Get A Quote
What You Need To Consider
- We Only Sell The Best
Why don't we have thousands of products in our Security Camera e-store when everyone else does? Answer: Because we know our products and we only sell the good stuff. (Continued...)
- Bullet Vs. Dome Cameras
When purchasing a video surveillance system, the two types of cameras that you will always consider are the bullet and dome cameras. (Continued...)
- Building / Configuring a DVR System
Building a Geovision DVR can be done in a lot of ways but for Camera Security Now there is only one way it will be done. (Continued...)
Infrared (IR) Security Cameras - How You Can Benefit
by Andy Wendt
IR Cams
receive a good number of inquiries but are perhaps the least understood of
all the CCTV Security Camera types. IR Cams usually
come up when asking the question of how best to cover
a low light area with an affordable video security solution. With a basic
understanding of IR Camera technology that question becomes a lot easier to
answer.
Most important to understanding IR cameras is the concept that they provide their own light source. When the natural light drops below a pre set level the cameras own IR light source kicks on and lights the space. This IR light source is provided by a number of emitters that are either built in with the camera or are in a separate enclosure. The more emitters the more space can be lit up and the larger your visible area at night will be. A quality IR camera will list its effective range and angle of its IR beam.
Depending on the frequency these emitters operate at the IR light they generate may cause the emitters themselves to glow with a visible orange light. Emitters are available that operate at a frequency that does not produce this glow but be prepared to spend some money as IR cams of that nature tend to start out in the thousand dollar price range.
IR cams come in a variety of sizes
and types. The sizes can range from a small bullet cameras to larger bullet
cameras the size of coffee cans. IR cams can also be found in large block
sizes that allow for a larger number of IR emitters.
To see a full sized bullet IR Cam in use visit our
IR
Cam Video Demonstration and Information page
Some standard body cameras also
have the ability to see IR light
and they can be used in combination with
any external IR light source. For more information on Standard Body
Cams see our
Standard
Body Camera page with a Video overview of Standard Body Camera
components.
IR Cams are a good fit for areas with virtually no light that only need coverage in a limited or confined area. (See this page of unusual applications for IR Cams) I often make the analogy that using an IR camera is like walking around into the pitch dark with a flashlight: The smaller the flashlight the smaller the visible area. It's this simple concept that makes IR a good fit for a small area as it allows for respectable coverage without a big "IR flashlight"
Of course if that large area must be covered with IR technology it can be done. Just be prepared to budget accordingly.
But even if the budget will allow and all other aspects of your situation make it seam like an IR camera is a good fit keep in mind that given any two identically areas the space with the least amount of lighting is going to be the space most often targeted by thieves.
To read more about low light alternative CCTV solutions see our article on Low Light vs IR Cameras.
For more information or for sample
camera shots using the above technologies See our IR Camera Review. (add
link)
Request An IR Camera Quote
See our IR Camera Recommendations
See our Low Light Camera Recommendations
CCTV Terms and
Definitions
For more information contact:
Camera Security Now
web:
www.CameraSecurityNow.com
email: sales@CameraSecurityNow.com
Toll Free Voice: 877-422-1907
Note: "IR Cams" is an abbreviation for Infrared Security Cameras