Hi all,

I'm trying to decide between a couple of Arecont cameras for day/night application at my house

It looks like I have 2 options:
1. The 3 Megapixel day/night version (AV3100DN or AV3105DN)
2. The 3 Megapixel color sensor and 1.3 Megapixel BW sensor dual-lens version (AV3130)

The day/night version has a mechanical Infrared cut-filter and I could get 3 Megapixel for color and B&W.

Does anyone have any opinions on which camera would provide a better night image? A infrared cut filter or a dedicated B&W sensor?

One advantage with the DN types is that the resolution doesn't change when it switches over. It's a pain on the 3130.

But the DN doesn't support an AI lens if I understand the specs correctly, an essential feature and a plus towards the 3130 as the mono side lens can be left wide open.
Personally I would not buy another Arecont unless it was very inexpensive. Have you looked at the IQeye range?

I forgot the DN versions can't support the auto-iris. I guess I don't understand the purpose of the Day/Night version then. Isn't the whole reason of getting a DN type of camera because lighting conditions vary? And isn't the purpose of the auto-iris lens to control light exposure (I'm in Phoenix, Arizona so it's usually bright)? Seems like you would need both.

Most of my research has been around Avigilon (which is not tailored for residential) and Arecont. IQeye is on my list of HD IP cam vendors, but I haven't put a lot of research into them yet, but they seem to cost significantly more than Arecont.

I just bought the 3100DN and although the pic is nice during the day, it isn't very useful at night.

This is because there is no AI, and to get a clear image during the day, I have to close down the iris some. Which creates a problem for night time.
So without AI feature, I think the 3100DN isn't useful for viewing both day and night with optimum settings.

I was happy with the Axis 223, because it had IR cutfilter, and AI. The only problem was the resolution. Now they have 223M but I got the Arecont because of the price difference.

The problem now is there isn't a Arecont 3100xx camera that has both IR Cut filter and AI, sorely needed.

I too, have been wondering about the 3130 camera, but am afraid to gamble another $700 bucks to try it out.

My first goal is high quality images in both day and night. The second goal was to read license plates. To do this, I need as much light as possible coming in the camera at night (with aid of IR Illuminators), but still I might be dreaming because of the exposure time will blur out the plates when the vehicle is moving.

The plates show up clear during the day when it is bright. Cars are moving about 10-20mph and I can make out the plates pretty consistently.

Any day/night pix samples plzzzzzzzz
Thx

@Kiwi -- Why did you say the 3130 was a pain? Was it because the resolution difference between the cameras didn't give you the same zoom capability?


@metafizx -- I'm curious where Arecont intends for the the Day/Night cameras to be used then. If you have a fixed iris that works in the day, does that mean I would need an equivalent amount of IR illuminators to make it seem like "IR daylight"? That's pretty unreasonable.

Anyone from Arecont care to comment on why the DN versions don't have auto-iris?

exactly the question I have. I feel pretty dumb now to have bought this camera without AI. it is pretty useless IMHO.

What do you guys have the AES set to? I ask as I have had on up for a while and have not noticed this. Mine is the older style big box with no AI options. I run it BW with the filter removed, no problems day or night.

hi, well there aren't a lot of options available, but this is what I have it set to currently:

Illumination : Auto
Misc : Auto Exposure (just a checkbox)
Day/Night : Auto
Gains: not set (default)
Low Light Mode : either Balanced or Moonlight

Moonlight gives me way more exposure time, hence a better picture in low light, but the exposure time is very long. Anything moving is blurry.

I wonder if a megapixel BW camera with auto-iris and no IR cut filter would be cheaper since it doesn't need to do color.

Does your camera have a manual iris then? Do you run it wide open?

In case anyone was still interested, I asked Arecont about the Day/Night vs. Auto-Iris and here was the response:

"It’s not necessary to have iris “mostly closed” for daytime use, you can open iris to a proper position for night time use. During daytime, on-camera auto-exposure control will automatically reduce camera gain to produce quality images."

So I think I'm going to wait for the DN version of the H.264 line to come out and give one a try.

My problem with their statement, is the image is not in good focus with the iris fully open in daylight. that is why the iris is closed down to get a sharp picture. I know the autogain will compensate, but it's a matter of sharpness.

perhaps I have to get a better lens. I am using a 1/2" Computar 4.5-12.5mm F1.2 IR lens, which I thought was a good lens.

Any comments on the lens or why the image is not in sharp focus when the iris is wide open ?

I read this article yesterday which was interesting.
http://www.techrepvideo.com/ADN.html

From that article and the Arecont support response, it sounds like everything should be in focus day or night, so I don't know.

[quote:adb9934050="metafizx"]

My problem with their statement, is the image is not in good focus with the iris fully open in daylight. that is why the iris is closed down to get a sharp picture. I know the autogain will compensate, but it's a matter of sharpness.

perhaps I have to get a better lens. I am using a 1/2" Computar 4.5-12.5mm F1.2 IR lens, which I thought was a good lens.

Any comments on the lens or why the image is not in sharp focus when the iris is wide open ?