Argus PT Ultra over exposing in B&W mode

[user_921292635025597_921292635025597]

I've recently purchased and installed an Argus PT Ultra. I need to capture number plates so have the camera in black and white mode. However, it consistently overexposures the video when recording if I'm not watching in live. I've tried turning off Auto in brightness and shadows to no effect. As mentioned if I'm watching the stream live then it doesn't overexpose either in the live view or the recording. It's as if the camera when waking up starts with the wrong exposure setting and by the time it gets its act together it's missed most of the action. Can anyone help? Example of what's going on attached to this post.

[Chopstix]

@user_921292635025597_921292635025597 upon wakeup, my Argus PT Ultra does the same, although most of our triggers occur during the day so the effect is nowhere near that drastic. Have you tried with various IR and spot light combinations to see if one of the lights is causing it?

[user_921292635025597_921292635025597]

@chopstix thanks for the reply. I've played around with all the settings. But I haven't turned on the IR spotlights to avoid attracting attention to the camera. Plus it's only scheduled to record during daylight hours. As mentioned it's only an issue if the camera is asleep. If I'm watching in live view no issue since the camera is awake and has the correct exposure dialled in. Probably something that could be addressed in a firmware update.

Would love you hear some feedback from the mods who clearly read all posts. Otherwise it's going back.

[Chopstix]

@user_921292635025597_921292635025597 Oh so that video is B/W daytime footage? I know you stated it is B/W for plate capture, but does it do the same in daytime color? It does look like the exposure adjustment happening. Open a ticket with support and attached that video. They may say that it is normal or they may have a firmware update for it. I have set my camera to B/W and will check my captures from the day hours tomorrow to see if they are as drastic as yours.

I will tell you however that I miss the first few seconds of a person walking so the Altas PT Ultra with continuous recording might be a better camera for you.

[Chopstix]

@user_921292635025597_921292635025597 Sorry for the delay. I can confirm that in daytime B/W mode, mine does the exact same thing as yours.

[joseph_1979]

@user_921292635025597_921292635025597 These cameras are not meant to read LNP especially during the night. And if the camera is speeding (over 15Km/Hr) by the the time it starts to record the object is already out of the FOV. Ensure that the road is decently lit during the night and the camera is nearer to the object. The IR lamps in most cameras would just reflect off the registration plate making it unreadable.

If you really want to have the number plate of every vehicle passing then you need to have a more expensive camera with higher shutter speed, optical zoom, WDR and higher fps. If you have a plug in camera (POE or DC powered) then you can stream (ONVIF) to BlueIris and check its number plate reading algorithm.

I have this camera too and this issue occurs both in B/W and color (when exposed to bright light) mode. Hopefully they will correct it in an upgrade.