Video Surveillance at Night: Night Vision CCTV Cameras

Whether it is installed indoors or outdoors, most CCTV cameras need a good light source in order to capture images in the dark. If you want to make sure that you are able to monitor every moment after you turn off the lights, you need to make sure the cameras that you install have night vision capabilities.

Different Types of Night Vision CCTV Cameras

There are several types of night vision CCTV cameras out in the market today. These cameras use various technologies to be able to capture images at night. Each camera type has its own pros and cons which you would need to consider before you decide which type would suit your needs the best.

·         Light Amplification Night Vision CCTV Cameras – This type of camera uses whatever available or ambient light is present to be able to capture images in the dark. This means that to be able to capture clear pictures, this camera needs the help of natural and artificial light sources. If the light source that surrounds the camera is bright enough, it can capture very detailed images at long ranges even in the dark. The only drawback is that this camera is useless in areas where it is pitch black and no ambient light is available.

·         Infrared CCTV Cameras – Infrared technology has been used by the military for night time surveillance for decades now. Luckily for us who just want to protect our properties, this technology is now being used in CCTV surveillance cameras as well. The infrared technology allows the camera to capture images in areas where it is pitch black or when no other light source is available. They capture crisp, detailed images in color during the day and convert to black and white when night falls. One problem with this camera is the range it covers. If you want to cover a wide space, you may need more cameras than you would normally install for daytime surveillance.

 

·         Thermal CCTV Cameras – Thermal imaging used to be too expensive for use in private security systems, but now, there are CCTV cameras available that have thermal imaging sensors built in to detect intruders in the dark. What it does is that it detects heat which is translated into a thermal image where the yellow, orange, and red spots on the screen signify heat emitted from sources such as machines and body heat. This is good if you’re on the lookout for intruders in areas where there is absolutely no light source. Unfortunately, without an actual picture, determining whether the thermal images show humans or other heat radiating objects is difficult.

·         White Light CCTV Cameras – This type of camera functions just like a daytime camera. It captures images in color and it usually comes with a motion detector which triggers the LED lights and captures the action. This type of camera captures the best images as the ultra bright lights built into it can simulate daylight; however, the motion detectors that trigger these lights can easily be tripped by a variety of factors which may cause alarm when there’s no need for it.

Choosing a night vision CCTV camera requires a lot of planning. You could use just one type or mix and match them depending on the area you want to install them in. Just make sure that you maximize its features and place them in areas where they will work at their best.

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