IR and day/night cameras

	Lyok has the LY-34VP-D with a double 1/3in Sony CCD image sensor. The unit has a resolution of 480 TVL in the daytime and 600 TVL at night.

The security systems boon continues to favor suppliers in a line that now includes speed dome, PTZ and IP units.

Strong demand for basic 24hr surveillance for many security applications is driving China’s day/night camera industry. IR day/night cameras are currently leading the supply market, with 2008 production totaling about 10 million units, equivalent to about half of China’s total CCTV camera output. The current supply range now comprises various types of IR day/night cameras, including standard box, dome, speed dome, PTZ and IP models.

China’s IR day/night camera manufacturing industry, which began in 2000, consisted initially of assemblers that depended on overseas suppliers in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan for key components such as cameras, lenses, IR lights and housings. Today, the industry has the support not only of an estimated 500 manufacturers but also of domestic component suppliers. With the exception of CCD image sensors and digital signal processor (DSP) chips that are still being sourced from Japan and South Korea, other components are now widely available domestically and adopted by China makers.

Suppliers in China may be differentiated based on their product development and manufacturing capabilities. Large-scale companies have the competence to develop long-range IR day/night cameras and high-end IR day/night cameras such as speed dome, PTZ and IP units. These companies conduct most key production processes in-house, notably SMT, and have a monthly production capacity exceeding 50,000 units. They typically have more than 30 product development staff dedicated to this line.

Midsize suppliers can produce more than 30,000 IR day/night cameras a month. These companies employ between 10 and 20 engineers, and work with solution providers or upstream component suppliers on new product development. Some of them have SMT lines.

Small players outsource molds and SKD cameras, focusing instead on final assembly, QC and packaging. They have less than 10 product development engineers who can implement simple product modifications. Part of these companies’ business comes from large and midsize manufacturers.

	Model HW-816 is an IR day/night camera from Yes Development.

Product trends in the last two years also highlight two other IR day/night camera types—dual-CCD and PTZ models. Dual-CCD IR cameras feature two CCD sensors and two lenses. The color CCD sensor is for daytime use, and the b/w version is for night vision.

Lyok Electronic Technology Co. Ltd has the LY-34VP-D with a double 1/3in Sony CCD image sensor. The unit has a resolution of 480 TVL in the daytime and 600 TVL at night. The lens is 3.6mm, IR distance is from 25m to 35m, S/N ratio is 48dB and video out is composite 1(vp-p)75ohm/BNC.

The unit has an IP55 weatherproof standard and works at temperatures of -10 degrees to 50 degrees Celsius. Power supply is 12V DC.

PTZ IR cameras, usually regarded as high end, have one or two large IR lights and a buyer-specified CCTV camera. This design compensates for the weak IR performance of PTZ cameras, as well as of speed dome cameras. The modular configuration also allows flexibility in the intended applications.

Mainstream IR day/night cameras from China makers usually adopt an all-in-one design for simple installation and easy maintenance. Product prices depend on the key components used and features.

Entry-level close-range IR box cameras typically feature 1/4in or 1/3in color CCD sensors and fixed lens. These deliver 420 to 480 TVL resolution. Their prices range from $20 to $50. Model E-6002SNH from Yes Development Co. Ltd has a 1/3in Sony image sensor, 480 TVL resolution and 104 pieces of IR LEDs for an effective distance of 80m.

Midrange models, which include medium-range IR box cameras and IP-based IR cameras, are quoted from $50 to $150 per unit. These incorporate 1/3in color CCD sensors, auto iris and zoom lenses. They support 480 to 520 TVL resolution. IP-based cameras mostly use MPEG-4 codec and have D1 resolution, or 720x480 pixels for NTSC and 720x576 pixels for PAL.

High-end models comprise long-range, speed dome and PTZ IR cameras, with the price starting at $150. Typical features include 1/2in or 1/3in high-sensitivity CCD sensors, auto iris and zoom lenses, high-power IR LEDs or LED arrays, and 480 to 540 TVL resolution.

Mainstream IR day/night cameras have lenses with F1.4 or larger apertures. Most midrange and high-end models have lenses that feature larger apertures and auto iris function. To address chromatic aberration in lenses, IR-cut filters are usually added to high-quality IR day/night cameras.

Weather and vandal resistance likewise differentiate products, and are particularly crucial for outdoor models. Midrange and high-end models have an IP65 or higher rating. Some models also feature added wipers and fans to ensure stable and reliable 24hr operation in all-weather conditions.

While China makers do not expect any major movements in prices, any increase in export quotes will be due to an appreciating yuan and rising raw material costs.

Large CCD sensors deliver better luminous flux but are more common in high-end units due to their higher cost. For other cameras being produced by China suppliers, 1/3in and 1/4in CCD sensors are widely used.

China suppliers source CCD sensors from Sony, Sharp, Panasonic and A1 PROs. The DSP chips are mainly from Sony, Sharp and NextChip. To ensure high product quality, makers advise buyers to double-check the type and brand of components their suppliers are using.

Generally, the majority of midrange models are built around Sony Super HAD CCD sensors. Sony EXview HAD CCD sensors are commonly adopted in high-end camera models due to their optimized light efficiency in near-infrared lighting conditions. The Sony ICX255AK CCD sensor combined with the Sony SS-1 (CXD2163) DSP chip is a popular midrange solution. For high-end models, many companies combine the Sony ICX259AK CCD sensor with the Sony SS-1 (CXD2163) DSP chip to deliver high resolution.

Some makers use Sharp solutions to deliver better S/N ratio while reducing the cost. S/N ratio, another differentiating feature in IR day/night cameras, depends not only on the CCD and DSP but also on the PCB layout, circuit design and external components. Mainstream IR day/night cameras mostly have an S/N ratio exceeding 50dB.

IR camera lenses used in mainstream models are mainly sourced from local suppliers such as Fujian Forecam Optics Co. Ltd and Xiamen Leading Optics Co. Ltd. Some high-end models use imported lenses such as Avenir from Japan’s Seikou Optical Ltd.

For light source, China manufacturers mainly tap into the domestic supply market for IR LEDs, which has about 100 suppliers. Imported IR LEDs are used for some high-end models. Many companies in Shenzhen, in particular, turn to Taiwan suppliers such as Tyntek Corp. and Opto Tech Corp. Others source from reliable local suppliers such as Xiamen Guangpu Electronics Co. Ltd.

IR LEDs’ high lighting efficiency and low cost make them the most popular light source for IR cameras in China. The common IR LED works at 850nm or 940nm wavelength. Buyers can specify their choice feature to suit the intended application. The 850nm IR LED has better lighting efficiency because of its higher compatibility with most CCD sensors, but with its red glow cannot provide nighttime invisibility like the 940nm IR LED.

China makers mostly use low- and medium-power IR LEDs measuring 5mm or 8mm in diameter for close-range IR day/night cameras. These cameras have an effective distance of 50m. For medium-range IR day/night cameras with an effective operating distance of up to 100m, makers use 8m or 10mm medium-power IR LEDs. Long-range camera models typically have high-power IR LEDs rated at 1W to 5W per unit. This type of IR LEDs usually measures 25mm in diameter. As an enhancement, most companies include photosensitive resistance in their products to enable auto adjustment of light intensity. Others use various combinations of IR LED sizes for optimized effective range.

For improved heat dissipation, especially in IR LED-based cameras, most makers mainly use aluminum core PCBs. Some companies employ semiconductor refrigeration technology. A constant temperature system is employed in some midrange and high-end models. High-quality power supply is used to ensure a stable supply and extended lifespan for IR LEDs.

Some manufacturers have incorporated IR halogen lights and IR LED arrays in their cameras, but adoption has yet to gain wider support due to high cost and technology requirements.

The halogen light has a long effective range, but its high power, high temperature and short life outweigh this advantage.

The array is a new-generation solution offering an alternative to traditional light sources because of its high integration, higher electro-optical conversion efficiency, adjustable half-power angle of up to 10deg to 120deg, and longer lifespan extending up to nine times that of traditional solutions.

Nearly all of Taiwan’s surveillance camera manufacturers are capable of developing IR day/night cameras, thanks to the island’s mature image sensor technology.

The region currently has at least 60 suppliers of surveillance cameras, including CCTV and IP cameras. Active players in the CCTV sector include Hi Sharp Electronics Co. Ltd, Hunt Electronic Co. Ltd, GKB CCTV Co. Ltd, Acti Corp., EverFocus Electronics Corp., AV Tech Corp., Dynacolor Inc. and Yoko Technology Corp. Many of these companies also provide IP cameras with IR function.

Taiwan suppliers offer analog IR cameras, most of which feature long viewing range, wide viewing angle and enhanced minimum illumination. These products typically come in sturdy housings. Aluminum alloy is commonly used in housings for better heat dissipation.

Advances in IR LED technology have fast-tracked the development of IP cameras and speed dome cameras with night vision function. Many Taiwan suppliers offer midrange models of these camera types.

Vandal-proof and water- and bullet-resistant IR cameras—high-value offerings suitable for government, police and military applications—are likewise rising in supply. Products that fall under this category will likely gain more momentum as more makers move upmarket to veer away from intensifying price competition, especially in the entry-level sector.

Hi Sharp, established in 1987, offers a line of surveillance solutions that include CCTV/IP cameras, DVRs, car surveillance systems, and video control systems and accessories. One of its midrange offerings is model HS-CT1030, a CCTV IR camera with 30 LED bulbs for an IR distance of up to 25m.

A higher-end model, the HS-CT1020, comes with 50 LED bulbs and a viewing distance up to 40m. The unit has aluminum alloy housing and a photodiode design for accurate IR LED trigger activation. It comes with a double glass to reduce reflections.

Both models in the CT1000 series are IP68-rated and have a 1/3in interline transfer CCD image sensor, 530 TVL resolution, >48dB S/N ratio, auto electronic shutter of 1/60 (1/50) to 1/100,000s, and 0.3lux color/F2.0 minimum illumination.