Many are confused by the difference between LPC and LPR, compounded by manufacturers misusing them to make their product seems more powerful than they are.
However, there is a big difference in what LPC and LPR means:
- LPR/ALPR, or License Plate Recognition', or 'autoLPR', where cameras and software work together to automatically log plate details in a database. These are expensive systems, with special equipment and software.
- 'LPC, or License Plate Capture': typically just aim to take a human readable picture of plates, where a human operator can discern plate details. THis generally means mounting/configuring standard HD surveillance cameras in the best possible manner to see license plates, but special cameras might help.
Most integrators talking generally about 'LPR' do not mean LPR/ALPR applications, they mean LPC.
Here are a few updates/discussions we've had on LPC:
- License Plate Capture Shootout
- LPC Camera Recommendations?
- Problem: Vehicles Blurred Entering Garage
- License Plate Capture Shootout 2014
LPC applications are a challenge, as detailed in the pieces above. Position (mounting/FoV), lighting, vehicle speed, and shutter speed are all critical to get a handle on before we start talking about any special cameras.
With that said, for those who asked, read the links above and feel free to follow up with questions here.