Choosing an Infrared Security Camera
Darkness is the enemy of security system setups. Unless you have an infrared security camera, as infrared security cameras excel at capturing video in the dark.
Although most security consultants are familiar with an infrared security cameras single drawback: the capture in black and white, many new security personnel do not understand the advantages of using an infrared security camera or when to use one in a security setup.
An infrared security camera, admittedly recording in black and white, is often the only type of security camera that can record in adverse lighting conditions.
Many closed caption television security system cameras hinge on having good available lighting. Often times this means that a thousand dollar setup can many times be rendered useless and ineffective by simply removing the light source, by either destroying or disabling the light. In this situation a infrared security camera would make an excellent failsafe. Secondly, many times the lighting necessary to properly secure an outside location would be overwhelming to nearby residents or businesses, draw unwelcome attention, or otherwise be undesirable. This is another situation where a infrared security camera would be very beneficial.
Infrared security cameras measure infrared radiation (or IR). Infrared radiation sensors are often called heat sensors, as they are used in heat seeking missiles and night vision goggles. But this is a misconception as heat is felt from more than just infrared spectrum and the infrared spectrum contains more than heat (for example, your television remote uses an infrared sensor and infrared light, but does not get hot when you use it). For purposes of security systems, however, we will be primarily concerned with the infrared sensor picking up heat signatures of human bodies.
Infrared security cameras vary by having different numbers and sizes of infrared bulbs. Some lights range from 64 bulbs to as few as six. Generally more and larger bulbs means that you will be able to see farther with the camera.
An infrared security camera can be very sensitive, which is why it is important to know where you will use it before you decide upon a model. Many people often assume that more infrared light bulbs will make a better picture, but often when a infrared security camera is used inside the amount of infrared light produced can reflect off of hard surfaces and wash out the infrared sensor. Some infrared reflective surfaces include anything flat and made of glass or metal (such as doors, mirrors, or windows) or even some "glossy" style interior paints.