Hikvision/VMS LPR Setup

[JohnSmith1952]

Hi,

Firstly, if I have not posted this to the most relevant forum can it please be moved.

I am hoping to get some ideas and recommendations for the following -

I am currently involved with a rollout of approx 50 cameras back to a large central system (300+ in operation). All new cameras at this stage will be Hik. The current system uses typical run of the mill Hik/Dahua cameras etc recording to multiple HIK NVRs. LPR is currently not used anywhere, the cameras are just for security surveillance.

The plan is to have LPR recording and functionality set up for a about 10 of these 50 new cameras. The features required will be to log all plates, be able to filter through recorded footage by number plates, and ideally have a "black list" that can alert someone if a black listed plate is picked up. IVMS is currently being used by users of the system.

I have experience with simple camera systems, but unfortunately have never used LPR cameras. I have having trouble coming up with the best and most cost effective way of doing this as I have heard some conflicting information -

To have the number plate features I am interested in, do I need to buy one of the more "upmarket" Blazer NVRs to unlock these features, or can I just buy the Hik LPR camera only and these features will become available when using IVMS? (recording to the standard NVRs)

Now to complicate it somewhat more, a VMS solution may be implemented during the next 12 months (milestone, genetec etc). I believe these systems can perfrom LPR themselves (or with a 3rd party analytic plugin/licence). If anyone has some experience I have further questions on this solution -

Is the software/VMS (server side analytics) way of doing this superior to having the camera (edge analytics) do it?

Am I correct in saying that if I did get the LPR camera, VMS's can actually retrieve this meta data without paying for the analytic plugin?

One of my thoughts is if the VMS does this well, why bother paying $100s and $100s more for a 2mp camera while I could spend a lot less and get a 6 or 8mp and then get the VMS to do it?

If I am way off the mark here can someone point me in the right direction.

Thanks
John

 

[Phil]

A standard -I NVR or IVMS-4200 will be fine (you do not need a Blazer).

You need to use a specialist ANPR camera e.g. 4A25 / 4A26.

Because HikVision include ANPR features FOC in their NVRs this is by far the most cost-effective solution.

You will need an ANPR add-on for a mainstream VMS, which will typically cost £1,000 per 2-4 cameras.

 

[JohnSmith1952]

Great, thanks. I think I have got my head around it more now.

If it is being recorded to an NVR, does the camera require the SD card?

 

[Phil]

If it is being recorded to an NVR, does the camera require the SD card?

No

 

[Digilec]

A reliable solution, and the only one I’d specify/install.

Axis camera. Few options to choose from with artpec 5/6 chip. VaxALPR onboard application running with whitelist and blacklist.

Onboard Sd card to store plates captured.

Setup event/actions within the axis camera to send notifications via http(s), tcp, email or (s)ftp when a blacklisted licence plate is recognised.

Tie this together with the chosen VMS if it supports it and/or pull a onvif stream to a HIK NVR for additional recording/surveillance.

Integrate with Axis A1001 door access controller and use the licence plate numbers as a credential to open gates or Barriers and set time schedules for access if required.

This also gives you 30,000 events logged and allows you to generate and export .csv reports which may useful.