Introduction to the DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106 and its key features
The DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106 is an all‑in‑one 4MP ANPR entrance and exit capture unit purpose‑built for automated vehicle access, parking control and barrier integration. Combining a 4‑megapixel progressive CMOS sensor, a motorised 3.1–6 mm vari‑focal lens and a 9‑LED supplement lighting array (warm‑white + IR), the unit is designed to reliably capture licence plates and contextual vehicle images across a wide range of lighting and environmental conditions. Its built‑in ANPR functionality — including allowlist/blocklist management, offline operation, and anti‑vehicle‑following queue handling — makes it a compelling option for sites that demand accurate plate recognition with straightforward integration to barriers and access control systems.
- 4 MP imaging:high‑resolution captures at up to 25/30 fps for crisp plate and vehicle images.
- Motorised 3.1–6 mm lens:flexible field of view (105.5°–51.4°) to suit different mounting positions and lane widths.
- Integrated lighting:9 LEDs combining warm‑white (3000 K) and IR (850 nm) with smart control for low‑light recognition.
- ANPR and IO:onboard plate processing, triggers (video/loop/radar), relay outputs for barrier control and anti‑tailgating handling.
- Network and compression:H.265/H.264/MJPEG streaming with ONVIF support and standard RJ45 connectivity.
Detailed specifications and benefits
- Sensor:1/3" progressive‑scan CMOS delivering a maximum resolution of 2688 × 1520. The progressive sensor preserves motion clarity, improving plate legibility at vehicle speeds commonly seen at access points.
- Frame rate:Up to 25/30 fps — sufficient for continuous capture in slow to moderate traffic flows and helpful when extracting stills for ANPR processing.
- Lens:Motorised vari‑focal 3.1–6 mm (F1.9) provides both wide coverage for mounting flexibility and focal reach for tighter lanes. Motorised control simplifies field adjustments during commissioning.
- Field of view:Wide horizontal FoV from 105.5° down to 51.4° accommodates single or dual‑lane approaches depending on setup.
- Supplemental lighting:9 integrated LEDs mixing warm‑white (3000 K) and IR (850 nm). Warm white illumination helps retain contextual colour information (vehicle colour, signage) while IR minimises visible glare at night and improves plate contrast.
- Plate capture and video range:Plate recognition range is approximately up to 5 m for licence plates, with useful video imaging out to around 10 m depending on mounting and lane geometry.
- Wide dynamic range (WDR):140 dB WDR handles scenes with strong backlight or high contrast — valuable for entrances with sunlight, shadows or headlights.
- Minimum illumination:Colour 0.022 lux and B/W 0.011 lux (F1.9, AGC ON) enabling reliable night and low‑light operation when combined with the integrated LEDs.
- Compression:H.265 and H.264 reduce bandwidth and storage needs without compromising recognition rates. MJPEG support is available where frame‑accurate streams are required.
- Network:Standard 10/100Base‑T RJ45 port with ONVIF support for third‑party VMS and NVR integrations. PoE (802.3at, 44–57 V) simplifies cabling where supported; a 12–24 V DC input is also available.
- Triggers and I/O:Multiple triggers (video, loop, radar) plus relay outputs enable direct barrier/boom control and integration with external detectors or induction loops.
- ANPR features:Onboard allowlist and blocklist management, offline operation for transient network outages and anti‑vehicle‑following (anti‑tailgating/queue) modes designed to reduce bypassing and improve security at entry/exit lanes.
- Power consumption:Approximately 10 W typical, which is modest for a lighting‑equipped ANPR head.
- Operating range:−25 °C to 70 °C supports deployments in a wide range of climates.
- Ingress and impact protection:IP54 (variant dependent) for outdoor installations; selectable variants may provide IK10 impact protection for added durability in public‑facing locations.
- Form factor:Roughly 415 × 145 × 145 mm and ~3.25 kg — compact enough for lighting‑integrated mounting on gantries, columns or poles.
Practical benefits for installers and operators
For systems integrators and site operators, the DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106 reduces the complexity of a typical ANPR deployment by combining imaging, lighting and processing in a single housing. Motorised lens control reduces commissioning time, and PoE support lowers infrastructure costs when power over Ethernet is available. Onboard ANPR logic offloads recognition tasks from central servers, which can lower network bandwidth and simplify system architecture — particularly at multi‑lane parking or gated community sites.
Use cases and scenarios where the unit excels
The DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106 fits many real‑world scenarios where dependable plate capture and barrier integration are required:
- Commercial parking entrances/exits:Automate ticketless access and enable fast throughput during peak periods while enforcing allowlist/blocklist policies for subscriptions or reserved parking.
- Gated residential communities:Provide secure, contactless resident and visitor access. The anti‑vehicle‑following mode helps prevent unauthorised tailgating at gates.
- Logistics depots and delivery yards:Recorded plate capture with contextual vehicle images aids gate logs for inbound and outbound movements and supports incident investigation.
- Event or temporary access control:The self‑contained lighting and flexible mounting make it useful where temporary or rapidly commissioned access points are required (events, pop‑up car parks).
- High‑contrast environments:Entrances with strong backlighting or headlights benefit from 140 dB WDR and the warm‑white + IR lighting mix for consistent plate legibility.
Comparisons with similar products on the market
When evaluating ANPR head units, consider several axes: image resolution, integrated lighting, onboard processing, environmental rating and integration options. Compared with lower‑resolution units (2 MP or less), the 4 MP sensor of the DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106 provides greater detail for plate recognition and vehicle evidence images, which can be especially useful for multi‑lane or offset mounting where plates may be small in each frame.
Some competing solutions rely on separate external illuminators (IR or warm white). The integrated 9‑LED approach here simplifies installation and ensures synchronized lighting control with camera triggers. Units with higher dedicated illuminator power may reach farther than the DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106’s typical plate range (approx. 5 m), but those often require additional cabling and a larger mounting footprint.
Other ANPR systems may offer higher ingress protection (IP66/IP67) for extreme outdoor exposure or permanent washdown environments. The DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106’s IP54 rating (variant dependent) and optional IK10 impact variants make it suitable for most outdoor installations, although sites in very harsh marine or high‑pressure cleaning zones should compare IP ratings carefully.
Finally, the combination of H.265 compression, PoE (802.3at) and onboard ANPR processing positions this model as a mid‑to‑high capability choice for many professional deployments — offering good balance between cost, performance and integration simplicity compared with basic cameras with external LPR servers or premium heads with extended range and more powerful illuminators.
Customer testimonials and reviews
No official customer testimonials were provided with the product brief. Below are representative, illustrative comments that reflect common feedback from installers and operators using similar integrated ANPR heads. These are provided as examples and are not direct quotes from verified customers.
- Representative feedback — installer:"Motorised lens and PoE made commissioning fast — we tuned the FoV remotely and synced the triggers with the boom sensor in one visit."
- Representative feedback — car park operator:"The mixed warm‑white and IR lighting delivers readable plates at night while keeping vehicle colour information — useful for customer service incidents."
- Representative feedback — security manager:"Onboard allowlist/blocklist and anti‑following reduced our queue bypass incidents without needing constant operator intervention."
Conclusion — why choose the DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106
The DS‑TMC403‑E/WG/3106 is a practical, well‑rounded ANPR entrance and exit capture unit that brings together high‑resolution imaging, flexible optics, smart mixed lighting and integrated ANPR features in a single housing. Its combination of motorised lens control, onboard recognition, multiple trigger options and straightforward network integration makes it a strong choice for parking facilities, gated communities, logistics hubs and many other vehicle access points. While very high‑range or extremely harsh‑environment applications may require specialised heads with higher IP ratings or more powerful external illuminators, this model offers an excellent balance of performance, ease of installation and cost efficiency for the majority of professional deployments.
Product positioning note:Manufacturer suggested price is 1,795.00 (check local resellers for currency and regional stocking). For installation, compliance and warranty details, refer to the official installation manual and datasheet and confirm regional approvals such as CE/UKCA where applicable.
