I have 4 ip cams [IPC-943] two are hardwired and two are wifi. Up until recently they have been working OK, but never really good at night.
Now 3 of them do not show much at night [mostly black] and the one that does show at night is looking kind of foggy.
Is there anything [setup] that I can do or check to improve this?
I should also mention I am running these cams through an Amcrest NVR and using an ASUS monitor to view.
night view
Re: night view
Hello and while you have been here a while I thought I would say Welcome to the Forum....
So foggy I would check the camera to make sure there is no issue with your lens. If it is over a year old in service I would maybe replace the desiccants that will be in the camera hosing. I had a camera installed on my back door and a couple of days ago I woke up to a BLUR mess and my alarm light was going off because it was classified as tampering. I went out thinking that someone had sprayed my lens to find out it was fogged up. Sadly these cameras don't turn off the IR Leds even when I use the camera in Color because they use them as a Heater. So only the lens area was foggy the IR glass was clear... Replaced it with another one until I get my package of Desiccants show up seeing I used the last one a couple of months ago. Every couple of years I replace the ones the cameras came with new ones. Don't know how that one was over looked as it is on my log of cameras to change this year... The others were done... humm opps..
Anyway about the other cameras being only black? Are you using IR Blasters? Are you using Smart IR? Or using IR at all? It might be that your IR cut filter is defective and needs to be replaced or depending on the age of your Cameras it might be that the IR have out lived the life they were created to live...
Have you looked at the Firmware for your Cameras? You using the updated ones? Did you change any settings in the camera? It might be that they have changed and now settings look good at day time but you have that info same for night and maybe night time settings need to be updated to meet the needs of the environment they are in?
Maybe view your system over IE or ASP and take a Screen shot and upload the picture so we can get a better idea of what your working with...
Maybe I know it can be a pain. But maybe you need to Reset your camera. Not back to factory but back to settings of default and see of that helps? Did you turn off the IR by keeping your camera in Day mode only?
So foggy I would check the camera to make sure there is no issue with your lens. If it is over a year old in service I would maybe replace the desiccants that will be in the camera hosing. I had a camera installed on my back door and a couple of days ago I woke up to a BLUR mess and my alarm light was going off because it was classified as tampering. I went out thinking that someone had sprayed my lens to find out it was fogged up. Sadly these cameras don't turn off the IR Leds even when I use the camera in Color because they use them as a Heater. So only the lens area was foggy the IR glass was clear... Replaced it with another one until I get my package of Desiccants show up seeing I used the last one a couple of months ago. Every couple of years I replace the ones the cameras came with new ones. Don't know how that one was over looked as it is on my log of cameras to change this year... The others were done... humm opps..
Anyway about the other cameras being only black? Are you using IR Blasters? Are you using Smart IR? Or using IR at all? It might be that your IR cut filter is defective and needs to be replaced or depending on the age of your Cameras it might be that the IR have out lived the life they were created to live...
Have you looked at the Firmware for your Cameras? You using the updated ones? Did you change any settings in the camera? It might be that they have changed and now settings look good at day time but you have that info same for night and maybe night time settings need to be updated to meet the needs of the environment they are in?
Maybe view your system over IE or ASP and take a Screen shot and upload the picture so we can get a better idea of what your working with...
Maybe I know it can be a pain. But maybe you need to Reset your camera. Not back to factory but back to settings of default and see of that helps? Did you turn off the IR by keeping your camera in Day mode only?
Be Safe.
Re: night view
Thanks for Welcome, Revo2Maxx .
More information - cams are not a year old yet. I am including pic from screen shots.
I have set cams back to settings defaults. I took the screen shots after.
When I first complained about the nightview, I was told by a rep at 1 800 support # that I should take a flashlight at dark and while ON, hold it to the face of the camera for 30 seconds. What do you know of this?
When you say dessicants, are you refering to those little packets that collect moisture? How would I get at them?
Firmware is 2.400.AC02.15.R, Build 2017-07-31.
More information - cams are not a year old yet. I am including pic from screen shots.
I have set cams back to settings defaults. I took the screen shots after.
When I first complained about the nightview, I was told by a rep at 1 800 support # that I should take a flashlight at dark and while ON, hold it to the face of the camera for 30 seconds. What do you know of this?
When you say dessicants, are you refering to those little packets that collect moisture? How would I get at them?
What are these? All my cams are SmartIR as default is.Are you using IR Blasters?
Firmware is 2.400.AC02.15.R, Build 2017-07-31.
Where would I find this setting to check?Did you turn off the IR by keeping your camera in Day mode only?
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- Cam4.JPG (59.85 KiB) Viewed 1904 times
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IP cams - Amcrest 943W [3- wired], Dahua [1 wired], 2 Lorex w/sound [wired], 1 no sound [wired]
NVR - NV4108-HS with 1TB HDD
NVR - NV4108-HS with 1TB HDD
Re: night view
Ok so I am going to guess here as I can't see what is really going on. But it looks like you need to do some Lens Maintenance or move the cameras away from the Windows they are looking out?
Soft cloth like one you would clean your glasses with and wipe off the lens if they are outdoors and covered in water spot and cobwebs. That is for the 3 bottom cameras.
Top camera looks good besides the settings are in need of adjustment. Or the camera needs to move away from the wall. Almost looks like IR LEDS our out in the first one. However try this for the first one... Under your BLC check and try WDR if your camera has it, Try BLC under normal may have it set Custom now and that is why it looks like that... I have mine set under HLC for the best picture for my camera.
IPCam3 almost looks like it is in a window looking out. IR wash back. THen it also looks like Tunnel effect because it is in corner that has to much Reflections and seeing the lens is round it highlights that fact. The others really look like webs are infront of lens or Glass is fractured
Soft cloth like one you would clean your glasses with and wipe off the lens if they are outdoors and covered in water spot and cobwebs. That is for the 3 bottom cameras.
Top camera looks good besides the settings are in need of adjustment. Or the camera needs to move away from the wall. Almost looks like IR LEDS our out in the first one. However try this for the first one... Under your BLC check and try WDR if your camera has it, Try BLC under normal may have it set Custom now and that is why it looks like that... I have mine set under HLC for the best picture for my camera.
IPCam3 almost looks like it is in a window looking out. IR wash back. THen it also looks like Tunnel effect because it is in corner that has to much Reflections and seeing the lens is round it highlights that fact. The others really look like webs are infront of lens or Glass is fractured
Be Safe.
Re: night view
Ok so looking at your pictures your IR are on. Your running your cameras in Night mode at night, Smart IR set and might want to try manual.
For the camera that is really close to the Wall Ipcam4 to be Honest if that is where you need it placed would Benefit from a IR Blaster. Then what would happen with your system under Smart IR the camera most likely wouldn't use the IR in the camera only the Blaster because it would offer the best light and camera while being B/W would be able to see almost perfect. However cheap IR Blasters may give some use but may not last as long as a PRO sytem would. They would almost look like a camera some are wider some longer but will make the area away from wall more the focal point. It almost looks like your camera is pointing to close to to the wall.
Edit Below_______
One of the good systems out there has ability to use a DVR or other system to turn on and off the Blaster. Don't need to have that ability because they do offer the Day and Night Sensor on them. They also have ability to use a Remote control to change settings in the Blasters. The IR bought separate but does give you ability to tailor to your needs. Systems range form Normal type with all viewing degree and distance for your needs. There are some that are White light really kind of like a SPOT light I wouldn't use unless you have good Detection method or just buy a normal light lol... They also have the ones that can't be seen by our eye. Many options. All depends on what you want to spend. Important part of using IR Blasters with Dome type cameras make sure to mount the Blaster above the camera. Also best be install day time but keep ladder handy for night adjustments to get your view setup just right
For the camera that is really close to the Wall Ipcam4 to be Honest if that is where you need it placed would Benefit from a IR Blaster. Then what would happen with your system under Smart IR the camera most likely wouldn't use the IR in the camera only the Blaster because it would offer the best light and camera while being B/W would be able to see almost perfect. However cheap IR Blasters may give some use but may not last as long as a PRO sytem would. They would almost look like a camera some are wider some longer but will make the area away from wall more the focal point. It almost looks like your camera is pointing to close to to the wall.
Edit Below_______
One of the good systems out there has ability to use a DVR or other system to turn on and off the Blaster. Don't need to have that ability because they do offer the Day and Night Sensor on them. They also have ability to use a Remote control to change settings in the Blasters. The IR bought separate but does give you ability to tailor to your needs. Systems range form Normal type with all viewing degree and distance for your needs. There are some that are White light really kind of like a SPOT light I wouldn't use unless you have good Detection method or just buy a normal light lol... They also have the ones that can't be seen by our eye. Many options. All depends on what you want to spend. Important part of using IR Blasters with Dome type cameras make sure to mount the Blaster above the camera. Also best be install day time but keep ladder handy for night adjustments to get your view setup just right
Be Safe.
Re: night view
@RevoMaxx
What "profile" should I be using as a general rule? Day / Normal / Night ?
And where do I go to set that?
Thank you for helping me.
Cleaning the surface glass seems to have improved view somewhat.Lens Maintenance
I have repositioned Cam4 and tried to adjust the picture in Setup >Camera config> Picture and as you can see by screenshot I can at least see the alleyway now.move the cameras
yes that seems to improve view when WDR instead of BLC.Under your BLC check and try WDR
What "profile" should I be using as a general rule? Day / Normal / Night ?
And where do I go to set that?
Thank you for helping me.
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IP cams - Amcrest 943W [3- wired], Dahua [1 wired], 2 Lorex w/sound [wired], 1 no sound [wired]
NVR - NV4108-HS with 1TB HDD
NVR - NV4108-HS with 1TB HDD
Re: night view
It is a really good improvement I would say that a Good IR Blaster would be a good start for your camera 4 sadly it seems that the cameras Focal point is on the wall more then the alley. I am going to guess to try and keep the image in your own yard. However to be honest I would just adjust the camera and set up a Mask to the left side to keep out what you don't want to see. This way your FOV and IR are not blasting your wall.....
So to get to setup press the setup on the top right and then it iwll come up with Camera, Then configuration. in there is where you can get the BLC MODE. In there you can set what fits your needs. Grainy pictures can happen. HLC would be a good setting if you have White LIGHT setup. The company that I have some of my IR from sale both White light and IR I have both. However today I am not sure I would Invest in the hardware from there. Might be able to find some on the E ### website however I am sure they would be stil couple hundred where when I bought they were 410 to 1550 depending on what you needed. I would say even some of the lower quality ones today out there would work however might not give life of these with Warranty of 5 years and Life of 10yrs. Sadly mine started to fail around 8 years however found out that they had been on full time because the sensors went bad... It happens...
SO looking on the E### site under cctv ir illuminator gives some lower price items GEEZ could buy 30 for what I paid for 2 of mine 9 years ago lol However just remember you want to think of a few things about your setup...
Do you want the Faint red light that can be seen from most IR or do you want the ones that can't be seen by eye?
What is the Distance
What is the Focal view point or FOV you want. 10degrees would be for LONG Range, 30,40, 60 100 and 120 degree,
Now wondering how to figure out your Degree you want? Well can use Maps at google bring up your land, it has a measure tool, then you can set lines and measure degrees that way... I just don't want you to get one that will put you right back where you are now with HIGH LIGHT on wall that reflects to blur out image as well.
So to get to setup press the setup on the top right and then it iwll come up with Camera, Then configuration. in there is where you can get the BLC MODE. In there you can set what fits your needs. Grainy pictures can happen. HLC would be a good setting if you have White LIGHT setup. The company that I have some of my IR from sale both White light and IR I have both. However today I am not sure I would Invest in the hardware from there. Might be able to find some on the E ### website however I am sure they would be stil couple hundred where when I bought they were 410 to 1550 depending on what you needed. I would say even some of the lower quality ones today out there would work however might not give life of these with Warranty of 5 years and Life of 10yrs. Sadly mine started to fail around 8 years however found out that they had been on full time because the sensors went bad... It happens...
SO looking on the E### site under cctv ir illuminator gives some lower price items GEEZ could buy 30 for what I paid for 2 of mine 9 years ago lol However just remember you want to think of a few things about your setup...
Do you want the Faint red light that can be seen from most IR or do you want the ones that can't be seen by eye?
What is the Distance
What is the Focal view point or FOV you want. 10degrees would be for LONG Range, 30,40, 60 100 and 120 degree,
Now wondering how to figure out your Degree you want? Well can use Maps at google bring up your land, it has a measure tool, then you can set lines and measure degrees that way... I just don't want you to get one that will put you right back where you are now with HIGH LIGHT on wall that reflects to blur out image as well.
Be Safe.