Infrared CCTV Cameras Help You Protect Even In The Dark

With the rising trend of surveillance camera use, manufacturers are increasingly tinkering with different kinds of security cameras, adding varied features and specifications. Each of these cameras will provide you security, but with differences in the level of detail. Some cameras can provide you with standard images, others are able to see in the dark and others are able to move by themselves.

One of the best features a camera can have is night vision. This is commonly found with Infrared CCTV cameras. These work great outdoors. You will still have full viewing and monitoring capability despite the darkness. You can also use this indoors to monitor offices or your house. Despite the lack of light, you can see things clearly on the camera monitor. An unsuspecting burglar may think that he is safe when hiding in darkness. Well, not when infrared CCTV cameras are around.

Infrared CCTV cameras work by using thermal imaging or infrared LED technology. It depends on who manufactured the camera and the technology they want to use. Both technologies will allow you to see in the dark but will vary on how you see the images. Let’s discuss them one by one so you can get an idea.

Have you ever seen Alien vs. Predator where the movie takes you inside the Predator’s vision? Well, that gives you an idea of how thermal imaging looks like. People, animals, and things constantly emit a level of heat known as thermal energy. Thermal energy is invisible to the naked eye. However, an infrared CCTV camera has a specialized infrared lens that can see thermal energy and relays it to you on the monitor for human eyes to see.

So despite an area being completely dark, or if it is blindingly lit, it won’t matter since thermal imaging does not depend on light. It depends on the thermal energy emitted.

There are two kinds of thermal imaging cameras. One is the uncooled and the other is cooled. Most thermal imaging cameras are uncooled. However, high end cameras use the uncooled technology. This is a complex form of technology that cools the camera so it can be more sensitive to thermal energy and be more sensitive in detecting them.

The second kind of infrared CCTV camera uses infrared LED (light-emitting diode) technology. Like thermal energy, infrared is invisible to the naked eye. In dark settings, a camera with infrared LEDs will project infrared towards a specific area it wants to light up. The camera uses a specialized lens to see the infrared light, so you will be able to view images even in complete darkness via the camera’s monitor. With the naked eye, the area projected with infrared will still remain dark. However, if viewed from the monitor, images are visible, but will be in black and white. It works like a search light similar to those in use in prisons.

These cameras work great when doing surveillance at night, or in dark places like bank vaults or your basement. You can save money by turning off the lights after hours and your infrared camera can still see perfectly for you. Truly, these cameras can provide you around-the-clock protection.