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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Things To Consider In Choosing Day/Night Cameras For Your video Camera Surveillance Needs

By Dan Musse

A Short Summary

When it comes to video camera surveillance requirements, color and black and white CCTV security cameras are feasible security options. However, these two have different specialties. If you want to have color features, use color security cameras which is very effective in getting colors of criminals, vehicles or other possessions done during the crime. By getting the color information, it may hasten the flow of investigation. Color security cameras accurately produce colors because on the time of creating, IR cut filter is positioned on top of the imager. This let the cut filter to see only with the visible levels of spectrum. As a result, color surveillance cameras have less capability in creating functional images in low light setting.

On the contrary, black and white video camera surveillance setups don't have an IR cut filter because they are intended to interpret color. Without the filter, B...W CCTV camera options can utilize other light frequencies like infrared. Infrared which come from a numerous sources, including the sun, fluorescent lights, incandescent lights and especially infrared illuminators. Consequently ,B...W surveillance cameras operates notably better in low light and some can see at light levels 0.0001 lux which is almost complete darkness. Other advantage of B...W video surveillance cameras is the ability to illuminate an area with IR. It provides the camera with sufficient lighting but gives natural darkness which can help in suspects' arrest.

The Benefits of Day/Night Cameras

Day/Night security cameras provide the exceptional advantages of both color and black and white CCTV camera setups. D/N video security cameras operate the same color cameras during daytime and automatically switch in B...W mode during the night with the use of removable IR cut filter. When the darkness comes, day/night cameras sense the lower light levels and automatically take away the IR cut filter, instantly changing to a more responsive black and white mode.

Day/night surveillance cameras are offered in all forms to get the satisfaction needed in every establishment or home.Effective undercover operations gadgets like dome cameras, fixed cameras, bullet cameras and even in tiny board cameras are presented in many D/N technology forms. Those mentioned gadgets are very helpful since secret operations sometimes happen in diverse lighting circumstances. Numerous day/night CCTV cameras also present built in infrared illumination, which makes an excellent turn-key camera package.

The traditional and most effective D/N security cameras are often referred to as true day/night cameras, and use a removable mechanical cut filter, as described above. However, digital day/night cameras (or electronic day/night cameras) are also available, which electronically adjust colors during the day, instead of using an infrared filter. This allows the digital day/night cameras to deliver similar benefits of true day/night cameras, but at a lower cost. Without the need for a physical filter, digital day/night technology can also be leveraged for smaller form factors, such as bullet cameras.

Regardless of the type of day/night camera you choose, I recommend considering the following areas to ensure you get the very best solution for your application:

1. Lux ratings - Unlike conventional cameras, day/night cameras normally have two lux ratings .The first one is for the camera's color mode, and the other one is for black and white mode. Considering both will let you compare between day/night and more familiar customary CCTV cameras.

2. Lenses - Be sure to get a CCTV camera lens that is rated for use with infrared light when buying a fixed security day/night camera that needs a C- or CS-mount lens. IR ready camera lenses allocate for the proper passage of IR light, the maximum utilization of the camera's day/night capabilities, and especially lower light performance.

3. S/N Ratio - There are many surveillance cameras in the market place with low lux ratings, but this does not always mean they will produce a good picture in low light. To ensure you get both, select a security camera with a signal-to-noise ratio of 48dB or higher

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