We need to talk about the quality of these CCTV cameras

The footage is so sharp you'll think it was staged. SCREENSHOT FROM CALACA, BATANGAS

Earlier today, our Facebook page shared a road accident video taken by CCTV cameras in Calaca, Batangas. Two things really stand out in the footage: (1) the impact of the collision between the motorcycle ridden by three persons and the pickup truck; and (2) the clarity of the video recording. Just wow. The details are sharp, and license plates are extremely readable. Even the audio is worthy of Netflix movies.

Just look at these screenshots:

Don't you wish your neighborhood had CCTV cameras like these? SCREENSHOTS FROM CALACA, BATANGAS

The files sent to us are 2,560p wide and 1,440p tall. This is truly impressive when you consider that the highest resolution of the files we normally work with is just 1,920p  by 1,080p. This, we think, makes the quality high-definition.

The moment of impact is documented for use in the investigation. SCREENSHOT FROM CALACA, BATANGAS

And so, you clearly see what’s happening in the footage. Nothing is left to guesswork. It also helps that the area is covered by a pair of such world-class cameras, so two angles are readily available. Props to the local government unit of Calaca for installing these electronic gadgets. These will go a long way toward promoting road safety and transparency in motoring.

This image has already been compressed. The original file is sharper and clearer. SCREENSHOT FROM CALACA, BATANGAS

By the way, equipment like these will be useful not just in vehicular accidents. In a time when the authorities are beginning to employ CCTV cameras to implement no-contact apprehension, HD videos are the way to go. They will assist in settling disputes, for one. For another, they will strike fear in the hearts of irresponsible motorists. There’s simply no escaping these cameras.

Our hope is that all LGUs are like the one in Calaca, Batangas. Otherwise, your community will have to settle for poor (and overpriced) CCTV cameras. As one reader says: “Yung sa amin, mas malinaw pa ang camera ng Nokia 6600.”