PTZ425DB-AT Night Time

P

plexrva

n3wb
Jan 30, 2023
5
4
united states
I am trying to improve the night time image quality of my camera (PTZ425DB-AT) on my driveway. Currently if I don’t have ICR on all I get is a black image at night. The camera is set in self-adaptive mode with default settings (Aside from ICR which is auto/medium/10 sec). I have played with illuminator and backlight but they have no significant effect on image quality at night.

I have another camera (PTZ1A4M-4X S2) that I have compared setting by setting with the one my driveway. With all the settings under “camera” being the same I actually get useable night time images with this one. They both have the same MP & CMOS. Neither camera have flood lights or anything to help them during the testing.

Anyone have any advice on improving the night time image? My previous amazon special dome camera produced better images. I already got the ladder out and wiped off the dome of the PTZ425DB-AT to see if that would help. The image from tonight is one of the best, but that is because of all the light in the sky tonight (must be Santa with his high beams on).

camera.png
 
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You have IR bleed and/or smear dirt inside and outside the dome.

Check to make sure the "gasket" isn't rolled letting IR past.
 
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wittaj said:
You have IR bleed and/or smear dirt inside and outside the dome.

Check to make sure the "gasket" isn't rolled letting IR past.
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Odd, I got it new and never opened it. Usually I get the camera installed/configured then do the SD card. I didn't even take the plastic off till installed.

I will pull it down later today, and check the gasket. Any idea if Windex is okay for the dome?
 
plexrva said:
Odd, I got it new and never opened it. Usually I get the camera installed/configured then do the SD card. I didn't even take the plastic off till installed.

I will pull it down later today, and check the gasket. Any idea if Windex is okay for the dome?
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The vintage Windex may have ammonia, not good for plastic, even if just in the vicinity. There are non-ammonia versions out there by Windex and even Walmart.
 
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Post a picture of the cam mounted. It may help in determining where the IR reflections are coming from.
 
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If it isn't IR bleed, then it is reflections from other light sources.

Not unheard of, but the gasket could have not sealed properly at the factory.
 
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I finally got around to getting the ladder and pulling the dome. It was seated correctly (pin and notch were in place) and the gasket was consistent all the way around. Checking the gasket and cleaning the dome didn't help the night time image.
samplenhold said:
Post a picture of the cam mounted. It may help in determining where the IR reflections are coming from.
Click to expand...

wittaj said:
If it isn't IR bleed, then it is reflections from other light sources.

Not unheard of, but the gasket could have not sealed properly at the factory.
Click to expand...

I think ya'll are right about IR reflections. Moving the camera around last night using it's controls, the "reflections" only occur when it is pointed to the left (near the gutter). My previous dome wasn't a ptz but was pointed in the same direction and didn't have this issue so I never considered it to be a thing here. Any advice on ways to reduce the IR reflection that wouldn't upset a spouse?
camera.jpg
 
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plexrva said:
the "reflections" only occur when it is pointed to the left (near the gutter).
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Well I think you have the issue solved.
 
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samplenhold said:
Well I think you have the issue solved.
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Any advice or experience dealing with gutters causing the issue? Matte white tape is an idea.

I would like to try avoid moving it for now, once I finish a few more areas I may have to move it anyway but I would like to have it functioning good now.
 
It would have to be dark to absorb and not reflect.

The biggest issue is the form factor of the PTZ - if it were a normal PTZ the lens would be hanging lower and probably not be too impacted by the downspout.
 
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plexrva said:
Any advice or experience dealing with gutters causing the issue? Matte white tape is an idea.

I would like to try avoid moving it for now, once I finish a few more areas I may have to move it anyway but I would like to have it functioning good now.
Click to expand...
You could try a matte finish white but I'll wager it'll take black on the downspout to do it well.
 
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wittaj said:
The biggest issue is the form factor of the PTZ - if it were a normal PTZ the lens would be hanging lower and probably not be too impacted by the downspout.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Part of the reason I went with this one was the form factor was less obvious. Within the next few months I am planning to put a normal PTZ elsewhere on the house but might swap it with this if I can not get the IR issues resolved.

I am thinking about 3D printing a black matte shield that blocks area where the gutter is. Make it out of white ABS, then a thin layer of black matte PLA or something on top and it should stop the IR issue. It will be a project this weekend.
 
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plexrva said:
I am thinking about 3D printing a black matte shield that blocks area where the gutter is. Make it out of white ABS, then a thin layer of black matte PLA or something on top and it should stop the IR issue. It will be a project this weekend.
Click to expand...
Before I went that trouble I'd confirm the issue with a piece of black cardboard or a piece of a corrugated box sprayed with flat black paint, taped up temporarily for one night. That way you could make it only as long or wide as absolutely required. :cool:
 
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