By Rob Kilpatrick, Published Jun 24, 2019, 09:53am EDT
Hikvision says their new ColorVu line captures "vivid chromatic images in darkness", with unconventional white light illuminations whereas most cameras use infrared.
To see how these new models perform, we bought and tested the DS-2CD2347G1-L, examining:
How good are details using the white light LED in the dark?
How do details compare without the LED?
Does it overexpose people in the scene?
Can it replace an outdoor light?
How does bandwidth compare to typical Hikvision turrets?
We've used the LTS version for about a month or so and found the results to be incredible thus far; especially when matched against comparable mini-dome versions w/ "Matrix IR " in poor weather conditions.
Attached you'll find a screenshot of (3) mini-domes compared to (1) 24/7 color cam on the same lot taken at the same time (~3 AM) just after a rainstorm with zero ambient lighting.
Interesting to see that the Hikvision version has a few more options available as it relates to controlling the behavior of the LED lights within the GUI...pretty neat. Don't recall the LTS versions having those features.
Not sure what you are inferring; this particular dealership cannot leave lot lighting on past 9 PM, so aside from light provided by the cam itself, it's pretty much pitch black out there.
#1 is alluding to the light in the background of the scene.
I am sure it's dark there but, for camera purposes, it makes a difference if the lux level is 0.1 or 0.5 or 1 or 2, etc. Visibly, all of them can subjectively be described as dark but, to a camera, it can make a dramatic difference in performance.
this particular dealership cannot leave lot lighting on past 9 PM
Can you clarify here? If that dealership cannot leave lot lightning on, how is it allowed to leave the white light illuminators of the camera on? Am I missing something here?
#1 is alluding to the light in the background of the scene.
I am sure it's dark there but, for camera purposes, it makes a difference if the lux level is 0.1 or 0.5 or 1 or 2, etc. Visibly, all of them can subjectively be described as dark but, to a camera, it can make a dramatic difference in performance.
Ahh, of course...didn't assume someone would have taken that initial description so literally ;) But yes, obviously "light in the background" will help any camera out; low light cams especially. In most every situation our customer lots typically provide at least decent area lighting to help even further...that's primarily what I was referring to as our typical source of "ambient" light. In this instance though, that unfortunately isn't possible.
Can you clarify here? If that dealership cannot leave lot lightning on, how is it allowed to leave the white light illuminators of the camera on? Am I missing something here?
Lighting from a handful of cameras is much less than the 40k+ lumen area lights that previously illuminated the entire lot. Given a new amendment to city code, this particular dealership is no longer allowed to produce a "nuisance" level of lighting...luckily the camera powered LEDs fell well under that threshold.
...so aside from light provided by the cam itself, it's pretty much pitch black out there.
you could, (if you have remote access and you’re motivated), turnoff the led for a moment and take a snapshot. if there is no lighting illuminating the lot except for that from the cam, then we should still see the halo of distant lights but a black parking lot.
As mentioned, the LTS GUI does not provide access to manually control the LED.
I managed to capture a few different screenshots at various shutter speeds though (doubt that's as helpful) with 1/12 being the cams default setting...pics taken at ~11:30 PM.
As mentioned, the LTS GUI does not provide access to manually control the LED.
Perhaps you can just set (temporarily) the daytime image settings to be the same as the night, and then force daytime.
Normally, you would also have to consider the effect of the IR CUT filter, but I would expect it’s not switchable anyway, and always on, though I’m not positive.
@Ethan, what do you think about the IR CUT filter, always on or?
we just got these in and I have been testing them and they are insane. Very impressed with the low light ability. Here is my driveway AT MIDNIGHT with absolutely no lighting other than the moon light. Granted, its almost a full moon but this is crazy! (this is with the supplemental light turned OFF)
The AcuSense line has models with a strobe and audio alert which you can activate on event. We have one of these on order, but it's taking awhile to ship. I expect to test it in September.
There are also some models overseas with blue and red lights, but not sure if they're coming to the US or not. Video here:
We've added a demo video to the report more clearly showing the effects of the white light illuminator being turned on and off in a nearly pitch dark scene (~0.01-0.02 lux):
I appreciate these tests but I think your point of "aim" is not valid -- the LED is not the salient feature. The advantage of the ColorVU cameras is that they work very well in very dim (or better) night lighting. The LED light is more of an "emergency" feature. In outdoor urban installations, there are very few locations with no ambient light (streetlights, signs, porch lights, etc).
I've installed about 50 of these and everyone loves them. I don't think there is a single installation in which the camera actually uses the on-board LED light. Yes, it is good to see the performance in a totally dark warehouse -- but a more meaningful test would be to evaluate ColorVU cameras in real-life, outdoor urban areas where they are truly a useful and effective technology.
Yes, I understand. But I would install these ColorVU's even without a working LED for most locations. Most users don't even realize that the white LED is there. They never see it operate. The LED is just an add-on, not a main feature when these are used in outdoor locations. (I also just installed some in a bar -- when they turn the lights out, the cameras still work well with the light coming from the cooler, the beer signs, and POS system. )
Second gen ColorVu is now out and has even better low light performance AND 2nd gen Acusense analytics as well. They even have a 4MP dome without illuminator and it's excellent at night, also has a built-in mic (DS-2CD2147).
Just for the record as I realize that others may read this in the future: The actual cameras I've been using (and described) were LTS versions. LTS calls these low-light cameras "Color24/7" (HK calls them "ColorVU"). I think they are identical but I'm not sure.
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Comments (27)
Matthew Del Salto
06/24/19 04:12pm
Does the big white light serve as a deterent as well?
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Undisclosed #1
Also
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Undisclosed Integrator #2
What about the advantage of white light not attracting flies and therefore spider webs? Does the white light help in this regard?
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Undisclosed Integrator #3
We've used the LTS version for about a month or so and found the results to be incredible thus far; especially when matched against comparable mini-dome versions w/ "Matrix IR " in poor weather conditions.
Attached you'll find a screenshot of (3) mini-domes compared to (1) 24/7 color cam on the same lot taken at the same time (~3 AM) just after a rainstorm with zero ambient lighting.
Interesting to see that the Hikvision version has a few more options available as it relates to controlling the behavior of the LED lights within the GUI...pretty neat. Don't recall the LTS versions having those features.
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Sean Nelson
08/12/19 06:04pm
we just got these in and I have been testing them and they are insane. Very impressed with the low light ability. Here is my driveway AT MIDNIGHT with absolutely no lighting other than the moon light. Granted, its almost a full moon but this is crazy! (this is with the supplemental light turned OFF)
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Ethan Ace
We've added a demo video to the report more clearly showing the effects of the white light illuminator being turned on and off in a nearly pitch dark scene (~0.01-0.02 lux):
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Undisclosed Integrator #5
I appreciate these tests but I think your point of "aim" is not valid -- the LED is not the salient feature. The advantage of the ColorVU cameras is that they work very well in very dim (or better) night lighting. The LED light is more of an "emergency" feature. In outdoor urban installations, there are very few locations with no ambient light (streetlights, signs, porch lights, etc).
I've installed about 50 of these and everyone loves them. I don't think there is a single installation in which the camera actually uses the on-board LED light. Yes, it is good to see the performance in a totally dark warehouse -- but a more meaningful test would be to evaluate ColorVU cameras in real-life, outdoor urban areas where they are truly a useful and effective technology.
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Undisclosed Integrator #5
Just for the record as I realize that others may read this in the future: The actual cameras I've been using (and described) were LTS versions. LTS calls these low-light cameras "Color24/7" (HK calls them "ColorVU"). I think they are identical but I'm not sure.
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