How does a night vision surveillance camera work?

Posted by alisonreid29 on March 5th, 2014

There is really no need to justify the requirement of a security camera. The ones that have the best security systems installed in their homes and offices have security cameras installed as part of these systems. It is one thing being aware of a security system in place and a completely different feeling of security when you can see the action through a security camera. And one shouldn’t just be satisfied with security cameras being installed inside their homes and offices. Today a night vision surveillance camera or an outdoor dome camera is as important.

A night vision surveillance camera can be of many types but its primary function is to capture videos outside your home or office even at night. During the daytime such a camera functions like a standard high definition camera but it comes onto its own at night and offers this additional functionality.

Night vision as a concept is not new and the first nighttime pictures were captured by Richard Maddox way back in 1871. Today a night vision surveillance camera uses an image intensifier to capture images in low light and in some cases, no light.

Even when the light is minimum the lens can focus the photons (light in this case) on the photocathode of the image intensifier. This releases the electrons from the cathode. The electrons are accelerated by an electric field and their speed is increased. There is a microchannel plate with holes through which the electrons enter and they bounce off the internal walls that are specially coated and the result is the generation of more electrons. A denser cloud of electrons is created and an intensified version of the original image is produced. In the final stage the electrons hit a phosphor screen to make it glow. A user can see the image through the camera.

Since the human eyes can identify more shades of green than any other color green phosphor is used. The green shade helps in more detailing of the original picture.

So what type of night vision surveillance camera should you use? Well, it depends on your requirement. You can opt for an outdoor dome camera, one of the standard night vision devices. This camera is in the form of a dome that can be easily attached to a wall or the ceiling (if there is one). The dome shape also allows the camera to cover a larger area. Most of these cameras have movable lens that can be made to change directions manually or automatically. You also have the choice to buy an outdoor dome camera that is switched on only at night or you can opt for a camera that can also work like a standard camera when there is light.

With a night vision surveillance camera you are secure 24 hours of the day. You can even connect your outdoor dome camera with the internet so that you can see live videos from a remote location. Find out more online so that you can choose the best camera.

You can always choose an outdoor dome camera but opt for those specialized ones if you require a night vision surveillance camera.