You have probably seen night vision glasses in the movies. They are often used by allows a criminals whoa re out to wreck havoc on their victims in the dead of night. The glasses use high tech knowledge to allow the burglar to see in complete darkness. Well, that same technology can now be used to your benefit by helping you to see what is going on around your property, even when no visible light is available. Infrared security cameras can be a great asset to your surveillance program, allowing you or your security force to view the darkest areas of your property.
While most standard security cameras work wonderfully during the day and twilight hours, most simply do not offer a good (if any) picture during the darkest nighttime hours. Sometimes a shadow is visible, but rarely any type of clear picture. This can be dangerous since your security could be compromised during these darkened hours of the night, allowing predators’ access to your home or business.
Plus, if you own a home or business that features remote and hidden locations with little (if any) natural light sources, your traditional security cameras could be leaving you open to an intrusion – or worse. Dark stairwells, thick foliage covered outdoor areas and even darkened basements, garages and warehouse space may all be vulnerable spots in your security. This can be dangerous to your family or employees safety. So, what is the answer?
Infrared Cameras Work in Low and No Light Areas
Infrared security cameras offer a good option for these hard to see in areas. But, how do they work? Basically, infrared security cameras work by measuring the heat from a person or object and then using its longer wavelength to “see’ in the dark.
Since every object one earth emits some sort of infrared light and heat all of the time, this special kind of night vision can be used any where, regardless of the outside temperature, region, location or other external factors.
How Infrared Security Cameras Work
Using this basic philosophy, infrared security cameras are able to detect heat sources and see the infrared lighting being emitted by a person or object and record that movement all times of the day or night. When other light sources are available, the recording will appear to be in color, and when the area is completely dark, with no visible light source available, the images taken by the camera will appear in black and white on the monitoring screen and video. So, even if it completely black outside, your infrared security camera will be able to record what ever an intruder is doing simply by measuring their body’s natural infrared lighting.
By using LED lighting positioned outside of the camera lens, the camera can capture and record movements in the dark.
Don’t Confuse Infrared Cameras with Day/Night Cameras
When shopping for an infrared security camera, be careful not to confuse them with day/night cameras. Day night cameras do not use the infrared technology and therefore still need some sort of light to capture images on film; albeit they only need minimal lighting and therefore work well in dimly lit areas and rooms. In contrast, an infrared camera can work in absolute no light.
When trying to decide between a day/night security camera and an infrared one, consider the area in which you will be surveying. If there are times of the night when no light is visible (but you still need to see the area clearly), opt for an infrared security camera. While the image will appear in black and white on screen and film, it still will be visible. The better the camera, the clearer the picture will be. Areas that have dim or very low light may be better suited to a day/night camera.
Infrared security cameras can be quite expensive, and are generally not needed for securing the average home. Larger estates and businesses and/or warehouses, however may benefit from this type of night vision, especially if the property contains a lot of foliage and darkened areas where an intruder could enter the property. Be sure to talk with your security specialist to determine what types of infrared cameras (and how many of them) you will need to ensure that your entire property is being monitored in the way that makes you the most comfortable.
