Night Vision IR Camera Technology

Night vision technology has been around for approximately 50 years. The early night vision devices consisted of nothing more than an infrared spotlight and a photosensitive receiver to pick up its reflected beams; the vision quality was very poor. The next version enhanced the reception of passive IR emissions and followed with adding a micro channel plate, which multiplied the efficiency of the electron-photon conversion. The current version, which is utilized today by military and law enforcement agencies, has much better resolution and sensitivity.

Night vision cameras are very sensitive to thermal-infrared emissions and amplify them, converting a specific measurement of the invisible wavelength into an image on your monitor. Night vision cameras use technology known as image enhancement or image intensification.

Night vision cameras contain lenses that sense light at a higher frequency than thermal-infrared, any light from the more reflective infrared wavelengths to the barely visible red wavelengths. The light's photons are converted to electrons and amplified through a component called the photocathode. The electrons are then converted back into photons to produce a strong visible image on your camera's screen.

Ambervision I

By saturating an area with reflective infrared light, WTI’s night vision IR cameras (Ambervision I, II, LR and 940) create images with tremendously clear and crisp detail. Lighting up an area with both infrared and invisible infrared (AV-940) light greatly improves night vision in black and white.

To see WTI’s Ambervision I in action in both daytime and nighttime – check out this short clip on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXqaYJ1Adhw.

Lux rating refers to the minimum illumination in which the camera can pick up an image. The closer the Lux rating is to zero, the better the camera's performance in nighttime or low-light situations. WTI’s color day/night cameras with infrared LEDs can see at zero Lux, meaning the cameras can see in complete darkness. Other color day/night cameras WTI offers, like the Sidewinder (360 degree pan, 360 degree tilt, 35Xs Optical zoom cameras) and the C-MAX Ultra (fixed, 22Xs, 23Xs and 35Xs Optical zoom cameras), can see at 0.01 Lux.

Sidewinder

C-MAX Ultra

To see WTI’s Sidewinder in action in both daytime and nighttime – check out this short clip on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loH1z4WlBhA.

Color day/night cameras will automatically switch to black and white at night for optimum performance in a low light situation and switch back to color once the light level is adequate.

A night vision camera’s range is limited by the amount of reflected IR light it can detect. WTI’s Ambervision I has a range of 100 meters, the AV-LR (Long Range) 200 meters, the AV-II 21 meters, and the AV-940 has a range of 80 meters. Weather conditions affect the range as well. By adding extra infrared illumination, you can increase your camera's range.

WTI is an American (veteran) owned company that is ISO 9001:2000 certified and all of Wireless Technology, Inc.’s cameras are made right here in the USA. For more information or to see our complete line of CCTV and Wireless solutions, please visit us at http://www.gotowti.com.

~Lester Miyasaki, National Sales Manager

Decision: Analog or Megapixel?

Megapixel cameras have come a long way in the last few years. Many articles and technical documents reflect a general consensus that the future will be all megapixel cameras.

This is indeed the latest trend and a very likely future… a distant future.

Analog cameras have been around much longer and have a distinct maturity in product offerings. This is seen in variety as well as initial cost to purchase and install. Analog has a proven track record of reliability along with a very large and established install base. This install base reflects an investment that most are not willing to part with until the life of the unit has run its course and the time has come for it to be replaced.

Granted: IP based video systems are here and consideration of network integration for video surveillance and services is a must. Megapixel camera technology is still developing and growing. However, to maintain the existing video investment, many will implement an encoder at the analog video camera to create an IP based camera. Many will simply change the DVR to create an IP based access point for all the analog cameras.

Megapixel or analog is not a choice that needs to be made for the entire system.

The beauty of the megapixel camera trend at the edge of the video network is that it does give more choices in coverage and surveillance options when building new or enhancing an existing video system.

There is a definite place for megapixel cameras in many (and most) surveillance installations. The decision for this should be considered on a camera-by-camera basis with specific regard for what is being monitored, recorded, and recalled for viewing or video evidence purpose.

The general market still indicates analog to be the predominant camera of choice (reference Summary section on page 8 of Analog vs. IP Cameras):

http://www.aventuratechnologies.com/newsletter/DOCS/Aventura_Newsletter_02_Analog_vs_IP_Cameras.pdf

In repeat of a previous blog…
Be it a completely new video network or an update/extension/replacement of an existing video network, the end result that balances function, finance, video coverage, and video storage/recall will very likely be a hybrid video system which contains BOTH analog cameras and megapixel IP cameras.

** Try this live outdoor analog camera connected to an encoder **
http://www.gotowti.com/Info/WTI_SidewinderInternetDemo09.pdf



The following reading is recommended before deciding analog or megapixel:

1.) Choosing Analog or IP Camera Systems for Video Surveillance (CCTV) theCgisite.com (overview of considerations needed to make decision on a camera-by-camera basis):
http://www.thecgisite.com/detail/choosing-analog-or-ip-camera-systems-for-video-surveillance-cctv-35.html

2.) Megapixel Video for D.U.M.I.E.S. – Part 1 of 4 Security Sales & Integration (good coverage of megapixel video technology):
http://www.securitysales.com/resources/SS3dumies.pdf

3.) The difference between HD and megapixel surveillance cameras IP Security Watch (insightful perspective for 2009 HD versus megapixel):
http://www.ipsecuritywatch.com/web/online/IPSW-News/The-difference-between-HD-and-megapixel-surveillance-cameras/512$14934

4.) Megapixel Resolution Comparison Chart PULS Global (basic spec comparisons of megapixel cameras from a camera distributor):
http://www.puls-global.com/megapixel-cctv.htm

5.) The Truth about Megapixel Network Camera Technology Security International (perspective from a megapixel manufacturer):
http://www.security-int.com/categories/megapixel-network-camera-technology/the-truth-about-megapixel-network-camera-technology.asp

~David Scales, Chief Technology Officer

Decision: Analog or IP camera?

There is (and has been) a core industry shift moving everything to the network. It has been going on for quite some time. First data, then voice, now… the “eyes” have it!

Inevitably, ALL information will be on some type of IP based network. The clear choice is an IP camera. That was easy. Done!

Wait… as with anything, both analog and IP cameras have pros and cons.

The physical “eyes” collecting video: choose an analog video camera or an IP video camera? Even with a background in CCTV or networking, being faced with this question can be overwhelming.

In an effort to save time in discovery (of technical and cost information) and allow for an informed balance in the functional and financial decisions required when it comes to choosing analog cameras and/or IP cameras… the following is recommended reading:

1) Analog vs. IP Cameras Aventura Technologies:
(conveys great background information on both technologies with comparisons)
http://www.aventuratechnologies.com/newsletter/DOCS/Aventura_Newsletter_02_Analog_vs_IP_Cameras.pdf

2) Analog Video: Still King of the Hill? SecurityInfoWatch.com:
(a well-rounded perspective)
http://www.securityinfowatch.com/print/Security-Technology-Executive/Features/Analog-Video--Still-King-of-the-Hill-/19292SIW2

3) IP video surveillance standards Video/Imaging DesignLine:
(more insight towards IP future and further in-depth description of IP video capability)
http://www.videsignline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=214502036&cid=NL_vidl

4) Basic search on term “Analog vs. IP” – the results reveal first hand experiences and choices made from education facilities to further technical papers on this subject. Note: over 26 million results from a standard search.

Be it a completely new video network or an update/extension/replacement of an existing video network, the end result that balances function, finance, video coverage, and video storage/recall will very likely be a hybrid video system which contains BOTH analog cameras and IP cameras.

~David Scales, Chief Technology Officer

Building a Sidewinder Series ~ Part 1: Hydrophilic Glass

Building a Sidewinder Series ~ The Technology of WTI’s Sidewinder Camera:



Part 1: Hydrophilic Glass

The latest in glass technology are “self-cleaning” and “low-maintenance” window glass, two categories which encompass window glass products that are coated or fused with titanium dioxide (TiO2) alone or with under-layers or silicon dioxide (SiO2).

CVD (Chemical Vapor Disposition) is the process of choice due to the inherent longevity of fusing TiO2 to the glass. TiO2 was chosen for use on WTI’s Sidewinder camera for its combined photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties.


Hydrophilicity – This term describes the property of a surface that makes it have an affinity for water. When water hits hydrophilic glass, it flattens and spreads out to form a thin sheet on the glass surface. This sheeting action not only helps rinse away loosened dirt and other organic material it also minimizes spots and streaks by helping the glass dry more quickly and evenly.

A glass surface is considered to be hydrophilic if the contact angle of a water bead on its surface is less than 20 degrees. In contrast, a hydrophobic surface (which promotes beading like that of a freshly waxed automobile) has a contact angle of more than 60 degrees. The contact angle on ordinary glass measures 20-40 degrees.


Photocatalysis – This term describes the property of a surface which allows it to decompose organic material. On a self-cleaning window, the surface of the glass will help break down loose dirt and other organic material. This allows the sheeting action of the water to more easily rinse loosened dirt away. This property also helps the glass maintain its hydrophilicity (ability to sheet water).





For more information on the Sidewinder camera, please visit us on the web at http://www.gotowti.com/.