Red Lights at Night

[jleigh]

I just installed the camera for use as a baby monitor. I was able to turn off the single blinking indicator light without too much trouble. However, the circle of red lights (for the IR night vision) are a little distracting when the room is dark.

Is this normal? Do all night vision cameras have these reds lights? Is there any way to turn them down or off (i.e. when the camera is not is use)?

Thanks in advance!

James

[Noam]

I think this is pretty common. I have the same thing on different (non-X10) night-vision camera.
I know it is possible to manufacture IR LEDs that don't give off visible light. I am guessing those are more expensive than the "red" ones, so the companies use the red ones to save some money.

[pomonabill221]

Actually the IR's that these cheap cameras use are "near-IR".  The wavelength is 850nM and is very close to the eye's visible spectrum, and that is why you see the glow.
To the camera, these are bright though.
The truley invisible IR's are 950nM, BUT most of the cameras are not as sensitive to this wavelength.
The cost difference, I believe, is the same, just the sensitivity of the sensor is better with the 850's.

[Noam]

Actually the IR's that these cheap cameras use are "near-IR".  The wavelength is 850nM and is very close to the eye's visible spectrum, and that is why you see the glow.
To the camera, these are bright though.
The truley invisible IR's are 950nM, BUT most of the cameras are not as sensitive to this wavelength.
The cost difference, I believe, is the same, just the sensitivity of the sensor is better with the 850's.

Yeah, that's what I *meant* to say!