Attempted Burglary

[panhead56 0]

We had a recent burglary attempt. The suspects and car were caught on tape. But the car license plates were out of the camera's focus. I tried zooming in with the DVR but it was too blurry. Does anyone know where I could send my video and get someone with special zooming capablilities to give me the license number?

 

Thanks

[Squiffy 0]

Unfortunately the magical zooming (with remarkable clarity) abilities as seen on TV shows and films doesn't exist. Images can be enhanced digitally by anyone, although it helps if you know what you're doing.

 

Take a still image (the clearest you can find) and try various options (sharpening, unsharp mask, contrast, brightness, histogram adjustments, black/white levels etc.). You may be able to at least get a partial plate which may still be of use when coupled with the make of car and colour.

 

If you have more than one image of the vehicle when stationary then you can overlay them (place them on top of each other) as another layer (select multiply when mixing, or whatever appears best). This may help, but if it's a very blurred plate then there's probably not much you can do.

[panhead56 0]

Thanks,

 

I will give a couple of your comments a try.

[Jamac 0]

Hi, just to confirm what Squiffy has said - you are limited to the original footage resolution so whilst it may be ossible to enhance the image slightly, it is unlikely that enough definition would be gained to ID the complete plate although partial recognition may be possible.

[panhead56 0]

Thanks, I tried but could not get the plates.

[Squiffy 0]

Unless you think it's futile, if you'd like others to have a go at enhancing the image, then upload the highest resolution image(s) you have available. I'll be willing to try.

[panhead56 0]

Would I be able to upload the Video within this forum, so someone could get the best frame?

 

Thanks

[Squiffy 0]

I'd suggest using a free file sharing site for that, such as:

http://www.rapidshare.com/

 

But don't upload a *huge* file, as no-one will bother to download it. If you can, retain the original file resolution and format rather than compressing/converting to another format.

[panhead56 0]

I will take your advice, but I need to cut down on the saved video, it is 59,000KB and might take a long time to download.

 

Thank you very much for helping me out.

 

I will upload my archive player and a short version of the DVR file tomorrow.

 

Thanks again!!

[Squiffy 0]

A good idea, something like 10MB will be a bit easier to download, bearing in mind only a few frames will be required. Which format is the video in?

[panhead56 0]

I have a Phillps DVR16E1161. The DVR has an archive player that saves the file in a DVR format. You need to download the AchivePlayer.exe file ((which is only 1,888KB) in order to play the video. I was going to upload both files.

 

Unless I have overlooked a way to save to a different format.

[Squiffy 0]

Okay, yes it sounds like you'll need to upload both files then, unless there's a save to AVI function or similar.

[panhead56 0]

I will check tonight when I get home.

[Jamac 0]

Hi - as soon as you can get it uploaded post a link - one of my clients who specializes in video analytics has said he will have a go at enhancement.

[panhead56 0]

Ok, this link is for the ArchivePlayer needed to play the videos;

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/261723311/ArchivePlayer.exe.html

 

This link is one video of the car plate;

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/261729924/cam_3-plate.dvr.html

 

This link is another video of the car plate as they were casing the house;

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/261730309/cam_3-plate-2.dvr.html

 

This link does not have the plates, it just shows two of them walking to the side of my house, this is where they gained access to the side of my house;

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/261734061/cam_2-lawn.dvr.html

 

This last link is 22,935KB with no plates, it just shows one of them ringing my door bell and than opening my screen door and banging on my door to see if anyone was home;

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/261733527/cam_2-front_door.dvr.html

 

Thanks again for the help, I can understand if you are unable to get the plates, the car is some distance away from the camera.

[kensplace 0]

Cant see anyone having any luck with that footage, resolution is low, and the area covered is very large. There just isnt anything to work with....

[panhead56 0]

Hey, thanks very much for trying. The footage is just too far.

 

Thanks again

[Squiffy 0]

Yes, the problem is one of inadequate resolution, rather than blurring.

 

At least it's useful experience, you can perhaps install another camera (or redeploy an existing one) to eliminate any blind-spots and so that you will get a clear image of the suspects if there's a next time. Having a general view is obviously useful, but reserving at least one camera for a close-up view of entry points is key.

[panhead56 0]

Thanks, I will take you advice and possibly purchase a new camera.

[zmxtech 0]

holly lack of resolution batman.....

 

I also had a go for you, but that system is the typical cheapo system that gets pushed out on mass by security companies.

 

the only way it would of been use is if you had a experienced CCTV guru

with a handful of lenses to customize your system -and put the cameras in the correct positions.

 

You would not get a license plate unless you set up a ANPR system or at least a descent zoom .

 

Sell your system and replace it with a IP camera system [with IR]

and this time use the choke points !

 

they will be back !

[Lesst 0]

I just wanted to add that I get calls every other week or so from clients that want me to see a license plate or read a nametag on a photo that has very few pixels representing the area they want to read. They see the enlargements on CSI, Vegas and every spy movie ever made and they think I just don't know how to do it. The guy the other day said " They can read a license plate from outer space why can't you read my image. My reply was that "they" have a billion dollar camera on a billion dollar lens and the license plate actually can be seen. It's not a blurred photo of a license plate that they can read from space. He still wasn't convinced, and was sure I was wrong. The point is, people believe TV not digital imaging experts!