Subscriber Discussion

Low Light Camera Problem - Domes Getting Glare Back From The Dome

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Sep 04, 2017

Project is a large residence, 10,000+ square feet with an existing Luma camera system (Hik OEM?). We were called in to add cameras in the rear, and resolve the issues with the current cameras having poor performance at night.

 

I believe the primary issue is they are domes and they are getting glare back from the dome. I did not really get a good look at the night videos, and didn't have a chance to download. I am thinking of trying out some Starlights from Dahua, as we do a lot of Dahua.

 

I also reached out to the local Axix rep regarding another project, waiting on a call back. Axis have anything that may work?

 

The other twist is we may replace the recorders with a server based VMS such as Milestone since the client mentioned analytics and remote monitoring from a monitoring company.

 

 

U
Undisclosed #2
•Sep 04, 2017
IPVMU Certified

I believe the primary issue is they are domes and they are getting glare back from the dome.

From integrated IR?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Sep 04, 2017
In reply to Undisclosed #2

yes from the the IR.

 

We opened a new office and have 3 domes set up outside. Now that I see those cameras at night often, I see the issues with IR and domes.

 

 

JH
John Honovich
•Sep 04, 2017
IPVM
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

#1, which model domes are having issues with glare? Can you share any images so we can see what you mean and how bad it is?

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Sep 04, 2017

 

 

Parking lot night

 

 

Side driveway night

 

 

Side Driveway day

 

 

Parking lot day

 

 

The side driveway at night is pretty much useless. That camera was just mounted so I have to assume the dome is clean but I need to get someone to check it. 

 

The parking lot has some haze to it as well.

 

These are from our office. We just put them up and ran 3 spares to the parking lot cam location so we can mount up to 4 cameras there for side by side testing.

 

The other issue is these two domes tend to go to B/W during the day.

 

These are Dahua 4MP fixed lens domes. One is probably the HDBW4431

 

 

The client we are working with will have zero ambient lighting in the backyard.It is 150' + from the house to the back fence line, trees along property line, etc. Pretty dark.

 

He really just wants to know if someone comes onto the property. I wonder if a thermal camera would be a better option?

 

 

JH
John Honovich
•Sep 04, 2017
IPVM
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

I wonder if a thermal camera would be a better option?

Thermal may work well but the price increase is going to be roughly ~10x conventional cameras so I doubt that's economical.

zero ambient lighting in the backyard

Non-IR 'super low light' cameras are likely to work poorly in such environments (unless it is photography sensor cameras which are similar to thermal in pricing).

That said, integrated IR cameras should generally be able to handle such scenes fine. My gut feel is to try other integrated IR cameras, whether it is Hikvision EXIR ones or Axis M series ones, etc., they likely will resolve that imaging problem without having to spend thousands per camera on thermal, etc.

U
Undisclosed #2
•Sep 04, 2017
IPVMU Certified
In reply to John Honovich

My gut feel is to try other integrated IR cameras.

In particular, look at the turret style dome, it has a significant IR advantage over normal domes in that it typically has a ring surrounding the lens that goes thru the glass completely, which minimizes light traveling sideways via total internal reflection.

Similar to a bullet in this respect.

Dome Versus Turret Camera Usage Statistics 2017

Turrets Vs Domes? Different? Pros And Cons?

 

Avatar
Fredrik Ahlsen
•Sep 04, 2017
In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1

Check out the new Thermal hybrid camera (TPC-BF2120) from Dahua. Price is really good. Only thing is that you need to make a larger sunscreen/rainshield to prevent rain from hitting the lens of the thermal camera. If you do that the camera performance is great.

 

For visual cameras here are some things that can help:

Disable internal IR light.

Get a good low light camera with a large image sensor (1/1.9”)

Use external IR light.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #3
•Sep 04, 2017

I had an issue with the reflection of the IR once upon a time... turns out the tech had lost a piece that goes inside the camera.  This piece functions was to keep the reflection from bouncing back.  I replaced the piece and solved the issue.  Not sure if that's what is happening here.  The first photo also looks like you need to clean the dome off.  I use a lint-free cloth to wipe the oils from our handling the camera off the dome.  Works great.

You might want to check the Dahua camera settings for the B/W issues.  Seems to be set incorrectly imho.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #4
•Sep 04, 2017

Use turret cameras with the separate IR like LTS.

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
•Sep 04, 2017

For our really bad camera, we will take a look at the dome. I need to get a tech here as we do not keep any ladders here.

 

I am also going to talk to my vendor tomorrow about getting us a couple cameras to try out.

 

It does not look like the Dahua thermal camera is available here in North America, at least not on the NA site. I do see them if I choose the International site.

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