vmgtlexi

My first post - please go gently.... Via the link below, you can see video of my front porch. I shot this video with my 10 year old Sony HandyCam around midnight. To my naked eye, the front porch actually looks a tad bit brighter than what you see in the video, but not much. Link to porch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfZAIxHfQSA Three years ago, I installed a Nuvico IR bullet cam on this porch. It saw very far at night with IR, even down to the distant street. It has been great, but the daytime viewing is shot (apparently a bad iris controller or bad cut filter - during the day it's all whitewashed). So, I need a new camera at this location. That's the point of this post. I need advice on IR cameras versus true day/night cameras for this specific location of my house. I need to at least be able to see the porch pretty well at night given the ambient light you see. I'd "like" to be able to see out to the gas light that you see in the yard (b/c that's about the border of my driveway). Of course, with IR, I can see further and see clearly at night. But, my experience with my Nuvico IR bullet camera makes me wonder if IR-type cameras are more prone to premature failures. The new camera will point out from the front door, which is where I am standing at the outset of the video. So, here are my questions: 1) Is there a "rule of thumb" about IR cameras versus true day/night cameras in terms of one being inherently more reliable and LONG-LASTING? 2) For the light you see on my porch, can I comfortably use a "true day night camera" or should I go with IR to be "safe"? I MUST be able to at least see the porch clearly and any suspicious activity at night at my windows/doors. I'd like to see a little further to the gas light area, but understand there is only so much a camera without IR can do at night. 3) Am I taking a "risk" with a TDN camera in terms of what quality or visible image I'll get in this type of night lighting? 4) Once you've formed an opinion on TDN vs. IR for my area, and considering my spec requirements below, I'll open the floor to the best camera (make/model) you would recommend anywhere up to $500 (U.S. market only): Spec Requirements: * 12VDC powered * Ceiling mounted * Vari-focal from about 2.8 - about 11 * Weather-resistant * 1/3" sensor * Must be able to make out respectable images during night time * I'll pay up for quality If you had up to $500 to spend on this location and these specs, feel free to throw out specific makes & models. I appreciate replies to my questions and any suggestions you can offer. vmgtlexi

TomCCTV - Thank you. That is consistent with my thoughts. I'll get the 2080R.

I am looking at a few true day/night cameras. Some have "double scan CCD's". I put together a spreadsheet using manufacturer specs, and it looks like the "double scan" cameras tend to have marginally worse lux ratings. For example: The Samsung SCV-3120 (which is a double scan CCD) has color Lux rating of .7 and B&W lux of .07. By comparison other NON-double-scan cameras have better (lower) lux ratings (such as .1 for color and .01 for B&W). QUESTION: For ideal low-light use, should I disregard "double-scan" in FAVOR OF better (ie, lower) lux ratings in night time B&W?

Thanks. Now I understand. Great explanation.

What is a "double scan CCD" and do I want one if I can afford it?

Thank you. That makes good sense to me.

Hey Birdman -- on your video of your porch, when the image goes black near the end, do you have any ambient lighting around your porch?

Birdman - Thanks for the great info and the link to your video. I love your porch by the way. I guess I thought TDN was different/separate from IR cameras. But, based on the cameras I linked below, I guess they can be called TDN with IR and TDN without IR. In any case, I think I've narrowed my choices down to these two. I am just torn between getting the model with IR versus without IR. Can anyone make a case for the IR versus non-IR models of these cameras for my porch night-time lighting as linked on YouTube within this thread? http://www.samsung-security.com/products/security-cameras/analog-cameras/bullet-cameras/SCO-2080R.aspx http://www.samsung-security.com/products/security-cameras/analog-cameras/bullet-cameras/SCO-2080.aspx

Also, is "Double Density CCD" the same as "Double Scan CCD"?

OK, do I need WDR? What's the benefit? This is for home use in a generally safe area, but a big city where crime is always possible.

Thanks for the feedback. One camera has worked fine so far. One burglary + one bad guy in jail = 100% success rate!! Very curious about how TDN cameras would do at night with the given ambient lighting (low-voltage landscape lights, gas light out in the yard, etc.).