Day Night Network Camera

IP network cameras featuring Day & Night capabilities allow for clear video images both during the day when full lighting in present and at night when little or no light is found present. Most day/night cameras feature built-in infrared (IR) illuminators that will automatically switch on when little or no light is present. IR illumination forces a network camera to produce video images in black and white as opposed to color. This is due to the inclusion of a removable IR-Cut Filter that when switched off will allow the camera to receive only infrared light. With an IR-Cut Filter switched off the video image will automatically switch from color to black and white due to a black and white image being more sensitive and responsive to infrared light. When sufficient lighting is present the IR-Cut Filter will automatically switch on to allow only visible light through as opposed to infrared light. This switch also changes the camera from operation in black and white mode back to full color mode.

There are also day/night IP network cameras available that do not feature built-in IR illuminators. These cameras are designed for use with external infrared illumination devices typically referred to as a standalone IR Illuminator. A network camera without built-in IR support and not used with an external IR illumination device can be expected to work fairly well in a low light environments but cannot function in near or complete darkness. IR illumination is required for a day/night camera to function in complete darkness.