If you’re a Blink camera owner, you might have come across the term IR intensity on your camera’s settings. But what does it really mean? In this article, we will delve into what IR intensity is, how it works, and how it affects your Blink camera’s performance in different lighting conditions.
Understanding IR (Infrared) Illumination
Infrared or IR illumination is the use of invisible light to improve the visibility of an object in low-light or no-light environments. IR illumination is often used in security cameras to enable video recording in complete darkness or in dimly lit areas. IR illuminators emit light with a wavelength that is outside the visible light spectrum, typically at 850nm or 940nm.
Blink cameras come with an IR LED light that helps capture clear video footage even in low-light conditions. However, not all IR illuminators are created equal, and the intensity of the IR light can affect the quality of your video recordings.
What is IR Intensity on Blink Camera?
IR intensity on the Blink camera refers to the brightness of the IR illuminator in your camera. It is a setting that can be adjusted through the camera’s settings on the Blink app. By changing the IR intensity, you can control the amount of IR light emitted by the camera and improve the quality of the video footage captured in low-light conditions.
Blink cameras offer three IR intensity settings: Low, Medium, and High. The higher the IR intensity setting, the brighter the IR light emitted by the camera, and the clearer the video footage in low-light conditions. However, increasing the IR intensity can also lead to glare or washed-out images. On the other hand, the lower the IR intensity setting, the less bright the IR light, but the better the battery performance of your camera.
How to Adjust IR Intensity on Blink Camera
To adjust the IR intensity on your Blink camera, follow these steps:
- Open the Blink app and select the camera you want to adjust the settings for.
- Tap on the camera settings icon located above the camera’s thumbnail on the Blink app Home screen.
- Scroll down to find the Night Vision section and tap on it.
- You can then choose to turn the IR LED on or off or set it to automatically turn on when the light is low.
- To adjust the IR intensity, select Low, Medium, or High from the options available.
Factors to Consider when Adjusting IR Intensity
When adjusting the IR intensity on your Blink camera, there are a few factors you should consider:
- The distance between the camera and the object: The farther the object is from the camera, the higher the IR intensity required to capture a clear video. If the object is too close, a higher IR intensity setting can lead to overexposure or washed-out images.
- The reflective properties of the object: Objects that reflect light, such as a car’s windshield or a wet road, can cause glare or washed-out images when captured with a higher IR intensity setting.
- The battery performance of the camera: A higher IR intensity setting can drain the battery of your Blink camera faster than a lower setting. Consider adjusting the IR intensity based on your camera’s battery performance and the amount of video footage you need to capture.
FAQ:
Can I adjust the IR intensity on all Blink cameras?
Yes, all Blink cameras with night vision capabilities have the option to adjust the IR intensity setting.
Will adjusting the IR intensity setting affect the battery life of my Blink camera?
Yes, a higher IR intensity setting will use more power and drain the battery faster than a lower setting. However, this difference may not be significant and will depend on factors such as the amount of activity in the camera’s field of view and the length of the recording.
Is it possible to turn off the IR light completely?
Yes, it is possible to turn off the IR light from the Blink app. However, this will disable the camera’s night vision capabilities, making it difficult to see in dark conditions.
What is the best IR intensity setting to use?
The best IR intensity setting to use will depend on the lighting conditions in the area being monitored. It may take some trial and error to find the optimal setting for your specific situation.
Can the IR intensity be adjusted automatically?
Yes, some Blink cameras have an option to automatically adjust the IR intensity based on the ambient light levels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the IR intensity setting on Blink cameras is an important feature that allows users to customize the brightness of the infrared illuminator used for night vision recording. By adjusting this setting, users can improve the quality of their recordings in low light conditions, while also optimizing the camera’s battery life.
With a range of different IR intensity settings available, it may take some experimentation to find the best setting for each individual use case.
However, by taking the time to adjust this setting properly, Blink camera users can ensure that they are getting the best possible performance from their devices.
