Night Vision Capabilities in High Resolution Security Cameras: Monitoring in Low Light Conditions | All Security Equipment

A high-resolution security camera is valued for the crisp images and video footage it provides. However, in dark and low-light conditions, a high-resolution camera is not enough. It needs to have the functionality of a night vision camera to deliver optimum performance.

Security cameras, especially modern ones, are equipped with special features to help them function even without visible light. A high-resolution security camera system that includes night vision can record high-quality images regardless of light conditions.

Clear imagery is a must in the surveillance system. Choose a reliable night vision camera from All Security Equipment’s collection.

How Does a Night Vision Camera Work?

A night vision camera uses special sensors to capture video with little to no ambient light. Regardless of its environment, a high-resolution security camera with night vision is still functional.

Night vision cameras can easily switch from color to black and white. Color night vision is great with little ambient light. When the lighting conditions drop to pitch darkness, black and white is the ideal option.

Traditional night vision cameras illuminate their surroundings with an infrared light or IR LED. The light reflected off is captured by the camera sensors to produce an image. Color night vision utilizes a more sophisticated sensor to capture images in full color.

What Are High Resolution Security Cameras?

Before learning more about these night vision features, it is best to understand what a high-resolution security camera system is.

Camera resolution refers to the quality and level of detail of the image that the camera can capture. Not all security cameras are the same, and one of the basic features that sets them apart is their resolution.

Resolution is measured by pixels, the squares that make up the entire image. Traditional security camera systems do away with 720p CCTV resolutions. You can find most modern IP camera models starting with 2MP full HD to 8MP or Ultra HD 4K security camera resolutions.

4k cameras have a high dynamic range and support a wide gamut of colors. These high resolution security cameras may also have switchable infrared or IR filters for day and night efficiency.

They also have optical or digital zoom features that allow you to look more closely into those finer details when high video quality and local storage aren’t enough and you need a security DVR or cloud storage to accommodate the files.

Four Types of Night Vision Security Cameras

A high-resolution security camera uses different night vision features for low-light monitoring. Presently, four main types of night vision cameras use different technologies for unique applications in various scenarios.

1. IR Night Vision

IR night vision is the most commonly used technology in many home security cameras. These outdoor cameras are equipped with infrared LEDS or IR illuminators. The IR lights are invisible to the human eye and can only be detected by the camera sensor. They also produce monochrome images because the camera relies solely on the IR LED.

IR night vision is ideal for general surveillance purposes and can be used in both indoor and outdoor security cameras.

2. Starlight Night Vision

Starlight cameras offer better night image quality than IR night vision. With the right backlighting, starlight security cameras will provide clear colored images. At a certain threshold, they will use an IR cut filter that automatically switches the camera into night mode when it detects low light.

Starlight can hold to colored images longer than infrared but needs minimal light to function well. High resolution security cameras with starlight night vision are ideal in outdoor locations with little ambient light.

3. Color Night Vision

Color night vision technology is an advanced security camera feature. It uses highly sensitive sensors and image processing to produce full-color images and video footage, even in low light. These security cameras often have large sensors, specialized lenses, and advanced signal processing to achieve color vision under low light conditions.

A color night vision security camera can be used in settings constantly shrouded in low light. It is useful when used as evidence for authority to determine the color of the car or clothes of the intruder.

4. Thermal Night Vision

Instead of using light for illumination, thermal night vision utilizes heat for animal and human detection. The camera’s thermal imager picks up heat signatures and can detect intrusion through obstructions, smoke, fog, or complete darkness.

A thermal night vision camera captures the temperature profile and displays it as a thermal image of the heat map. Thermal vision cameras are often used for surveillance and monitoring of warehouses and other facilities.

What to Look for in High Resolution Security Camera With Night Vision

The type of night vision camera you need depends on the application it will be used.

The traditional IR CCTV system is already good enough for nighttime and low-light conditions in outdoor use. If you want crisp details, a high-quality color night vision works best, although it can also prove to be a little costly.

Starlight cameras are useful, but you should expect them to switch to infrared when the visible light gets lower. Thermal imaging surveillance cameras, on the other hand, are good for intrusion detection in low-traffic areas.

Regardless of the type of night camera, these few more features may be useful in ensuring high-quality security footage.

Camera Resolution. High-resolution security cameras are guaranteed to produce clear images. A good camera resolution also allows the images to be zoomed in without a significant loss in image quality. Choose an IP camera system with at least 1080p to 4K resolution for sharp footage.

Field of View. The field of view refers to the area that a camera can cover. Basically, the wider the camera’s field of view, the wider the span of the horizon it covers. Some fixed security cameras cover about 100 degrees of field of view. Other IP cameras, like the PTZ, have a pan-tilt-zoom motion that can capture 360-degree horizontal and 90-degree vertical views.

Range of Night Vision. The range for night vision cameras depends on the lens, sensor, and the size and number of IR LED lights. A high resolution camera may have an IR range of about 65 to 100 feet and up to 500 feet in some high-end IP cameras.

Motion Detection. The camera can record footage once it detects motion or activity. Using passive infrared (PIR), it also assesses temperature changes like the thermal night vision camera. Body heat and motion will trigger the camera to start recording to capture significant activities.

Smart Features. Most modern high resolution security cameras come with advanced features that enhance their functionality. They may have real-time alerts that send push notifications from the camera security system to a connected device when it detects activities. They also allow unique monitoring and can be integrated into a smart home ecosystem like Google Home.

Why Get a Night Vision Security Camera?

A good-quality, high-resolution night vision camera plays a pivotal role in securing your property. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor security camera, it is beneficial for many reasons.

  • Active Deterrence. The sight of a CCTV camera can be enough to deter a potential crime. Some night vision cameras have flashing lights and alarm monitoring, which are active measures in preventing intrusions.
  • Continuous Surveillance. A night vision camera ensures that your property is monitored around the clock, regardless of the time and weather.
  • Instead of installing multiple lights, install a wide-angle and high resolution night vision camera system. It not only keeps an eye on your property but can also lower utility bills with its low electric consumption compared to conventional lights.
  • A night vision camera, particularly full-color night vision, can provide binding evidence when needed. High-resolution security cameras are reliable in providing crucial details that may go unnoticed by the human eye under a low-light setting. They even recognize license plates, faces and other critical information at a distance and can be zoomed in for clearer details.

Gain More Peace of Mind With Night Vision Cameras

Give yourself peace of mind by installing or retrofitting your CCTV system with a reliable security camera from All Security Equipment.

ASE brings you a wide range of options for high resolution security cameras with different night vision technologies for your specific needs. We have bullet cameras, dome cameras, IP cameras and IP video system cameras that are right for your home and property.

Don’t hesitate to contact us today for more product information, warranty information and other service needs.

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