what are "hybrid IR Illuminators"

[mikeysoft 0]

Hi, I've bought a CCTV IR camera with "Strong hybrid IR Illuminators" which produces fantastic night time images (the LEDs in the camera are very big compared to what I'm used to). Way better than normal IR cameras I've used in the past. What is a hybrid IR illuminator? When I look at the camera at night, the LEDs aren't glowing red as normal (nor producing white light). The spread and depth of the IR on the image is better than I expected; are "hybrid IR" more capable than normal LED IR?

 

This particular camera is a 9mm to 22mm, probably set at about 12mm, but I have a much older and cheaper IR camera co-located to give me a wide angle of the same view (it's a 3.6mm, set a few inches away from the hybird IR camera), and it does not seem to benefit at all from the IR from the "hybrid IR" camera. Is this because hybrid IR produce a different wavelength of light? (but surely if one CCD can see this, surely the other camera's CCD would too)?

 

Anyway, any info on what these 'hybrid IR' is much appreciated. Unfortunately the retailer I bought the 9-22mm hybird IR camera from don't sell a wider version (say 4mm) with the hybird IR LEDs fitted, only normal LEDs. So I'd like to know what the hybrid IR is about so I can try and find other cameras fitted with them from other retailers.

 

Please see attached images from both my co-located cameras (the poor quality camera is the one I'm going to replace with, hopefully, a 'hybrid IR' 4mm camera - failing that a body camera so I can get colour at night). You can see just how far the IR is reaching on the 'hybrid IR' camera. Oh, and the images show some scallies that decided to go around the area last night checking for unlocked cars, and the Police arriving very soon after my phone call!

 

 

 

[rory 0]

far as I know it just means it has 2 ways the LEDs are set, some for longer distance and a smaller beam, and others for a closer wider beam. Thats not that far actually going by the other images, and I can see additional light provided by the street lighting, just that the other cameras were likely very cheap and lacking.

 

eg. none of these are hybrid IR, this is a totally pitch dark larger scenario

[mikeysoft 0]

But why does my "hybrid IR LED" camera LEDs not show up red when on at night, as per other normal IR LEDs?

[rory 0]

or perhaps they mean hybrid as in 930nm instead of 830nm so it is covert?

Manufacturers use different wording.

You actually loose IR distance with 930nm over 830nm.

[rory 0]

by the way .. this is an example to show the strength of the IR beam or other visible light, not exact but good enough to give a pretty decent idea.

 

examples show: Original, Negative, Polarized.

In Negative the darker areas mean more light

In Polarized the whiter areas mean more light

 

Your new camera is probably alot more sensitive to low light and is switching to Black and White unlike the old one, so automatically it will see more under low light conditions even without the IR.

 

 

and just to show that this kind of editing is generally spot on (no pun intended)

[mikeysoft 0]

OK thanks for the info. But I still don't really think I have any idea what hybrid IR illuminator means, why they don't glow red like other IR LEDs, and how to find other CCTV cameras with hybrid IR illuminators (most retailers just specify LED IR).

 

In my example, yes the newer camera is definitely going to be more sensitive than my old (8 years+) one, but just how much of the improvement in night vision is coming from that or from the hybrid IR LED I don't know (would have to compare same camera with normal LEDs). The old camera does do a weird semi-colour/semi-b&w thing at night, which I don't understand, but am not bothered about, just want to understand the LEDs on my new camera.

 

If anyone can give me a better idea about what "hybrid IR illuminator" means, I'd be very greatful, so I can find a similar wide (4mm) camera to buy in the UK.

 

For reference, this is my 'hybrid IR illuminator' camera: http://www.cctvdirect.co.uk/products/Twilight-VFC-%252d-LONG-RANGE-%252d-50M-IR-650TVL-High-Resolution.html

 

Thanks!

[alpine0000 0]

I still don't really think I have any idea what hybrid IR illuminator means, why they don't glow red like other IR LEDs

 

perhaps they mean hybrid as in 930nm instead of 830nm so it is covert?Manufacturers use different wording.

You actually loose IR distance with 930nm over 830nm.

[mikeysoft 0]

I still don't really think I have any idea what hybrid IR illuminator means, why they don't glow red like other IR LEDs

 

perhaps they mean hybrid as in 930nm instead of 830nm so it is covert?Manufacturers use different wording.

You actually loose IR distance with 930nm over 830nm.

 

I don't believe 930nm=hybrid; "perhaps" sounds like a guess to me.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Guest

[tomcctv 187]

I still don't really think I have any idea what hybrid IR illuminator means, why they don't glow red like other IR LEDs

 

perhaps they mean hybrid as in 930nm instead of 830nm so it is covert?Manufacturers use different wording.

You actually loose IR distance with 930nm over 830nm.

 

I don't believe this is correct, and "perhaps" sounds like a guess to me.

 

 

 

taken from the raytex site ,

 

HYBRID illuminators have been designed for all applications where both the advantages of Infra-Red (long illumination distances, covert surveillance) and White-Light (lighting as a visible deterrent, colour images) are needed. The Infra-Red light in HYBRID provides constant covert lighting of an area, delivering 24 hour CCTV coverage without causing light pollution or illuminating an area for criminals or intruders. The White-Light in HYBRID can be activated on intrusion into a secure zone creating a bright, visible deterrent to any intruders who know they are being watched the moment the light turns on.

[mikeysoft 0]

taken from the raytex site ,

 

HYBRID illuminators have been designed for all applications where both the advantages of Infra-Red (long illumination distances, covert surveillance) and White-Light (lighting as a visible deterrent, colour images) are needed. The Infra-Red light in HYBRID provides constant covert lighting of an area, delivering 24 hour CCTV coverage without causing light pollution or illuminating an area for criminals or intruders. The White-Light in HYBRID can be activated on intrusion into a secure zone creating a bright, visible deterrent to any intruders who know they are being watched the moment the light turns on.

 

This is not what "hybrid" means on my camera - it does not have white light capability. Here you are talking about a hybird camera, not hybrid LEDs - there is a big difference. What you are talking about here is just a camera with infra-red LEDs AND white-light capability on the same camera. My camera only has infra-red LEDs, that do not glow red. It cannot produce white light.

[tomcctv 187]

This is not what "hybrid" means

 

 

yes it does. CNB does hybrid cameras (without white light) like it has already been said. 930nm or 830nm together is called hybrid 830nm and white light together is also hybrid.

 

 

what make is your camera. ??? and again hybrid can be added to cheap cameras or part of a cheap camera. anything new that comes along the cheap guys will make a cheap version. but with hybrid you also need the camera to have two light filters. if its a cheap camera i think one filter will me missing. giving a bad night image.

[mikeysoft 0]

This is not what "hybrid" means

 

 

yes it does. CNB does hybrid cameras (without white light) like it has already been said. 930nm or 830nm together is called hybrid 830nm and white light together is also hybrid.

 

 

what make is your camera. ??? and again hybrid can be added to cheap cameras or part of a cheap camera. anything new that comes along the cheap guys will make a cheap version. but with hybrid you also need the camera to have two light filters. if its a cheap camera i think one filter will me missing. giving a bad night image.

 

my camera gives a great night time image - why are you talking about "bad night image" - see the first image in my original post (the 2nd image is of a 'cheap' old camera). Why are you harping on about cheap??? I'm just trying to get to the bottom of what a reasonably priced home-use camera means when it talks about being "hybrid IR illuminator" (see the link earlier to the camera on the retailers website). do you really think normal average home users (in general) fit £500-£1000 branded cameras - no they do not. If you're a professional installer fitting expensive branded cameras for customers (which they are funding), fine, but that isn't everyone on these forums.

[tomcctv 187]

my camera gives a great night time image - why are you talking about "bad night image"

 

 

 

sorry i have seen much better images from cheaper cameras. the problem with your image. your car is clear the guys feet in the background is clear. the guy walking in the image (the area you need most ) is very poor not clear at all (looks like a ghost walking past.) have another look at rorys pictures

 

Why are you harping on about cheap???

 

 

my point. (i did not see you camera link at first) that camera is not hybrid at all sold all over the uk from £30 to £150. just the price if a hybrid Illuminator is alot more than your camera.