What's the secret to high quality night time images?

Question

My daytime pics are OK but the nighttime pics are terribly grainy likea NASA moon landing.My current setup includes a standalone DVR set to maximum possiblerecording quality which is 720 X 480 at 30 IPS, divided by fourchannels = 7.5 IPS per channel.All of my cameras are color 1/4" CCD, 380 lines with IR LEDs.The cable runs to the cameras are 50-75 feet each.The highest quality weatherproof cameras I've seen available are 1/3"CCD, 420 line.  How much of an improvement would these be over myexisting cams?  And how many lines can you get on a 720 X 480?  Mymanual skips this fact.My dream camera is a weatherproof, adjustable 4-50mm remote zoomcontrol camera with auto iris, auto focus, and a 250 foot IR range andprovides crystal clear night time images guaranteed or triple yourmoney back.  It remains pie in the sky and criminals remain loose,wild, and free.I may not get my dream camera but there must be some middle groundthat's better than a '67 moon landing.  Ideas? Pokey.

Frank Olson · Accepted Answer

You won't get good low light performance from most color cameras (even with the IR illuminators). I think it's Sanyo that makes a colour/black&white camera that switches between modes automatically when the light level falls below a certain threshold (and visa-versa). You might be better off improving the quality of the scene lighting. Some good Halide lamps for instance...

J. · Answer

try

Matt Ion · Answer

J.  On Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:40:29 GMT, Frank OlsonAnd keep in mind, the main criteria you're looking at is the 'lux' rating, which tells you the least level of light the camera is sensitive to - the smaller the number, the better.Also, when you're looking for a lens to go with it, look for something with the widest aperture (lowest f-stop number) you can find - it'll cost more and be somewhat bulkier, and you'll probably have to go with a fixed focal length rather than a zoom to get the best results, but the more light the lens lets through, the better your picture (you do lose some depth of field this way though, so focus will be become really tricky).Or you could just go with a buncha motion-activated flood lights.

Matt Ion · Answer

Further to my previous post, this site has a really good "Lens SelectionGuide"...

Pokey · Answer

Thanks, their products look great and I've been trying to get them to tell me just exactly how to buy something from them. They do not actually sell anything and would not release the name of any sales outlets without first contacting me via phone. They apparently have some kind of strange tightly controlled monopoly on night vision technology. I am awaiting their call.

Pokey.

Jose · Answer

I seriously doubt thatI am awaiting their call.

J. · Answer

Like most manufacturers in this industry, they don't sell to end-users. I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying so, but any corporate ADT branch can sell you their equipment through the normal core commercial channel. 1-800-adt-asap.

Jim · Answer

Jeeeeeze .....what a masochist!One more little tidbit to help endear you and ole ADT to the hearts ofinstallers everywhere.

Nomen Nescio · Answer

"Gee, where should I buy my parts?  Should I buy direct from ADT, or fromBass Home Electronics?  Decisions, decisions..."

Bob Worthy · Answer

They have about the same BBB rating.

Mark M. · Answer

Try Bosch Dinion cameras.

What's the secret to high quality night time images?

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