Using Your Camcorder as an Infrared Video Camera
If you are like me, there have been many times when you've wanted to be able to take video that captures what happens in the dark.
Things that go bump in the night may not always be frightening, but you wish you could find out what is happening and clear up the mystery. Whether it is something making noise in the garage, or somebody or something out in the garden or yard, or someplace in the house, these mysterious happenings are puzzling.
And you know that if you keep the lights on when you set up your night vision camcorder that you will never solve the mystery.
If there is any light at all, either from moon light or from ambient light such as street lights or other partial illumination, your first reaction would be to try to slow the shutter speed down on your infrared video camera. This will allow it to capture more light per frame.
You may get some video that you can use this way, but usually the video is blurry and shaky if you are holding the camera by hand. Even when using a tripod, whatever you are trying to film always seems to stay in the darkest areas where you can’t record what is happening.
What you need to do is the same thing the military has been working on and improving for years. You need to add some type of light to illuminate what you are trying to record. But this light needs to be something that the camera can see but regular human or animal biological vision can’t. This ‘secret’ light is called infrared.
An infrared video camera or camcorder can see infrared light, even if we can’t. Some even have a built in infrared illuminator but it is usually low powered and won’t do the job if you really want to light up an area with invisible light.
But what you can do is to add additional sources of infrared light. By using additional units that give out infrared you can invisibly light any area you desire.
There are basically two different types of add on illuminators. One type typically is attached to your camcorder and uses it’s built in power supply. These units are highly portable and have the advantage of always lighting the direction in which you are shooting.
The second type of are stand alone units with their own power supply, either battery powered or AC. These can typically put out much more light. You can position these lights near the area where you want to record and stand far away with your infrared video camera and still get excellent shots. A powerful infrared floodlight is usually AC powered and these will be less expensive than a battery powered unit that has equivalent infrared output power.
Kodak ZxD Pocket Video Camera Records in HD at a Low, Low Price.
The Kodak ZxD Pocket Video Camera is made for capturing video on the go. It is built to resist all the elements. You don't have to be afraid of wet weather or being at the beach with this little camcorder. This camera is designed to be able to handle a little rugged use and you can use it in action situations without having to worry about damage.
Here is more information about the features of this camera:
Video specs: HD Video. Record at a 16:9 aspect ratio up to 60 fps in 720p HD. And the camera also offers options for HD at 30 fps or VGA for longer recording times or use for uploading to the Web. There is built in slow motion playback, fast forward and rewind, and you can even view the playback frame by frame if necessary. Automatic setting for great quality records in regular and low light.
Audio: Includes a sensitive, low distortion microphone for good to excellent audio quality.
Size and portability: The unit is very compact and will fit in a shirt pocket. And with a 32 GB SD card you can film up to ten hours of HD.
Weather resistant: The camera has rubberized doors that serve to protect the external openings and there is a stainless steel rust proof cover.
Still Photo Capability: You can take individual still images from the video stream and pick the perfect still shot.
View Screen: 2.0-inch LCD screen.
Included Software: Video editing software is built into the ZxD. You connect it to your computer to install the software. Email your creations or upload to YouTube right from the software that is built in. USB cable is included.
Product Dimensions: Size: 6.1 x 2.6 x 6.8 inches. Weight: 1.4 pounds.
Other: Comes with a remote control that lets you record yourself. HD quality allows you to play back your recordings on your HDTV (HDMI cable included). Comes in a variety of vibrant colors.
This small sized highly portable camera would be perfect for anyone who wants to have a mini camcorder always on hand wherever they go or do. HD quality in this unit is a great plus and it isn’t even necessary to say you can’t beat the price.
While this unit might not be your answer for heavy night vision camcorder use, it looks like it would be a great inexpensive way to always keep a camera with you. Click on the photo of the camera above and get this camera and put it through it’s paces.
Night Vision Cameras and Camcorders – What Makes Them Work?
Photography has often been compared to painting with light. But now new technology allows us to see in the dark with night vision cameras and camcorders. There are many situations where you might want to be able to take a picture or film in the dark or when there is not enough light for a regular camera. Those who camp or hunt have many situations where night vision technology would be especially useful.
We all have heard about the military’s use of night vision equipment but have always thought that it is out of reach for the average person. New technology and mass production has now put this technology in the price range that anyone can afford.
Understanding how night vision works requires that we have a definition of what seeing in the dark means. What we call dark is a condition where we as humans have difficulty seeing. But many animals can see much better in the ‘dark’. That is because there is always some light at all times of day and night. It might come from the moon and stars, or from distant street lamps or other man made sources, but the problem is that our eyes can’t gather enough of the light rays to be useful to us like an animal can.
While animals eyes have evolved to have better night vision, we can use technology to see in conditions that most people would consider to be totally dark. There are two different methods that night vision cameras use. The first type uses all available light, and also some infrared light from the lower end of the spectrum that we cannot see. That is why these types of cameras are called ‘infrared’. The sensors are much more sensitive than our eyes are, and it is amazing the images that these cameras can record. The second type uses thermal imaging. This type of sensor records the heat given off by a body or an object. These heat readings are converted in a thermal scale to images that we can comprehend.
Both types of imaging have many different uses and applications. Night vision is now built in to not only cameras and camcorders, but also to binoculars, gun and rifle scopes and night vision goggles. The cost of these items varies, but consumer priced models that have excellent performance are now available for all these types of night vision equipment. And there are also many types of accessories such as an infrared illuminator or infrared floodlight that can be used in addition to your equipment to add more ‘light’ but still keeps everyone else in the dark.
If you are thinking about getting your feet wet with a night vision camcorder or camera, it looks like the time is finally here where you can do it without breaking the bank while getting excellent quality results.
