For all the CCTV experts: issues with night-viewing on a fresh CCTV install

[minc3d]

Hey guys,

For those who know their CCTV equipment, I've got a question for you all. I just recently helped a friend install a 4 camera CCTV system on a residential home connected to a Q-SEE DVR unit. Everything is working great except for the image we are getting at night due to a what seems to be issue with conflicting light off the built in IR LEDs and natural light from the home's front lamp post and exterior lights. This issue only affects two of the 4 cameras and all work FINE during the daytime, so the cameras are physically just fine.

The cameras we purchased are these 1/3" HR 0 LUX dome cameras with Sony CCDs: http://www.gadspot.com/p-69-gs640b.aspx

The DVR is the following by QSEE: http://www.buy.com/prod/q-see-qt428...video-recorder-h-264/q/loc/101/217152028.html

First camera: views the entire lawn and seems to be "washed out" in a strong white tint, presumably from too much IR overexposure. There is a lamppost in sight that is on most of the night, and we believe the lighting from each source are causing this.

Second camera: views the driveway but it placed close to a large tree that is in focus and covers about 1/3 of the camera screen. At night, the tree is constantly lit by the IR LEDs and there is no other focus other than the tree that stands there in front of the camera.

Is there any way to adjust the cameras so that the IR LEDs do not come on so we can get a proper clean image at night? During the day, all 4 feeds are just fine and without issue. Thanks everyone!

 

[732914TECH]

i believe you would have to get different cameras with less IR lights on them, i dont think there is a way to limit which ones are used.

 

[mjbasford]

sounds like bad camera placement. Cameras near outdoor lighting are notorious for poor performance at night.

I would recommend 2 things, try the first, if it doesn't work, try the second.

1. Move the cameras further away from the light source (any direction) and try to aim slightly more away from them if possible.

2. Worst Case: buy nicer cameras and do #1 , personally i recommend Wiz Kid WZ16 pricey, but very good cameras.

edit:: Also, looked at the camera a little harder, the documentation i can find is very limited, but looks like their is no ir adjustment on there. crack the camera open (if able to)and look around for a POTS switch, that's how many cameras let you adjust the sensitivity level

 

[minc3d]

We solved the problems with just adjusting the brightness/contrast on each camera with issues and the customer is happy. It was just a matter of some simple tweaking.