Re: CCTV at night

[Matt Ion <soundy106@xxxxxxxxx>]

Charlie Brown wrote:
> Hi
>
> OK, I didn't do my homework very well.  I have a digital video recorder with
> one wireless miniature camera attached, I did this initial set up because I
> wasn't sure how good it was going to be.  It works fine but has a range of
> about 20m instead of the 100m spec, but the signal is going through a couple
> of walls.  I now want to add cameras to it (3 more spare ports) but the
> dealer tells me I need IR cameras if I want to record at night, they all
> look a bit chunky and I like the discrete miniature type.  Is there a way
> where I can use the miniature cameras but use separate IR lighting?  The
> dealer says you can't do this, you need the IR cameras.
>
> Can anyone help?

You don't need cameras with built-in IR illuminators, but you do need cameras
that can pick up the IR illumination.  As Bass noted though, large high-power
illuminators can be expensive.

How about just using a motion-activated flood light?  Your mini-cams will be a
lot happier with that, and you'll be a lot more likely to simply scare the bad
guys away with that.