Camera setup is the first step in deploying AI-powered pallet tracking. The good news: you probably already have cameras that work. Here is a practical guide to getting the most out of your camera setup.
Camera Requirements
PalletVision works with any camera that outputs an RTSP stream. That includes:
- Standard IP cameras (Hikvision, Dahua, Axis, Reolink, etc.)
- Existing CCTV systems with NVR that supports RTSP output
- USB cameras connected through a local RTSP server
Minimum specifications:
- Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080) recommended, 720p minimum
- Frame rate: 15 fps minimum, 30 fps recommended
- Connection: Wired Ethernet (PoE preferred for reliability)
Camera Placement
Proper placement is the single biggest factor in tracking accuracy. Here are the principles:
Angle
Mount cameras above and slightly angled toward the production area. A 30-45 degree downward angle provides the best visibility of pallets moving through the zone.
Avoid:
- Straight-down (bird's eye) — makes it hard to distinguish stacked pallets
- Eye-level — too many occlusions from workers and equipment
- Extreme angles — distorts pallet shapes and makes counting unreliable
Field of View
Each camera should cover one station or zone. The goal is to see the full area where pallets enter, are processed, and exit.
For a typical repair station, position the camera so you can see:
- The incoming pallet stack or conveyor
- The work area
- The outgoing/completed pallet area
Lighting
PalletVision models handle variable lighting well, but optimal conditions help:
- Consistent overhead lighting reduces shadows
- Avoid pointing cameras directly at windows or bright light sources
- If areas are dimly lit, consider adding supplemental lighting
Connecting Cameras
Once cameras are physically installed, connecting them to PalletVision takes minutes:
- Find the RTSP URL — usually in the format
rtsp://username:password@camera-ip:554/stream - Enter the URL in the PalletVision camera onboarding interface
- Configure zones — draw detection zones on the camera feed to tell PalletVision where to count
- Verify detection — watch the live feed for a few minutes to confirm events are being detected
Common Mistakes
Camera too far away. If pallets appear smaller than about 10% of the frame, detection accuracy drops. Move the camera closer or use a lens with more zoom.
Obstructed views. Pillars, equipment, and stored materials that block the camera view will cause missed counts. Walk the floor and look at the camera feed before finalizing placement.
WiFi cameras. Wireless cameras introduce latency and dropped frames. Always use wired connections for production tracking.
Shared cameras. A camera used for both security and tracking may not have the ideal angle for either. Dedicated cameras per zone give the best results.
PalletVision Camera Packages
If you need new cameras, we offer pre-configured packages:
- Starter Kit Lite — up to 4 cameras with Mac mini M4 edge device
- Starter Kit Pro — up to 8 cameras with Mac mini M4 Pro edge device
- Starter Kit Max — up to 12 cameras with dedicated edge AI server
All packages include cameras optimized for pallet environments, PoE switches, and pre-configured edge hardware.
Next Steps
Camera setup is typically the fastest part of a PalletVision deployment. Most operations go from unboxing to counting in 1-2 days. The key is getting placement right — everything else follows from there.