Low-Light 1/4'' Color Video Camera w/Sony CCD (Silver)

Introduction:

    Not too long ago I did a review on the IP Video 9100A Plus Network Video Server, which allows a device with a video out connection to be used over a computer network. Well, what good is a video server without video cameras? Here I have four 1/4'' Color CCTV Video Cameras w/Sony CCD from Geeks.com. These cameras have infrared LED's that will help illuminate an area up to 15-20 meters. The metal housing and protective cap protects the camera from the elements.

Specifications:

A Closer Look:

    The 1/4'' Color CCTV Video Cameras w/Sony CCD comes packaged in a simple box, with no real identifying marks other than VIDEO CAMERA on the front and a picture of the camera on the top of the box.

Front

Side

Mounting Bracket

Connections

    The cameras themselves are small, so they will blend into any area and not stick out like a sore thumb. The housing on the cameras are made from metal - possibly aluminum, since a magnet does not stick to it. The housing is covered in silver paint for extra protection. The front of the housing uses a glass lens cover to protect the camera. The glass is much better than a Lexan cover that can fade from UV light. This lens cover screws on and uses a rubber O-ring to seal out weather.

Power Supply

O-Ring & IR LED's

IR LED's in Action

    Inside the housing is the camera, with 30 infrared (IR) LED's surrounding the camera lens. During daylight operation, the images are in color and the IR LED's are off. When daylight begins to fade, the photo detector applies power to the IR LED's. The darker it gets the more power applied to the IR LED's. The 30 IR LED's will light up a distance of up to 50-65ft.

Installation:

    Installation of the 1/4'' Color CCTV Video Cameras is the easy part, while the running of the wires is the hard part. The camera mounts to any surface that can hold a screw. The bracket to the camera needs to be removed and secured to the surface, then reattach the camera. Now the hard part. The cables on the camera are short, so a close power source is needed along with proper length cable. Now, for cables I just went to Lowe's and bought RG6 coax cable from the spool and some F cable connections (#SWV1047/17). You can also just buy pre-made cables in 25ft, 50ft or 100ft. Then I hit up Radio Shack and bought adapters (#278-290) that change the F connections to RCA connections, which match up to the camera and the IP Video.

    In this batch of pictures I'll explain the different cameras I used. The first picture shows 4 different cameras I used in the night time test. Block one is a X10 camera with night vision, block 2 is the CCD camera from Geeks.com, block 3 is a standard video camera, and block 4 is a security camera with night vision from Harbor Freight. As you can see, the CCD cam from Geeks.com wins hands down. The next 2 pictures show the CCD cams in action with day time and night use. The 4th block in picture 3 is washed out from a porch light and not a camera issue, just user error {:-Þ

Night Vision Test

Daylight

Night Time

Conclusion:

    Over the past few years, I have purchased both an X10 camera and several other low budget outdoor cameras. By far, this low budget, low light camera from Geeks.com works really well. The night vision is perfect for my needs, lighting up more than half of my backyard and all of my front yard. Geeks.com offers several different types of cameras, from wired to wireless and even some in a 4 camera kit. If you are looking for a low budget way to keep an eye on your property or business, check out the 1/4'' Color CCTV Video Cameras and IP Video from Geeks.com

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