Urban cities and their streets are always alive, and with that, security is becoming more concerning. One evening, a local shop owner experienced an incident that terrified him: someone stole a vehicle from his parking space without being detected, which sparked a discussion about how important it is to take security measures to deter unwanted activities.
Security threats are rising every day, but that should not stop us from being well-equipped to deal with them. To prevent such activities, we need surveillance and monitoring devices that can protect places like car parking spaces, highways, hospitals, residential complexes, and private properties. In such cases, technologies like CCTV and ANPR cameras help in recording and capturing info that can thwart unwarranted activities. Now, understanding the key differences can help us decide which of the two would be suited for our security concerns.
This blog explores the differences between ANPR and CCTV systems, helps you identify cameras that are the perfect solution for your security needs and much more. Let’s delve deeper into the technology of ANPR and CCTV and learn more about them.
What are ANPR Cameras?
ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition. As you might’ve guessed, these cameras automatically capture the alphanumeric characters from the vehicle’s registration plates, which are then compared with the existing database. These cameras are placed strategically and are in a fixed position, which is why they are mounted on the entry and exit points of the car park. If there is anything suspicious about a vehicle, such as it being reported stolen, exceeding parking duration, or parked unauthorisedly. These cameras help prevent delays and eliminate the need for extra staff in the car parks and toll collection areas.
You may wonder how these cameras only capture the number plates and take the alphanumeric characters. In simpler terms, these cameras have OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software that converts a licence plate’s virtual image into a readable format that a machine can read. The information is then cross-checked with the database, where information about the vehicle is stored. This becomes a crucial tool in toll collection and parking management as it streamlines the entry and exit process without any delays. Additionally, these cameras are also used for real-time tracking and analysis of vehicle movement across multiple locations.
Several components of ANPR include cameras, OCR software, and a database for storing vehicle information.
What are CCTV Cameras?
CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. These cameras provide visual evidence and discourage wrongdoers, as their presence makes it clear that any wrong activity will be captured in the video, providing a recording of visual evidence. CCTV systems require some components for effective surveillance, which include cameras on the sites, recording devices for security purposes, and monitors for visual evidence.
These cameras are mounted in strategic locations to provide the best possible view for the surveillance team of a particular site. To store and manage data, DVRs (Digital Video Recorders) and NVRs (Network Video Recorders) are used, which transmit the video from security cameras. This footage from CCTV systems is converted into a format that is used for security and evidence collection and is easily accessible. Additionally, these systems allow landowners to access footage in real-time by using their mobile devices.
What do ANPR and CCTV Cameras Offer: The Difference
Both ANPR and CCTV are used for surveillance and security purposes, and they come with their functions and are different from each other:
1. Function:
ANPR: The sole purpose of ANPR cameras is to read the number plates of the vehicles automatically, utilising digital images.
CCTV: CCTV cameras focus on providing continuous monitoring, especially for large areas that patrol officers find difficult to cater for.
2. Technology:
ANPR: The technology used in ANPR cameras to read the number plates is OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software that converts virtual images of vehicles’ licence plates into a text format that the machines can read. It uses pattern-matching algorithms to compare the texts with its existing database.
CCTV: The CCTV cameras are connected to monitors kept in surveillance rooms. DVRs and NVRs are also kept there to store and manage data. The advanced CCTV systems offer remote monitoring through wireless cameras or IP (Internet Protocol) cameras, enabling real-time surveillance and recording from anywhere using internet access.
3. Application:
ANPR: ANPR cameras are most commonly used for parking management, toll collection, border crossing, and border control and security.
CCTV: For continuous surveillance, CCTV cameras are the best option. The most common applications of CCTV cameras include traffic management, retail shops, security, and surveillance of businesses, homes, and educational institutions.
4. Drawbacks:
ANPR:
- Due to specialised hardware and software, these cameras have a higher initial cost.
- It cannot be used for any purpose other than reading the number plates of vehicles.
CCTV Cameras:
- These cameras cannot automate the process of capturing the licence plates of vehicles.
- These cameras require robust bandwidth and server connectivity to process data.
5. Cost Comparison:
- ANPR cameras have a higher initial cost, but in the long run, they are cost-effective as they don’t require recurring software fees and localised data processing.
- The CCTV cameras have a lower initial cost, but ongoing expenses could rise due to server setup, bandwidth requirements, and licensing fees.
Some Stats Related to ANPR and CCTVs:
- According to a report, approximately 11,000 ANPR cameras are installed across the UK that provides information to 44 police and enforcement organisations.
- The European mobile ANPR market is growing at an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% between 2023 and 2030.
- It is estimated that, in the UK, around 7.5 million CCTV cameras are installed with nearly 70,000 cameras in London.
- It is estimated that China is the country with the most CCTV cameras. They have around 200 million CCTV systems, whereas the US has around 50 million and Germany has around 5.2 million CCTV installations.
How Innovations Has Benefitted Society:
AI-powered analytics, IoT integration, and machine learning are transforming ANPR and CCTV systems. AI algorithms help in analysing real-time feeds, which helps in identifying potential threats and irregularities with better precision. The integration with IoT gives the benefit of interconnecting devices, making data sharing and coordinated responses easy. Machine learning enhances recognition and predictive capabilities, leading to more proactive security measures. These innovations have been influential in mitigating wrongdoings and enhancing faster response and enhanced investigation capabilities.
The perfect solution depends on your needs. If you have a parking space where you want to prevent unauthorised parking and overnight stays, ANPR would be the best solution. Conversely, if you have a property where you feel that there is a risk of theft and vandalism and it needs continuous surveillance, CCTV cameras would be the best solution. It all comes down to your specific requirements, and we offer the best cutting-edge CCTV and ANPR cameras designed to meet your unique needs.
We have weatherproof ANPR cameras that can withstand any condition and can provide you with real-time information regarding vehicles. Additionally, our CCTV cameras can monitor your property in 360 degrees and come equipped with a night vision feature, ensuring your property is under surveillance 24/7.
Our solution leaves no room for incompetency, and we take pride in saying that we are trade partners of Euro Parking Services, one of the leading parking management companies in the nation.
Contact us if you want to install any of these cameras, and we will assess your site thoroughly to provide you the best possible solution.
