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Security
cameras have come a long way since their first introduction into the market.
Currently most security cameras come with a night vision mode, allowing them to
see and capture footage in total darkness. We will discuss how these current
night vision security camera’s work and the varying technologies utilized to
capture and record in the dark.
There are
different types of night vision currently used and available within the market.
These are not generational differences (i.e. Gen1, Gen2, Gen3) but
technological differences such as Digital and Analog. All of these technologies
are readily used and available in the security, hunting and camera markets.
Most security cameras are using a digital system, as this is comprised of an
internalized chip and sensor. Like most cameras you have the ability for a
digital zoom enhancement. These digital systems can operate in both day and
night, as there is no risk in damaging internalized components due to light
exposure. Just like cameras, phones or recorders you can turn up or down the
gain (sensitivity to light) control. On the other end of the night vision
market you have analog night vision. These devices are typically used in night
vision monoculars, goggles or weapons sights, and are further evaluated by
their Generational grade (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3). The main variance between the
digital and analog system, is that analog uses magnified lenses (much like a
traditional rifle scope) but with a photocathode image intensifier tube in the
center of the magnified glass. These tubes gather all available ambient light,
radiating a green image (green phosphorus tubes) or white/black (white
phosphorus tubes) of the object or subject your viewing.
Security
cameras are utilizing infrared night vision, which relies on infrared light to
function. This infrared (IR) light is completely invisible to the naked eye.
Think of your current TV remote, which has a red LED at the front of the device
and sends an infrared signal to your television. You cannot see this beam
transmitting to your TV as it is in the infrared focal plane. The same can be
said about IR illuminators and IR lights. These devices are typically mounted
on the camera itself and shine a spotlight of infrared light, allowing these
devices to capture images/video and view in total darkness. Most security
cameras now come with built-in infrared LEDs to provide night vision in low light
or no light condition.
Several
security cameras that offer night vision capabilities, will also includie an IR
cut filter. An IR cut filter is a mechanical shutter, placed between the lens
of the camera and the image sensor. This filter will automatically detect
ambient light (sunlight, visible light) and applies a filter to block out the
IR light during the day in order to keep the image and clarity of the daylight.
The infrared cut filter is being controlled by a light sensor on the security
camera, and at twilight, the light sensor simply sends a remove signal to the
infrared cut filter so that more light could reach the image sensor of the
security camera. This allows more light in, including the IR light coming from
the camera itself. Typically, all digital infrared cameras will show
black/white image in night vision mode, and not the green hue popularized by
the colored phosphorus of analog night vision systems.
Low-light
night vision relies on image intensification technology (analog) to deliver a
colored night vision image in a very low light atmosphere. When ambient light
strikes a charged photocathode plate, electrons are emitted through a vacuum
tube that strike the microchannel plate, causing the image screen to illuminate
with a picture in the same pattern as the light that strikes the photocathode,
and is on a frequency that the human eye can see. Analog systems will show the
picture in either a green hue or white/black image, dependent upon the image
intensifier tube utilized (green or white phosphorus). Because this technology
is utilizing optical viewing, as opposed to a digital enhancer, the clarity and
resolution of analog devices are typically much clearer than digital units. One
area to note, is because of the light sensitivity tube, you must have an IR cut
filter, or additional precaution to limit light exposure during the day. There
is possibility in damaging the internal intensifier tube when exposed to too
much ambient / visible light (sunlight, car headlights, flood lights).
There are
several key technologies in the advancement of security cameras. Primarily the
advancement of digital and analog components that allow for day/night operation
of night vision cameras. Due to variances in technology, it is important to
point out that Digital night vision is going to be the cheapest and most budget
friendly device mentioned above, whereas analog night vision is going to
provide a higher price point, due to the costs involving the image intensifier
tubes and overall higher clarity and resolution. As technology continues to
expand, and devices become more compact and cheaper to the overall market, the
trend of more powerful, technological and capable devices will become much more
prevalent throughout the market.
More interesting information here:
Are tritium night sights safe
How To Make A Night Vision Scope For an Air Rifle
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