DS-2CD2147G2-SU - you can't see anything at night despite colourvu

[nycrom]

Hello,
we have installed the camera in a hall.

Unfortunately, there is something wrong with the performance at night, see the attached photo from the app.

Nothing can be seen at all. Or does the camera need some smallest light source for ColorVu to work?

 

[Mike A.]

Yes, they need some level of light.

 

[nycrom]

Yes, they need some level of light.

So like in the technical data: " 0.0005 Lux @ (F1.0, AGC ON)" -> if i put a small led light in the hall, colorvu should do its magic?

 

[Mike A.]

Depends how much magic you want. The spec is a bare minimum. Doesn't take a lot to light things up so that you can see a static image with color.

If you want to capture motion well, then you'll need more light. Just like any other camera, they all need light of some sort and generally work better with more.

 

[nycrom]

Depends how much magic you want. The spec is a bare minimum. Doesn't take a lot to light things up so that you can see a static image with color.

If you want to capture motion well, then you'll need more light. Just like any other camera, they all need light of some sort and generally work better with more.

there is a not so bright streetlight at our house and the result is really impressive. see screenshot.

 

[Mike A.]

Yes, street lights like that with lots of reflective surfaces, they'll look great. That's a relatively lot of light in my book.

But you still may need more to capture motion well. And/or go with a faster shutter and what won't be as impressive looking static image to get there.

 

[wittaj]

Yep all cameras need light. Simple physics.

I can make a cheap $40 camera look like it is noon when it is midnight out, but then it will be blur city on motion.

Camera manufactures use to provide the shutter speed in the technical data on something like "0.05 Lux @ at 1/30s shutter" and then you knew if it was really good at night or not. But now that they don't give the shutter speed, it could be a ridiculously low like 1/3s which would be useless for motion.

Anybody that posts a clear image at night, I always ask to provide a video or snapshot freeze-frame of motion at night - that is when you need the camera to perform.

 

[triumph202]

You could turn the on onboard LED light on- that's what it's fitted for. Much like the IR lights on normal cameras.

 

[nycrom]

You could turn the on onboard LED light on- that's what it's fitted for. Much like the IR lights on normal cameras.

i tried to activate in live view but maybe there is no LED light in this camera model "this model doesnt support front light"

 

[wittaj]

i tried to activate in live view but maybe there is no LED light in this camera model "this model doesnt support front light"

Yep, this version doesn't have the light. I hate to say it, but you were another person burned by the marketing claims that this is a miracle camera that can see color at night.

With a little bit of light, it is a great camera, but it will not work in pitch black areas.

You need to add some light to the area or return it and get one with infrared....

 

[triumph202]

i tried to activate in live view but maybe there is no LED light in this camera model "this model doesnt support front light"

That's a bit odd. As others have said, you do need some visible light for the ColorVu cameras to work. You mentioned it is inside- I've got a few different motion activated night lights inside my house. Something like that would supply enough light.

 

[nycrom]

There is no possibility to add some Lights.

So which camera do you recommend for absolute dark Environment?

 

[redpoint5]

Cameras capture light. There is no such thing as a camera that captures not-light. No getting around a scene requiring a light source to capture it. Even FLIR cameras capture light, it just happens to not be visible to the naked eye.

 

[Mike A.]

Get a camera with IR, Pretty much any will light up a small interior area very well. There will be light but not visible to your eye. It won't be in color though.

 

[triumph202]

There is no possibility to add some Lights.

I've got a couple of these and they light up a whole room. Recharge via a micro USB lead, you can vary the light output and the sensitivity to the ambient light.

19.95US $ 45% OFF|USB Rechargeable 68 LED Under Cabinet Light Dimmable PIR Motion Sensor Closet Night Light for Wardrobe Cupboard Kitchen Wall|Under Cabinet Lights| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

If you've got mains power outlets on the walls in the area get a night light.

 

[Timokreon]

Do you happen to have an outlet in the hallway?
You could replace that outlet with one that has a night light built in. I have several of these throughout my home. Some you can "push" the light itself to vary the brightness, while others are just one level.

 

[nycrom]

Do you happen to have an outlet in the hallway?
You could replace that outlet with one that has a night light built in. I have several of these throughout my home. Some you can "push" the light itself to vary the brightness, while others are just one level.

there is no outlet, so i change the camera to one with IR.

 

[triumph202]

so i change the camera to one with IR.

You'll revert to black and white images though. That can make it harder to identify any intruder.

 

[trempa92]

Or get colorvu model with supplement led light

I am using EZVIZ cheap one, works awesome. CS-C3W-A0-3H4WFRL

-Got led, speaker,microphone.

Image is without LED because i do have source of light from street lamps.



And it kinda work as hikvision acusense, human detection, doggo is ignored(poor doggo)

 

[nycrom]

Or get colorvu model with supplement led light

I am using EZVIZ cheap one, works awesome. CS-C3W-A0-3H4WFRL

-Got led, speaker,microphone.

Image is without LED because i do have source of light from street lamps.

View attachment 123276

And it kinda work as hikvision acusense, human detection, doggo is ignored(poor doggo)

View attachment 123277

Wow really good camera and only 100 Euro. I think we will try this one.