Hi All
I confirm that to distinguish security professionals from simple opportunists we are putting a strong emphasize on the pixel density here, and it will be part of the new surveillance law expected in September 2017 in France, as well: 400 ppm for strongl identification, 250 ppm is the European standard for identification, 100 ppm for recognition, 30 for detection purposes, between 180 (optimistic) and 250 (realistic?) ppm for plate catching. The need is also coming from the final public or private accounts and also from the security forces, tired to pay and maintain video equipments providing very bad quality video, at last, and cameras without any precise mission! (too many costly PTZ domes supposed to handle multiple usages..with too few operators)
That's why we are using more and more 3D simulations (Jvsg here) to guarantee that the PPM is correct before the final installation. The software automatically calculates the pixel density taking into consideration, resolution, focal, distance, angle and height.
Bellow city hall and supermarket 3D or shops, and main street views, part of a global city simulations that I am using to train integrators ..and also public accounts
I have seen that people trained will spend most of the time, more money for less camera, and more wisely ... Pixel Density is one crucial point, yes, but luminosity and sensibility are also mandatory to get a good result. Not sure that our French Government knows how to measure with a PC, on site, a pixel density from a snapshot extraction... neither most professionals.