Do Dash Cams Actually Record License Plates?

[SafeDriveSolutions]

New video coming out this weekend. I want to discuss some of the challenges in license plate capture in USA and Canada compared to other parts of the world. I have learned a lot from traveling to other countries and I think this is definitely a key challenge we face in USA and Canada.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Not all states have a front License plate.
21 States do not require a front license plate at all.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

In Canada only 3 provinces require a front License plate
British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

First, let's talk about the foundation: the image sensor. For too long, the marketing has been all about resolution—1080p, 2K, 4K. And while higher resolution is good, it’s the sensor that does the heavy lifting, especially at night. Right now, the gold standard is the Sony STARVIS 2 image sensor. This isn't a tiny upgrade; it's a game-changer. Compared to older sensors, STARVIS 2 has a much larger physical pixel size, meaning it can capture way more light. Think of each pixel as a bucket collecting rain. A bigger bucket collects more water. In the same way, a bigger pixel gathers more light, giving you a brighter, cleaner image with way less graininess in the dark. This is step one to beating the darkness.



But a great sensor alone can't beat the biggest enemy at night: glare. That’s where High Dynamic Range, or HDR, comes in. But not all HDR is the same. You've seen HDR on your phone, where it balances a bright sky with dark shadows. On a dash cam, its job is way more critical. At night, a normal camera sees headlights and the reflection from a plate as pure, overwhelming white light. It completely blows out the details, leaving you with that useless white rectangle where the license plate should be.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Video coming soon that will explain my opinion on this.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Do Dash Cams Actually Record License Plates?

 

[jsmith]

Lighting, reflection, plate size, and distance all matter. HDR takes 3 snapshots to overlay one upon the other to help better capture numbers. There's no perfect solution to the problem given all the variables of plates from country to country!

 

[kamkar]

Dang i was not aware that many US states have plates both ends.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Lighting, reflection, plate size, and distance all matter. HDR takes 3 snapshots to overlay one upon the other to help better capture numbers. There's no perfect solution to the problem given all the variables of plates from country to country!

Many factors. We covered lighting reflections on another video.

We also say there is no perfect solution in our video but the best chance is with that technology but nothing is guaranteed.

It was also trying to outline what manufacturers are up against

 

[jsmith]

Many factors. We covered lighting reflections on another video.

We also say there is no perfect solution in our video but the best chance is with that technology but nothing is guaranteed.

It was also trying to outline what manufacturers are up against

I honestly think Viofo's A329T (Telescopic Lens) is the best current solution for capturing plates at a distance. Dashcams are limited by available technology, which at some point, will overcome these hurdles. Until then, AI is becoming of more use with deciphering blurry plates. I believe Vueroid has integrated some AI / Decoding software into their cameras, which has shown great promise.

People that expect Miracles from dashcams are setting themselves up for failure. You're still better off capturing the event (even if the plates get missed), than having no proof at all. I tell people to be realistic.

 

[lufa6977]

I honestly think Viofo's A329T (Telescopic Lens) is the best current solution for capturing plates at a distance. Dashcams are limited by available technology, which at some point, will overcome these hurdles. Until then, AI is becoming of more use with deciphering blurry plates. I believe Vueroid has integrated some AI / Decoding software into their cameras, which has shown great promise.
.

I think the Telescopic Lens will be the long-term answer for many people. It is hard to beat its ability to pull in a license plate, and usually with good clarity. Telescopic lenses still have times when they are affected by the same issues as a normal lens. STARVIS 3 will help, but again, it will be affected by the same environmental factors as other CMOS. Wide-angle lenses tend to be an issue as well. VUEROID will continue to improve its AI, and that will help. But as you mentioned... users need to be realistic about expectations.

 

[lufa6977]

Dang i was not aware that many US states have plates both ends.

Not only that, but some States have license plates that are wrappable. This is a vinyl-type decal, the size of a standard plate, used on front bumpers that do not have a manufacturer's place for a metal plate. You can apply it only once, as removing it will mostly render the vinyl unusable again. California is one such State that uses these wrappable plates.

 

[jsmith]

I think the Telescopic Lens will be the long-term answer for many people. It is hard to beat its ability to pull in a license plate, and usually with good clarity. Telescopic lenses still have times when they are affected by the same issues as a normal lens.

Agreed. Placement and proximity to the vehicle makes a different, too. Being that the telescopic camera is zoomed in, the field of vision is much narrower. However, it's the best solution available right now.

STARVIS 3 will help, but again, it will be affected by the same environmental factors as other CMOS. Wide-angle lenses tend to be an issue as well. VUEROID will continue to improve its AI, and that will help. But as you mentioned... users need to be realistic about expectations.

Starvis 3 sounds promising, as did Starvis 2 at the time of launch. Given development, tooling, and production, I'm guessing we're at least 6 months or more away from market launch. Wide angle lenses are used for a greater field of viewing. It's a tough call, do you capture everything around you or narrow the Field of View? When driving, a larger viewing angle is optimal given the numerous variables for an accident to occur (side swiped / T-Boned, etc).

When I get some time, I'm curious about taking some plate captures from the USA posted here or online where the plates are blurred and seeing what Grok or Chatgpt can make of them. Vueroid's software seems pretty promising at deciphering plates.

Yes, endusers need to realize dashcams aren't "Million Dollar" technology filming the next Tom Cruise action movie. These are consumer grade electronics at a budget meant to do A good job at the price point.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Agreed. Placement and proximity to the vehicle makes a different, too. Being that the telescopic camera is zoomed in, the field of vision is much narrower. However, it's the best solution available right now.



Starvis 3 sounds promising, as did Starvis 2 at the time of launch. Given development, tooling, and production, I'm guessing we're at least 6 months or more away from market launch. Wide angle lenses are used for a greater field of viewing. It's a tough call, do you capture everything around you or narrow the Field of View? When driving, a larger viewing angle is optimal given the numerous variables for an accident to occur (side swiped / T-Boned, etc).

When I get some time, I'm curious about taking some plate captures from the USA posted here or online where the plates are blurred and seeing what Grok or Chatgpt can make of them. Vueroid's software seems pretty promising at deciphering plates.

Yes, endusers need to realize dashcams aren't "Million Dollar" technology filming the next Tom Cruise action movie. These are consumer grade electronics at a budget meant to do A good job at the price point.

Not sure how quick STARVIS 3 will be implemented into dash cameras. I have heard nothing from any manufacturer even talking about it. Could be not cost effective? COuld also be that everyone is trying to figure out the Micro SD card and flash storage challenges.

 

[jsmith]

Not sure how quick STARVIS 3 will be implemented into dash cameras. I have heard nothing from any manufacturer even talking about it. Could be not cost effective? COuld also be that everyone is trying to figure out the Micro SD card and flash storage challenges.

I imagine with Starvis 3 being newly released, dashcam manufacturers have to design, build, and tool a new product around a different platform. I'm guessing with Starvis 3 hitting market, in 6-8 months we may see the first consumer grade dashcams pop up. Technology moves fast, because today's innovation is tomorrow's forgotten product. Company's work quickly to recoup the cost of R&D and Maximize Profits before something better comes along.

We shall see! Either way, the best we got for now is Starvis 2 and it does a good job overall given the limitations in consumer grade dashcams.

 

[Onetenner]

According to Vueroid, there's quite a bit to it...

Why Dash Cams Fail to Capture License Plates and How to Fix It (Part 1) - VUEROID Dashcam

#vueroid #dashcam #bestdashcam2026 #s1_4k_infinite #4kdashcamera #amazon

vueroid.com

Why Dash Cams Fail to Capture License Plates and How to Fix It (Part 2) - VUEROID Dashcam

#vueroid #dashcam #bestdashcam2026 #s1_4k_infinite #4kdashcamera #amazon

vueroid.com

Why Dash Cams Fail to Capture License Plates and How to Fix It (Part 3) - VUEROID Dashcam

#vueroid #dashcam #bestdashcam2026 #s1_4k_infinite #4kdashcamera #amazon

vueroid.com