How to handle exposure when using external IR and not camera IR

[105437]

All of my 5442 camera locations have external IRs. With the camera IR off, the camera lacks the ability to do Smart IR. Any tips or tricks that could help with exposure? Thanks!

 

[sebastiantombs]

I'm using a similar lighting setup. I keep the exposure down to a manual range of 0-8.33(ms) which seems to help a bit. It also takes to trial and error to get the brightness, contrast and gain just right.

 

[looktall]

why not also have onboard IR?

 

[105437]

why not also have onboard IR?

It helps the camera not see spider webs, rain, moths etc. The external IRs are far superior to the onboard IR for lighting the scene at night.

 

[sebastiantombs]

I light up the whole backyard, say 220x250 with one high powered IR flood.

 

[105437]

I have a 20 watt Tendelux on the way. I'll use it to light about 150' of my driveway.

 

[Mike A.]

The image tends to be better with IR off too. Whatever adjustment is made by the cam, it just looks better than when using the onboard IR.

Where I can I aim my external IR up higher to get some of the full blast out of the main area that I want to see.