How to choose the right security camera

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Admin

Many people possibly wonder what are the types of security cameras, and how can they tell which camera fits their specific needs, and which camera they want to install? Whether they want to have a whole system for their homes, business, or any available area of their properties or they just want to buy a signal camera. Users should be acquainted with security cameras, which are divided into genres, and they also should choose the suitable type that affords them the required and desirable results. How many rooms do you want to secure while managing the surveillance operation? Do you want to make a full-scale monitoring? What is the purpose of installing security cameras? And what is the needed quality for your scenes? To answer these questions, lets know more about these security devices, their features and uses.

 

Black and White security surveillance cameras are widely used in the security surveillance field. We carry all the top quality brand name equipment including B/W High Resolution SONYCCD 600lines, Appro B/W CCD, ATV, 570 with TVL, Computar ganz surveillance camera with varifocal lens, high sensitivity, Ikegamia low light high IR, KT&C normal resolution exview, super 600 TV lines mini CCD surveillance cameras, and LCL Watek, Panasonic, Pelco, and Sanyo high performance security cameras.

 

Infrared Security Cameras are designed for optimum security and especially increased protection at night. With Infrared Security Cameras, you can see in total darkness, and they are great cameras for extremely low or non-lighted areas. The Day Night Infrared Security surveillance equipment section contains a variety of high tech CCTV security surveillance cameras including Bullet and IR instrumentation. KT&C, VITEK, and Surveilux are only some of the brands we carry!

 

Dome Security Cameras are ideal for use in building entrances, stores, and shopping malls; in short, anywhere you want a ‘fashionable’ camera that is designed to blend into its surrounding environment then the Dome camera is the camera for you. Prettier and more appealing than its cousins, a Dome Camera offers high security and an increased surveillance capacity because of its non-invasive qualities. The Dome Security surveillance Cameras are a great way to achieve all your security surveillance needs in an effective way. The different kinds available are vandal proof exview high resolution, Sanyo day and night, Sony ruggedized day and night, Surveilux fixed lens, Vitek day/night vandal resistant dome, Vitek varifocal dome, indoor mini dome, dual voltage color surveillance cameras, auto iris camera lens, and alpha series indoor domes. Most CCTV security surveillance cameras are high resolution and of the best quality!

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Bullet Security Cameras are a special type of small and sleek camera that is ideal for both indoor and outdoor installation. Sealed in cylinders and totally protected, they are impermeable to water and are totally weatherproof. Mountable on the ceiling or on the wall, they provide sharp, detailed video images while maintaining low profile visibility and an unobtrusive presence. In the Bullet Security Cameras category, you can find a variety of high tech CCTV supplies for your personal needs. These include 520 TVL Bullet, Sony Exview CCD, KT&C B/W cylinder camera, color cylinder cameras, color night vision CCTV security systems, high resolution, vari-focal, waterproof, Marshall Electronics, Surveilux, and Vitek professional equipment.

 

Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) and Controllable Cameras are of the highest quality security surveillance cameras in the security surveillance field. PTZ and Controllable Cameras are designed to be controlled by remote or through a DVR. They have the ability to move up and down as well as right and left. You can pan, tilt, and zoom in or out. You have all the control you want over these cameras, and they provide excellent surveillance and security. We carry vital equipment such as Bosch AutoDome indoor CCTV security systems with optical zoom range varying from 26x to 18x and 12x digital zoom. We also carry envirodome day or night outdoor security cameras, COP-USA PTZ color high speed outdoor, optical and digital CCTV security systems. As well as wireless remote, Sony exview indoor speed dome PTZ. KT&C outdoor, speed dome, and super zoom. Other brand names include Toshiba and Samsung.

 

Hidden Security Cameras are concealed cameras that allow you discrete surveillance in places where it best suites you. These include Accel security EXIT sign black and white camera, alarm clock radio, Astrotel B&W purifier camera, black and white clock surveillance camera, smoke detector, discreet emergency light camera, mini ball, GE security PIR, and KJB book surveillance cameras.

 

Zoom Security surveillance Cameras section includes cameras that have the ability to zoom in on whatever you want to give you more visibility on specific objects. Examples include KT&C 18x power zoom, KT&C zoom color surveillance camera, and Sanyo super high resolution Day and Night Camera.

 

Mini, Board, and Covert Cameras: Just as they sound, mini cameras are small, tiny cameras that come in wireless options and can be used for increased discrete security. Board cameras are tiny mini cameras set in small, flat housing, and are also highly useful in situations calling for more security and extremely low visibility. A Covert Camera is just what it sounds like too. Like the mini and board cameras, covert cameras are intended for use for those that need increased security and a totally unobtrusive camera. The Board/Mini section contains miniature devices for all your monitoring needs. These include KT&C black and white borad cameras, super mini CCD 600 TVL surveillance cameras, color broad security cameras, high resolution color module CCTV security systems, LCL Watec, Vitek pinhole board security cameras, DSP color CCD board surveillance cameras, metal encased color as well as black and white security cameras.

 

Wireless Security cameras are very essential to the CCTV industry. These cameras serve a very practical purpose, they allow you to setup the camera wirelessly so you will not have to go through all the hassle that come along with wires and cables. This equipment includes KJB color wireless clock radio, Toshiba wireless network, videocomm 4 channel security system color pinhole cam and rx kit, and black and white pinhole surveillance cameras.

 

Dummy Security Cameras can also serve your security purposes. Fake security cameras, or dummy cameras, are non-functional surveillance cameras designed to fool intruders, or anyone who it is supposedly watching. Those cameras are intentionally placed in a noticeable place, so passing people notice them and believe the place to be monitored by CCTV. These include 1-800 Dummy surveillance cameras with AC adaptors, outdoor housing, Dummy surveillance cameras with no led, mini dome surveillance cameras, motion detector dummy security cameras, outdoor dummy housing, and VITEK Dummy dome surveillance cameras.

 

And finally, Web/ Storage Cameras are top quality, high resolution security equipment for your CCTV security surveillance system. They include BOSCH digital network surveillance cameras, crow memocam PIR security cameras with storage, JVC digital networks, IP addressable lan or web fixed surveillance camera system, Panasonic network monitoring or day/night video surveillance equipment, Sanyo digital surveillance CCTV camera system with built in hard disk, or video server. Color, lan/wan/internet options are also available.

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Security Camera Styles, Where, When, Why and Which Ones To Use

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Admin

Security cameras come in several different types and styles with features and specs that can be overwhelming for someone who doesnt hold an electronics engineering degree. We will go through all of the major types of CCTV security cameras, where to use each style, as well as explain some of the basic specs so that you can decide what type of CCTV equipment is right for your security system.

Bullet Cameras are weatherproof and tend to be smaller than other types of security cameras. They come in sizes and shapes ranging from the size of a tube of lipstick to the size of a typical soda can. Bullet Cameras are also called lipstick cameras, tube cameras or missile cameras. If you are looking for nightvision or infrared cameras, you will find the largest selection among bullet cameras.

Dome type security cameras are the most popular style of security cameras. They usually have a base with a screw-on dome. The domes are tinted so that it is difficult to tell where they are aiming, this makes them very popular for retail applications. Most domes cameras are plastic, though you can check the armor dome section for vandal-proof domes which tend to be weatherproof with metal bases and polycarbonate sealed domes.

Armor dome security cameras, or vandal domes, tend to be a little bit bigger than standard domes. They are more rugged in their construction and usually have heavy duty seals which make them weatherproof for outside installation. Most of the higher quality armor domes have a 3 axis gimbal, which allows them to be mounted on a wall as well as a ceiling. Armor domes are available with fixed lenses or adjustable lenses as well as with or without nightvision.

Box cameras, or professional style security cameras, are the most versatile style of CCTV camera available. They do not usually include a lens or a mount, so you will need to purchase the lens and an indoor mount or outdoor housing separately. They are more complicated than domes or bullets, but box cameras allow for specialty lenses (i.e., for license plate recognition) and generally have more video quality controls than other styles of security cameras.  If you are mounting a box camera outside it will require an outdoor housing.

PTZ cameras or Pan Tilt Zoom cameras are the most complicated style of security camera. These PTZ cameras are generally large dome cameras with motorized and computerized internals allowing for the camera to be controlled from the DVR, remotely or through a PTZ controller. These cameras use RS485 to receive controls and programming, so your DVR may require an RS232 to 485adapter. PTZ security cameras can also be programmed to run patterns. Speeds vary from 10 degrees per second to speed domes which can move in excess of 300 degrees per second.

Hidden security cameras, covert cameras or spy cameras are some of the most popular style of security cameras available. These cameras use pinhole lenses with very tiny lenses and are usually enclosed in some other device that doesn’t look like a camera. Motion detectors, sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, wall clocks and custom configurations are common housings for covert security cameras. Some hidden cameras come with built-in microphones as well. Consult your local laws concerning audio surveillance.

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Infrared cameras or nightvision cameras are extremely popular with our customers. These nightvision security cameras provide clear color images during the day, and black and white images at night.  At night, infrared security cameras glow red and provide the camera with artificial light that can only be seen by the camera. These IR cameras operate even in total darkness. The more LED’s a camera has, the farther away it will see at night. Nightvision cameras are available in weatherproof bullet, dome and armor dome styles.

Low light cameras are generally not able to see in total darkness, but are excellent for areas where clear security video is needed 24 hours a day, and there is some lighting available. These cameras, also called Low Lux cameras or Day/Night cameras can use a feature called sense-up to provide color images even in very low light conditions. Cameras with sense-up will sometimes need to be programmed during installation as the light sensitivity and shutter controls are adjusted through On Screen Display (OSD). Low light security cameras are usually available as domes, high-end bullets and box cameras.

Cameras marked with the lighting required tile require better lighting. These cameras have a lux rating of 0.1 or higher and are generally best for installation in offices or homes where there will generally be better lighting available. (the lower the lux rating is, the better the camera will be able to see in low lighting. Some vendors will call these Day/Night cameras because they have a relatively low lux rating of 0.1lux, however, in our experience, that may be technically true, but far from the low light video quality most people expect.

Indoor security cameras do not have any weather sealing. Water and moisture will kill a security camera faster than any other condition, therefore, these cameras should only be installed indoors where they will not see condensation or extreme temperatures. Indoor only security cameras come in dome styles as well as covert and PTZ styles.

Outdoor cameras come in various ratings. Weatherproof ratings begin with “IP” (international protection rating) and end with a number above 54. The higher the number the more weather resistant the camera is. Typically, IP65 is the standard rating, meaning that a camera with an IP65 rating can withstand a blast of direct water. IP67 means a camera is submersible up to 1 meter. Use weatherproof cameras outdoors or where temperature and condensation are an issue, like inside a walk-in cooler or in a workshop with lots of dust.

The outdoor housing required category is for our more advanced security camera styles such as box cameras which require a separate housing to be placed outdoors. Housings are available separately in our accessories section and come with or without heaters and blowers for defrosting in the winter and camera cooling in the summer.

Cameras that are marked with the fixed lens tile come with a fixed, non-adjustable lens. These cameras typically have 3.6mm semi-wide angle lenses providing an image that is 74 degrees wide. The higher the lens number in mm, the tighter the shot will be, and vice versa. Indoor domes with fixed lenses can be adjusted by purchasing separate mini-lenses in our accessories section.

Security cameras with manually adjustable lenses, sometimes called vari-focal or “zoom” lenses allow the user to manually adjust the viewing angle when installing the cameras. These cameras allow the installer to dial in the level of detail they want to see in their shot and are very useful for front door shots or cash register views where detail is very important. The lower the lens number is, the wider the shot will be and vice-versa. Lenses with wider ranges are more versatile and can be adjusted over a wider viewing angle range. These lenses also control Iris openings giving the user the best light level adjustment without having to make any installation changes. Varifocal lenses are available on domes, armor domes and bullet cameras.

Security cameras with motorized lenses are usually called zoom cameras or ptz cameras. These cameras can be controlled electronically to zoom in and out in real time. They require RS232 to 485 adapters to control and are nice to have when someone is sitting in from of the DVR and is able to determine the best viewing angle for the situation. Motorized lenses are usually seen on ptz style dome cameras and as an option on box style security cameras.

TVL is a resolution rating meaning television lines, the higher the number of TVL a camera has, the higher the picture quality of that camera. Basically the TVL is a count of the number of horizontal lines a camera can reproduce. This measurement started out as a way for the original television broadcaster to claim they were broadcasting in higher resolution than they actually were, but today, it is a useful measure when determining the comparative video quality between two seperate cameras. Today, the industry standard resolution seems to be 420TVL. High resolutions begins around 480TVL, though many cameras are available with resolutions well above that. 540TVL, 600TVL, 650TVL and 700TVL cameras are not uncommon. This is a sliding scale of course. The difference between a 350TVL camera and a 420TVL camera will  be more dramatic than that between a 420 and 480TVL rating. Still, as a general rule, when it comes to TVL, the higher the number, the clearer the picture.

Lux is a measure of illuminance, or in other words, a measurement of the amount of light available. The lux rating of a camera tells you how much light is required for that camera to provide a usable image. Keep in mind that the term “usable” is very subjective, and that lux ratings can be “adjusted” by unscrupulous manufacturers and marketers to make it appear they have a better CCTV camera. In general, the lower the lux rating of a given camera, the better that camera will perform at night or in low light conditions. Be wary of comparing lux ratings of cameras from different manufacturers as the lux rating relies on the F-stop at which it was measured, usually seen as 0.1 Lux @ F1.2. This subject requires an entire article to discuss properly, though you should now have enough information to make an informed decision on which product is right for you.

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Digital SLR Cameras – What’s New for Military Photography

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Admin

DSLR cameras are highly valued by military photographers because of their resolution, sensitivity, versatility in the field, availability of a wide variety of objective lenses and because they allow an accurate preview of framing close to the moment of exposure. Many photographers also prefer dSLRs for their larger sensors compared to most compact digital cameras, now available with image sensors the same size as traditional film formats. These large sensors allow for similar field-of-view values to film formats, as well as their comparable sensitivity.

 

Over 80% of the dSLR cameras sold today are models from Nikon or Canon. As a result of their predominance, an abundance of lenses and accessories are available for these two camera bodies, resulting in an excellent selection and remarkable pricing. These accessories include: objective lenses that are fast, lightweight, optically stabilized,autofocus, as well as night vision modules and other camera accessories that increase overall camera performance. Note that while there are other camera manufacturers that provide excellent products worthy of consideration for certain applications, only Nikon and Canon cameras are mentioned in this article.

 Pixels:  How many? How Big?

The most noticeable change in the evolution of digital SLR cameras has been the steady increase in the number of pixels that makeup the image sensor. Commercial cameras have seen the number of pixels in the camera’s sensor grow twenty times in as many years, from 1MP (1 million pixels) in 1990 to over 20MP in 2010.

Are cameras with larger sensor arrays better? Not necessarily. It depends on the application. There’s more to understanding the impact of larger array sizes than merely the number of pixels. There are two other important considerations that are considered here: the physical sensor array size and the physical pixel size.

Impact of Physical Array Size

The first dSLR cameras used image sensors that were significantly smaller than traditional 35mm film formats (36mmx24mm). As shown in Figure 2, today dSLR image sensors are available in several distinct sizes. The smallest image sensors are about 2/3 the size of the 35mm format. They are available from both Canon (known as APS-C format) and Nikon (known as the DX format). Canon also provides cameras with a slightly larger size sensor,

APS-H which is approximately 28x19mm. The largest sensors (known as “full-frame” sensors) are now available in cameras from both Canon and Nikon and have the same size sensor as the original film SLR cameras, 36mmx24mm.

 For cameras having an image sensor that is smaller than full-frame, a digital crop factor has been defined (also known as the focal length multiplier or magnification factor) which can be calculated by taking the ratio of the diagonal dimension of 35mm film (43.3mm) to the diagonal dimension of the camera’s image sensor size. As should be obvious by the term focal length multiplier, multiplying the lens focal length by the crop factor gives the effective focal length of a lens that would yield the same field-of-view if used on a full-frame camera.

For the military photographer, the concept of having a crop factor >1 is normally regarded as a benefit. For long distance viewing, a narrower field of view is quite desirable and the crop factor provides photographers a “boost” in long-focal-length enabling them to fill the frame more easily when the subject is far away. For example, the focal length multiplier for a Nikon DX-format camera is 1.5. Using a 200mm lens on a Nikon DX-format camera will deliver the same field-ofview as a 300mm lens on a full-frame camera.  However, while there are benefits for long distance viewing, the narrowing of the FOV is sometimes a disadvantage to photographers when a wide FOV is desired. For example, a 24mm lens on a Nikon DXformat camera will result in the same field-of-view as a 36mm lens, possibly too narrow for the application necessitating the use of expensive ultra-wide lenses to deliver the desired FOV (16mm in this example).

Obviously, cameras having “full-frame” image sensors that are the same size as the 35mm film size, there is no crop factor (crop factor is 1).

Impact of Physical Pixel Size

In order to better understand the impact of the pixel size, compare the performance of two cameras that have the same physical array size but a different number of pixels (and consequently different pixel sizes). For this example, let’s compare the Nikon D3X (fullframe image sensor with 24MP) and the Nikon D3S (full-frame image sensor with 12MP). For the D3X, the physical pixel dimension is about 6?m whereas the D3S has pixels that are about 8.5?m, about 40% larger. In this example, if the military photographer is performing surveillance at a distance, identification of objects will be related to the number of pixels on target. Hence, if the same lens is used on the two cameras being compared, the standoff distance for the higher resolution model will be further than for the lower resolution camera. Explained differently, in order for the lower resolution camera to deliver the same resolving capability as the higher resolution camera with a 300mm lens, the lower resolution camera would either need a 420mm lens or the photographer would need to move closer to the target by about 25% of the distance.

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As far as resolving capability goes, smaller pixels are better and the advantage goes to the high resolution camera which can use lenses that are lightweight, easy to hold and essentially “faster”. Unfortunately, more smaller pixels aren’t always the best thing for a surveillance photographer! All things being equal, as pixels get smaller in size, they also become a lot less effective at gathering light resulting in lower sensitivity for the camera. Pixel sensitivity is related to the area of the pixel, so in our comparison, the pixels that are 40%

larger will likely deliver twice the sensitivity (1.4×1.4~2). This means that to obtain the same light sensitivity will require an extra F-stop or double the exposure time. Alternatively, the camera’s processor will have to gain-up the signal. (More on this in the next section). Nikon probably realized that for some photographers, more resolution isn’t always better. Adding pixels means making them smaller and the smaller the pixel the worse the light sensitivity.

Fortunately, noise reduction techniques have improved considerably in the past few years, making it possible to increase resolution while keeping sensitivity about constant. So what if you applied current noise reduction strategies to an existing sensor, without adding more pixels? That’s certainly what Nikon intended with the design of

the D3S, leaving the resolution at 12.1MP allowed them to increase the sensitivity for those customers that need it. For photographers who absolutely need more resolution, Nikon has the 24.5MP D3X.

Low Light Photography

For the military photographer, some of the most demanding situations occur at night when there is little ambient light, or scenes are at a distance. Today, dSLR cameras have unique capabilities and accessories are available that help the photographer make the most out of night-time imaging circumstances.

Aperture and Exposure Time

The primary factors that impact imaging in low-light are still fundamental to photography — lens aperture and exposure time. For night-time photography, since depth of field is not normally an important factor, it makes sense to select an objective lens that has the largest possible aperture. Selecting an objective lens for a specific application may be as important as selecting the dSLR camera. In fact, one  may select either the Nikon or Canon body because of the specific objective lenses that are available.

Similarly, exposure time for night-time imaging should be set as long as possible but still to avoid blur due to observing objects in motion or from camera jitter.

Enhanced ISO – Higher gain with drawbacks

Aperture and exposure time directly impact the amount of light that impinges on each pixel in the image sensor and affect the sensor’s output electrical signal. In addition, dSLR cameras permit the photographer to adjust the gain (i.e. amplification) of the sensor’s output electrical signal. (This is distinctly different from the ISO definition for film cameras which was to be adjusted to match the film sensitivity). For dSLR cameras, increasing the gain will amplify the sensor signal. Like all electrical circuits, image sensors are not perfect, and with the image signal, they also produce some noise in the form of unwanted random errors in the signal. Noise in digital images appears as graininess or specks of false color. To avoid too much noise, the night-time photographer adjusts the camera’s ISO to a value that is high enough to brighten the image while still maintaining acceptable image noise levels. Today, the maximum value is typically 1600, but some cameras deliver perfectly usable images at ISO 3200, 6400 or even 12800.

 In addition to the standard ISO settings, digital cameras now perform noise reduction on digital images. As a result, some additional gain-up is enabled on these cameras, sometimes one step (H1), or effectively two times the maximum ISO setting, but also two steps (H2, 4 times) and three steps (H3, 8 times). This Enhanced ISO setting is now available on most digital SLR cameras. For example, both the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV and the Nikon D3S permit three levels of enhanced ISO which results in an equivalent ISO setting of 102,400! It is important to note that images adjusted as such normally have a great degree of noise and exhibit significant

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High Speed Infrared Cameras Enable Demanding Thermal Imaging Applications

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Admin

Introduction

1.0 Infrared Spectral Sensitivity Bands

2.0 Image Resolution and Field-of-View

2.1 Detector arrays and pixel sizes
2.2 Infrared lens characteristics

3.0 High Speed Camera Features

3.1 Short exposure times
3.2 High frame rates
3.3 Dynamic range expansion
3.4 Event triggering
3.5 Calibration: Non-uniformity correction and radiometry

4.0 Infrared Camera Applications

IR Inspection in Design,Test and Manufacturing
Hyperspectral and Gas Imaging, Remote Sensing
Target Signature Measurement andTracking
Research and Development
BodyTemperature Detection, Medical Imaging
Non-DestructiveTest (NDT)

Summary

Introduction

Recent developments in cooled mercury cadmium telluride (MCT or HgCdTe) infrared detector technology have made possible the development of high performance infrared cameras for use in a wide variety of demanding thermal imaging applications. These infrared cameras are now available with spectral sensitivity in the shortwave, mid-wave and long-wave spectral bands or alternatively in two bands. In addition, a variety of camera resolutions are available as a result of mid-size and large-size detector arrays and various pixel sizes. Also, camera features now include high frame rate imaging, adjustable exposure time and event triggering enabling the capture of temporal thermal events. Sophisticated processing algorithms are available that result in an expanded dynamic range to avoid saturation and optimize sensitivity. These infrared cameras can be calibrated so that the output digital values correspond to object temperatures. Non-uniformity correction algorithms are included that are independent of exposure time. These performance capabilities and camera features enable a wide range of thermal imaging applications that were previously not possible.

At the heart of the high speed infrared camera is a cooled MCT detector that delivers extraordinary sensitivity and versatility for viewing high speed thermal events.

Due to the availability of a variety of MCT detectors, high speed infrared cameras have been designed to operate in several distinct spectral bands. The spectral band can be manipulated by varying the alloy composition of the HgCdTe and the detector set-point temperature. The result is a single band infrared detector with extraordinary quantum efficiency (typically above 70%) and high signal-to-noise ratio able to detect extremely small levels of infrared signal. As shown in Figure 2, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables), single-band MCT detectors typically fall in one of the five nominal spectral bands shown:

• Short-wave infrared (SWIR) cameras – visible to 2.5 µm

• Broad-band infrared (BBIR) cameras – 1.5-5 µm

• Mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras – 3-5 µm

• Long-wave infrared (LWIR) cameras – 7-10 µm response

• Very Long Wave (VLWIR) cameras – 7-12 µm response

In addition to cameras that utilize “monospectral” infrared detectors that have a spectral response in one band, new systems are being developed that utilize infrared detectors that have a response in two bands (known as “two color” or dual band). Examples include cameras having a MWIR/LWIR response covering both 3-5 µm and 7-11 µm, or alternatively certain SWIR and MWIR bands, or even two MW sub-bands.

There are a variety of reasons motivating the selection of the spectral band for an infrared camera. For certain applications, the spectral radiance or reflectance of the objects under observation is what determines the best spectral band. These applications include spectroscopy, laser beam viewing, detection and alignment, target signature analysis, phenomenology, cold-object imaging and surveillance in a marine environment.

Additionally, a spectral band may be selected because of the dynamic range concerns. Figure 3, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables), shows the infrared image obtained with an LWIR infrared camera resulting from the test firing of a solid rocket booster. The intra-scene dynamic range (including the plume and the background) is about 2200K. Such an extended dynamic range would not be possible with an infrared camera imaging in the MWIR spectral range. The wide dynamic range performance of the LWIR system is easily explained by comparing the flux in the LWIR band with that in the MWIR band. As calculated from Planck’s curve, the distribution of flux due to objects at widely varying temperatures is smaller in the LWIR band than the MWIR band when observing a scene having the same object temperature range. In other words, the LWIR infrared camera can image and measure ambient temperature objects with high sensitivity and resolution and at the same time extremely hot objects (i.e. >2000K). Imaging wide temperature ranges with an MWIR system would have significant challenges because the signal from high temperature objects would need to be drastically attenuated resulting in poor sensitivity for imaging at background temperatures.

High speed infrared cameras are available having various resolution capabilities due to their use of infrared detectors that have different array and pixel sizes. Several common array formats are shown in Figure 4, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables). For applications that do not require high resolution, high speed infrared cameras based on QVGA detectors offer excellent performance. Figure 4a, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables), shows a 320×256 array of 30 µm pixels. Such cameras are known for their extremely wide dynamic range due to the use of relatively large pixels with deep wells, low noise and extraordinarily high sensitivity.

Infrared detector arrays are available in different sizes, the most common are QVGA, VGA and SXGA as shown. The VGA and SXGA arrays have a denser array of pixels and consequently deliver higher resolution. The QVGA is economical and exhibits excellent dynamic range because of large sensitive pixels.

More recently, the technology of smaller pixel pitch has resulted in infrared cameras having detector arrays of 15 micron pitch, delivering some of the most impressive thermal images available today. For higher resolution applications, cameras having larger arrays with smaller pixel pitch deliver images having high contrast and sensitivity. In addition, with smaller pixel pitch, optics can also become smaller further reducing cost. A 640×512 (VGA format) pixel array is depicted in Fig. 4b and a 1280×1024 (SXGA format) pixel array is depicted in Fig. 4c. A sample image from an SXGA camera is shown in Figure 5. (See link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables).

Lenses designed for high speed infrared cameras have their own special properties. Primarily, the most relevant specifications are focal length (field-of-view), F-number (aperture) and resolution.

Focal Length: Lenses are normally identified by their focal length (e.g. 50mm). The field-of-view of a camera and lens combination depends on the focal length of the lens as well as the overall diameter of the detector image area. As the focal length increases (or the detector size decreases), the field of view for that lens will decrease (narrow). Since the field-of-view depends on the detector physical size, if a lens that is designed to be used on the detector depicted in Fig. 4c is used on either of the detectors depicted in Figs. 4a or 4b, the resulting field-of-view would be half that of the 4c detector. (See link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables).

Table 1, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables), shows common lens/camera combinations and their resulting field-of-view for the 4a and 4b sized detectors. Shown are the commonly available lens focal lengths for mid-wave (MWIR), broadband (BBIR) and long-wave (LWIR) imaging. A convenient online field-of-view calculator for a range of high-speed infrared cameras is available in the comprehensive article at the link below:

In addition to the common focal lengths, infrared close-up lenses are also available that produce high magnification (1X, 2X, 4X) imaging of small objects, as shown in Figure 6, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables).

Infrared close-up lenses provide a magnified view of the thermal emission of tiny objects such as electronic components.

F-number: Unlike high speed visible light cameras, objective lenses for infrared cameras that utilize cooled infrared detectors must be designed to be compatible with the internal optical design of the dewar (the cold housing in which the infrared detector FPA is located). As shown in Figure 7, (see link below for a complete article referencing all figures and tables), this is because the dewar is designed with a cold stop (or aperture) inside that prevents parasitic radiation from impinging on the detector. Because of the cold stop, the radiation from the camera and lens housing are blocked, infrared radiation that could far exceed that received from the objects under observation. As a result, the infrared energy captured by the detector is primarily due to the object’s radiation. The location and size of the exit pupil of the infrared lenses (and the f-number) must be designed to match the location and diameter of the dewar cold stop. (Actually, the lens f-number can always be lower than the effective cold stop f-number, as long as it is designed for the cold stop in the proper position).

Lenses for cameras having cooled infrared detectors need to be specially designed not only for the specific resolution and location of

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How to Buy a Digital Camera

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Admin

If you’re having a hard time figuring out which camera to buy, you may be tempted to make a decision based solely on megapixel count. However, outside of making huge prints or blowing up small portions of an image, megapixels can be meaningless. In fact, a high megapixel count can lead to noisier, less-sharp images unless you’re using a camera with a larger image sensor (such as a DSLR or a Micro Four-Thirds system camera).

Other features are often more important, and they depend on what you’ll be using the camera for. For example, a lethargic camera that takes too much time between shots is a lemon for sports or action photographers, and a big, heavy DSLR that takes amazing photos may spend more time on the shelf than in your carry-on bag. A camera with no manual controls may take fabulous shots in bright sunlight, but lousy ones in more challenging situations.

Superb photos, videos, and low-light shooting; No shutter lag; Versatile interchangeable lenses; Manual controls for exposure and focus; Through-the-lens optical viewfinder.

Expensive; Lack of portability; Not all DSLRs shoot video; Can be complex and intimidating.

If money’s no object and performance is your top priority, a digital SLR yields the best photo quality and imaging controls of any type of digital camera. The combination of a large sensor, high-quality lenses that you can swap out to achieve a wide range of effects, great high-ISO performance in low light, and lightning-quick shutter response times make it the go-to camera for hobbyists and pro shooters. A DSLR is also the only type of camera that lets you frame shots using a through-the-lens optical viewfinder, meaning that what you’ll see through the eyepiece is a true-to-life representation of your shot.

Though the prospect of using a DSLR can be intimidating for novice users, most modern models are outfitted with point-and-shoot-like features and LCD-based viewfinders to make the migration easier. Beyond user-friendly auto-exposure and scene modes, you also get room to grow as a photographer due to a DSLR’s full range of manual controls.

The only major drawback to a DSLR is its size, which makes it a tough camera to bring anywhere you go. Price is also a major consideration, even after you spend an initial 0 to several-thousand dollars on the camera alone. Additional lenses are a must when it comes to unleashing the full power of your DSLR, and they usually cost several hundred dollars a pop. If you’re interested in shooting video, make sure your DSLR supports it; these cameras capture stunning HD video, but only the newest DSLRs are video-capable.

More compact than a DSLR; Excellent photo and video quality; No shutter lag; Versatile interchangeable lenses; Manual controls for exposure and focus.

No through-the-lens optical viewfinder; Can be expensive; Fewer lenses available than for DSLRs; Still a bit bulky for everyday use.

If you can live without an optical viewfinder, these interchangeable-lens cameras offer most of what a DSLR offers in a more-compact body: a large sensor, fast mechanical shutter, swappable lenses, noticeably better image and video quality that your average point-and-shoot, and manual controls.

The lack of an optical viewfinder is a byproduct of these cameras’ smaller size: by eliminating the somewhat large mirror box that lets you frame your shot through the lens, manufacturers were able to make these interchangeable-lens cameras more compact.

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One of the main problems is deciding which of the emerging compact interchangeable-lens formats to buy into, because like DSLR lens mounts, they’re incompatible with other : Panasonic and Olympus both use the Micro Four-Thirds System lens mount, Samsung’s NX10 uses its own NX lens mount, Sony’s NEX series uses the new E-Mount system, and other companies are bound to release their own interchangeable-lens compacts. Because this is a newer kind of camera, there aren’t as many lens options to choose from, either. Adapters are available that let you use full-size DSLR lenses with these cameras, but they often cost a hundred dollars or more.

Very high optical zoom range; Manual controls; Normally have excellent image stabilization; Better lenses than standard point-and-shoot cameras.

Bulkier than a point-and-shoot camera; Slightly expensive; Not much smaller than an interchangeable-lens camera.

Megazooms don’t give you the same lens-swapping versatility of a DSLR or compact interchangeable-lens camera, but they are the most-versatile fixed-lens cameras available. They’re called “megazooms” because they offer a whopping 20x to 30x optical zoom lens, usually serving up impressive wide-angle shots and telephoto reach.

Most megazooms also offer DSLR-like manual controls for aperture and shutter, as well as good image stabilization to help steady full-zoom shots. Because of the versatility of their lenses, they’re good cameras for landscape photography (they can capture both wide-angle vistas and faraway details), sports photography (you can sit in the crowd and still get tight shots of in-game action), and animal photography (because you really shouldn’t get too close to that bear).

Although a megazoom camera is smaller than a DSLR, it’s about the same size as some interchangeable-lens compact cameras, and it won’t slip into a pocket or purse. You’ll probably need a backpack or camera bag to tote it along with you.
Pocket Megazoom (Compact High-Zoom Cameras)

Strengths: Very high optical zoom range for a pocketable camera; Portable but versatile; Normally have excellent image stabilization; Many of them have manual controls.

Weaknesses: Some are a bit bulky; More expensive than basic point-and-shoot cameras; Some lack manual controls.

If you’re attracted by the versatile fixed lens of a megazoom camera but want something a bit more portable, a pocket megazoom is your best option. These compact cameras offer optical zoom ranges from about 10x to 15x, and although they’re definitely more compact than a full-size megazoom or DSLR, some of them aren’t quite small enough to slip in a pants pocket. A jacket pocket or purse should be big enough, however.

Although many pocket megazoom cameras have manual controls such as aperture and shutter priority, not all of them do, so be sure to check the specs if you’d like those features. These cameras normally have very good optical image stabilization to bolster their high-zoom lenses.

Better image quality than most fixed-lens cameras; Manual controls over shutter speed and aperture settings; Good secondary cameras for DSLR owners; Good learning tool for novice shooters.

More expensive than a basic point-and-shoot; Can be more complicated to use than a basic point-and-shoot; Smaller optical zoom range.

Canon PowerShot S90; Canon PowerShot G11

Not all point-and-shoot can live up to the scrutiny of a DSLR-toting pro, but an advanced point-and-shoot often gets the pick as a pro shooter’s secondary, more-portable camera. These cameras have manual controls for setting the aperture, shutter, and ISO, letting you fine-tune your shot more granularly than you can with a basic point-and-shoot.

Although you don’t get the zoom range of a pocket megazoom, image quality is often better; you don’t get the distortion you sometimes see with a high-zoom lens. These cameras also often have wider apertures, so that you can accomplish a greater depth of field and shoot at higher shutter speeds.

Very easy to use; Inexpensive; Small enough to fit in a pants pocket; Usually have a large number of scene modes that select the right in-camera settings for your shot.

Usually don’t have any manual controls; Image quality is usually mediocre, especially in low light; Inflated megapixel counts.

A basic point-and-shoot camera is a no-brainer pick for anyone who just wants a camera to have on hand at all times; most of them even shoot 720p HD video now. In-camera automation is getting better and better, meaning that these cameras basically drive themselves; you don’t get manual controls that help you fine-tune your photos, but these cameras normally have very good Auto modes and scene selections that choose the appropriate in-camera settings for your shot.

These cameras are have small sensors, so don’t fall into the trap of buying an inexpensive camera with a very high megapixel count. Packing more megapixels into a small sensor usually leads to image noise, especially when you’re shooting at higher ISO settings.

Although they won’t offer the same optical zoom reach as a more-expensive camera, a good thing to look for in a basic point-and-shoot camera is wide-angle coverage (ideally around 28mm on the wide-angle end). That extra wide-angle coverage comes in very handy for group shots, arm’s length self portraits, and landscape shots.
Ruggedized Point-and-Shoot

Immune to drops, water, freezing, and sand.

Usually have fewer features than a standard point-and-shoot camera; Sometimes have sub-par image quality.

These are the ultimate cameras for extreme-sports enthusiasts, mountaineers, snorkelers, and the just-plain-clumsy. Quite a few waterproof, freezeproof, drop-proof, and dustproof cameras are available, and they’re great for taking underwater shots of fish, lugging to the beach, or taking on a snowboarding trip.

Due to their unique looks and sometimes-barren feature sets, these cameras aren’t the first choice for everyday on-the-go use. Image quality can be a mixed bag, as well:

Pages: 1 2
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How to Buy a Digital Camera

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Admin

If you’re having a hard time figuring out which camera to buy, you may be tempted to make a decision based solely on megapixel count. However, outside of making huge prints or blowing up small portions of an image, megapixels can be meaningless. In fact, a high megapixel count can lead to noisier, less-sharp images unless you’re using a camera with a larger image sensor (such as a DSLR or a Micro Four-Thirds system camera).

Other features are often more important, and they depend on what you’ll be using the camera for. For example, a lethargic camera that takes too much time between shots is a lemon for sports or action photographers, and a big, heavy DSLR that takes amazing photos may spend more time on the shelf than in your carry-on bag. A camera with no manual controls may take fabulous shots in bright sunlight, but lousy ones in more challenging situations.

Superb photos, videos, and low-light shooting; No shutter lag; Versatile interchangeable lenses; Manual controls for exposure and focus; Through-the-lens optical viewfinder.

Expensive; Lack of portability; Not all DSLRs shoot video; Can be complex and intimidating.

If money’s no object and performance is your top priority, a digital SLR yields the best photo quality and imaging controls of any type of digital camera. The combination of a large sensor, high-quality lenses that you can swap out to achieve a wide range of effects, great high-ISO performance in low light, and lightning-quick shutter response times make it the go-to camera for hobbyists and pro shooters. A DSLR is also the only type of camera that lets you frame shots using a through-the-lens optical viewfinder, meaning that what you’ll see through the eyepiece is a true-to-life representation of your shot.

Though the prospect of using a DSLR can be intimidating for novice users, most modern models are outfitted with point-and-shoot-like features and LCD-based viewfinders to make the migration easier. Beyond user-friendly auto-exposure and scene modes, you also get room to grow as a photographer due to a DSLR’s full range of manual controls.

The only major drawback to a DSLR is its size, which makes it a tough camera to bring anywhere you go. Price is also a major consideration, even after you spend an initial 0 to several-thousand dollars on the camera alone. Additional lenses are a must when it comes to unleashing the full power of your DSLR, and they usually cost several hundred dollars a pop. If you’re interested in shooting video, make sure your DSLR supports it; these cameras capture stunning HD video, but only the newest DSLRs are video-capable.

More compact than a DSLR; Excellent photo and video quality; No shutter lag; Versatile interchangeable lenses; Manual controls for exposure and focus.

No through-the-lens optical viewfinder; Can be expensive; Fewer lenses available than for DSLRs; Still a bit bulky for everyday use.

If you can live without an optical viewfinder, these interchangeable-lens cameras offer most of what a DSLR offers in a more-compact body: a large sensor, fast mechanical shutter, swappable lenses, noticeably better image and video quality that your average point-and-shoot, and manual controls.

The lack of an optical viewfinder is a byproduct of these cameras’ smaller size: by eliminating the somewhat large mirror box that lets you frame your shot through the lens, manufacturers were able to make these interchangeable-lens cameras more compact.

]]>

One of the main problems is deciding which of the emerging compact interchangeable-lens formats to buy into, because like DSLR lens mounts, they’re incompatible with other : Panasonic and Olympus both use the Micro Four-Thirds System lens mount, Samsung’s NX10 uses its own NX lens mount, Sony’s NEX series uses the new E-Mount system, and other companies are bound to release their own interchangeable-lens compacts. Because this is a newer kind of camera, there aren’t as many lens options to choose from, either. Adapters are available that let you use full-size DSLR lenses with these cameras, but they often cost a hundred dollars or more.

Very high optical zoom range; Manual controls; Normally have excellent image stabilization; Better lenses than standard point-and-shoot cameras.

Bulkier than a point-and-shoot camera; Slightly expensive; Not much smaller than an interchangeable-lens camera.

Megazooms don’t give you the same lens-swapping versatility of a DSLR or compact interchangeable-lens camera, but they are the most-versatile fixed-lens cameras available. They’re called “megazooms” because they offer a whopping 20x to 30x optical zoom lens, usually serving up impressive wide-angle shots and telephoto reach.

Most megazooms also offer DSLR-like manual controls for aperture and shutter, as well as good image stabilization to help steady full-zoom shots. Because of the versatility of their lenses, they’re good cameras for landscape photography (they can capture both wide-angle vistas and faraway details), sports photography (you can sit in the crowd and still get tight shots of in-game action), and animal photography (because you really shouldn’t get too close to that bear).

Although a megazoom camera is smaller than a DSLR, it’s about the same size as some interchangeable-lens compact cameras, and it won’t slip into a pocket or purse. You’ll probably need a backpack or camera bag to tote it along with you.
Pocket Megazoom (Compact High-Zoom Cameras)

Strengths: Very high optical zoom range for a pocketable camera; Portable but versatile; Normally have excellent image stabilization; Many of them have manual controls.

Weaknesses: Some are a bit bulky; More expensive than basic point-and-shoot cameras; Some lack manual controls.

If you’re attracted by the versatile fixed lens of a megazoom camera but want something a bit more portable, a pocket megazoom is your best option. These compact cameras offer optical zoom ranges from about 10x to 15x, and although they’re definitely more compact than a full-size megazoom or DSLR, some of them aren’t quite small enough to slip in a pants pocket. A jacket pocket or purse should be big enough, however.

Although many pocket megazoom cameras have manual controls such as aperture and shutter priority, not all of them do, so be sure to check the specs if you’d like those features. These cameras normally have very good optical image stabilization to bolster their high-zoom lenses.

Better image quality than most fixed-lens cameras; Manual controls over shutter speed and aperture settings; Good secondary cameras for DSLR owners; Good learning tool for novice shooters.

More expensive than a basic point-and-shoot; Can be more complicated to use than a basic point-and-shoot; Smaller optical zoom range.

Canon PowerShot S90; Canon PowerShot G11

Not all point-and-shoot can live up to the scrutiny of a DSLR-toting pro, but an advanced point-and-shoot often gets the pick as a pro shooter’s secondary, more-portable camera. These cameras have manual controls for setting the aperture, shutter, and ISO, letting you fine-tune your shot more granularly than you can with a basic point-and-shoot.

Although you don’t get the zoom range of a pocket megazoom, image quality is often better; you don’t get the distortion you sometimes see with a high-zoom lens. These cameras also often have wider apertures, so that you can accomplish a greater depth of field and shoot at higher shutter speeds.

Very easy to use; Inexpensive; Small enough to fit in a pants pocket; Usually have a large number of scene modes that select the right in-camera settings for your shot.

Usually don’t have any manual controls; Image quality is usually mediocre, especially in low light; Inflated megapixel counts.

A basic point-and-shoot camera is a no-brainer pick for anyone who just wants a camera to have on hand at all times; most of them even shoot 720p HD video now. In-camera automation is getting better and better, meaning that these cameras basically drive themselves; you don’t get manual controls that help you fine-tune your photos, but these cameras normally have very good Auto modes and scene selections that choose the appropriate in-camera settings for your shot.

These cameras are have small sensors, so don’t fall into the trap of buying an inexpensive camera with a very high megapixel count. Packing more megapixels into a small sensor usually leads to image noise, especially when you’re shooting at higher ISO settings.

Although they won’t offer the same optical zoom reach as a more-expensive camera, a good thing to look for in a basic point-and-shoot camera is wide-angle coverage (ideally around 28mm on the wide-angle end). That extra wide-angle coverage comes in very handy for group shots, arm’s length self portraits, and landscape shots.
Ruggedized Point-and-Shoot

Immune to drops, water, freezing, and sand.

Usually have fewer features than a standard point-and-shoot camera; Sometimes have sub-par image quality.

These are the ultimate cameras for extreme-sports enthusiasts, mountaineers, snorkelers, and the just-plain-clumsy. Quite a few waterproof, freezeproof, drop-proof, and dustproof cameras are available, and they’re great for taking underwater shots of fish, lugging to the beach, or taking on a snowboarding trip.

Due to their unique looks and sometimes-barren feature sets, these cameras aren’t the first choice for everyday on-the-go use. Image quality can be a mixed bag, as well:

Pages: 1 2
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Inexpensive Digital Cameras

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Admin

Nowadays, you can come across many varieties of electronic cameras on sale. So, you need to pick is the suitable one as your price range and requirement. There are unique prices of cameras inside market place to enable you to select the very best 1 as far as your spending budget is concerned.

Digital camera is an electronic machine that will convert photographs into electronic information, before cameras were employed for taking photographs only. Nowadays multifunctional cameras can take photographs along with sound and video recordings.

Usually, cameras are categorized under three fundamental classes consists of expert modular electronic camera system, video cameras, and still cameras. The newest formats for cameras are expert modular electronic digital camera systems. These categories have certainly raised the high quality level for all of the digital cameras on sale.

Commonly a digital camera consists of a memory to save any kind of info in electronic format. Some cheap electronic cameras or camera phones can utilize onboard reminiscence to shop the necessary data. Inside the market today you may uncover electronic cameras on sale that are of removable memory card. These removable memory playing cards are basically meant to store the data temporarily.

Secure digital playing cards, reminiscence stick playing cards and XD cards are prime resource for a newest digital digital camera to save the reminiscence. It is possible to find quite a few varieties of cameras on sale proper now. But you’ll be able to pick the appropriate one as per your requirement and budget. Your 1st decision just before buying a photographic camera should be to make about is its resolution.

This is always to ensure that you aren’t going to loose the way for your requirements of a photographic camera after shopping for a high resolution a single. This can price you much more with processing power, funds, and storage. A hue number of pixels don’t mean to offer you a much better image.

So, this is your duty to be careful while purchasing a single. You may go for a lower resolution digicam, if your work is always to post pictures to the web, email files or view photos on your pc. Maintain in mind that whether it’s a higher capacity memory card or a little one particular, both are there inside industry to give you the greatest result on use. But it is depends on your funds and needs

Nowadays, you can come across many varieties of electronic cameras on sale. So, you need to pick is the suitable one as your price range and requirement. There are unique prices of cameras inside market place to enable you to select the very best 1 as far as your spending budget is concerned.

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Digital camera is an electronic machine that will convert photographs into electronic information, before cameras were employed for taking photographs only. Nowadays multifunctional cameras can take photographs along with sound and video recordings.

Usually, cameras are categorized under three fundamental classes consists of expert modular electronic camera system, video cameras, and still cameras. The newest formats for cameras are expert modular electronic digital camera systems. These categories have certainly raised the high quality level for all of the digital cameras on sale.

Commonly a digital camera consists of a memory to save any kind of info in electronic format. Some cheap electronic cameras or camera phones can utilize onboard reminiscence to shop the necessary data. Inside the market today you may uncover electronic cameras on sale that are of removable memory card. These removable memory playing cards are basically meant to store the data temporarily.

Secure digital playing cards, reminiscence stick playing cards and XD cards are prime resource for a newest digital digital camera to save the reminiscence. It is possible to find quite a few varieties of cameras on sale proper now. But you’ll be able to pick the appropriate one as per your requirement and budget. Your 1st decision just before buying a photographic camera should be to make about is its resolution.

This is always to ensure that you aren’t going to loose the way for your requirements of a photographic camera after shopping for a high resolution a single. This can price you much more with processing power, funds, and storage. A hue number of pixels don’t mean to offer you a much better image.

So, this is your duty to be careful while purchasing a single. You may go for a lower resolution digicam, if your work is always to post pictures to the web, email files or view photos on your pc. Maintain in mind that whether it’s a higher capacity memory card or a little one particular, both are there inside industry to give you the greatest result on use. But it is depends on your funds and needs

Nowadays, you can come across many varieties of electronic cameras on sale. So, you need to pick is the suitable one as your price range and requirement. There are unique prices of cameras inside market place to enable you to select the very best 1 as far as your spending budget is concerned.

Digital camera is an electronic machine that will convert photographs into electronic information, before cameras were employed for taking photographs only. Nowadays multifunctional cameras can take photographs along with sound and video recordings.

Usually, cameras are categorized under three fundamental classes consists of expert modular electronic camera system, video cameras, and still cameras. The newest formats for cameras are expert modular electronic digital camera systems. These categories have certainly raised the high quality level for all of the digital cameras on sale.

Commonly a digital camera consists of a memory to save any kind of info in electronic format. Some cheap electronic cameras or camera phones can utilize onboard reminiscence to shop the necessary data. Inside the market today you may uncover electronic cameras on sale that are of removable memory card. These removable memory playing cards are basically meant to store the data temporarily.

Secure digital playing cards, reminiscence stick playing cards and XD cards are prime resource for a newest digital digital camera to save the reminiscence. It is possible to find quite a few varieties of cameras on sale proper now. But you’ll be able to pick the appropriate one as per your requirement and budget. Your 1st decision just before buying a photographic camera should be to make about is its resolution.

This is always to ensure that you aren’t going to loose the way for your requirements of a photographic camera after shopping for a high resolution a single. This can price you much more with processing power, funds, and storage. A hue number of pixels don’t mean to offer you a much better image.

So, this is your duty to be careful while purchasing a single. You may go for a lower resolution digicam, if your work is always to post pictures to the web, email files or view photos on your pc. Maintain in mind that whether it’s a higher capacity memory card or a little one particular, both are there inside industry to give you the greatest result on use. But it is depends on your funds and needs

If you would like to get detailed information on Inexpensive Digital Cameras, you must visit us.

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Wireless Cameras Glossary: 10+ Components You Have To Know

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Admin

The use of wireless cameras is quickly turning into normal for security and surveillance camera installations. Previously, wired CCTV cameras were the only options available for you but the development of PC and wireless technologies now made it viable for better quality and more effective cameras minus the awkward wires and cables to be provided and reasonable for users like you.

Wireless cameras have more advantages and broader coverage to be used than wired cameras, making them perfect for use in home, office and business installations. Here are a few of these applications that wireless cameras can be employed that are outside the capabilities of wired systems.

* Mobile applications wireless cameras can be moved from one location to another while wired cameras would need intensive installations / dismantling before any movement can be done.

* Temporary Use wireless cameras can be used in circumstances where there is no need for constant surveillance

* Appearance / Concealment wireless cameras are the best for use when you would like the units hid or does not want unpleasant wires seen around your home or offices

Wireless Camera Parts And Parts You Need To Know

There is a big variety of types, sizes, and shapes for wireless cameras. As an entrepreneur planning to retail these devices online or through a physical store, it is important that you know and are familiarized with all of the diverse parts and parts of the wireless camera products you’re selling. Data in these areas is crucial whenever an investigation is made by a potential client. Answering any investigations relating to parts accurately will raise your potential client’s trust on your business, especially if you are on online retailer.

To put you in the right road towards wireless camera online retailing success, the following listing is provided giving you some of the most basic, and most important parts and components you need to know as a web retailer.

* Camera Sensor

Simply put, the camera sensor is the center of the camera as it processes and records the photographs that are passed thru the cameras lenses. Wireless cameras now use sensors in electronic or digital form, and this includes the digital CCD ( Charge-Coupled Device ) image sensor, the CMOS or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor sensor, and the back-illuminated CMOS sensors which are now used extensively in modern digital cameras.

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* Lens

If the sensor is the center of the camera, the lens is the eye. Pictures and light are caught by the assembly of lenses that forms this part and passes these on to the sensor for electronic processing and storing.

* Bracket

Cameras are installed on location thru mounting brackets, permitting the camera assembly to be directed to the area it is monitoring. Using the right brackets is significant in giving the wireless camera a good vantage point in capturing the needed pictures or video feeds.

* Transmitter

Wireless cameras employ radio waves to broadcast image or video info and other info to a receiving video processor or computer. So as to do this, the signals are sent thru a transmitter built into the camera itself. There are various transmitters for wireless cameras and would rely on the particular connectivity or compatibility it was designed for such as infrared, Bluetooth, GSM, 3G or WiFi.

* Receiver

The receiver is the counterpart of the wireless camera at the opposite end, receiving the captured image and video signals for processing and recording. The receiver will also depend on what kind of video signals and compatibility that the camera has. The wireless camera also has an included receiver alongside its transmitter to get and process instructions from the user by remote.

* LED Light

L. E. Ds or LEDs are fast becoming the norm for low-energy lighting systems for nearly any applications including the illumination utilized for wireless cameras. These LED lamps give off trusty on-camera video illumination without consuming much space in the camera’s framework.

* IR Light

The night vision capacities of wireless cameras are made feasible with the use of infrared lighting and illuminators. Using infrared radiation, light waves the eyes can’t see, the wireless cameras can record images even when there’s little or no perceivable light.

* Processor

The camera’s processor is the mind of the wireless cameras which controls the image processing and other mechanical and electronic functions of the wireless cameras. The sort of processor in the camera defines its video and wireless capabilities, much like the CPU of a PC

* Electronic Shutter

An electronic shutter is the digital replacement for the normal mechanical window shutters letting in light and images to the camera’s sensor. The differences in design will depend on the design of the camera’s sensor, if it is’s a CCD or a CMOS image sensor.

* Antenna

Video signals broadcast by the wireless camera are increased, sent and received thru the antenna of the receiver. The camera also has a built-in antenna that receives the digital instructions from the user or controller that sets the functions of the camera and its mechanisms.

* Sunshield

Wireless cameras, dependent on the requirement and application, can be installed outside a multinational and exposed to the environment. A sunshield is required to protect the camera’s lenses and stops the sun’s glare from twisting the captured photographs. Sunshields are typically made of sturdy plastic or metal that protects and insulates the camera from the environment.

The newer and most modern wireless camera brands and models are coming up with extra features, parts and elements that will make the user’s experience much more effective, and exciting. As an online retailer, it’d be to your most lucrative advantage to know more about these components and set yourself up as a trustworthy source of information as well as products by your potential clients.

The best place to search for wireless cameras is on the world wibe web, so search for them today and find the best value and best quality wireless cameras.

Source China’s best wireless cameras on the web. Visit Chinavasion or paste this link into your browser: http://www.chinavasion.com/index.php/cName/surveillance-equipment-spy-camera/

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Business Security Cameras – Top 10 Questions Asked

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Admin

So you own a business and you just got broken into, again! The desire for security cameras has just gone from a want to a necessity in the time it took you to call the police, and they, (as nicely as possible) told you there is still NOTHING they can do for you.

At this point you are mad, scared or downright ready to throw in the towel. You probably feel like it is all up to you to prevent it from happening again. You are ABSOLUTELY correct! Unfortunately in this day and age crime is on the rise, and only security cameras can give you a 24/7 presence that criminals not only notice, but fear.

After making the decision to bite the bullet and get a surveillance camera system for your business, I bet you’ve done a search on the internet hoping to find that one link that answers all your questions and tells you exactly what you need. Yeah, good luck on that! There is so much out there, and so many companies, good and bad, that can offer security cameras to you. It takes hours and hours to filter through it all and separate the need to know, from the not what you are looking for.

I have customers call in everyday overwhelmed with information and underwhelmed with the response they are getting from the companies they are calling. Well, have no fear! I can very simply narrow down the questions you have and help point you in the right direction.

Without further adieu – Here are the Top 10 Questions I am asked on a daily basis for what a business needs in reference to security cameras.

Question # 10. How far and wide of an area will the cameras see?
Answer – How far a camera will see is based off of truly one thing – how big your lens is, and in this case size really does matter! The larger the number the farther away you’ll be able to see. So for example – if you have a 3.6mm lens the area of sharpest focus is around 12′ away from the camera. But if you have a 50mm lens, then the focus moves to around 75′ away from the camera.

Now, how wide a camera will see is based off of two things – The image sensor and more importantly the lens. The two most common image sensors are 1/4″ and 1/3″. The larger the number the better. It will let more light into the picture and give you a slightly wider angle of view. The lens has a bigger impact on the angle of your cameras though. As in our example in #10, a 3.6mm lens will see about 80 degrees wide, if you put it in the corner of a room you’ll see pretty much the entire room. Now a 50mm lens will only be around 5 degrees wide. Think of it this way, if you zoom in with a camcorder you can see farther away but your scene gets narrower. It’s the same scenario for security cameras. A lot of people also want to know if there is a camera out there that can see perfectly clear at 5′ and at 200′ at the same time. No there is not. Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras (PTZ’s) can zoom in and refocus electronically, but it is still one focal distance at a time.

Question # 9. Do I need infrared?
Answer – If your camera is inside, it depends on whether or not you want to be able to see at night, and if you routinely leave any lights on after you close. Some facilities are like Fort Knox when it comes to outside security and you have to have Presidential clearance to get inside. The security cameras inside are only used to watch employees or processes, and after hours surveillance isn’t needed at all. In this case a regular hi-resolution color camera is perfect. No point in paying for something you don’t need.

For outdoor security cameras, infrared is great. Infrared LEDs can illuminate an area on its own with no other light source. So if you have a camera with LEDs, then even in a pitch black parking lot or alleyway you’ll still be able to see. It lights up people and objects like a Christmas tree. Most LEDs have a faint red glow to them, so yes people might be able to see them. I always think this is preferred because it would be much easier if you deterred people from messing with your property, as opposed to filing a police report, locating, and then prosecuting them after they’ve done something bad. Having lighting with your cameras is wonderful, but what happens if your power goes out? See # 8.

Question # 8. Do I need battery backup?
Answer – YES YOU DO!! You want an Uninterruptible Power Supply with around 1000VA or more of battery backup. You also want the ability to plug at least 2 things into the battery-backed outlets provided. Those two items are your DVR and your camera power supply. So if you have a power outage your cameras will still get juice and your DVR will still be recording. The higher the VA rating – the longer your unit will stay powered off the battery. Also make sure you get an automatic reset UPS. This means if the power is gone for long enough to completely exhaust the battery, and it dies too, you want the UPS to turn back on as soon as power is restored. Most UPS’s have non battery powered outlets as well, but still give you surge protection. This is very handy. You want to keep your monitor plugged into a surge protected outlet but you don’t want it draining your battery if the power goes out. Having a UPS is normally a requirement of a full DVR warranty, and besides, it’s just smart to have.

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Question # 7. Do I need fixed lenses or varifocal?
Answer – I get this one a lot, and honestly it depends on the camera location and preference of the owner. Fixed lenses give you a very sharp picture, but no ability to adjust how the camera focuses. You can normally point the camera in a different direction, if your hand is on the camera, but what you see through the camera is what you get. Varifocal lenses give you the ability to manually adjust the zoom and focus on the camera to get the view you need.. So not only can you move it with your hand to aim it at a different area, but you can also change how wide and far it sees. This can be worth a lot if you are trying to cover wide areas far away, or you aren’t positive exactly what you need to focus on.

Question # 6. Do I need fixed cameras or PTZs?
Answer – Well to start with I’ll explain both just so we’re on the same page. Fixed cameras in this instance are cameras that don’t move. They may have a varifocal lens but they would still be manually adjusted. You’re hands would have to be on the camera to adjust their view or zoom. PTZ stands for Pan Tilt Zoom, and these cameras are electronically controlled cameras that have additional wiring requirements because you can actually adjust them remotely. The cameras require the same video and power, wire but they also need a twisted pair (Cat5 or Cat6) data wire run to them as well. Either through a keyboard/joystick controller, your DVR or remote software; these cameras can actually be controlled. You can adjust the direction the camera is pointing to, the tilt of the module itself as well as how the camera is zoomed and focused. These cameras can be a godsend or a waste of money depending on where they are mounted and how they are used.

For most PTZs you have preset locations you can save for each camera. Starting at 8 presets and then up to hundreds depending on what you are using to control it. Then you can have auto pans and tours and…I digress. If you haven’t noticed already PTZs are complicated. They are infinitely settable and difficult to configure for even the seasoned installer. So if this is your first foray into cameras I would stick with fixed until you are comfortable with your equipment.

PTZ cameras are great and awful for the same reason. They move. If you are sitting at your house and manipulating your PTZ camera through your central monitoring software (CMS) and you leave it looking at your dumpster, and then walk away…what happens when somebody comes screaming around a corner and plows right into your brand new 00 lighted LED sign. So it’s a good idea to purchase a PTZ that can return automatically to it’s programmed home position after a preset dwell time. And before you ask – no you can’t turn the camera back after it has been recorded and see what you missed. Your DVR will only record what your camera is looking at. So you can miss things because your PTZ can’t be looking at everything all the time. On the flip side of that scenario, PTZs can be used to capture supremely important footage. Say you are sitting at your house again looking around your property. You are about to turn it off and go to bed when you see that same person screaming around the corner. You turn the camera and zoom in to get the plate before they drive away. The PTZ probably just paid for itself.

One other thing to remember if you buy a PTZ and then leave it sitting in its home position all the time – you’ve just purchased a very expensive fixed camera. But if you use it to look around your property every time you log in to look at your cameras, then a PTZ is the right choice.

Question # 5. Can one camera work for every location?
Answer – Every property is different, and sometimes each camera location on one property might need a different style, or a different lens. So if you found a company stating that they have one “end all, be all” camera that will suit every environment and all customers, hang up the phone. There is not a camera out there that is right for everyone or every scenario. That is why you got 8 bazillion entries when you searched for business security cameras. Now pick up the phone again and call a company that offers custom quoting and design for each business they talk to. They are worth their weight in gold when it comes to holding your hand through the entire process.

Question # 4. Can I go wireless?
Answer – Honestly…probably not. Most

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Car Safety Technologies to Avoid Automobile Accidents you can use Car Rearview Camera

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Admin

With many breakthroughs in car safety, road fatalities have continuously declined. Based on the US Department of Transportation, the number of deaths which involved automobile accidents in 2010 will be the lowest.

Meanwhile, the department also mentioned that the initial quarter of 2009 is the 12th quarterly decline in road fatalities. With this trend, some experts attributed this not just to stricter enforcement of traffic laws but also in some main improvements on auto safety.

On the other hand, these are a number of the technologies that have improved road safety:

1. Stability Control Program to Avoid Rollover Crashes

Some automakers are now introducing a new technologies that will prevent rollover crash by automatically stopping the auto and modulating the throttles when it detects that the automobile may possibly potentially rollover because of sharp turns combined with high speed. Auto giants which provide this safety technologies are Common Motors (GM), Chrysler, , Ford, Volvo, and Range Rover.

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2. Tire-pressure Monitoring

Most new cars are equipped with tire-pressure monitoring system that warns folks if their tiresa air pressure is dangerously low. Sensors are built in wheels which will alert drivers via a warning sound, a blinking light on a panel, or both.

3. Sensitive Airbags

There is a newly created airbag that may calculate the vehiclea? speed, the weight of the occupants, seating positions, and the heada size, allowing it to change its shape and air pressure to compensate the situation. (BMW has these airbags.)

4. Collision Mitigation

A cruise control program automatically adjusts the throttle and stops the vehicle to maintain a secure distance from another car. This safety technology also tightens the seatbelts and automatically hits the brakes when it detects that a collision may well come about. (Mercedes-Benz has this technologies and calls this Distronic.)

five. Blind-spot Detection

This technologies alerts drivers if their cars are going to hit an object from their blind spot. Generally, the system responds when people today turn the signal and alerts them by producing a flashing light on the mirror, vibration on the seat or steering wheel, or a warning sound.

6. Emergency Brake Help

This technologies, which is various from an electronic brake-force distribution or anti-locking brake method, will present further brake pressure if it detects that the driver makes a panic stop (a sudden shift from gas pedal to brake).

7.

With a camera that provides wide shot of what is happening behind the automobile, accidental back-over even though parking (the victims in this kind of accident is typically children and animals) is usually avoided.

8. Emergency Response

This technology, which can already be found in some Chrysler models, works by automatically unlocking doors and shutting off the fuel when airbags deploy.

To assist you deal with issues involved in automobile accidents, consult with our skilled personal injury lawyers. Check out our site and avail of our absolutely free case evaluation.

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