face recognition in the dark

[dorin18 0]

Hi guys,

I am having quite a big issue. There is a guy that repeatedly brakes my parents windows with big rocks and runs away. I installed a IR camera w/ a DVR that was able to capture the image of the vandal, but the face was completely white and un-recognizable.

Can you please recommend an analog camera that can record a high-quality image in the dark, usable for face-recognition? The camera must have no visible light on it, as the vandal will see it and protect his face from it. (my current one has glowing-red IR leds and it is easy to spot). I do not mind installing an additional source of light, if the camera requires it (invisible IR or even a floodlight).

The distance that needs to be coverd is about 20 ft.

Near my parents' house there are two street lights, so there isn't total darkness.

I would like to spend less than $500 for this camera, if possible.

Thanks very much!

[Soundy 1]

Suggest this camera for excellent low-light performance: http://www.cnbusa.com/en/html/product/product.php?seqx_prod=1073 - they can be had for well under $200.

 

Then add a motion-activated flood light or two - low power, 50W or so should suffice. Place it/them near the camera.

 

This has three advantages:

One, no glowing red LEDs;

Two, white light gives you nice color images;

Three, when someone is prowling around in the dark and a bright white light snaps on, the natural reaction is usually to look toward the source of the light - this means also looking right toward the camera.

[groovyman 0]

Last month I posted an example of the CNB Mona Lisa camera so you can see the difference in a real world environment.

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=30651&p=#p191907

There have been other examples posted. Look at the screenshots throughout this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=20048

[dorin18 0]

Thank you, guys!

I appreciate your help.

[Dipol_CCTV 0]

Hello,

I believe two ways are possible: You can use a camera with 'intelligent' IR illuminator, which will adjust the power of LED matrix accordingly, (camera example might be Sunell SN-IRC4920AJ (day/night Sony Effio-E)

or

You can use external IR illuminator with LED array sending IR light beam of 940 nm wavelength. Infrared radiation at this wavelength is completely invisible to the human eye. Most IR illuminators use 850nm which is visible for humans.

[Soundy 1]

Hello,

I believe two ways are possible: You can use a camera with 'intelligent' IR illuminator, which will adjust the power of LED matrix accordingly, (camera example might be Sunell SN-IRC4920AJ (day/night Sony Effio-E)

True, although you still get that ghostly-green look with glowing eyes.

 

You can use external IR illuminator with LED array sending IR light beam of 940 nm wavelength. Infrared radiation at this wavelength is completely invisible to the human eye. Most IR illuminators use 850nm which is visible for humans.

Make sure the camera can handle those wavelengths though - most sensors are pretty inefficient at that point.