What's the secret to high quality night time images?

["Pokey" <slow_mac_modem@xxxxxxxxx>]

My daytime pics are OK but the nighttime pics are terribly grainy like
a NASA moon landing.

My current setup includes a standalone DVR set to maximum possible
recording quality which is 720 X 480 at 30 IPS, divided by four
channels = 7.5 IPS per channel.

All of my cameras are color 1/4" CCD, 380 lines with IR LEDs.

The cable runs to the cameras are 50-75 feet each.

The highest quality weatherproof cameras I've seen available are 1/3"
CCD, 420 line.  How much of an improvement would these be over my
existing cams?  And how many lines can you get on a 720 X 480?  My
manual skips this fact.

My dream camera is a weatherproof, adjustable 4-50mm remote zoom
control camera with auto iris, auto focus, and a 250 foot IR range and
provides crystal clear night time images guaranteed or triple your
money back.  It remains pie in the sky and criminals remain loose,
wild, and free.

I may not get my dream camera but there must be some middle ground
that's better than a '67 moon landing.  Ideas?

Pokey.