Camera query

Why do you have sruveillance vehicles following you?

Er.. It`s not me, honest!

It should be available. I bought a small camera ± 1cm x 1.5 x 1.5. It could be mounted in the bumper. (a small lens covered hole)

Any OCR should be able to read the number.

Specially prepared plates may simplify and automate the recognition process. That is also available and already in use.

Be aware of the fact that new transparent spray paints are in the market. you spray them on the plate and they reflect light so intensely the blind the camera.

>>reflect light so intensely the blind the camera.

That's in the case that a flash is used, like for a gasto. Ambient light should have no problem with this, especially if the camera angle is close to 90 degrees.

I just saw a demonstration on Myth Busters about plate covers for that purpose (I didn't see anything about transparent spray) and none of them even came close to working. The only thing that did work, and they used a Ferrari for this, they ran the car through at about 160 MPH and transitioned the area too fast for the camera to trigger. Any flash used would from the side and above therefore no reflection back to the camera to "blind" it.

You might start with looking through online suppliers such as tigerdirect and smarthome. (I'm real big on using off-the shelf solutions -- there's little point in expending energy reinventing the wheel).

They all have many cameras that will serve your needs. Don't be put off if the cam is not specifically designed for mobile use, most use the low current "turtle" power supplies and you can easily get vehicle adapters from sources such as radio shack.

You say the images will be stored to a DVR -- Do you already have one installed in the vehicle? If not, be aware that many of these cameras have bundled software for installation on a computer and sometimes include motion triggered recording as well.

Lemme know if this helps of if you need more detailed information

JR

Will do. Just to clarify my requirements, these vehicles carry extremely high value goods and the imagery and evidence gained would, hopefully, be used to preclude an attack. If the vehicle was attacked, the images would then be used for detection and evidence

Excellent project! You might also look at web sites like rvamerica.com -- For large Recreational Vehicles, Aft looking cameras are used often for parking and secuity aids. In reference to the need for night vision -- don't be taken in by the camera surrounded by IR LEDs - they're range is limited -- you might look at a regular accessory light with an IF filter for greater range.

Here is a link to a company that has very good prices and a good selection of cameras, DVRs, etc. I've bought from them of several occaisions and have always been pleased.

www.cctvimports.com