Product Overview
Built specifically for vehicle entrance and exit control, the DS-TCG406-E is a 5 MP intelligent ANPR camera that reads number plates accurately across a range of real-world conditions. Equipped with a 1/1.8″ progressive scan CMOS sensor delivering resolutions up to 3072 x 1728, it captures clear plate data at up to 30 frames per second while simultaneously recording general scene video. Two motorised varifocal lens variants are available: a 2.8-12 mm option for wider or closer-range entrances, and an 8-32 mm option for longer distances or overhead mounting positions. Built-in dual lighting combines warm white and IR LEDs for round-the-clock illumination, with plate recognition effective up to 20 metres. Intelligent triggering via video detection, induction loop, radar, Wiegand, or relay input makes the DS-TCG406-E compatible with a wide range of access control infrastructure. Onboard TF card storage and an offline allowlist and blocklist supporting 100,000 entries allow the camera to operate barrier control without relying on a live network connection.
Key Capabilities
5 MP ANPR at up to 20 m
The 3072 x 1728 sensor resolves plate characters clearly at distances up to 20 metres, ensuring read accuracy even when vehicles approach at angle or speed. The 140 dB WDR prevents washout from direct headlights or harsh backlight at gated entrances.
Two Motorised Varifocal Lens Options
The 2.8-12 mm lens covers 114.5° to 38.6° horizontally for closer or wider entrances. The 8-32 mm lens narrows to 47.2°-15.1° for longer lanes, overhead booms, or positions where the camera is mounted further from the gate. Both lenses are motorised for precise remote focus adjustment after installation.
Dual Built-in Lighting
Four integrated LEDs, two warm white and two IR, deliver general scene illumination up to 50 metres and targeted plate capture up to 20 metres. This eliminates the need for external floodlights or supplementary illuminators at most standard entrance points.
Multi-Mode Intelligent Triggering
Plate capture can be triggered by video motion detection, induction loop, radar, Wiegand input, or relay signal, making it compatible with existing access control hardware. High-traffic logic can also switch barriers to open-normally mode automatically during peak vehicle flow.
Offline Allowlist and Blocklist Operation
Up to 100,000 vehicle plate entries can be stored onboard via the TF card slot, which supports cards up to 1 TB. This means the camera continues to control barrier access independently if the network goes down, a critical requirement for unmanned entry points.
Vehicle Attribute Recognition
Beyond plate reading, the DS-TCG406-E identifies vehicle brand, model, type, and colour. It also processes both clean and dirty plate conditions, improving recognition rates in real-world environments where plates may be partially obscured by mud or wear.
Best For
- Managed Car Parks: Automated entry and exit using plate-based allowlists, with barrier integration via relay or Wiegand and offline operation during network outages.
- Residential Estates and Gated Communities: Resident plates stored on the onboard allowlist allow smooth entry without requiring a guard or network connection at every event.
- Logistics and Freight Entry Points: The 8-32 mm lens option supports longer lanes at freight yards or loading dock approaches where the camera must be mounted well back from the barrier.
- Industrial and Commercial Sites: Multi-mode triggering integrates with induction loops or radar already present at industrial entrances, avoiding the need to replace existing infrastructure.
- Toll and Boom Gate Installations: High-traffic flow logic auto-switches barriers to open-normally mode under congestion, preventing queue build-up at busy exit points.
Why Choose the DS-TCG406-E
The DS-TCG406-E is purpose-engineered for plate reading, not adapted from a general surveillance camera. A 1/1.8″ sensor combined with 140 dB WDR means it handles the extreme contrast between headlights and a dark entrance lane, a scenario that defeats standard cameras with weaker dynamic range. The choice of 2 motorised varifocal lens variants allows the installer to match the camera precisely to the site geometry rather than accepting a fixed-angle compromise. Onboard storage with offline allowlist capacity of 100,000 entries is not a feature found on general IP cameras, and it addresses a genuine operational need: barrier gates that must continue working when a server is offline or a network switch fails. Vehicle attribute recognition that extends to brand, model, type, and colour adds an additional layer of vehicle identification beyond the plate itself. Available through Security Wholesalers, the DS-TCG406-E is supplied with a 10-week lead time and a concealed junction box included in the package.
Buyer Decision Tips
Lens Selection by Site Geometry: If the camera will be mounted within 4-6 metres of the barrier arm at a standard car park entry, the 2.8-12 mm lens provides the wider field needed to capture a plate as it pulls up. If the camera is mounted overhead on a boom, on a wall set well back from a wide gate, or looking down a longer driveway lane, the 8-32 mm lens gives the reach required to fill the frame with the plate at distance. Confirm the camera-to-plate distance and mounting height before ordering, as these two variants are separate SKUs.
Lead Time Planning: The DS-TCG406-E carries a 10-week lead time. For projects with a fixed commissioning date, order well in advance and confirm trigger compatibility with the site’s existing access control hardware (loop detector, Wiegand panel, or relay) before the camera arrives on site to avoid delays at installation.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
DS-TCG406-E |
| Resolution |
5 MP (3072 x 1728) |
| Sensor |
1/1.8″ progressive scan CMOS |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 30 fps at 3072 x 1728 |
| Lens Options |
2.8-12 mm motorised varifocal / 8-32 mm motorised varifocal |
| Horizontal Field of View (2.8-12 mm) |
114.5° to 38.6° |
| Horizontal Field of View (8-32 mm) |
47.2° to 15.1° |
| Built-in Lighting |
4 LEDs: 2 x warm white, 2 x IR |
| General Illumination Range |
Up to 50 m |
| LPR Capture Range |
Up to 20 m |
| Wide Dynamic Range |
140 dB |
| Triggering Methods |
Video detection, induction loop, radar, Wiegand, relay input |
| Vehicle Recognition |
Plate (LPR), vehicle brand, model, type, colour; clean and dirty plates supported |
| Onboard Storage |
TF card slot, up to 1 TB |
| Offline List Capacity |
100,000 entries (allowlist and blocklist) |
| Video Streams |
Up to 3 simultaneous streams |
| Compression |
H.265, H.264, MJPEG |
| Mounting |
Wall, pole, pendant, universal joint |
| Included Accessories |
Concealed junction box |
| Lead Time |
10 weeks |
Ideal Use Cases
Multi-Tenant Car Parks
Plate-based allowlists stored onboard let residents and staff enter without tickets or fobs. With 100,000 list entries and TF card storage up to 1 TB, the system scales to large facilities and operates independently of the car park management server.
Gated Residential Estates
Resident and visitor plates are stored locally, allowing the barrier to operate even if the site network is unavailable. The 2.8-12 mm lens handles standard driveway-width entrances where vehicles stop close to the camera position.
Logistics and Freight Yards
The 8-32 mm motorised varifocal lens reads plates at longer distances across wide gate openings or from elevated mounting positions, making it suited to freight depots where trucks approach along a long lane before reaching the boom gate.
Industrial Site Entry Points
Multi-mode triggering via induction loop, radar, or Wiegand integrates with access control hardware already present at industrial entrances. High-traffic auto-flow logic prevents barrier congestion during shift changes or delivery windows.
Toll and Revenue Control Gates
The 140 dB WDR prevents headlight washout during night-time capture, while vehicle attribute recognition (brand, model, colour) supplements plate data for dispute resolution and accurate vehicle logging across high-volume throughput lanes.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose the 2.8-12 mm variant if: The camera will be mounted 3-8 metres from the plate capture zone at a standard width entry, or where vehicles may approach from a wider angle and the field of view needs to accommodate the full lane width.
- Choose the 8-32 mm variant if: The installation requires the camera to be positioned further from the barrier, mounted overhead on a boom or high wall, or aimed down a narrow longer lane where the plate must be captured at 10-20 metres from the camera position.
- Choose a different product type if: The site only requires general surveillance without plate data or barrier integration – a standard varifocal bullet camera will provide a lower-cost solution where ANPR functionality, onboard list management, and trigger input compatibility are not required.
FAQs
- What resolution does the DS-TCG406-E capture and at what frame rate?
The DS-TCG406-E delivers a maximum resolution of 3072 x 1728 (5 MP) at up to 30 frames per second. This resolution provides sufficient detail to resolve individual characters on a number plate at capture distances up to 20 metres under the correct lens and mounting configuration.
- How do I choose between the 2.8-12 mm and 8-32 mm lens variants?
The key factor is the distance between the camera mounting position and the plate at the point of capture. For standard car park entries where the camera is 3-8 metres from the vehicle, the 2.8-12 mm lens provides the wider angle needed. For longer lanes, overhead boom mounts, or wide gate approaches where the camera sits 10-20 metres from the plate, the 8-32 mm lens gives the required focal reach. Measure the camera-to-plate distance before ordering as these are separate products.
- Can the DS-TCG406-E control a barrier gate without a network connection?
Yes. The camera stores up to 100,000 allowlist and blocklist entries locally on a TF card (supported up to 1 TB). This allows barrier control to continue operating independently if the server or network becomes unavailable, which is a critical requirement for unmanned or 24-hour entry points.
- What triggering options does this camera support for integration with existing access control hardware?
The DS-TCG406-E supports plate capture triggering via video motion detection, induction loop detector, radar sensor, Wiegand input, and relay input. This broad compatibility means it can connect to most existing access control infrastructure without requiring the site to replace loop detectors or control panels already in place.
- Does the camera work in both daylight and night-time conditions?
Yes. Four built-in LEDs, two warm white and two IR, provide illumination for both colour scene video up to 50 metres and plate capture up to 20 metres at night. The 140 dB WDR handles the high-contrast lighting at entrances where headlights shine directly toward the camera during evening or early morning traffic.
- What vehicle information does the camera capture beyond the plate number?
In addition to LPR for both clean and dirty plates, the DS-TCG406-E identifies vehicle brand, model, type (such as sedan, SUV, or truck), and colour. This additional attribute data supplements the plate read and can assist with verification or dispute resolution where a plate alone is insufficient.
- What is the lead time and where is this camera available?
The DS-TCG406-E carries a 10-week lead time from order placement. It is available through Security Wholesalers, and project planning should account for this lead time to ensure the camera arrives in time for scheduled commissioning. A datasheet is available for download to assist with pre-installation design and specification approval.
Additional Information
