Watch this 1080p video surveillance demo that was recorded using our MINI-CN4 pinhole security camera. The MINI-CN4 is our smallest pinhole camera, measuring only 25mm x 25mm x 18mm.

Pinhole Lens

Here is a close look of the small pinhole lens of the MINI-CN4. It is important to note that only the tiny end of the cone-shapes lens needs to be exposed in order to capture video surveillance footage. TheU-shaped mount makes it easy to install this camera inside of objects. This tiny CCTV camera can be used in a security gate call box, ATM, and hidden spy camera applications.

Security Gate Callbox Installation

The above picture shows how the MINI-CN4 camera be installed inside of a security gate callback at an HOA community. It is very common for gated communities to record the faces of all of the guests that enter the property.

ATM Pinhole Camera Installation

Here you can see how the MINI-CN4 pinhole camera can be installed inside an ATM at a bank. Almost all automated teller machines have security camera installed in them to record the faces of people using the ATM.

Pinhole Spy Camera

Here is an example of a hidden pinhole spy camera that we made at CCTV Camera Pros using a MINI-CN4. We drilled a small hole into the front cover of an old Internet cable modem that we no longer use and mounted the pinhole camera to the back of the front cover. This is just one of many possible hidden spy camera applications that can be installed using this camera.

Hybrid Analog CCTV / HD-over-Coax

The MINI-CN4 supports 4 video formats: analog CCTV (CVBS), AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI. This makes it compatible with almost all surveillance DVRs including older analog CCTV DVRs and the latest HD security camera DVRs. The video resolution of analog mode is 960H (960 x 420). The video resolution of AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI video modes is 1080p / 2 megapixel (1920 x 1080 pixels).

Pinhole Camera FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions that I receive about pinhole cameras.

1. Can these camera be installed inside of alarm clocks?
   Yes. Because this camera is so small, and only the tip of the cone lens needs to be exposed, then can be concealed inside of alarm clocks and other small electronic devices.
2. Do these camera support motion detection video recording?
   Motion detection recording is a function of the DVR that these cameras are connected to. So yes, as long as you use a DVR that supports motion detection recording.
3. Do these cameras have a built-in SD card?
   No. these are commercial grade HD CCTV cameras that are designed to be hard wired to a surveillance DVR.
4. What video resolution is supported?
   2.0 megapixel / 1080p full HD and 960H analog video resolution is supported.
5. What brand DVR is compatible with the MINI-CN4?
   This camera supports analog CVBS, AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI video formats. This makes them compatible with older analog CCTV DVRs and the latest HD DVRs from all major manufacturers including Swann, Samsung, Night Owl, Lorex, QSee, Defender, Digital Watch Dog, CCTV Camera Pros, and just about all others. If you need help determining compatibility with your DVR, please email me here. We highly recommend iDVR-PRO DVRs.
6. Are other spy / hidden cameras available?
   Yes. CCTV Camera Pros has many pre-made hidden spy cameras available here.
7. Do pinhole camera support infrared night vision?
   These cameras can work fairly well in low light situations, however, they do not have built-in IR night vision. If you need a hidden camera with IR night vision, please take a look at this hidden motion detector camera with invisible IR.
8. How much does shipping cost?
   CCTV Camera Pros offer free shipping inside of the USA for any order over $99.

Watch this video to compare video surveillance recorded using a 4K security camera vs 1080p. The best way to compare is to play this video back on a 4K TV monitor to see the full 4K video. If you do not have access to a 4K monitor, you will still be able to see the difference in video quality between 4K and 1080p, especially when I digitally zoom into the image by 4x / 400%.

4K Security Camera

This is the 4K security camera that I used. I have this camera permanently installed at my house to monitor part of my driveway and the walkway that leads to my front door.

You can see in the above picture where the camera is mounted above my garage door.

1080p Security Camera

Here is a picture of the HD-Q7 1080p CCTV camera that I used to record the 1080p video. You probably notice that the housing of 4K-BL9 and HD-Q7 are identical. You can not even tell these cameras apart. CCTV Camera Pros gets both of these models from the same manufacturer. The difference is the 4K and 1080p image sensors and lenses inside. Because the housing and mounts of the two cameras are the same, it was very easy to swap the 4K camera out with the 1080p to make the above video.

4K Security Camera DVR

To record the video, each camera was connected to this iDVR-PRO 4K surveillance DVR that I use at my house. The cameras are hard wired to the DVR using RG59 Siamese cable. This DVR is compatible with almost all CCTV / BNC type cameras including older analog CCTV (CVBS), HD-TVI, and AHD (analog high definition) cameras. It supports the following resolutions: D1, 960H, 720p / 1mp, 1080p / 2mp, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, and 8mp / 4K surveillance cameras.

These hybrid DVRs are a great choice for customers that want to use all 4K cameras and also for customers who need to mix a variety of formats and resolutions. I have supplied many of these DVRs to customers that have an existing security camera system in place and want to use their older analog CCTV cameras now, and upgrade some or all to HD security cameras later.

4K Resolution Images

Here is a snapshot taken from the video recording using the 4K ultra HD security camera. Please click on any of these images to see the full high resolution images.

Here is a snapshot image digitally zoomed in 4x, or 400%. Notice how much clearer the CCTV Camera Pros logo is on my short on this image vs the 1080p image below.

1080p Camera Images

Here is a snapshot image taken from the video recording using the 1080p / 2 megapixel camera. Please click on the image for the full resolution.

Here is the 1080p surveillance camera with 4x / 400% digital zoom.

4K vs 1080p Video Resolution

Here is a side-by-side of the 4K vs 1080p security cameras. When you look close at the details of the image, like the lines in the paver walkway and grass, it becomes very obvious that the 4K camera is much sharper and clearer.

4X Digital Zoom

Here is a side-by-side of the 4K security camera vs 1080p at 4x digital zoom. You can see the image quality at 4K does make a noticeable difference when you look at the logo on my shirt and the clarity of my face.

Questions / Comments

If you have any questions or comments about this article or anything related to video surveillance systems, please email me here.

Understanding what hybrid BNC security cameras are can be very helpful if you are shopping for a replacement camera for an existing surveillance DVR with BNC video inputs. With so many different video standards and resolutions available, it can be very difficult for a someone to figure out what type of security cameras are compatible with their DVR. “Hybrid security cameras” can make this easier if you understand what they are. Watch this video to learn more.

Hybrid BNC security cameras are a type of “CCTV” camera that supports more than one video format and/or resolution. Installers can switch the video format of the camera using the small joystick that is attached to the camera’s video cable. To change the video format, you press and hold the joystick up, down, left, or right for 5 seconds.

The above picture shows our HD-D180 180 degree wide angle camera. It is one of the many hybrid cameras that we supply. This particular camera supports the following video formats / resolutions.

• AHD / 1080p (2 megapixel resolution – 1920 x 1080)
• HD-TVI / 1080p (2 megapixel resolution – 1920 x 1080)
• HD-CVI / 1080p (2 megapixel resolution – 1920 x 1080)
• Analog CCTV (CVBS) / 960H resolution (960 x 480)

Hybrid cameras are available with all of the most common features and styles.

• Dome Cameras
• Bullet Cameras
• Indoor / Outdoor Weatherproof
• Infrared Night Vision
• 180 Security Cameras

Please note that these types of surveillance cameras are sometimes referred to by different names. Here are a few common ones: hybrid CCTV camera, 4-in-1 analog camera, hybrid HD-over-Coax camera, and hybrid security cameras. You can find most of our hybrid security cameras here.

If you have any question about this article or anything related to security camera systems, please contact me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

Watch this HD video to see a comparison of video surveillance footage recorded using two of our 180 security cameras (4MP vs 1080p). These are the two cameras that I used in the video.

• 4MP-B180 – 4 Megapixel Resolution 180 Camera
• AHD-BL5 – 2 Megapixel / 1080p Resolution 180 Camera

The two cameras look identical. The above image shows the bullet-style weatherproof housing that is used for both cameras. Both cameras also have the same IR night vision capability, ultra wide angle lens, and BNC video output. The only different is the resolution that they are capable of.

180 Camera Installation

To run the comparison test, I used my home security camera system.

Here is outdoor installation of the 180 camera above the garage on my house.

Here is a close-up of the installation. I used a plastic electrical junction box when I installed the original analog CCTV camera system at my house about 14 years ago. That is why the junction box has additional mounting holes and looks so rough.

This camera can also mount directly to a wall (without a junction box), but I recommend using one for outdoor installations. The install does not look as neat, but if you need to take the camera down for service or replacement, the J-box makes it much easier that dealing with the BNC connector going through the CBS wall.

4MP Resolution 180 Camera

Here is a still snapshot that I pulled from the video recording of the 4MP camera. You can click on the image to see the full 4MP image.

1080p / 2 Megapixel Resolution 180 Camera

Here is a still snapshot that I pulled from the video recording of the 2MP / 1080p HD camera. You can click on the image to see the full 2 megapixel image.

3x Digital Zoom Comparison

One of the benefits of higher resolution cameras, is that the image will be clearer if  you ever need to digitally zoom in. Take a look at the above photos that I captured from the recorded video surveillance footage. I digitally zoomed in to the images at 3x / 300%. You can see that the “Marine” text on my baseball hat is much clearer using the 4MP camera vs 1080p camera.

4K Surveillance DVR

To record the video, I used the iDVR-PRO 4K surveillance DVR that I have installed at my house. Both cameras used the same RG59 Siamese coax cable that was already run from that junction box on my house, back to the DVR. One of the nice things about the new iDVR-PROs is they support almost all surveillance video formats and resolutions.

The following video formats – video resolutions are supported.

• Analog CCTV / CVBS – D1, 960H
• HD-TVI – 720p, 1080p, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, 8mp/ 4k
• AHD (Analog High Definition) – 720p / 1mp, 1080p / 2mp, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp
•  HD-CVI -720p / 1mp, 1080p / 2mp, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp

All BNC ports on these DVRs support all of these formats and resolutions. You can mix and match various types of CCTV cameras on the same DVR.

Remote Camera View via Mobile

When these 180 cameras are connected to an iDVR-PRO, you can view the live video from your cameras from iPhone and Android mobile apps. In addition to the remote live view, these mobile apps also support search and playback of video surveillance footage recorded on the DVR’s hard drive.

iPhone App

This is the live remote view of the 180 degree security camera from the iDVR-PRO iPhone app. Please note that we used the 4 megapixel mode for both of these images. However, from the mobile apps, there is no difference in video quality between the 4mp and 1080p. This is because the DVR does not stream, the full resolution of the cameras to the mobile apps. The resolution is scaled back to 720p or 1080p depending on the speed of your Internet connection. You can learn more about viewing security camera from this iPhone app here.

Android App

Here is the remote camera view from the Android mobile app. Again, we are using the 4mp model but it does not matter because the resolution was scaled down to 720 resolution for the mobile streaming. You can learn more about viewing security camera from this Android app here.

Need Help? / Questions?

Click here to learn more about the 180 degree security cameras that I used in my testing. If you have any questions about this article or anything related to video surveillance systems, please email me here.

Watch this video to see how effective 4K security cameras are for facial recognition at various distances. A series of car burglaries in my neighborhood inspired me to make this video. After showing video surveillance footage recorded by my DVR to the police and to my neighbors, I realized that most people do not have realistic expectations for security cameras. Specifically, the video clarity for facial recognition at distances greater than 25-35 feet away needed to be explained.

Here is the whole story. A few nights ago, three teenaged boys were walking through my neighborhood in South Florida and breaking into cars. My neighbor’s car across the street from my house is one of the vehicles that got broken into. Unfortunately, he does not have a home security camera system. The Palm Beach sheriffs office came to my house the next day and asked me if my security cameras were recording, and if so, to please review the surveillance footage to see if we captured anything usable.

I reviewed the footage and saw the three boys going from house to house. They went to the neighbor’s house to the right of mine and two of the houses across the street. For some reason, they did not come to my house even though my son’s car that was parked outside in my driveway. Maybe they saw the red glow from the IR night vision on my cameras and were deterred. Who knows.

My neighbors car that got broken into across the street was about 100 feet away from the 4K security camera that I have installed on the front of my house, above my garage door.

This is the security camera that was used to record the video. It is a 4K-BL9 bullet 4K security camera that we supply at CCTV Camera Pros.

The 4K-BL9 has a fixed 3.6mm lens, the most typical lens size for home security camera systems.

A 3.6mm lens captures a 90 degree field of view (actually a little wider that 90° on 4K cameras). It does a great job of providing a wide angle view for monitoring my 3 car driveway.

However, it is not designed to capture video for facial recognition at distances greater than 35 feet or so from the where it is installed. You can see this in the video demo.

Please note that to make the above video, I intentionally angled the camera slightly more to the left so that I could have a more straight on angle for the various facial recognition tests. Normally, this camera is angled  more to the right, so that it monitors my entire driveway.

This is the 4K security camera DVR that all of the cameras at my house are connected to. These new hybrid iDVR-PROs work with almost all surveillance camera resolutions including D1, 960H, 720p, 1080p, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, and 8mp / 4K. Analog CCTV (CVBS), AHD, and HD-TVI video formats are supported. This allows customers to use existing lower resolution cameras (including old analog cameras) and upgrade to 4K UHD over time. All BNC video inputs support all resolutions and formats.

Summary

I think that most people will agree that the 4K UHD video resolution captured by my home security camera system is great. However, as you can see in the video that I made, facial recognition is only effective up to about 35 feet with a 4K security camera with a 3.6mm lens. If you have any questions about this video or anything related to video surveillance systems, please email here or call us at CCTV Camera Pros at 1-561-433-8488.

Watch this video surveillance demo that was recorded using our new 4 megapixel dome-style 180 degree security camera. To record this video, the 4MP-D180 was hard wired to a 4K surveillance DVR using RG59 coax cable.

The 4MP-D180 is a “hybrid BNC security camera” which means that it supports multiple surveillance video formats used by DVRs. The following video formats are supported.

• AHD @ 4 Megapixel Resolution
• HD-TVI @ 4 Megapixel Resolution
• HD-CVI @ 4 Megapixel Resolution
• Analog CCTV (CVBS) @ 960H Resolution

Installers can select the video mode that they want to use with the small OSD joystick that is connected to the camera’s video cable.

Installation

You can see the camera installation at CCTV Camera Pros office in West Palm Beach, Florida here.

Here is a close-up view of the ceiling tile installation. White dome cameras look very neat for commercial installations in my opinion.

Mobile App Security Camera View

During my testing, I also captured a few screenshots while viewing this camera from iPhone and Android mobile apps.

Here is the remote security camera view from iPhone.

Here is the remote security camera view from Android.

Bullet-Style 180 Camera

This 4MP-B180 is a bullet-style 180 security camera. The video resolution, infrared night vision, and frame rate are identical to the 4MP-D180 dome. It is basically the same camera, except it is enclosed in a weatherproof bullet housing (black) instead of a white dome.

1080p / 2 Megapixel Resolution

If you have a 2 megapixel / 1080p DVR, we also have 180 cameras available in 1080p resolution. You can find all of our 180 degree security cameras here.

Questions / Need Help?

If you need help determining if these cameras are compatible with your DVR, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net. I am here to help with any questions that you have.

Watch this demo to see recorded video surveillance footage using the dome 4K IP camera that is installed above the front door at my house. The IP-D8 security camera seen in the video is part of a new product line at CCTV Camera Pros called Viewtron.

This is where the camera is installed at my house. It is to the right and above my front door. The 4K IP camera is the one on the left.

Here is a close-up of the installation. The junction box that the IP camera is mounted on is much newer that the one on the right. If you are wondering why I have two cameras installed here: a long time ago, I ran RG59 and CAT5e to this location. Now, about 10 years later, I will finally make some video comparisons of coax cameras vs IP cameras side-by-side. I test a lot of CCTV Camera Pros equipment at my house.

The IP camera is recording to a Viewtron DVR / NVR (video surveillance recorder). I already had 6 existing HD coax security cameras installed and the DVR installed at my house. This is the first IP camera that I added to the system – making it a hybrid coax / IP system.

Hybrid BNC Camera / IP Camera System

Here is an overview of how a hybrid security camera DVR can be used to install HD BNC cameras using coaxial cable, and also IP cameras using network cable (CAT5 or CAT6).

Please note that this is not the exact setup that I have at my house. I currently have 6 BNC security cameras (HD-over-Coax) and 1 IP camera installed. I have this 16ch hybrid DVR so that I can keep expanding my system.

Here is how the hybrid system works.

• Starting on the right, (4) HD-over-coax security cameras are hard wired directly to the DVR using RG59 Siamese coax cable and BNC connectors (orange cables).
• The Viewtron hybrid DVR / NVR is connected to a 8 port network switch with built-in PoE (power over Ethernet) with CAT5e cable (red wire). Please note that the DVR is not powered by the PoE switch. In case you did not know, PoE ports on switches can be used to provide a network connection to a non-PoE device.
• (2) dome IP cameras are connected to the same network switch as the DVR (red cables).
• The network uplink port on the switch is connected to a network router (device above the switch) with CAT-5e (blue cable). Please note that the router is optional to use in a system like this one.
• Although not pictured, the network router would typically be connected to a cable or DSL modem to provide Internet connectivity. If you want to access your security cameras remotely, a router and a modem for high speed Internet access is required. Sometimes the router and the modem is the same device – a modem / router. At CCTV Camera Pros, we usually recommend that customers use a separate router because the quality of modem / routers provided by cable companies are typically not the best quality.

Also Works with Hybrid iDVR-PRO DVRs

We have been supplying iDVR-PRO hybrid security system DVRs for many years and will continue to. The same hybrid security camera system setup that is described above also works with the later generation iDVR-PRO DVRs that have been supplied by CCTV Camera Pros. All of our 4K ultra HD iDVR-PRO DVRs are compatible with Viewtron IP cameras. Our 5mp DVRs are also compatible. If you have an existing iDVR-PRO and are interested in adding IP cameras to your system, we can help you determine of you have a model that is compatible.

NVR IP Camera System with Built-in PoE

If you plan on installing a system consisting of only IP cameras, a network video recorder with built-in PoE (instead of a hybrid DVR / NVR) is a good option. One benefit is that you do not need a separate network PoE switch to provide power and network connectivity to the cameras because they are plugged directly into the network ports on the back of the NVR.

Here is an overview of how this works.

• CAT5e or CAT6 network cable is used to hard wire each of the IP cameras to the back of the DVR. This system uses (2) dome and (2) bullet IP cameras.
• The NVR provides power to the cameras and assigns IP addresses. This type of setup very “plug and play”.
• The HDMI or VGA monitor port on the DVR can be used to display the cameras and manage the system. This is the same as the hybrid DVR above. – the monitor is not pictured in that diagram.
• A network router and modem are not pictured in the above installation. These are optional. If the customer wants their system to be self contained with no Internet access, they can simple keep the DVR off of their network (as pictured above).
• If remote Internet access is desired, the NVR’s LAN Ethernet port can be connected to a network router or modem to enable remote Internet access.

Remote Security Camera Viewing

Here are a few screenshots that I captured using the mobile apps and desktop PC software that are included with Viewtron IP cameras, DVRs, and NVRs. Users can access their Viewtron IP camera(s) remotely over the Internet with or without a DVR / NVR. The mobile apps and desktop software for Mac and Windows can connect directly to IP cameras and / or to DVRs and NVRs.

The IP-D8 4K IP camera is the camera in the top left on this iPhone app view. You can see more screenshots learn more about remote viewing security cameras with Viewtron here.

Here is my home surveillance system remote access through the Android app. You can see more images and learn more about remote viewing security cameras here.

This is the Windows video management software. You can see more pictures and learn more about the Windows VMS software here.

This is the Macintosh video management software. It has the same look and functionality as the Windows Software. You can see more sample images and learn more about the Mac security camera software here.

Surveillance Snapshots

Here are a few surveillance photo snapshots that I took while testing the IP-D8 dome IP camera at my house. Please click on these images to see the full 4K UHD surveillance image.

As I typically do with my testing, I stand fairly close to the camera so that people can see up close details. At close distances, you can see that this camera captures facial recognition level detail. However, it is important to understand the realistic limits of even 4K UHD security cameras when it comes to facial recognition. I made this video a few weeks ago to help people understand: 4K security camera facial recognition testing.

Here is the IR night vision snapshot that I captured. There are no lights at my front door. The outdoor light above my front door has been broken for years. The upside is that it gives me a zero light outdoor environment for me to test infrared security cameras at my house. All of the illumination that you see in this photo is being cast by the infrared LEDs built into the dome camera.

Need Help? / Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this article, video demo, or anything related to IP cameras / security systems, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

Watch this video archive of an actual multi-camera live streaming event that was broadcast from CCTV Camera Pros office in West Palm Beach, Florida. The primary purpose of this YouTube livestream was to demonstrate how to use our new HDMI to USB converter (model HDMI-U3) to capture video for a live broadcast. Please note that although we used YouTube’s streaming platform for this demo, the equipment that we used also works with Facebook, Twitch, Zoom, and just about every other major video streaming platform.

Multi-Camera Live Streaming Setup

In addition, the video stream also demonstrates how-to use the HDMI to USB capture box in conjunction with a 4ch HD CCTV multiplexer to enable the multi-camera screen display. The above image illustrates the equipment setup that was used for the original YouTube livestream.

This is how it works.

1. Four HD security cameras were installed at CCTV Camera Pros to show multiple camera angles around our office and warehouse. These cameras are hard wired to a VM-HD4 quad video multiplexer using RG59 coax cable (blue lines). Some people refer to these multiplexers as video switchers because you can also switch between the multi-camera and single camera views. This model also supports picture-in-picture display. Users can easily switch between display layouts using the wireless remote control. The wireless remote helps to make it easy for one person to control the video broadcast and switch the camera views during the livestream.
2. The HDMI output on the multiplexer connects to the HDMI input on the HDMI-U3 capture / converter box (green line).
3. The USB port on the HDMI-U3 connects to a USB port on the laptop computer (red line).
4. The laptop is running Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). The OBS software was configured to stream to CCTV Camera Pros YouTube channel.
5. The laptop was hard wired to a router (orange line).
6. There is an Internet connection also connected to the router (not pictured). Please note that in order to stream live video, you need a high speed Internet connection. And, a hard-wired connection works much better than WIFI.

Here is a picture of the system. Please note that I also had a USB microphone connected to my laptop to capture my voice while streaming live.

Simple Add-On for Existing Live Camera Display Systems

CCTV Camera Pros has been supplying these live security camera display systems and HD CCTV multiplexers for many years. We supply these display systems to customers that do not need to record video surveillance footage from their cameras. They just want to provide a live video display for their customers to see. Our HDMI-U3 is a simple add-on to turn any of these systems into a live streaming system. And because there is also an HDMI output on the HDMI-U3, their display system can still also be used for local live display on a TV monitor.

Helping Companies and Organizations Live Stream

I have been experimenting with online live video streaming, embedding video streams into web pages, and setting up multi-camera systems using CCTV security cameras for more that a decade. With the arrival of the Covid-19 virus in 2020, we have witnessed exponential growth in streaming services like Zoom (a fairly new company that has exploded with growth). Businesses and organizations are finding out that live video streaming is a way for them to stay engaged with their customers and patrons during a time of social distancing.

CCTV Camera Pros is very happy to be able to help businesses and organizations by designing affordable systems for them. We have helped design live video display and streaming systems for dance studios, churches, funeral homes, college sports teams, music studios, karate dojos, gymnastics gyms, curling clubs, tennis clubs, product manufacturers, and many other types or organizations. If you have any questions, please email me here. Thank you for checking out the video and article!

Watch this video demo to see how easy our new Viewtron 4K security camera DVRs are to use.  Live display and recorded video surveillance playback is demonstrated in the video. I used my home security camera system to make this video. Currently, I have all 4K cameras installed at my house, except for the 4mp camera that monitors the side of my house.

Here is a list of the equipment that was installed at my house at the time I made this video and blog post.

• Viewtron 16ch hybrid DVR – Works with analog CCTV, HD-over Coax (AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI), and network IP cameras.
• IP-D8 4K IP camera dome – Front door.
• 4K-AD3 vandal proof dome – Right side garage / house walkway.
• 4K-B2Z motorized zoom bullet camera – Left side garage.
• 4K-BL9 fixed lens bullet camera – Back yard.
• 4K-D9 fixed lens dome camera – Front door camera #2. This is not typical. It is for testing and comparison purposes.
• 5MP-D5 4mp Turret Dome Camera – Side yard. This can run as a 4 megapixel or 5 megapixel camera.

Here are some screenshots that highlight some of the DVR’s primary features. Please note that these images are 4K resolution. If you click on them, you will see the full 4K ultra HD view.

Live Video Display

Here are some screenshots of the live camera display on a 4K display monitor.

Here is the live display 4 camera view of my surveillance system. The live video display is very easy to navigate and change with the mouse.

The live display layout can be switched from multi-camera view to single camera view by double-clicking on any of the camera views on the screen.

You can also switch between any of the multi-camera views via the bottom menu. The bottom menu automatically comes into view when the mouse curser hovers over the bottom of the screen.

Recorded Video Search and Playback

Here are some screenshot of the recorded video search and playback functions of the DVR. Please note that the DVR was recording at 4K resolution when these screenshots were taken. Please click on the images to see the full 4K ultra high definition version.

The search and playback screen can be accessed by clicking on the menu icon in the lower left and selecting “Playback”. On the video playback screen, a date and time-line selector appears on the right. With the mouse you can select the date and time that you want to playback video from. The video playback automatically refreshes to the time that you select on the time-line scrubber.

When you are playback of recorded video is running, you can double click on any camera view to switch to a full screen view of that camera.

Recorded Video Backup

During video playback, you can also export a segment of video to a USB drive.

To backup a segment of recorded video surveillance footage.

1. Select the time frame and cameras that you want to backup using the timeline scrubber.
2. Press the backup / export button in the lower right.
3. The backup confirmation and information pop-up opens. Press backup to begin.
4. You will be prompt to select the location of the backup. If you have a USB drive inserted into one of the USB ports of the DVR, you will be able to select it.

Easy to Use System Navigation

The menu and navigation system on all Viewtron DVRs and NVRs is the same. Although I do not cover everything in this video and blog post, I do want to share a screenshot of the main menu.

Here is a screenshot of the main menu system of the DVR. You can see that it is a very clean user interface and it is very simple to navigate and understand. I will be adding additional videos and blog posts to go into detail about the recording modes, alarm inputs / outputs, network / remote Internet setup,  user account management, and other system functions. Please subscribe to our blog if you would like to be notified when we post this type of content.

Remote Security Camera Viewing Apps & Software

Here are links articles, screenshots, and demo videos of the remote camera viewing mobile apps and desktop software that is included with all Viewtron DVRs and NVRs. These mobile apps and desktop software packages allow you to view your security cameras remotely and also search and playback recorded video surveillance footage.

• iPhone App
• Android App
• Mac Software
• Windows Software

Related Video Surveillance Products

Here are links to additional Viewtron surveillance system and other compatible products that CCTV Camera Pros supplies.

• Viewtron IP Camera NVRs – these have built-in PoE ports which makes them plug and play. The user interface is identical to the Viewtron DVR that was
• Viewtron IP Cameras – these are compatible with Viewtron hybrid DVRs, NVRs, as well as third party NVRs that work with ONVIF compatible IP cameras.
• 4K BNC / Coax Security Cameras – all of these work great with Viewtron DVRs. I currently have 3 of these models installed at my house.
• LPR IP Camera – this is a specialized PoE IP camera for license place capture. Viewtron NVRs will be updated later this year to support ANPR (automatic number plate recognition when used with this camera. This is an excellent choice for HOA and gated communities that want to capture license plates at their entranced.
• 4K Security Camera Systems – here are some pre-package systems that we just started selling based on Viewtron Hybrid surveillance video recorders.

Need Help? / Have Questions?

If you have any questions about this article or I can help in any way, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

Watch this video to see how you can remotely view Viewtron IP cameras installed at multiple locations from iPhone. In addition to the iPhone app, the Android app, Mac software, and Windows software that is included with Viewtron IP cameras also supports multiple location viewing. The apps and software are included with all Viewtron IP cameras, DVRs, and NVRs.

You can learn more about Viewtron security camera systems on these pages.

• iPhone Viewer App
• Android Viewer App
• Mac Security Camera Viewer Software
• Windows Security Camera Viewer Software
• Hybrid BNC / IP Security Camera DVRs – works with analog CCTV, AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI, and network IP cameras up to 8mp / 4K resolution.
• IP Camera NVRs – these have built-in PoE ports.
• Network IP Cameras
• 4K Security Camera Systems – pre-configured systems with DVRs, 4K cameras, cables, and power supplies.

Watch this video demo to see the Viewtron security camera system Android app view cameras live and playback recorded video surveillance footage from a DVR hard drive. This app can connect to Viewtron DVRs, NVRs, and IP cameras. Multiple location viewing is supported.

You can learn more about how to view security cameras using the Viewtron Android app here. You can learn more about Viewtron security camera systems on these pages.

• iPhone Viewer App
• Mac Security Camera Viewer Software
• Windows Security Camera Viewer Software
• Hybrid BNC / IP Security Camera DVRs – works with analog CCTV, AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI, and network IP cameras up to 8mp / 4K resolution.
• IP Camera NVRs – these have built-in PoE ports.
• Network IP Cameras
• 4K Security Camera Systems – pre-configured systems with DVRs, 4K cameras, cables, and power supplies.

Watch this video to see a demo of the Mac security camera / DVR viewer software that is included with Viewtron DVRs, NVRs, and network IP cameras. The Mac software is able to connect to multiple DVR and security camera locations. Users can create customized screen layout consisting of cameras from multiple locations.

You can learn more about Mac security camera viewer software  here. You can learn more about Viewtron video surveillance systems on these pages.

• Android App
• iPhone App
• Windows Security Camera Software
• Hybrid Security Camera DVRs – works with analog CCTV, AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI, and network IP cameras up to 8mp / 4K resolution.
• NVRs for IP Cameras – these have built-in PoE ports.
• Network IP Cameras
• 4K Security Camera Systems – pre-configured systems with DVRs, 4K cameras, cables, and power supplies.

Watch this video demo to see a Viewtron security camera system being remotely viewed from the iPhone app. In addition to the live camera view, the app also supports the ability to remotely search and playback recorded video surveillance footage from a DVR hard drive and from the SD card installed in Viewtron IP cameras.

You can learn more about how to view security cameras using the Viewtron iPhone app here. You can learn more about Viewtron video surveillance systems on these pages.

• Android App
• Mac Security Camera Software
• Windows Security Camera Software
• Hybrid Security Camera DVRs – works with analog CCTV, AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI, and network IP cameras up to 8mp / 4K resolution.
• NVRs for IP Cameras – these have built-in PoE ports.
• Network IP Cameras
• 4K Security Camera Systems – pre-configured systems with DVRs, 4K cameras, cables, and power supplies.

Check out this multiple camera video game streaming setup that we experimented with at CCTV Camera Pros. We used this system yesterday to broadcast a live video game stream on Twitch. You can watch the video archive on our Twitch channel here.

Wondering why a security camera company is setting up a video game streaming system? Besides to have some fun at the office, we wanted to show people how some of our equipment can be used for video applications other than security. Also, when I was looking, I could not find any video gamers that were using a multiple camera streaming system like this. As it turns out, this equipment is some of the best and most affordable available for live streaming. And, some of the only equipment available for multi-camera streaming.

Here is how the system works.

1. The blue lines are RG59 coax cable used to connect the 3 security cameras (basically being used as webcams) to the VM-HD4 CCTV video multiplexer. These cameras are a mix of 1080p and 4K HD-over-Coax security cameras. The VM-HD4 combines the HD video signals from the 3 cameras and the video game console into a single HDMI output. The screens can be switched between single views and multi-views using the wireless remote control that is included with the VM-HD4.
2. The green lines are HDMI cables. The HDMI output of the Nintendo Switch dock is connected to the HDMI input of our AHD-CV12 HDMI to AHD video converter. This allows us to add the video signal from the Switch to our video multiplexer. The multiplexer has BNC inputs that are compatible with AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI video up to 4K resolution.
3. The BNC video output of the AHD-CV12 connects to one of the BNC video inputs of the multiplexer. Now we have the video signals from the 3 cameras and the game console all managed by the video multiplexer.
4. The yellow line is an audio cable that connects the analog audio output of the Nintendo Switch to the audio input of the HDMI-U3. The U3 is an HDMI to USB converter / video capture box. It is the device that enables us to capture the video signal on our Macbook.
5. The purple line is the USB cable that connects the HDMI-U3 to the Thunderbolt port on my Mac. Being that the HDMI-U3 uses USB 3.0, I needed to use this USB-3 to USB-C Thunderbolt adapter.
6. The Macbook is running Open Broadcaster software (OBS). OBS is integrated with Twitch.tv, YouTube, Facebook, and all of the other well known video streaming platforms.
7. The Mac is hard wired to our network router. The router is connected to a high speed Internet connection. This allows us to connect the OBS software to the Twitch streaming platform.
8. The HDMI-U3 capture box also has an HDMI loop output. We have the HDMI output connected to the large TV on our video wall to display live video locally while we stream. This is perfect for the gamers to use while they stream. You can see a picture of the video wall below.
9. Not pictures above, I also used a Shure USB headset microphone to talk while streaming. We captured audio from two difference sources while streaming – the audio output from the Switch game console and from my USB headset mic.

Video Game Streaming + Video Wall

The HDMI loop output on the HDMI-U3 video capture / streaming box allows us to setup a local video display on the video wall at CCTV Camera Pros, in addition to streaming the video output.

Twitch Video Game Stream

Here are some screenshots that we captured of the Twitch stream.

Here is a snapshot of the multi-camera view streaming on Twitch.

This is when we used the remote control of the multiplexer to change to the single screen view of the Mario Kart game.

HDMI to USB Converter / Video Capture Box

The HDMI-U3 capture box is what enables HDMI video capture for live streaming. It can also be used for much more simple applications, like just streaming the HDMI output from a video game console. It optional to add the video multiplexer and all of the cameras like we did in this example.

CCTV Camera Pros has assisted customers with equipment for live streaming for other types of events too. We have designed systems for churches, funeral homes, dance studios, karate dojos, gymnastics gyms, curling clubs, tennis clubs, sports arenas and courts.

Questions / Need Help?

If you have any questions about this article or anything related to live streaming systems, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

Watch this video to learn how to stream Nintendo Switch on Twitch live streaming platform. Streaming video games on Twitch is simple and inexpensive to setup using an HDMI to USB video capture box and OBS studio software. I am using Nintendo Switch games for this demo, but the process is the same for other video game consoles.

Follow below to see the hardware and software setup that I used in the video.

Hardware Setup

Here is a diagram that shows how all of the hardware is setup. This is how it works.

1. This HDMI to USB converter / video capture device (model HDMI-U3) is used to capture the 1080p video output from the Nintendo Switch. The HDMI out port of the Switch’s dock station is connected to the HDMI input of the HDMI-U3.
2. The HDMI-U3 also has an HDMI “loop output”. This is connected to a display monitor or TV. This enables video game display on a dedicated monitor while you stream, so you do not need to use the display on the computer that is doing the video capture. The HDMI output is a key feature for video game streamers.
3. The USB-3 port of the capture device is connected to one of the HDMI ports on the laptop using the USB cable that is included with the HDMI-U3. Being that my Macbook Pro uses USB Thunderbolt ports, I need to convert the USB-3 to USB-C Thunderbolt on the end that connects to my Mac. Please note that the Thunderbolt converter is not needed if you are using a Windows or Mac PC that uses USB 3.0 ports.
4. The Mac PC is running Open Broadcaster software (OBS). OBS can be downloaded here. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux for free. The OBS software is what connects to the Twitch streaming service.
5. The Mac PC is hard wired to a network router. The router is connected to a high speed Internet connection. I highly recommend using a hard wired Internet connection when you live stream video games. It is much more reliable than WIFI.

Open Broadcaster Studio (OBS) Setup

This is how I configured the OBS Studio streaming software. Before you begin the OBS setup, make sure that the HDMI-U3 is connected to your computer, Nintendo Switch, and the display monitor output (if you are using the HDMI loop out to a monitor).

In the OBS software, we need to add all of the video and audio sources that will be used for streaming into the OBS “Scene”. If you are new to OBS Studio, a Scene is made up of one or more media “Sources”. In this case, we will be adding video and audio sources to capture the live video game play, face shot of the gamer, audio from the game, and audio from the microphone that the gamer is wearing.

To add the HDMI video capture device to our Scene, click on the plus button in the Sources window (lower left), the select Video Capture Device. Leave the Create New radio box checked and give the source a name. I named mine HDMI-U3. When you press OK, you will see the properties window (small Window in the above screenshot).  Select the HDMI-U3 for the device. Please note that our HDMI-U3 is sometimes detected as “TC-UB60pro Video”. Select “High” for the preset resolution. You should begin to see the live video display from your Nintendo Switch. Press OK.

Next, I will follow the same steps to add the FaceTime camera on my Macbook. This is the camera that I will use for the webcam overlay of my face. If you are using a USB web camera, the process is the same to add it into the view.

Press the plus button again in the Sources window and select Video Capture Device again. Give the source a name, then click OK. On the properties screen, select FaceTime HD Camera or select the USB webcam that you are using. Choose the resolution, then press OK.

You will see the FaceTime / webcam video on top of your video game source. Drag the webcam overlay to the location where you want it and re-size it.

Setup Audio Input Sources

The process to add audio sources to the scene in OBS studio is the same as video. I add two audio sources for my stream. One from the HDMI-U3 to capture the HDMI audio from the video game and the other for the microphone that I wear for the voice over.

Click on the plus button in the Sources window (lower left), but this time select Audio Capture Device. Leave the Create New radio box checked and give the source a name. I named mine HDMI-U3 Audio. When you press OK, you will see the properties window (small window in the above screenshot).  Select the HDMI-U3 for the device. Please note that our HDMI-U3 is sometimes detected as “TC-UB60pro Digital Audio”. Make sure you select the “digital audio” source and not analog. Press OK.

Repeat these steps to add whichever microphone that you will use to capture your voice.

Twitch Stream Key

I assume that you already setup a Twitch account. Log in to your account. Select Creator Dashboard. Then select Preferences -> Channel. On the preferences screen, you will see your stream key. Copy it.

In OBS studio, click on the Settings button in the lower right. Then, select Stream. Select Twitch in the service dropdown. Leave the Server set to Auto. Paste your Twitch stream key. Press OK.

When you are ready to start streaming, press the Start Streaming button in the lower right. Your video should be streaming live on Twitch.

HDMI to USB Video Capture Device

The HDMI-U3 is the best value for game streamers. It supports 1080p streaming and the HDMI output is extremely useful for local monitor display while you stream. You can learn more about the HDMI-U3 video capture device that my company supplies here.

Questions / Comments

If you have any questions or comments about how to stream Nintendo Switch or any other video game console, please email me here. You can also use these instruction for streaming on Facebook Gaming and YouTube Live.

This demo video surveillance footage was recorded with this bullet-style 4K outdoor IP camera that is installed on the front of CCTV Camera Pros office building. I believe that most customers will be very surprised when they see the ultra high definition of this camera, high-end commercial grade construction, and $170 retail price.

Indoor Outdoor Housing

The Viewtron IP-B8 bullet camera is enclosed in an IP67 rated weatherproof housing which holds up great in wet / damp climates like we have in South Florida. We used the optional round junction box mount which made it easy to install on the concrete wall of our building. The pre-threaded mount holes made the installation very neat.

Wide Angle of View

The 3.6mm lens of the IP-B8 provides a nice wide angle of view (about 90 degrees). It is perfect to monitor the 6 parking spaces right in front of our office. The 8 megapixel lens is fixed and pre-focused – no adjustments required. We also have this varifocal-lens outdoor IP camera available for customers that need a wider or tighter angle of view.

IP Camera NVR

To record the video footage, the IP-B8 was connected to a Viewtron IP camera NVR. These network video recorders are perfect for PoE IP cameras, like the IP-B8, because they have built-in Power over Ethernet ports. This makes the installation a simple plug and play type of setup. Cat-5e or Cat-6 network cable is used to hard wire the camera to one of the PoE ports on the back of the recorder. The recorder provides power to the camera and assigns it an IP address.

For customers that have existing security camera systems with BNC / coax cable type cameras, we also have these hybrid CCTV / IP camera DVRs, that are excellent for replacement DVRs. These allow customers to use older analog CCTV cameras (CVBS), HD BNC security cameras (up to 4K resolution), network IP cameras (up to 4K resolution) on the same DVR. However, they do not have the built-in PoE ports, like the pure IP camera NVRs do.

The IP-B8, and all Viewtron IP cameras, are ONVIF compliant. This allows customers to use them with any ONVIF compliant DVR / NVR or with PC based NVR software.

Remote IP Camera View

Here is a mobile screenshot that I captured while testing the IP-B8. This is the remote IP-B8 camera view from the iPhone app that is included. The app supports the ability to connect directly to the camera or connecting the NVR / DVR (if you are using one). The mobile app for Android is also included, as well as desktop software for Mac and Windows PCs. All of the apps and software support live remote camera viewing as well as recorded video search and playback.

Here is another screenshot from the app. This time, I used the digital zoom function to zoom in closer on my face. This level of clarity is possible via digital zoom because of the 4K UHD resolution of the camera. Please note that the digital zoom is even better when you do it directly from the DVR because the video resolution is scaled down for remote mobile access.

Have Questions / Need Help?

Do you have any questions about IP cameras, questions about DVR compatibility, or need help designing a new surveillance system? Myself or someone on the CCTV Camera Pros team can help you. We have been doing this every day for the past 14 years.

You can request a free consultation here. You can also me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net if you prefer. Thank you for checking out my article!

This HDMI over Powerline review video shows how to display security cameras on multiple TV monitors by sending the video signal from a surveillance DVR over power wire. If you are not familiar with what an HDMI over powerline kit is, these systems are pretty amazing. They allow you to send HDMI signals over standard electrical wiring / existing power outlets. They also allow you to repeat the signal from an infrared remote control, so that you can control your DVR from the remote display monitor.

The kit that I review in this video is the HDMI-TR2 which includes one transmitter and receiver. It has the option to add two additional receivers. This allows you to display your security cameras on 4 monitors total, because the transmitter also has an HDMI output.

Here is how this setup works.

1. The blue lines represent standard HDMI cables. Red are the power cords included with the kit. Green are the IR transmitter and repeater beacons.
2. The HDMI output of the Viewtron security camera DVR on the left is connected to the HDMI input on the HDMI-TR2 transmitter (TX). These systems also work great with iDVR-PRO DVRs, NVRs for IP cameras, and any HDMI media source with resolutions up to 1080p @ 60Hz.
3. The power cable of the transmitter connects to a standard power outlet.
4. The HDMI output of the transmitter is connected to a TV monitor, so there is one monitor display in the same room as the DVR.
5. The green wire with the circle on the end is the IR remote control repeater that is included with the HDMI-TR2 kit. That is a wire and beacon that repeats the signal from a wireless remote control (if you are using one). The repeater must be positioned facing towards the IR input receiver of your DVR or other HDMI source device.
6. The HDMI receiver is pictured on the right. It must be connected to a power outlet that is on the same circuit breaker panel as the transmitter. A total of 3 HDMI receivers can be used with this system.
7. The HDMI output of the receiver is connected to a second monitor to display a live view of our security cameras in another room.
8. The green wire on the RX is the IR remote control receiver. It allows you to use the remote control of the DVR in the other room. It comes with a small piece of double sided tape, because it is typically mounted on the edge of the TV frame.

Although, I did not create a video review yet, I also tested the HDMI over powerline kit at my house with this CCTV quad multiplexer and the 4K security cameras that I have installed there. The installation is exactly the same as a DVR.

We have a lot of customers that use our CCTV video multiplexers to create multi-camera live video displays for applications where recording is not needed. I know that many of them are going to be happy to see that we have this new solution that enables display on multiple monitors without the need to run HDMI cable long distances.

Here are some important things that I learned while doing this product review.

1. The power outlets that the transmitter and all receivers plug into must all be on the same electrical circuit breaker panel.
2. You can not use surge protectors or extension cord / power strips. The power cable of the transmitter and receiver(s) must be plugged directly into your power outlets.
3. Performance goes down when you use more receivers. I had the best performance when I used one receiver. Response time / video frame rate when down a bit when I added a second receiver, and more when I added a third.
4. The kit is a plug and play type of setup. When you connect everything, it just works.
5. In my opinion, live security camera display from security camera systems are likely be the best application for these kits. I do not think that the frame rate will be acceptable for a Blu-ray player or cable set top boxes. However, based on over 15 years of experience in designing video surveillance systems, the performance is definitely acceptable for security camera display.

Have Questions / Need Help?

You can learn more about the HDMI-TR2 HDMI over Powerline kit here. Please do not hesitate to email me questions that you have.

The latest Viewtron hybrid DVRs work with BNC cameras and network IP cameras up to 4K resolution.

Watch this video to see how-to connect an IP Camera to a BNC DVR. The video also shows you how you can designated BNC channels to be allocated for additional IP camera channels.

This is how these DVRs work with both security camera types.

• Viewtron DVRs have BNC video inputs on the back of them, just like any other CCTV / BNC DVR. These DVRs come in 4ch, 8ch, and 16ch BNC models.
• Older analog CCTV cameras (CVBS) and HD-over-Coax cameras can be connected to the BNC video inputs. D1, 960H, 720p, 1080p, 3mp, 4mp, 5mp, and 8mp / 4K BNC cameras are supported. analog CVBS, AHD, HD-TVI, and HD-CVI video formats are supported.
• All models also support network IP cameras in addition to the 4, 8, and 16ch BNC inputs. The 4ch supports 2 additional IP cameras. The 8ch and 16ch both support an additional 8 IP cameras.
• Users can also designate additional IP camera channels by repurposing any of the BNC inputs as an IP camera channel.
• This flexibility, along with support for analog CVBS cameras, is a great solution for customers looking for a replacement DVR for their existing analog CCTV camera system. They can later upgrade to HD coax cameras or HD IP cameras.
• IP cameras are NOT hard wired to the DVR (like BNC cameras are).
• IP cameras are connected to a PoE switch that is on the same physical network as the DVR. This can be accomplished by the DVR being connected to the same network switch.

Please watch this video to see how to configure an IP camera on a Viewtron hybrid DVR / NVR.

Please email me if you have any questions.

Watch this video to see the new 4K vandal-proof dome camera that I recently installed at my house. I replaced an old analog CCTV dome that I installed about 9 years ago. I was able to use the existing RG59 coax cable that was in place. The cable still works great!

Here is a picture of where the camera is installed above the garage door on my house.

Surveillance Snapshots

Here are some snapshots. You can click on the images to see the full 4K ultra HD images.

Here are a few still snapshot images that I grabbed from the video recording. This first was in strong day light.

This snapshot was obviously taken at night, and the camera’s built-in IR night vision is on. My driveway does have some lighting from the coach lights on the garage and a near-by street light.

This is the Viewtron DVR that I am using. It is a 16ch hybrid security camera DVR that supports BNC cameras and network IP cameras. Both camera types are supported up to 8 megapixel / 4K resolution. I made this video last week to show customers how to connect an IP camera to the DVR.

This is an outstanding DVR for new installations and it is also great for system upgrade projects. It works with analog CVBS cameras which is great for customers that want to upgrade from an analog CCTV system to 4K Ultra HD by leveraging their existing coax cable.

The 4K-AD3 is a great security camera for home, business, and government installations. It is called a vandal-proof dome because the base is made of metal and the dome cover is hard polycarbonate plastic. It you punch this camera, the only thing that is likely to break are the bones in your hand. It is sturdy commercial grade construction and it is IP67 weatherproof rated.

Installation Mount Options

Besides being able to directly mount the base of this camera to a wall or ceiling, here are some of the optional mounts / brackets.

L-Bracket Wall Mount

90 Degree Pipe Style Wall Mount Bracket

Pendant Ceiling Mount with Pipe

Questions, Comments, Quotes

If you have any questions or comments, please email me here. The team at CCTV Camera Pros is also available to design custom systems using this camera and many others that we supply.

Thank you for reading this article!

In my testing, object detection using AI security cameras and NVRs is way more reliable than video motion detection using traditional security cameras and DVRs. I have not encountered any false alarms so far. AI cameras seems to work even better than PIR motion sensors to detect motion without false alarms.

Watch this vehicle detection video that I recorded to test object detection of our new Viewtron bullet camera with built-in AI software. The video also documents how car and motorcycle detection is setup on the NVR that the camera is recording to.

This is the first of a series of videos that I will be making to test and document our new AI powered security cameras. If you want to be notified when I upload more of these videos, please consider subscribing to CCTV Camera Pros YouTube channel.

In addition to vehicle detection, these new Viewtron IP cameras support people detection, facial recognition, face database match, and virtual tripwire detection. We also have one LPR IP camera that supports license plate recognition (LPR) and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

How Does AI Object Detection Work?

Viewtron AI cameras and NVRs have advanced built-in artificial intelligence / video analytics software that work together. Machine learning is applied to collected data of images and videos to improve AI over time. AI software gets better at identifying objects over time based on more video and photo data being fed into it.

Viewtron AI cameras can be used individually in a stand-alone application by recording directly to an SD card (there is a slot built-in), or they can be connected to a Viewtron network video recorder (NVR) using CAT5 network cable.

I recommend using an NVR because the setup and video management software interface is much easier to use. There is also some additional AI functionality built into the NVRs. Also, by using an NVR, you can create a business or home security camera system with multiple cameras that record to the NVR’s central hard drive. Viewtron NVRs have built-in PoE (Power over Ethernet) which enables a simple plug and play type of installation.

AI Camera & NVR Screenshots

Here are some screenshots that I captured while testing various AI camera functions while recording to a Viewtron NVR. These screenshots were all taken from the HDMI output of the NVR. I will be making videos for all of these scenarios in the coming weeks.

Vehicle Detection

You can see the intrusion alarm zone outlined in red in this screenshot. The yellow outlines notate the vehicle detection. The real time snapshots on the left appear as cars and motorcycles are detected in the alarm zone. Users can click on the thumbnail snapshots of the events to playback the video recording of the alarm event.

People Detection

In this snapshot, I was testing the people detection function. You can see the alarm intrusion zone that I created around my mess of a test table in our tech support room. That’s getting cleaned up this week. We have been very busy testing these new AI systems.

The yellow lines notate the person detection. The real time event snapshots on the right show all of the people that triggered this alarm.

Face Detection / Face Recognition

These cameras also support face detection and facial recognition. That’s me and my brother, Chris, in the picture.

License Plate Recognition (LPR)

Here is a snapshot of some testing that I did with the LPR-IP7 license plate capture camera. This camera is a great choice for HOA community entrances and parking lot entrances. We are going to install one to help monitor the back area of our warehouse where there is a illegal dumping problem. I will be setting up an application that uses a vehicle detection camera and LPR camera.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

Here is a snapshot of the ANPR software built into the Viewtron NVR. You can see that not only did the camera and software detect the license plate, but it also perfectly identified all of the numbers on the plate. This is known as automatic number plate recognition.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about AI security camera systems. I will be adding to these FAQs as we learn more.

What are the advantages of a AI security camera?

The object detection function of our AI cameras is much more reliable than video motion technique used by a non-AI camera. Traditional video motion detection produces a lot of false alerts. A well trained AI camera can detect objects and trigger alarms in real time with 99% accuracy.

Do Viewtron AI cameras have IR night vision?

Yes, all of our AI cameras have built in infrared LEDs for low light and zero light video surveillance.

Does CCTV Camera Pros have complete systems that include everything that I need?

Yes. However, we do not have them pre-packaged on our website yet. You can find all of the components on these pages.

• AI Security Cameras
• IP camera NVRs with AI Support
• CAT5 Cable
• CAT6 Cable – CAT5e and CAT6 cable both work

The team at CCTV Camera Pros can prepare a custom quote for you based on your specific needs. We can mix and match AI and non-AI cameras. Most of the systems that we supply are done via a design consultation and free quote.

Have Questions / Need Help?

If you have any questions, you can email me here.

Watch this video to see a demo of our new LPR camera system with automatic number plate recognition. Besides the super accurate license plate recognition and capture camera, this system also includes an AI security camera to capture an overview of the surveillance area. The AI functions of the overview camera include vehicle and person object detection.

This is how it works.

• The LPR camera (LPR-IP7) is designed to detect and capture license plates. This camera is carefully focused on a fairly narrow view where vehicles drive through. LPR cameras are mounted lower to the ground in order to minimize the viewing angle. The more direct and less angled view that LPR cameras have, the better. We have an installation guide here.
• The AI object detection camera (IP-A4BZ) is perfect to act as the overview camera in our LPR system. It has a 2.8-12mm motorized zoom lens. At the widest setting, the camera provides a 102° field of view (nice and wide). The AI object detection software that is built into this camera can be configured to detect vehicles and people. You can watch a video demo of the vehicle detection function here.
• The Viewtron IP camera NVR has PoE network ports on the back of the case. Both IP cameras are hard wired to the NVR using CAT5 or CAT6 Ethernet cable with standard RJ-45 connectors on the end. This makes the system installation really simple (plug and play). The NVR provides power to the cameras and automatically makes a network connection to them. We have 8ch and 16ch NVR models currently available.
• There is LPR (license plate recognition) and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) software built into both the Viewtron NVR and LPR-IP7 camera. The software from both devices work together to provide an extremely high level of detection and recording of the numbers and letters on license plates.
• All of this equipment can be purchased together in this complete LPR camera system. Currently priced at $1289.99.

License Plate Recognition

Here is a screenshot of the live video view of the license plate capture camera on the Viewtron NVR. The NVR has the option to display the license plate detection events on the real time events pane on the right side of the live view. In addition to the NVR detecting the plates, ANPR software is used to identify the characters on the plate.

ANPR Software / Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Here is a screenshot of the intelligent analytics video search function on the Viewtron NVR. Please notice that the ANPR software built into the NVR successfully identified all letters and numbers on the vehicle plate in all of the captures. On this screen, you can playback the video that was captured during each of these events or export the video for evidence.

LPR System Installation

We are currently working on a permanent LPR camera system installation at CCTV Camera Pros warehouse in West Palm Beach, Florida. We installed an 18 foot pole in the back of our building. We will be mounting our LPR camera lower on the pole. The 2 junction boxes that you see up top will be for 2 over view cameras.

We will also install a wireless antenna on the pole to send the video signal of all 3 cameras back to our building over WIFI (wireless bridge). This is a typical setup for gated communities and will be a great demo when we are done.

I will be creating additional videos of this LPR system as soon as this permanent installation is done. This will include how to setup this LPR system over WIFI.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about this LPR system.

• Does this system also work at night / in the dark?
  Yes, both the LPR camera and overview camera included with this system have built-in IR night vision. I will make a night LPR video after we complete our permanent installation on the pole in the back of our building.
• Can I connect more than one LPR camera to the recorder?
  Yes, it is very typical to connect multiple license plate cameras to the NVR. Many of the HOA communities that I have designed systems for use one to monitor vehicles coming into the community and a 2nd one to monitor vehicles exiting the community.
• Are these cameras HD quality?
  Yes. These are high resolution IP cameras. The LPR camera is 1080p / 2mp resolution and the overview camera is 4mp resolution. CCTV Camera Pros can also use this 4K IP camera as the overview camera.
• Does the Viewtron NVR support other brands of IP cameras?
  Yes. Viewtron NVRs supports all ONVIF compatible IP cameras.
• Can the license plate recognition camera zoom into the specific areas of the image or do we need to mount it close?
  The LPR-IP7 has a 7-22mm motorized zoom lens that can be controlled from the NVR or via the mobile apps or desktop client software apps. This camera is effective for license plate capture up to 50 feet away. You can also refer to this detailed guide for license plate camera installation best practices.
• How high can these cameras be installed?
  When it comes to LPR cameras lower is better. The less of a downward angle, the more effective these camera are at capturing plates clearly. You do not want to mount them too far off to the side of the traffic lane you are monitoring either. Please refer to this detailed installation guide for more details.
• What is the difference between an LPR camera and LPC camera?
  LPR stands for license plate recognition. It refers to security cameras and DVR software that are capable of detecting a license plate as a type of object.
  LPC stands for license plate capture. It refers to a specialized security camera that can capture video clear enough so that license plates can be clearly read my a human when reviewing recorded video footage. These two things are only slightly different. In practice, LPR and LPC are used interchangeably by customers and most vendors when referring to cameras and software for license plate surveillance.
• What is ANPR?
  ANPR stands for automatic number plate recognition. This is specialized software that is capable of identifying the letters and numbers of license plates from from recorded video surveillance footage. ANPR is sometimes a function of the camera and sometimes the recorder (DVR / NVR). IN the case of Viewtron LPR systems, it is a function of both the LPR camera and AI software on the NVR working together.

LPR / ANPR System

We have this complete LPR / ANPR camera system available now on our website. I have tested many LPR systems over the past 14 years at CCTV Camera Pros, and I can honestly tell you that this one is the best by far. Super easy to setup and super easy to use! Oh, and extremely affordable.

For most of our customers, this system is a starting point for a custom design that we can provide. The team at CCTV Camera Pros has designed LPR systems for gated community entrances / HOAs, commercial parking lot entrances, government facilities, and home owners to monitor vehicles entering and exiting their property.

Typically, customers want to add additional cameras to these systems to monitor additional areas of their home or business. If you are monitoring the entry and exit of a property, a second LPR and overview camera can be added.

If you need a custom design quote or if you have any questions, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

Watch this video to see the results of my night-time car detection testing using this IP-A4BZ AI security camera and Viewtron IP camera NVR. The vehicle and person object detection that you will see in this video is a function of the AI software built into both the IP camera and Viewtron network video recorder.

In my last video, I tested the object detection capability of this video surveillance system during the day and the results were very clear to me. Using these AI security cameras with object detection was far more reliable for triggering alarm events compared to traditional security cameras with video motion detection on a DVR. In this video, I wanted to see if car detection was just as reliable at night when the camera is running IR night vision mode.

Please note that the parking lot in front of our warehouse has lighting. It is not a zero light infrared test by any means. However, it is dark enough that the camera did switch on its infrared LEDs and turned black and white.

AI Object Detection vs Motion Detection

Why does object detection work better than motion detection?

Video motion detection uses software to analyze the changes in pixels between video frames. It does not differentiate between the changes caused by a car or person vs a tree blowing in the wind. This leads to many false positives when using motion detection. This can be particularly annoying if you want to receive a mobile push notification or email alert when an alarm is triggered.

Object detection on the other hard, uses artificial intelligence software and neural network learning to improve over time at recognizing specific objects such as people, vehicles, and faces.

Car Detection

This is a screenshot of the live video display on the Viewtron NVR. The object detection visualization is enabled so that viewer can see the object detection alarm zones and the real time object detection events that occur.

Here is as screenshot of the Intelligent Analytics screen on the Viewtron NVR that is used for object detection event search and video playback. This shows the results of an event search for all of the vehicle detection events that occurred on a specific day, captured by specific cameras. To see the video recorded at the time of any of those events, I can click on any of these snapshot images and the video starts to play in the lower left.

You can see the backup button in the lower right. That can be used to export the video recording to a USB drive. You can also click on the playback button to see the video playback in full screen.

People Detection

I also did some people detection testing when I made this video demo. You can setup these AI camera systems to detect multiple types of objects. For example, I had the camera at our front door system setup to detect cars and people that approached our entrance. This is a typical configuration for after hours video security.

Here is another alarm event search that I performed on the recorder. This time, I search for people detection events.

Wireless Security Camera Bridge

Something else that I want to point out. The video that I recorded in the back of our warehouse was transmitting over this wireless security camera antenna system. We recently installed this light pole in the back of our warehouse. There is no coax cable or network cable run to this location, however, we did have access to power because of our sprinkler pump being there. Sp, power is run to the pole, but no connectivity for video.

To transmit the video from these cameras back to our warehouse where the NVR is located, we are using a WIFI bridge. The 2 IP-A4BZ cameras that you see at the top of the pole and the LPR-IP7 license plate recognition camera mounted down low are connected over WIFI back to our main building.

I recently created a video demo of this LPR camera here.

Wireless Transmitter

Here is a close-up of the wireless transmitter antenna. Inside that NEMA box is this PoE switch. All three cameras are wired to the PoE switch using CAT5 Ethernet cable. The uplink port of the switch is connected to the wireless antenna.

Wireless Receiver

This is the receiving WIFI antenna that is mounted to our building.

This type of setup with an LPR camera and one or more over view cameras mounted to a pole is pretty common. We have designed many of these systems gated HOA community entrances and other commercial locations where hard wiring cameras back to the recorder is not possible.

A hard wired connection is always first choice. Wireless is typically a last resort option. But as you can see, with the right equipment, it does work quite well.

Questions? / Need Help?

If I can help you with any questions related to AI security cameras or anything else related to video surveillance system design, you can email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

One of the biggest challenges with setting up a reliable LPR /ANPR camera system is getting the night time license plate capture dialed in just right. Watch this night-time video demo to see the testing that we recently performed with our new Viewtron IP based LPR system. You can also watch this video of the day time LPR testing that we made did last week.

Night-time video surveillance is more challenging than day time to begin with. License plate recognition (LPR) and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is extremely particular because of lighting conditions, vehicle headlight / tail lights, the vehicle’s motion, and the reflective material that plates are made of.

Here are some installation tips based on our recent testing and 14 years of experience in supplying security systems.

LPR / ANPR System Installation Tips

Here are some things that need to be considered when planning an automatic license plate capture system.

1) Use a Genuine LPR Camera. If you want reliable license plate capture, you must specifically use an LPR camera. LPR cameras are designed to capture plates by using specialized hardware and software. If you are not using an LPR camera, DO NOT expect to get good results.

It does not matter if the camera is ultra high resolution. Resolution is not the main factor. Also, please note that some cameras support LPR (license plate recognition), but not ANPR (automatic number plate recognition). The Viewtron LPR camera that was used to make the above video supports both.

2) Low Angle of View. The angle of view matters a lot when it comes to LPR camera installation. Notice in the below picture how low we mounted our LPR camera. The less of angle to the license plate capture zone (both vertical and horizontal), the better the success rate for license plate detection and number recognition. You do not want more than a 15 degree angle in either direction. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!

The more level and a tightly focused on the plate area, the better.

3) Pair ANPR Cameras with Overview Cameras. LPR / ANPR cameras are designed specifically to capture vehicle number plates and they need to be tightly focused on the plate detection zone. I good rule of thumb is that LPR cameras should be focused on a single lane of vehicle traffic. For this reason, they should always be paired with at least one overview camera to provide surveillance coverage of the surrounding area / record an overview of vehicles.

This is what it looks like at night when the LPR-IP7 records license plates. This is the view on the NVR. You can see that it does a great job of license plate reading / character recognition and logging the plate information to a database, but the plate is all you see.

This is why we always pair LPR camera with at least one over view camera. Here is the 4 channel view on the Viewtron NVR so you can see the view with the two overview cameras.

4) Night Settings. Most commercial grade LPR cameras have the ability to have settings for day time and night time surveillance. We ran multiple tests and ended up using the following settings night time on our LPR-IP7 camera.

Here are some notes based on what we learned.

• Brightness: It can be kept around value 25 in day mode, and in night mode it’s suggested to be lower value to see the license plate clearly.
• Max. Shutter speed: 1/500~1/1000; if the vehicle speed is lower than 40KM/H, it can be extended appropriately, but no more than 1/100;
• Min. Shutter speed: 1/10,000; Exposure mode: Auto Gain Mode: Auto Gain limit: recommended not to exceed value 20
• It Is also recommended to switch between day mode and night mode by schedule; On the night mode schedule make sure you force the camera into B/W with IRs on. And switch two sets of parameters through schedule.

Typical Day Settings： Brightness=25; Shutter Max=1/500; Shutter Min=1/100000; Gain=10

Typical Night Settings： Brightness=5; Shutter Max=1/500; Shutter Min=1/100000; Gain=10

5) License Plate Detection Settings. LPR and ANPR are also functions of the recorder being used. This is the Viewtron IP camera NVR that we use with our LPR systems.

The Viewtron NVR has a configuration section specifically for license plate detection and recognition.

For the best results, the license plate detection zone should be as small as possible. Do not select the entire screen. Select only the area where plates pass through and specify accurate plate sizes.

The best way to do this is to park a vehicle in the detection zone and choose a minimum and maximum plate size that is slightly smaller and slightly larger than the plate you use for setup. On the Viewtron NVR, you can check the display range checkbox to see a visual as you adjust this setting.

Complete ANPR / LPR Systems

CCTV Camera Pros supplies this pre-configured LPR / ANPR camera system that includes the LPR camera, overview camera, and NVR used in the above video. This system is designed to monitor a single lane of traffic. By the way, the overview cameras are AI security cameras with built-in vehicle and human object detection.

We can add additional LPR cameras and over view cameras to this system if you have additional areas where you need video surveillance.  For example, a home owners association typically wants to monitor both incoming and outgoing traffic.

This system costs much less than comparable license plate capture systems and it performs better in our testing. The LPR and ANPR software that is built into Viewtron NVRs make is an outstanding value. Many other security manufacturers charge an additional license fee for these functions.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this article or need help designing a security camera system. You can email me here.

Watch this video to see how simple iDVR-PRO surveillance DVRs are to navigate and configure.

Watch this video to see how a Viewtron AI face recognition camera is integrated with an access control system to open a door lock.

This is the dome AI security camera that was used in the video. It has built-in face recognition software that works together with the Viewtron NVR (network video recorder) that is it connected to. The NVR is used to record all video surveillance footage from this camera and others that are connected to it. Please note that the Viewtron NVR also has facial recognition software.

The IP camera and NVR / DVR work together to make a complete face recognition system. In addition to human face detection / face match, these AI surveillance systems support the following functions.

• Vehicle Detection – the system can also detect cars and motorcycles distinctly.
• People Detection – this is separate from face detection. Person / people detection is used to detect a human body.
• License Plate Recognition – LPR is a very specialized artificial intelligence function that is only available specifically in this LPR camera. Not all Viewtron AI cameras have LPR / ANPR software built-in.

Facial Recognition System Setup

This is how our system was setup at CCTV Camera Pros warehouse / office building.

The AI camera is installed above the front door entrance to our office. Please note that it is important that you do not mount the camera too high if you plan on using it for facial detection. You must plan on there being a 30 degree angle or less in order for the recognition capability to work properly. The less of an angle the better (both horizontally and vertically).

The camera is hard wired to a Viewtron IP camera NVR using CAT5e network cable. These NVRs have built-in PoE ports which makes the installation very simple. You just plug them in, the NVR assignes the camera an IP address, the camera is assigned to a video channel on the NVR, and the video comes up.

NVR Alarm Output Wiring

We used 18/2 conductor cable to connect one of the alarm output ports on the back of the DVR to an alarm input port on our access control system.

Access Control System Alarm In

This is where the cable is connected to the alarm input on our access control system panel.

Face Database Setup

On the Viewtron NVR, there is a Face Database section where you can create lists of users. For this installation, we created a list of authorized faces that have access to the front door.

An authorized security administrators of your NVR can add faces to this database by using existing face captures from the system itself or by taking a picture from a cell phone and uploading it to the system using the Viewtron iPhone app or Android app. In my testing, it works better when you add existing faces that the NVR has detected itself. This ensures that the image is the exact size that the recorder expects.

Face Detection Alarm

On the Viewtron NVR, there is a Face Match setup screen under the Smart Event settings. This screen is where the face detection is setup to trigger an alarm (take an action). You can see in the above screenshot, I setup the software to initiate Task 1 (Open Door) when a face is detected from the authorized group at 75% accuracy. In my testing 75% is a good setting to use to compensate for different light levels throughout the day and if anyone is wearing a hat.

Please note that 2 additional alarm tasks can also be configured based on this event. I only configured one.

When you click on the alarm icon (yellow arrow), you will see all of different types of alarm events that can be triggered when a face is detected from the authorized users list. For this installation, I am triggering alarm output 1 on the back of the DVR. Please note that the following alarm types are also supported: mobile app push notification, email alert, DVR buzzer, pop-up message on the DVR, and a pop-up video screen on the DVR.

Access Control System Setup

Our access control system has a web interface that is used for configuration. Remember, we connected alarm output 1 on the DVR to alarm input 16 on the access control panel. In the access control software, we configured the Door 1 Exit button to be triggered when alarm input 16 is triggered. The exit button action unlocks the door for 5 seconds.

Facial Detection Events

It is important to note that although this application was setup to detect specific faces in a database to trigger an alarm, all faces that enter the detection zone of the system are recorded. Here is the search screen on the NVR where you can display thumbnail snapshots of all the faces that were detected by the system.

From this screen, you can select any of the thumbnails and the recorder video of that event will begin to play in the small video player in the lower left. You can also select any of the events and play the recorded video surveillance footage back full screen. as well as export the video to a USB or network drive.

My Thoughts

I am very impressed by the facial recognition technology built into these Viewtron facial recognition camera systems. Prices have come down a lot over the past few years and this enterprise level technology is now affordable for small business and home owners.

For now, I do not plan on keeping the door entry access at our warehouse enabled via face detection until I to some further testing to see if the system can be fooled. I also plan on doing a lot of additional testing with our AI cameras using different scenarios. For example, I want to test if the system can trigger an alarm based on a face not being in the database (not identifying people).  I think this will be very useful.

You can see all of my current AI security camera video demos here. If you have any questions about this article or anything related to video surveillance security systems, please email me here.

Watch this video to see how we use a Viewtron AI camera with built-in person detection software to trigger an alarm when someone approaches our dumpster after hours. This type of alarm is known as intrusion detection on Viewtron IP camera systems.

Illegal trash dumping is a common security problem that we hear about from our customers.

This is the bullet IP camera that we are using for this application. The IP-A4BZ is a 4 megapixel resolution network IP camera with multiple AI based functions built into it. This camera has a 2.8-12mm motorized zoom lens. This is similar to a traditional vari-focal lens except that that adjustment is done electronically / mechanically using controls on the NVR or mobile app. The lens auto focuses after you adjust the angle of view / zoom level.

This camera supports the following artificial intelligence object detection functions.

• People Detection
• Car Detection / Motorcycle Detection
• Face Detection / Face Database Match

These object detection functions can be used in conjunction with alarm events. The following alarm events can be configured on the NVR.

• Intrusion Detection
• Trip Wire Crossing
• Line Cross Counting

Viewtron NVR

This is the Viewtron NVR that was used to record the video.  Most of the time, IP cameras are hard wired directly to the PoE network ports on the back of the NVR. However, our cameras are connected via a wireless network.

Wireless Camera System

Here is a close-up of the 2 IP-A4BZ cameras that we have installed on a pole behind our warehouse. We installed this wireless camera system to transmit the video from these two cameras and this LPR camera back to our warehouse. We only used the one IP-A4BZ in the above video demonstration. You can see all three cameras used together in this license plate recognition system video demo.

AI Software Setup

Here is the setup screen on the NVR where the alarm event rules are configured. The type of alarm that I used for this application is an intrusion alarm. The intrusion alarm settings allow you to draw an intrusion zone on the screen. You can see where I drew a box around the garbage dumpster above.

I set the target detection to people / humans. Please note that I could have also setup the zone to detect intrusion from vehicles.

The trigger mode screen is where I setup the this intrusion alarm to trigger a snapshot and push notification to the mobile app. Users can have push alerts sent to the iPhone and Android mobile apps for Viewtron NVRs.

Here is the Intelligent Analytics screen where you can search the NVR for specific recorded events. The above screenshot shows a search for person detection / intrusion events that occurred today on the dumpster camera. You can switch between a snapshot of the event and a view of the entire camera. You can choose to playback the video recording of the event and backup the event to an external drive from this screen.

AI Security Camera Systems

If you are interested, you can find per-configured AI security camera systems here. CCTV Camera Pros can also provide a custom design and quote based on your specific requirements. We can mix and match bullet and dome style cameras, as well as AI enabled and non-AI cameras.

Questions / Comments

If you have any questions about this security camera system or anything related to video surveillance, please email me here.

Watch this video to see how to setup this 4mp network IP camera as a traffic counting camera. This demo shows how vehicles are counted in real time when they cross a certain section of the road in front of CCTV Camera Pros warehouse. This functionality is possible because of the artificial intelligence software that is built into this IP camera and the NVR that it is connected to.

The camera detects cars and trucks, then the line crossing function of the network video recorder keeps track of the total count of vehicles that crossed the line in both directions. This is done in real time.

Real Time Vehicle Detection & Traffic Counting

Here is a screenshot taken from the Viewtron NVR (network video recorder) that the IP-A4BZ camera is connected to. The window on the right shows the snapshots images that are taken in real time when a vehicle crosses the line that is drawn across the road. This window is enabled by right-clicking on the screen and enabling Target Detection.

Please take notice to the the vehicle counter in white text at the top of the screen. Entrance is referring to vehicles that crossed the line from the A -> B direction. Exit is the opposite, B -> A.

AI Security Camera

This is the AI security camera that is used in this system. It is a 4 megapixel IP camera, Viewtron model IP-A4BZ.

Viewtron NVR (Network Video Recorder)

This is the Viewtron NVR that was used to record the above video. IP cameras may be connected to these NVRs via the PoE network ports on the back of the NVR. They can also be connected to the DVR by being connected to the same network via a network switch or router.

In addition to the vehicle counting function, these NVRs also support face detection, people detection, intrusion detection, face recognition / face match, license plate recognition, and other AI functions. You can learn more about the software functions available on Viewtron AI surveillance systems here.

Traffic Counting Setup

This is how the traffic counting application is setup on the Viewtron NVR.

To setup the traffic counting function, select AI / Event from the NVRs main menu.

On the AI / Event screen, follow these instructions.

1. Choose the camera that you want to configure at the top of the screen, where it says Camera Name.
2. Select Line Crossing Counting.
3. On the line cross counting setup screen, check the Enable checkbox.
4. Check the Draw line checkbox, then click and drag with the mouse to draw the crossing line where you want it placed.
5. Check the Statistical OSD checkbox if you want to real time object count text displayed over the live view of the camera.
6. If you want to reverse the direction of traffic flow, you can change the A->B direction to B->A with the Direction drop down.
7. If you want the object counter to automatically reset each day, week, or month, check the Auto Reset checkbox. Then, select the frequency and time that you want the counter reset to occur.
8. Click on the Detection Target tab.

On the Detection Target screen, you can place check boxes next to the different type of objects that you want to count. Viewtron AI cameras can detect and count People, Vehicle, and Non-vehicle (which is bicycles). When you are done, click on the Apply button.

Note: People detection and counting is another useful feature for business and government installations. For example, businesses can use these object detection surveillance systems to keep track of traffic flows at specific entrances and exits of buildings, or even track how many customers enter a certain area of their business.

Recorded Video Playback

Here is a screenshot of recorded video surveillance playback on the NVR. Please note that the traffic counting is kept in sync with the video recording. This allows you to playback video and see what the traffic count was at any point in time.

Complete AI Surveillance Systems

CCTV Camera Pros designs and supplies complete AI security cameras systems for home, business and government. We have some pre-packages systems available and we also provide custom quotes based on customer requirements.

Questions?

Thank you for checking out this video and article! If you have any questions, you can email me here.

Watch this video to see how a Viewtron IP camera is setup in a people counting camera application. The video shows how the system is able to count people in real time as they enter and exit the entrance way at CCTV Camera Pros building in West Palm Beach, Florida. This system is very useful in many business and government applications.

This people counting function is possible because of the AI software (artificial intelligence) that is built into the IP-A4D dome security camera and the line crossing detection and counting that is built into the Viewtron NVR that the camera is connected to.

The IP camera and NVR work together and make-up a complete people counting solution. CAT5 or CAT6 Ethernet cable can be used to hard wire the camera to one of the PoE inputs on the back of the NVR. You can find all Viewtron NVRs with built-in AI software here.

Advanced Video Analytics

The “Intelligent Analytics” area of the Viewtron NVR gives you access to an advanced video analytics search function.

To access the video analytics, select Intelligent Analytics from the lower left hand corner menu.

On the video analytics screen, you can search specifically for the video events recorded by the people counting camera.

This is how it works.

1. In the search parameters, select the date range that you want to search.
2. Select the IP camera that you are using as your people counting camera.
3. Select Line Crossing Counting as the event type.
4. Click on the search button.
5. The event snapshots will appear in the picture / snapshot window.
6. If you click on any of the event snapshot images, the video player in the lower left will start playing back the video at that point in time.

Here is a close-up of the mini video player on the analytics screen. Notice that the people count numbers are displayed over the video stream (upper right). This gives you the ability to go back and look at a historical record of the total people count at any point in time.

Please note that the mini player on the search screen is a small resolution version of the original recorded video surveillance footage. You can playback the video events at full resolution, by selecting any of the snapshot images on the analytics screen, then clicking on the Playback button in the lower right. You can also choose to export the recorded video surveillance footage to a USB drive or to a network drive.

Human Detection & People Counting Setup

To setup the people counting camera application, click on the AI / Event link on the Viewtron NVR.

On the AI / Event setup screen, follow these steps.

1. Choose the Camera Name for the IP camera you will be using for the people counting.
2. Select Line Crossing Counting as the type of AI event.
3. Check the Enable checkbox.
4. Check the Draw Line checkbox, then use the mouse to click and draw your line crossing line.
5. Check the Statistical OSD checkbox. This enables the text overlay of the people counting numbers over the video display.
6. Set the Direction of the flow of traffic to A->B or B->A.
7. If you want the human count to automatically reset, check the Auto Reset checkbox You can set a daily, weekly, or monthly reset, at a specific time.
8. Click on the Apply button.

Next, click on the Detection Target link. Check the People Detection Target checkbox. Uncheck Vehicle and Non-vehicle. Click Apply, then close this windows by clicking on the X in the upper left. We have a traffic counting camera demo if you are interested in seeing how well this works for cars and trucks too.

On the live view of the people counting camera, you will now see the traffic counting analytics tracked in real time in the upper right.

More AI Security Camera Videos

You can watch additional video demos using Viewtron AI security cameras here. In addition to the person counting function that you see above, the Viewtron IP camera models hat have AI support the following functions: car detection, human detection, car traffic camera / counting, face detection, face recognition, face database matching, stranger face detection, license plate recognition (LPR), and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

Comment or Questions?

If you have any questions related to this article or anything related to security camera systems, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net. Thank you for visiting this page!

Watch this video to learn about important installation and software setup recommendations for Viewtron ANPR / LPR camera systems. Please note that although I am using our Viewtron license plate capture system for the instruction, the important concepts that are discussed apply to all LPR system installations.

You can access the complete LPR camera installation guide here. Below are the highlights.

LPR System Installation Best Practices

Here are some of the most important points to consider when installing an LPR camera system.

1)  Always Pair an LPR camera with at least One Overview Camera

LPR cameras are designed to capture license plates. They are not meant to get a detailed overview of a large area for video surveillance. The overview camera captures the overview. The LPR camera is narrowly focused on plates.

The importance of pairing LPR cameras with overview cameras can be seen in the above screenshot. This is a 4 camera view captured from the Viewtron NVR that we use with our LPR camera. Notice how the two overview cameras on the top of the screen clearly capture the entire area of surveillance at night. Notice also that the LPR camera in the lower right is only capturing the license plate of the car. The rest of the screen is black.

2) Focus LPR Cameras on a Single Lane of Traffic

The lens of a license plate recognition camera should be narrowly focused on a single lane of traffic. The Viewtron LPR-IP7 that we use has a 7-22mm lens. The max distance that we recommend this camera is installed from the license plate detection zone is 70 feet. At a 70 foot distance, with the camera lens adjusted to the 22mm angle, the camera captures field of view about 16 feet wide.

3) Minimum Installation Angle is Extremely Important!

When it comes to the physical installation of LPR cameras, the angle that the cameras is pointed should be as minimal as possible. The horizontal angle should be no greater than 30 degrees. Ours is 5 degrees.

The vertical angle should be no greater than 15 degrees. Our camera is at this maximum and is working very well.

4) ANPR Software Setup

Proper ANPR software (automatic number plate recognition) setup is just as important as the physical camera installation. This is a screenshot of the license plate recognition / ANPR software that is built into Viewtron IP camera NVRs. The software setup includes defining an approximate minimum and maximum size to expect license plates to be when they enter the LPR surveillance zone. This range should be defined to be as close to actual plate sizes as possible. The more accurate the size estimation is, the more accurate the ANPR software will work.

Complete LPR Camera System

This is the LPR camera system that I used to document this installation guide. I have been testing this Viewtron LPR system for many months now. I can say with absolute confidence that this is the best LPR camera system that I have ever tested in the 15 years that Greg and I have been running CCTV Camera Pros. It is also amazingly affordable because the price of this technology has come down so much over the past 5 years.

Need Help? / Questions

If you have any questions about this, or I can help you in any way, please email me at mike@cctvcamerapros.net.

Thank you for reading my article!

Watch these HD video surveillance demos that I recorded using two Viewtron 1080p IP cameras. I tested both cameras in normal light, as well as IR night vision modes. Both of these security cameras are IP67 weatherproof rated for indoor and outdoor installation. For my testing, I installed the dome camera indoors and the bullet outdoors.

Both IP cameras were connected to the same Viewtron IP camera NVR (network video recorder).

This is the 2mp bullet IP camera that was used to record the above video and screenshots.

This is the 2mp dome IP camera that was used to record the below video and screenshots.

1080p Dome IP Camera Video Demo

If you are viewing this article via an email from me, please click here to watch both videos on our blog.

Camera Specs

Besides the different style of housing, these two IP cameras are almost identical in specification. Both camera models share these same specs.

• Video Format: H.264, H.265, ONVIF compliant / ONVIF NVR compatible
• Video Output: RJ-45 / Ethernet
• Resolution: 2MP / 1080p ( 1920 × 1080 )
• IR Night Vision: Yes, but different ratings depending on model
• Weatherproof: Yes. IP67 Housing
• Lens: 3.6mm Fixed / 86 Degree
• Audio Surveillance: Varies by model
• Install: Ceiling or Wall Mount. Optional junction box mount.
• SD Card: Yes. Built-in Micro SD Slot
• Power: 12V DC and PoE (Power over Ethernet) supported

These are the differences between these two cameras.

• Infrared Night Vision: The dome camera has an effective IR distance of 20-30 meters. The bullet camera is a bit more powerful at 30-50 meters.
• Audio Surveillance: The dome camera has a built-in audio surveillance microphone, plus 1ch external audio input. The bullet camera only has an external microphone input, no built-in.

AI Security Cameras

You may also be interested in our Viewtron AI security cameras, you can watch our AI video demos here. Please note that the two cameras that I reviewed on the page you are on DO NOT have built-in artificial intelligence. They are simple, inexpensive, network IP cameras. Our Viewtron AI cameras truly are next level IP cameras. They require a Viewtron NVR to use the AI functions.

Questions / Comments

If you have any questions or comments about Viewtron IP cameras, or anything related to video surveillance systems, please email me anytime.