The low-down on Long-Range Infrared Security Cameras

   Lately, we have had a great deal of people asking about long-range infrared security cameras.  Currently, we have 1 long-range infrared IR model, the CD-9255 line of camera.  This camera is unlike most of the IR security cameras on the market, due to the fact that we started with a low-light Sony CCD image sensor for great low-light black and white, and then added a wide-spectrum IR array.  This combination of low-lux CCD Image sensor and wide array of IR bulbs, permits the camera to illuminate the full width of view with infrared light for improved low light and no-light video.

   Unfortunately, many of the IR cameras on the market simply keep throwing on larger, more focused IR LEDs, which can illuminate a greater distance with IR Light, but their lack of a low-lux image sensor and combination with the larger IR LEDs, provides undesireable effects.  With these cameras, they may be able to illuminate close to the needed distance, but they do not illuminate the full width of view.  This means that the IR will illuminate the center of view, but everything around the center will be dark and not illuminated.  If you walk towards these cameras with the night vision enabled, you will find that even while in the center of view, the image gets over-illuminated – washing out the distinguishing characteristics of the person approaching the camera.

Typical Long-Range IR Camera

Full-Width IR Nightvision

   Furthermore, if it is necessary to be able to view 200-300 feet away, then these cameras are generally not the best selection.  At a 200 foot distance, with a 1/3″ image sensor camera with a wideangle lens, a person will appear about the size of 4 pixels out of a 720×480 resolution recording.  4 pixels is basically a spec on the screen.  So it is important to realize that for longer distance views, where you need to be able to identify people, generally it is better to ignore IR Cameras, and move to a CS-Mount camera with a Varifocal zoom lens (6-60mm lens or 5-100mm lens should do nicely) as these lenses will allow you to zoom the camera in at the time of installation, so that you can actually see at that distance, rather than just seeing a spec (which is what most of the long-range IR Cameras provide).

   It is for this reason, that we have developed our CD-9255 cameras with 4mm, 8mm or 12mm lenses, and they are designed to be used within 10-75 feet of the subject being viewed, even though

CD-9255 IR Camera

they are rated at 100 feet Infrared Night vision.  These cameras provide infrared illumination over the full width of view, which allows for great night vision inside of this range.  For anything over that range, it is highly recommended to move to a CS-mount camera like our CD-9100-DN camera with auto-iris lens and great low-light night vision capabilities.

Plan your system out right the first time, so you get what you expect.

Michael
Platinum CCTV Surveillance Solutions
http://Platinum-CCTV.com
Online Security camera store