The Add-on Night Vision Camera lets you see in the dark and detect motion. Night vision technology allows you to capture usable images in low to no light conditions. This is extremely helpful as most burglars prefer to lurk around in the darkness.
If a break-in occurs at night, ensure that you'll be able to see the culprit by choosing the right home security camera with night vision. If you are looking for a HD 1080P camera that packs a lot of night vision with a general wide angle view then this is the camera to use. This guide will help you.
Whether you are safeguarding your home or business, night vision security cameras are a great investment. Before you start shopping, review the different types of night vision to decide which will work best for your surveillance needs.
Types of night vision security cameras
Low Light Night Vision
Low light night vision is also known as image intensification as it relies on image intensification technology to deliver colored night vision in very low light. Please note that in order to produce a color image, these wireless security cameras need some available light.
Low light night vision cameras use an image intensifier which is a vacuum-tube based device. Electrons are emitted through a vacuum tube when the light strikes a charged photocathode plate. These electrons then strike the microchannel plate that cause the image screen to illuminate with a picture in the same pattern as the light that strikes the photocathode (on a frequency that the human eye can see). The image is said to be “intensified” because the output visible light is now brighter than the incoming light.
Benefits
Despite needing some visible light in order to record, low light night vision cameras outperform IR night vision cameras.
These are the only security cameras that can produce a color image in low light level conditions.
You can find these cameras at cost-effective prices.
Infrared (IR) Night Vision
These days, most wireless security cameras come with built-in infrared LEDs to provide night vision in low light or no light conditions. One of the most important features of these cameras is the infrared cut filter or infrared cut removable.
The IR cut filter is a mechanical shutter design – it is a piece placed between the lens and the image sensor, controlled by a motor or an electromagnet. These are used with color CCD or CMOS cameras to produce accurate color images.
When IR cut filter is activated, it will block IR light and allow only visible light to pass through. When the ICR is turned off, IR light will be allowed and images will turn into black and white mode.
If it’s controlled by a light sensor, at twilight, it simply sends a remove signal to the IR cut filter so that more light could reach the image sensor of the camera, thus, a black and white image is produced.
It is important to know that IR security cameras can be affected by glass reflection or window glare at night. Your video may be washed out due to overexposure of lights at night. If necessary, turn off the IP LEDs and any other LED indicators on your security camera.
Benefits
Infrared night vision cameras can record in pitch black condition without additional light.
These cameras are the most inexpensive, use less energy, and are very efficient.
Thermal Night Vision
Thermal night vision cameras have a unique lens that allows IR energy to pass through it. The focus light then hits a sensor that scans the information and draws from several thousand points in the field of view. This process creates a thermogram (an intricate temperature pattern) which quickly develops and then transforms into electric impulses, which are directed to signal processing unit that translates the information into data for the visual.
Created image displays as various colors that correlate to the amount of IR energy emitted. Instead of intensifying light, thermal night vision uses heat and can see no matter the light level. Thus, even in total darkness and poor weather conditions, thermal imaging technology allows users to detect and see at great distances.
Benefits
Thermal cameras are the only solution to address a visible image contrast to see at night.
As mentioned, these cameras are completely immune to smoke, dust, and anti-CCTV surveillance devices (visor glasses, infrared laser glasses).
Government agencies, security companies, and large corporations rely on thermal security cameras for many security applications because they eliminate false alarms.
Why is it important to have night vision surveillance cameras?
Burglars often like to creep in the dark night in hopes of being undetected. This is precisely why night vision security cameras are so important. But keep in mind that the value of night vision cameras is directly connected to their effectiveness and performance. To employ the best night vision surveillance system, keep these things in mind.
IP Power
Remember that all IR CCTV cameras have a quoted maximum range. For example, these can range from 5m to 50m or longer. This range is the absolute maximum, meaning at these extremes, your image quality will not be its best. Measuring how far you need to see and then adding a third of that is recommended. For example, if you need to see 30m, it may be advised to invest in a 40m camera.
On the other hand, you don’t want the IR to be too powerful either. Most CCTV cameras cannot adjust the IR brightness, thus, if a subject is too close to a camera designed for long ranges, it will simply look too bright and/or washed out.
Wide Angle Lenses
IR LEDS are designed to brightly illuminate the center of an image, therefore, most of these cameras will not have a very wide angle of view. While this is not a common problem, some cameras will have varifocal lenses that can zoom out. With these, be aware that at the wide end of the zoom, the corners of your image will not be covered by night vision.
Field Of View
For all security cameras, you want to be sure that the field of view is clear of obstructions, but this is especially important for IR CCTV cameras. If there is something like a branch or leaves in the frame, the LEDs will focus on these and they will be brightly lit. The rest of the image will be made darker in order to compensate, thus rendering the image is useless.
Reflection For IR
In order for night vision cameras to work, IR needs something to reflect off of. When users point a camera into an empty field, they may be alarmed when there is nothing but darkness and may assume the night vision is not working, but this is not the case. When a subject moves into range, the IR can reflect off of it, and thus, the subject will be visible.
Mounting Height
Keep the height at which your cameras will be installed in mind when you are considering the power of your night vision. This is especially important when installing cameras above ground floor height. For example, if your car is parked 4m away from your house, and your camera is mounted 3m from the ground, the actual distance from camera to car is 5m.
Why Does Your Business Need night vision cameras?
Vision In Darkness
Aside from keeping an eye on the premises overnight, night vision cameras can do their duty during late night business hours. If customers are staying late, it can help make the closing staff feel safer.
Easy To Install & Use
Most night vision cameras are fairly straightforward with their design, some being plug-and-play, making them easy to install and use.
Central Monitoring
Depending on your system, you should have access to any camera feed at any location at all times. If your system permits, this may even be accessible remotely via your smart device or a laptop.
Transferrable Feed
Your recordings can immediately transferred to disk for long term storage. This backup allows you to review past video or share footage promptly should authorities require video evidence of an incident.
Prevent Theft
The simple presence of a security camera can deter burglars from acting. However, in a restaurant setting, these things can easily be overlooked. With surveillance cameras, you may be able to improve inventory control and prevent employee theft.
Prevent Over-Pouring
Along the same lines, if you have a bar in your restaurant, you can keep an eye on your bartenders. Over-pouring is way to lure customers to leave larger tips, but can leave you at a loss. If you come across this issue, you can refer to your footage and correct the problem.
Reduce Violence
Whether among customer, employees, or both, security cameras can help to reduce violence or provide helpful evidence when a problem arises.Night vision cameras can also make your employees feel safe, as mentioned. Employees are happier with employers who show that they care about their safety and well-being.
Boost Productivity
Security cameras in the workplace can alleviate management from the task of security as well as motivate employees and keep everyone on task.
