This article provides guidance on ideal camera placement for your Service Display Monitor (SDM) and Drive-Thru zones.
Refer to this guide to understand the key factors—vehicle visibility, angle, lane clarity, obstructions, and lighting—that directly impact timing accuracy and AI detection performance.
Baseline Camera Placement Requirements
Any camera used for the SDM should at least meet the following standards:
Vehicles are fully visible in the camera view
Camera is placed at a proper angle (not top-down)
Camera is close enough for detail (not too far away from vehicles)
No obstructions block vehicles in the camera view
Lighting is adequate
Note: It is highly recommended for your SDM environment to fall under the "Best" or "Better" camera placements, as outlined below. Always avoid the "Bad" camera placement as this is the number one cause of issues related to poor performance.
Best Placement
Use this section to follow the highest standard of accuracy for SDM camera placement.
Key characteristics:
90%+ vehicle visible at stop point
Vehicle clearly framed (30–60% of image)
Optimal angle (~15–30°)
No occlusions or competing lanes
Consistent lighting (day + night)
Menu Board | Service Window |
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Better Placement
Use this section for a strong SDM setup to improve accuracy and consistency.
Key characteristics:
75%+ vehicle visible at stop point
Improved angle (front + partial side view)
Lane visible to detect vehicle prior to zone entry
Minimal occlusions of vehicle
Menu Board | Service Window |
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Good Placement
Use this section for a decent SDM camera setup. It is still recommended to improve your setup by following the "Better" and "Best" placements outlined above.
Key characteristics:
50%+ vehicle visible at stop point
Clear lane visibility
Minimal obstruction
Reasonable lighting conditions
Menu Board | Service Window |
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Bad Placement
This section provides examples of camera placements you should avoid completely for your SDM setup.
Common issues:
Vehicle too small / too far (less than 50% vehicle visible at stop point)
Steep or top-down angle
Obstructions (menu boards, poles, signage, parked vehicles)
Poor lighting (glare, darkness)
Multiple lanes causing confusion
Menu Board | Service Window |
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