A person holding a phone with a plate number on screen
By Dylan Johnson Security Questions • 0 Comments

Can Security Cameras Read License Plates at Night?

Security cameras can read license plate cameras at night, however most of the cameras on the market will not give you a good reading. You will need a specialty camera to really ensure in detail that you will get a good read on the license plate.

Average Pricing for License Plate Cameras

CAMERA QUALITY AVERAGE PRICE DISTANCE
BASIC MODELS $500 – $600 25 FT OR LESS
MID RANGE (BEST VALUE) $1000 50 to 75FT
HIGH END $2500 to $5000 UP TO 150 FT AWAY

Basic models of night license plate cameras start in the $500 range. You can probably get a good read on a plate if it is in your driveway or if you have a small business with a small parking lot. The area covered with any quality is going to be around 25 ft. If you get to 35 ft you’re going to risk not being able to see the plate or getting a fuzzy or pixelated shot.

A lot of the specialty cameras start out around $1000 if you’re looking for good quality. With a mid range lic plate cam you can get good footage of cars going up to 100mph. This works anywhere from 50 to 75ft. This should give you a lot of much needed range if you have a normal size parking lot or you are looking for some variety in your shot selection. Hikvision is a leader in this realm and they make a versatile camera that ends up being the best value if it meets your specific needs.

If you happen to be looking for something a little more high end on the license plate security camera sphere there are options, but they get expensive a lot faster than the more lower end models. To see just a little bit farther the price multiplies. You can pay as little as $2500 or up to $5000 to see around 150 ft.

Day Time Footage

If you are mostly looking for shots in the daytime, you will have a better time in general. Seeing a license plate camera at night time is big leap for the technology. So, remember you will see a big dip in quality at night time.

A Remote Cell Phone View of a Functional Night Time License Plate Camera

Day Vs Night Example on Mid Range Hikvision License Plate Camera


As you can see this mid range model uses Smart NVR 5200 IVMS pro technology to decipher the footage and not blow out or overexpose the plate at night time.

    Various License Plate Software can also

  • – Scrub a database and and look for matches on a license plate
  • – Secure parking structures
  • – Link up to your alarm system
  • – Track stolen cars or
  • – Watch over gated entrances

If you have detailed questions on how you can use one of these cameras for your business or industry, please give one of our licensed security system experts a call in Oklahoma City. 405-605-0101

A person is using a laptop with a camera on it.
By Dylan Johnson Home Security Tips • • 0 Comments

TIPS: Aiming Indoor Cameras Outside of Your Window

Video security has two approaches. There is the good way and the bad way.

If you already own your cameras and you are not planning on changing anything, you actually can point an indoor surveillance camera outside. The problem is quality. You will be susceptible to bad lighting and blind spots.

If the goal is to catch and/or steer a potential criminal away you may be putting the horse before the cart. A quick search or phone call to us can lead you to some pretty simple answers that are surprisingly in the same price range. We have cameras in store that you can look at in person that may be mounted outside.


More Benefits to Outdoor Cameras


Another thing that people may not always take into consideration is that there are cameras that do more than just record video. A nicely placed camera outside your door can be a clear message to a potential burglar that they have chosen the wrong place. The most effective thing a camera can do is prevent a crime from ever happening.


The Problem with Pointing Indoor Cameras Outside


The issues you may face could prove to be a deterrent when making this decision. A company like Security Options can do your doing your wiring for you. If you don’t have that it may be easier than running professional wiring and finding the right weather resistant camera for your house. However, anything at sunrise, sunset or night time is going to be an issue. Your infrared sensor LEDs will cause the video to record blown out when they refract on the window.


If You Do Choose to Keep Your Indoor Camera Pointed Outside

What to do if you want to keep your indoor cameras and point them outside

Time needed: 1 hour

  1. Place your camera lens as close to the window as possible.


    This will help you avoid losing video quality because of the glass barrier.

    If you can’t afford to go with an outdoor camera at the current moment, there are a couple of things you may want to do. You can first place the lens as close to the window as possible. This will help you avoid losing video quality because of the glass barrier. Second, keep your window as clean as possible. Any smudges can cause significant visual blockage. Third, you are going to want to disable any IR or status lights so you get the least amount of video wash out.

  2. Keep your window as clean as you can.

    Any smudges can cause significant visual blockage.

  3. Disable any IR or status lights.

    Turning any lights coming off of your camera can help prevent wash out and avoid any glare that may effect your video.

  4. Get an outdoor motion light

    Having your outside lit up at night time will immensely help your video quality when it comes time to review.

In Conclusion

I would recommend just getting a similarly prices outdoor camera. If you can’t at this time, follow all the tips and tricks to get your shots right so you don’t miss the action.






I would recommend just getting a similarly prices outdoor camera. If you can’t at this time, follow all the tips and tricks to get your shots right so you don’t miss the action.




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