This blog is for informational use only, we do not sell, advise or install CCTV or Security Cameras in Nashville, Murfreesboro or Smyrna TN or anywhere else in Tennessee.
Before you buy a CCTV system, know what you are getting before you sign the papers!
You might find local companies that say "Our competitors top CCTV systems don't meet our MINIMUM standards", but then say they use 3 Lux cameras...so how good are these systems?
Well first off a 3 Lux camera is good for seeing twilight under a clear sky, although this is ok I guess, I would rather see a Lux rating of .3 or below. The lower the Lux rating on a CCTV camera the better the camera will be able to see in the dark without the use of IR.
The lower you can get your Lux rating the better quality image the camera will produce in my opinion and it is just my opinion. When you start using IR to inject light into the frame you get what I like to call the flashlight effect, this is when a beam of light is produced in a stream to an object from the camera, one area of the frame will be illuminated but the rest will remain dark.
A camera that has a Lux rating of 0.0003 will be able to see in the dark with little problems as long as some artificial light is present. Example below:
Hight-Speed Dome High Resolution Hitachi Module .0003 lux Ultra Low Lux 23X Optical Zoom This camera features a high quality Sony 480 line CCD camera, 23x optical, 10x digital zoom module. Other features include a high speed 300°/sec pan, 120°/sec tilt. This camera is also IP66 weatherproof rated, with an integrated heater/blower.
*Wall and pendant mount included [Click here for PDF Brochure]
Features:
- 128 User-Defined Presets
- 6 Tour (auto cruise) Modes
- Advanced OSD (On Screen Display)
- Auto/Manual Backlight Compensation
- Color Day - B/W Night auto switching
- Programmable White Balance
- Auto Flip
- 4 Alarm Inputs (Alarm Triggers Preset)
- Auto Home function (Preset or Tour Mode)
- Preset and Tour mode Naming
- NTSC / PAL Switchable
- 8" Compact Size
- Aluminum Cast Structure IP66 Weatherproof rating
- High Quality Sony 23X Optical Zoom, 10x Digital
- High speed digital processing and SMEAR effect suppression
- Compatible with our DVMR's and Geovision DVR Cards and Systems
- Built-in heater/blower assembly facilitates harsh winter environments
- Modular Design makes installations and repairs more efficient
- Multi-protocol support
- Smooth, quiet operation
- High resolution, clear image, even at 23x zoom
- 24V AC power supply included
| Illuminance | Example |
|---|---|
| 10-5 lux | Light from the brightest star (Sirius) |
| 10-4 lux | Total starlight, overcast sky |
| 0.002 lux | Moonless clear night sky with airglow |
| 0.01 lux | Quarter moon |
| 0.27 lux | Full moon on a clear night |
| 1 lux | Full moon overhead at tropical latitudes |
| 3.4 lux | Dark limit of civil twilight under a clear sky |
| 50 lux | Family living room |
| 80 lux | Hallway/toilet |
| 100 lux | Very dark overcast day |
| 320 lux | Recommended office lighting (Australia) |
| 400 lux | Sunrise or sunset on a clear day |
| 1000 lux | Overcast day; typical TV studio lighting |
| 10,000–25,000 lux | Full daylight (not direct sun) |
| 32,000–130,000 lux | Direct sunlight |