4 Biggest Low Light Problems

Author: Brian Karas, Published on Oct 10, 2016

100 integrators told IPVM what their biggest problems were with low light images.

The most commonly cited themes were:

  • Limited IR Range
  • Uneven Coverage
  • Image Noise
  • Cost vs Customer Expectations

In this report, we share dozens of integrator comments and analyze these most common problems.

*** *********** **** **** **** ***** ******* ******** **** **** low ***** ******.

*** **** ******** ***** ****** ****:

  • ******* ** *****
  • ****** ********
  • ***** *****
  • **** ** ******** ************

** **** ******, ** ***** ****** ** ********** ******** *** analyze ***** **** ****** ********.

[***************]

*****

******* **** ************ ** * ******** *** * ****** ******* integrators ********:

  • "***** ** **."
  • "**** ** ***** **** *** *****-** ** *******."
  • "***** / ******* ** *** ** *** *** **** ***** the ****** ** ** **** ** ***** **********."
  • "*** ** *** **** ******* ** * ******** *** **** tones ** **** **** ****** ****** ********* ******** ** ******** with **********."
  • "******** *** ** ***** ** **** ** ********** *** ***** on ******* ********."
  • "******** ** ******* *** ** *********'* ******** ****."
  • "*** ***** ***** ****** ******** ******* ** ********* ** *** greater ********* *** **. ******* *** **** *** ***** ** some **********. ***** ******* ***** ******* ** *********, ** **** directional ******* *** **** ***** ** ** *******."
  • "******** & ****"
  • "*** ***** *** ******** ** ***** *** ****** ** ********* usually *** *** ******* ******** *** ******. ** *** *****, the ***** ** * ******* ** ****."

**** ** ********** **** **** **** ********* ******, ***** ********* **** ******* **** *****-** **,**% ** ***** **** * ***** ** *** ** ****. 

Uneven ********

******* ** ***** **** **** ******** ** * *******, **** when *** ****** ** ***** * **** ********. *** ***** or **** ***** **** ****** ******:

  • "*** ***** - *** **** ********. ***** ******* *** ********** the ***** ** ********* *** - ******** *** ** **** out, **** **** *** ****** ** *** ***** *** ** provide **** **** ********. **** ***** *** ****** **'** **** with *** ** ******** ****** *** **** *** *** *******. When *** ******** ******** **** **** ********, ** ***** ******** emitters ** ******* *** *** *****."
  • "****-**** ** ** ******** ****** *** *** - **** ******* blown ***, ******* ******* *** *********** ******, ** ** ***."
  • "**** ********* ***** ** *****."
  • "***** ***** ************. ***** ** ****** *** ******* *** ***** drop ***. **** ******* ***** **** ********* ** ************."
  • "******** ****** *** ****** ** *** ** *** ** ****, of ******. ******** ** ***** ** ****** ***."
  • "**** ***** ** ** ******** *** *** **** ******* *** tough ** **** ****."
  • "******* *** *****-** ** ** ***** *** **** ** *** field ** ****, **** ***** ***** *** **** *****."

Image *****

***** ******, ***** **** ****** ** ********* *** ******* *****, is * ****** ********** **** ******** ** ****:

  • "***** *** *****, ****** ******** ***** ******* **** ********* ******** opposed ** ******** ************."
  • "******* ***** *** ***** *****. ********** **** *** * ******* shutter ***** ***** **** ****** *** ******** ** *** *****."
  • "*****, **** ********* **** ****** ** ***** *** *** *** light."
  • "**** ***** *** *** ******* *** *********. ****, ******** / washout ** ***** - ****** *** ***** *** **** *** washout ** *****."
  • "** *** *****, *** ***** ** * ******* ** ****."
  • "***** *****, **** ****** ********/******* ********, ** ** **** ****** set."
  • "***** ** *** *****."

Cost *** ******** ************

**********, **** ***-***** ****** ***** ** ****** ** ********** ****** high-power ******** ** ************, ******* ***** ******, ******* *** ******, or ******* ********. *** ******* ** *** ** ****, ***** approaches *** *** ********* ** ******* ** *** ******, *** customers *** ** ******* ** ******** **** *****. *********, ********* may ****** **** *********** **** ** *********, *** ** ******* to ******** **** ***** ** ******* *** *****. 

  • "**** ********* ***'* **** ** *** *** ******** **. **** get ******* ** ***** * **** *** *****-** ** *** then ****** **** *** ******* *** **** ******. ** * result, ** ***'* *** **** *** ****** *** ******* ** close ****** ** *** *** *** ***** ** *** ******. Headlights *** ***** ***** - ******** **** *** ***** *** camera ** *********** ****** ** *** "***" ***** ****** - also ******* **********."
  • "************* *** ***** ** **** ** *******, *** ******** *** expectation ** ***** ** **** * ****. *** ******* ******* is **** * ******** *****'* **** **** ** ** ** a ***** ** ******* ** *****, **** *** ************ ******* it's *** ** **** ** ****'* ***** ******* ******* ** to *** *** **** ********* ****** ** ** ******** ***********. When *** ******* *** ******** ** *****, ***** *** ** surprises *** ****'** ****** ** ***** **** *** ******* ** be ******* ** *** **** ** ** ****'* ******."
  • "********* ***** ****** ****** ***** *** ** *** *****-** ** than ** *********. ** ** ********* **** ** ** ***** 70 ** *** ***** *** **** ***** ****. **** *******, like *** ******* *****-******* (****+) **** **** ********* ***** ** lower ***** *** ****** ***** ****. ** * ****** ****** this *** *** **** ******* **********."
  • "*** ***** **** ** ****. **** ** *** ******** ******* to *** *** *** ****** ** ********* *** ************ ****** to *** **** ******** '**********'."
  • "**** - ********* ***** * **** *** ***** ******* *** not ******* ** *** *** ****** **/***** ***** ** ** it. ** **** ***** **** ***** ** ** ****** ********* and ******** ********** ***** *** ******. **** *** **** ************* pleasing ** **** * ******/******* ** ***** ** * ***** of * ******** ** * **** ****."  

Ultra *** ***** *******

** *********** ** ****** ** *** **** ***** ** * poorly *** ***** ** ** *** ******* ************ ********* *** these **********. **** *********** ********* **** ********:

  • "*** **** **** ******* ********* **** ******* ****** ** *** light."
  • "******** **, ****** ***-***** ************ (************, ***.), ****** *******, *** better *** **** **** **** ******, *** *** ****** ***** entire ******* ** ** ******* *** ****** *****, **** ** always ******."
  • "**** *****, ** *** ****** ******* **** *** ***** *******, such ** **** *********** ** ***** ************** ****, ****** **** adding *** ***** ** *****."

 

Comments (12)

Thumbnail marty2016

Marty Calhoun

IPVMU Certified | 10/10/16 02:51pm

*** **** * ******* ****** ***** ** **** ******** ** Low ***** ********* ** **** ****** ** *** ********* "**** fighter" *** ******* ** ******. **** **** ***** ** *** situation **** **** ***** *******.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Marty Calhoun | 10/11/16 09:45am

** *** *** ********* ************ **** ********** ** ** ***, usually?

Undisclosed #1

10/10/16 03:22pm

**********, **** ***-***** ****** ***** ** ****** ** ********** ****** high-power ******** ** ************, ******* ***** ******, ******* *** ******, or ******* ********. *** ******* ** *** ** ****, ***** approaches *** *** ********* ** ******* ** *** ******...

**** *** **** ***** ** ***********, *** ***** ** **** buy * ****** ** ***** ***** ******** ** ******* **** to *** ** ******** ************. *** ~ $***

Scott Sheldrake

10/10/16 03:36pm

**'* *** *** ****** ***** * ****** **** *****-** ** that ***** **** ********* ** *** **.* ***** ********* **** PoE (** *** ** ***** ** ***+). **** ** *** cameras * *** *** ****** * ***** ** *** ** 7 ***** ** ***** **** ** **. ** * **** this ** **** **** ** ******** * *****. **** ***** taking *** *-* ***** ***** ********* ** *** *** ****** more ** ** **** ******** **? *** *** ************ ***** this ******** **** *** **** **?

Thumbnail 3 14 2017 3 36 16 pm

Ernesto Pulido

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 10/10/16 03:52pm

** **** ***** ** *** ** **** ******* **** * heater/defroster/fan **** **** *** ********* *****.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

In reply to Ernesto Pulido | 10/10/16 03:55pm

*** ** ***.

*** *********** ******** ***** *** ******* *** *** *** ***+ (30watts). **** ***** *** ******** ** *****?

** ****** *** ******** ***** *** * ***** *** *** use *** (**.* *****). ** ******, ** ***. **** ***** the ******** * *****?

Thumbnail 3 14 2017 3 36 16 pm

Ernesto Pulido

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 10/10/16 04:00pm

* *****, **** ******* ** *** **** ***** ***** *********** and *** ** ********** *** *** ********* ************. * *** merely ******* *** *** ******* *** **** ** *** *** leftover ******* *** ** ************ *** ** ******** ***** **** enclosure/heater/fan.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 10/10/16 07:33pm

**'* *** *** ****** ***** * ****** **** *****-** ** that ***** **** ********* ** *** **.* ***** ********* **** PoE (** *** ** ***** ** ***+).

*. ***'** ***** *** ***** *******, *** ** ***** *********** *** ******** **** **.***. ***+ ** **** **.**.

*. **** ***** ***'* ** '***** **** ********* **' ******* additional **** ** **** ********* ****, ********** *****.

*. ****** ***** **** ********* ****/**** ** ********** ******* ** DC ****-****, **** **********.

*. **** ** ****** ********* ******** ****, ******** ********* ****** modification.

*. ****** ******, ** ******* ****** ****** ** ****** **** LEDS **** **.

Scott Sheldrake

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 10/10/16 08:06pm

***, *** *** *******, *** ****** *** ** **.** *** PoE+ ** **.*. ** *** ******** *******, *** ***** ******* that **** **** ********* ** *** **.** ** **.* ***** - * *****'* **** ***.

****** **** ***** ** ** ****** ******** ** ********** ***** to ** ************. ** *** ******* ****** *** ********* * market ******. *'* **** ********* *** * ******* *** ***** hasn't ********* **** ****** ***** (#*, #* #* *** #*) and ********** * ****** ****** **** ********* ** *** *** or ***+ ***** *********.

*** *******, **** *** *** ********** ***** **** **** * watts -** ***** ***** *** **.* ***** ***** ** ** LEDs *** **** ** * ***+ ******. **** ********* *** you ***'* *** **** *** *****. ***** **'* ****** ****?

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 10/10/16 08:24pm

*** *******, **** *** *** ********** ***** **** **** * watts -** ***** ***** *** **.* ***** ***** ** ** LEDs *** **** ** * ***+ ******. **** ********* *** you ***'* *** **** *** *****. ***** **'* ****** ****?

*****. *** ***** ***** ** *******. ** *** **** ** a ******* ******** *********** *****, ** *** * **** ****** surface **** *** *** **** **** ** ********* ********* **** a *********** ****/****** ******.

** ***** *** ********* *** **** ****** *******, *** **** seeing **** ** *****, ** ***** ****.

Luis Sadio

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 10/11/16 09:11am

***** ** * ************ **** *** ** *** *** **** good ********: ***.***********.**.**

Undisclosed Manufacturer #3

10/11/16 01:58pm

**** ** **** ***** *** *** **** **** ***** ** models ** ***-***** ** ******* *** *** ** ** ****** in ***. * ***** **** ** ****** *** **** ************.

**** *** ***** * ******* ***** ********* ** ******** ** hik ***********. * ** **** *** ***** ******. :)

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...
Favorite Request-to-Exit (RTE) Manufacturers 2018 on Sep 19, 2018
Request To Exit devices like motion sensors and lock releasing push-buttons are a part of almost every access install, but who makes the equipment...
Amazon Ring Spotlight Cam Tested on Sep 17, 2018
Amazon's Ring has released their latest camera entry, the Spotlight Cam, which we bought and tested in our Consumer IP Camera Analytics...
Favorite Intercom Manufacturers 2018 on Sep 14, 2018
Intercoms are certainly increasing in popularity, driven by the integration of video and IP networking. But who is the favorite? On the one side,...
Vivotek 4MP Camera Tested (FD8379-HV) on Sep 13, 2018
Next in our series of updated 4MP testing, we bought and tested Vivotek's FD8379-HV, and entry level 4MP model claiming "top-notch quality video in...
October 2018 Camera Course on Sep 13, 2018
Today is the last day to save $50 on the October 2018 Camera Course, register now. This is the only independent surveillance camera course,...
VMS Export Shootout - Avigilon, Dahua, Exacq, Genetec, Hikvision, Milestone on Sep 13, 2018
When crimes, accidents or problems occur, exporting video from one's video surveillance system is critical to proving incidents. But who does it...
Dahua Low-Cost 4MP Camera Tested (N44CL52) on Sep 10, 2018
4MP use continues to increase, especially in low-cost models, according to integrators in our 2018 Resolution Usage Statistics. We bought Dahua's...
Stanley Security Acquires 3xLogic, Kushner Becomes Product President on Sep 10, 2018
Stanley Security acquired 3xLogic a few months ago. However, the company has still not officially publicly announced it, leading many to wonder...
Hikvision Value Express IP Cameras Tested Poorly on Sep 05, 2018
Even lower cost Hikvision products? Their new Value Express line is marketed for applications where "budgets are limited and performance is...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Alexa Guard Expands Amazon's Security Offerings, Boosts ADT's Stock on Sep 21, 2018
Amazon is expanding their security offerings yet again, this time with Alexa Guard that delivers security audio analytics and a virtual "Fake...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2 on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
BluePoint Aims To Bring Life-Safety Mind-Set To Police Pull Stations on Sep 20, 2018
Fire alarm pull stations are commonplace but police ones are not. A self-funded startup, BluePoint Alert Solutions is aiming to make police pull...
SIA Plays Dumb On OEMs And Hikua Ban on Sep 20, 2018
OEMs widely pretend to be 'manufacturers', deceiving their customers and putting them at risk for cybersecurity attacks and, soon, violation of US...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...
Avigilon Announces AI-Powered H5 Camera Development on Sep 19, 2018
Avigilon will be showcasing "next-generation AI" at next week's ASIS GSX. In an atypical move, the company is not actually releasing these...
Favorite Request-to-Exit (RTE) Manufacturers 2018 on Sep 19, 2018
Request To Exit devices like motion sensors and lock releasing push-buttons are a part of almost every access install, but who makes the equipment...
25% China Tariffs Finalized For 2019, 10% Start Now, Includes Select Video Surveillance on Sep 18, 2018
A surprise move: In July, when the most recent tariff round was first announced, the tariffs were only scheduled for 10%. However, now, the US...
Central Stations Face Off Against NFPA On Fire Monitoring on Sep 18, 2018
Central stations are facing off against the NFPA over what they call anti-competitive language in NFPA 72, the standard that covers fire alarms....
Hikvision USA Starts Layoffs on Sep 18, 2018
Hikvision USA has started layoffs, just weeks after the US government ban was passed into law. Inside this note, we examine: The important...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact