter Speed:

  • Fixed @ 1/2000 for slow-speed scenes

  • 1/4000+ for highway-speed scenes

• Gain: Auto

• Max Gain:

  • Day: +12 dB

  • Night: +24 dB

• Note: Avoid excessive gain — it adds noise.

Image Settings

• Enable automatic iris adjustment: Yes

Day/Night

• IR cut filter:

  • On during Day

  • Off at Night

IR Illumination (if required)

• Enable IR illumination: Yes

If you need the original reference for pixels on target or other camera guidance, consult your camera/vendor documentation.