CCTV Knowledge

Face Recognition Resolution

In our day to day operation we are often being asked the question: Can the CCTV camera recognise the face of the person?

The answer is yes, but under the following conditions.

Analogue CCTV cameras

1. In order to Identify a person from the recorded image, beyond any doubt, the recording resolution must be equal or better than 500 pixels per linear meter. In other words for analogue cameras with a resolution of 600TVL the width of the scene where the camera is supposed to record the images should be no more than 1.5m.

2. To recognise a person ( meaning to distinguish, providing we already know the person) a resolution of 100 pixels per linear meter is sufficient. This means that an analogue camera with 600TVL resolution can cover maximum of 7m wide scene.

3. To detect a person without any specific recognition or identification, only 20 pixels per linear meter are sufficient, meaning, analogue camera with 600TVL resolution can cover up to 35m wide scene.

IP CCTV Cameras

1. In order to Identify a person from the recorded image, beyond any doubt, the recording resolution must be equal or better than 500 pixels per linear meter. In other words for IP cameras with a resolution of 3 M Pixel,  the width of the scene where the camera is supposed to record the images should be no more than 4m.

2. To recognise a person ( meaning to distinguish, providing we already know the person) a resolution of 100 pixels per linear meter is sufficient. This means that an IP camera with 3 M Pixel resolution can cover maximum of 20 m wide scene.

3. To detect a person without any specific recognition or identification, only 20 pixels per linear meter are sufficient, meaning, IP camera with 3M Pixel resolution can cover up to 100m wide scene.