How to do Facial Capture With Security Cameras

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Now, this requirement is for analogue video recording at D1 resolution (which is 704 x 480 pixels). If your DVR only records in CIF resolution (360 x 240) pixels, then you will need to move the camera even closer to the subject to achieve the same detail. If you use Megapixel cameras, you can perform facial capture from further back. Use D1 as the reference resolution. For example, if at D1 resolution you would normally do facial capture at up to 6 feet away, now calculate the increase in resolution you get with your proposed megapixel camera.

D1 resolution = 337,920 pixel (704 x 480)700tvl License Plate Capture Security Camera

2 Megapixel = 2,073,600 pixels (1920 x 1080)

So 2 Megapixel cameras are 6 times greater resolution than D1 resolution so, theoretically, if everything is equal you will get 6 times more detail and you can do facial capture from up to 36 feet away.

Now, there is a lot more to facial capture than just resolution. The quality of the lens, the color reproduction, Back Light compensation, WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) capability and much more can influence the quality of the video as well. If the image is washed out because every time a person walks through the front door, the sun blinds the camera at the same time as the person walks through the door and before the camera has enough time to compensate for the contrast in light, then you will be unsuccessful at facial capture as well. So it is important to make sure you not only have the camera as close as possible to your subject, but that you are also using the right camera with the right features to achieve your goal in the particular environment.

Additionally, you can use all of the same principle for license plate capture as well.



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