X10 Community Forum

📸Cameras & Camera Software => Legacy non Wi-Fi X10 Cameras => Camera General Discussion => Wired Cameras => Topic started by: corvette on April 26, 2006, 12:16:30 PM

Title: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: corvette on April 26, 2006, 12:16:30 PM: I received my new XX20A low lite camera, and set it up works good in day lite but when it gets dark i cant see a thing , even with bright full moon.
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: rayishome on May 23, 2006, 10:56:21 PM: I have the same issues, but with a porch light. I can see a person walking if they get really reallly close.
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: SteveRF on October 01, 2006, 04:05:55 PM: Agree, the "LOW LIGHT" cams do not offer low light use as far as I am concerned.
The one I have does not function any better in low light conditions than the color models.
Guess I am fairly dissappointed in the clarity (resolution) of the cams in general.
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: Tuicemen on October 01, 2006, 04:19:40 PM: Quote from: SteveRF on October 01, 2006, 04:05:55 PM
Agree, the "LOW LIGHT" cams do not offer low light use as far as I am concerned.
The one I have does not function any better in low light conditions than the color models.
Your not alone I get better quality with my wide eye cam when it is dark!
The low light cams are mislabled! Should be called "High light cams" ;) :D ;D Thats the only time mine works worth a dam!

Most of the cams can be fine tuned for better Quality by turning the lens!
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: HA Dave on October 12, 2006, 10:14:57 PM: I use my low-light cam in the garage, to check if the door is closed. I had to add a light on a module (same codes) to get enough light. I was thinking of a simular set-up with a low-light cam outside with a IR light: Clover: IR030-IR Illuminator 45' range weather resist 44 led (http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3609645#detailed)

Has anyone tried this?

[TTA Edit: Added description to LINK.]
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: Chris S. on October 20, 2006, 02:34:40 PM: I had the same problem.
LowLight Camera set outside to observe animal behavior at night
with a 25watt yellow bulb. I could make out the animals, but not very well.

The IR Illuminator that you are referring to will not work with the XX20A low lite camera as it is.
But I have read mods to convert webcams to work with IR, I believe the approach would be
the same, but your warranty would be voided. If your XX20A is over a year old, then it may be worth trying.

Infrared WebCam Mod
http://www.hoagieshouse.com/IR/

My solution that I had posted under "Wireless Cameras & Vanguard"
is to go with the Swann Night Hawk Camera.

Reference Post
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=10465.0

125 people have viewed this post, no feedback yet.
Not sure if it is frowned upon to post alternative solutions that are compatible with AHP/iWitness,
but I needed a solution, and wanted to share my findings.
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: lslavik on December 05, 2006, 07:36:37 PM: I have had my XX20A for about a month now. Seems to need sunlight before you can see anything. Even two 60W light bulbs are not enough. What a disappointment.
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: BSRMAN on January 16, 2007, 04:58:02 PM: I had to use two 2200 lumen floodlights set to the same house/unit code to get enough light for my cams to see. Another thing I found with the floodcams was to have a light colored wall in the backgound of the camera view which would relect some light back to the floodcam and allow it to see. You still don't get to see much more that 20' feet and definately can't make out a clear face but you can see if there is a person or animial in the view. Just my 2 cents. You get what you pay for.
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: erock on August 23, 2007, 10:26:49 PM: Quote from: Dave_x10_L on October 12, 2006, 10:14:57 PM
I use my low-light cam in the garage, to check if the door is closed. I had to add a light on a module (same codes) to get enough light. I was thinking of a simular set-up with a low-light cam outside with a IR light: Clover: IR030-IR Illuminator 45' range weather resist 44 led (http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3609645#detailed)

Has anyone tried this?

I hope to try an IR illuminator in the next week or so. I can't speak for the wireless cameras, but the wired nightwatch cameras I just bought are already sensitive to IR light without any modification (just aimed a TV remote control at the camera and pressed a button).
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: HA Dave on August 24, 2007, 05:45:13 PM: Quote from: erock on August 23, 2007, 10:26:49 PM

(just aimed a TV remote control at the camera and pressed a button).

I did that as well.... it flashed like a flashlight. Please let us (me) know how the IR illuminator works out!
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: rodan1 on February 12, 2008, 02:37:14 AM: I see everybodies dissatisfaction, but what is the response from x10 when this is brought up? I was thinking about getting a couple but not like this. I mean how do they get away with saying it is low lite? What, like a partially cloudy day lowlight?

jw
Title: Re: XX20A B/W low lite camera
Post by: Chris S. on April 20, 2008, 04:50:04 PM: Quote from: Priority Support on April 01, 2008, 02:01:44 AM
The mod that is http://www.hoagieshouse.com/IR/ dose thay make it see in the dark?

I believe it does convert the camera to an Night Vision camera, but you will
need to provide your own IR light source.