Infrared security cameras excel at allowing security personnel to see in the dark. There are advantages and disadvantages to using this type of lens in your security camera cctv system.
Let’s start out by acknowledging a infrared security camera’s obvious drawback: they capture black and white video. With that said, we can begin to speak about the benefits of having an infrared security camera in your security setup and the different types of infrared cameras.
An infrared security camera has the ability to capture video in conditions where other cameras cannot capture anything. Faced between having black and white video is better than having none.
A good security consultant will understand that there are often variables that will be outside of your control. Configuring a CCTV setup, has to plan for the unexpected such as a key light burning out, getting shattered, or having their power cut. Installing a infrared security camera functions as a tremendous failsafe for these conditions. Also, many times it is more economical, considerate, discrete, or otherwise preferred to use infrared security cameras outdoors rather than flood lighting.
Infrared security cameras measure infrared radiation (or IR). Infrared radiation sensors are often called heat sensors, as they are used in heat seeking missiles and night vision goggles. But this is a misconception as heat is felt from more than just infrared spectrum and the infrared spectrum contains more than heat (for example, your television remote uses an infrared sensor and infrared light, but does not get hot when you use it). For purposes of security systems, however, we will be primarily concerned with the infrared sensor picking up heat signatures of human bodies.
Infrared cameras come with many different numbers of infrared lights built into the lens. Some have as many as 64 or as few as 6 bulbs, but the number of bulbs is not the only thing to consider. The size of the infrared bulb is important as well. Generally the more infrared light, in both size and number, that a infrared security camera has the farther that you will be able to see with the camera.
An infrared security camera can be very sensitive, which is why it is important to know where you will use it before you decide upon a model. Many people often assume that more infrared light bulbs will make a better picture, but often when a infrared security camera is used inside the amount of infrared light produced can reflect off of hard surfaces and wash out the infrared sensor. Some infrared reflective surfaces include anything flat and made of glass or metal (such as doors, mirrors, or windows) or even some “glossy” style interior paints.
In general, an infrared security camera has a specific application in a security camera setup: to see in total darkness and thus be a failsafe to your other devices. For more infrared security cameras please see www.security-camera-warehouse.com
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Tue, Jan 5, 2010
PC Security