"I Can See You!" -- Infrared Security Cameras

Have you ever watched any of those nature documentaries on TV? One of the fascinating things that I learned from those shows is that we, as human beings, have a very limited sense of sight. We only see a tiny fraction of the available spectrum of light. This means, for example, that we cannot see in either the ultraviolet or infrared wavelengths -- we need a minimum amount of 'normal' daylight.

But the good news is that we human beings have access to technology that allows us to make up for our own natural limitations. And a good example of this type of technology are infrared security cameras. Infrared security cameras, unlike our own eyes, can detect images in the environment using light in the infrared wavelength spectrum.

And what makes infrared security cameras very useful for home security is that with them, we can monitor areas with absolutely no visible light (what the professionals call a Lux 0.0 environment). Business and industry have been big users of infrared security cameras for years - with them they can monitor a darkened warehouse or bank vault area after business hours, when the lights may be turned out.

In the home, we can use infrared security cameras as well: perhaps in the downstairs living room, or a darkened external garage area or long driveway outdoors. They are ideal tools to detect the presence of all sorts of intruders -- even stray animals such as deer, stray dogs and even rodents.

Yes, infrared security cameras can be placed in a pitch-black environment - yet they will still function and provide a good image. This is bad news for all the home thieves -- these are the guys who specialize in breaking into your home when it is darkened. They believe that the darkness will protect them, that they will not be detected. But with a properly installed infrared security camera, you can catch them - every time!

If you are shopping around for a good infrared security camera, make sure that it has an 'auto-scan' feature. With auto-scan, the camera will move back-and-forth, over-and-over the same area, throughout the day. If you have to monitor a large area - one that is too big for one camera to scan, then you can use several infrared security cameras, each one auto-scanning a particular section of the room, hallway, driveway, etc.

Unlike regular security cameras, which need the light of the sun - or a light bulb - to provide an image, infrared security cameras generate their own light. They do this in one of 2 ways: They can either shine a beam of light out into the area from the camera unit itself, or they can rely on an external infrared emitter, which when turned on shines the (invisible to us) infrared light into the environment, so that an image can be captured.

Please do NOT confuse infrared security cameras with so-called 'low light' cameras. Low light cameras are capable of capturing images in very low levels of ordinary light - during the early morning hours, or at dusk, for example. Also keep in mind that infrared security cameras work best in monitoring small areas rather than really big lobbies and parking lots. Some models are dual-function cameras: they combine infrared technology with a 'regular' security camera unit - the infrared capability will switch on when the other technology cannot function.

Article Source: http://www.a1-optimization.com/articles

Author: Jennifer Metcalfe discusses home security, video surveillance and home security systems Read more abouthome security camera systems by visiting his website.
Click here for other unique cameras articles.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated

• The real meaning of financial freedom in the 21st Century - By : Kathy Bibby
  
• How to build a list for affiliate marketing - By : ideaman21
  
• I Have Found My Home Business After Years of Searching - By : M C Herwood
  
• ASAP! Adsense Template Tips - By : himanshu sharma
  
• How to Make Your Site Earn Through Google Adsense - By : himanshu sharma
  
• Make Money Online Right From Your Home - By : himanshu sharma
  
• The Google Adsense and Wordpress from Google! - By : himanshu sharma
  
• Google Adsense And Niche Sites With Hypervre - By : a khan
  
• Google Adsense - How To Improve Your Google Adsense Earnings - By : Daniel Bell
  
• What is The Secret to Succeeding in a Home Based Online Business - By : Arthor Pens
  

Save $100 on PLAYSTATION®3 (80GB). Now only $499.99.