WDR in Surveillance
FigyTech specializes in providing and installing the latest, high quality surveillance equipment in New Jersey region. Many times before, we have talked in these blogs about importance of video surveillance, both for your home and your business. Many perks and benefits that these modern security system bring, such as monitoring, detection, overall safety, are a must nowadays. Today we will go even more into details, trying to explain how to upgrade your video surveillance system, make it better and much more functional. And one of those upgrades for sure is WDR (Wide Dynamic Range).
What is Wide Dynamic Range?
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology increases image quality in high-contrast lighting situations, such as when there are both softly illuminated and brilliantly lighted areas in the field of vision. It allows the camera to capture fine details in both dimly lit and brightly lit regions of the video. By using this feature you will be able to get high quality video footage without over or under exposed segments. Generally speaking, if your video surveillance system is covering some dark, low illuminated areas, you should probably use WDR.
Where to use it?
For security applications such as identifying persons or car license plates, the ability to recognize details even in video captured under such high-contrast lighting circumstances is critical. Having in mind that a camera equipped with WDR can properly expose both darkest and brightest regions can boost your overall security to a completely different level. Therefore, WDR cameras are performing best if they are positioned at ATM’s, building entrances or transport facilities, where lighting source is quite limited.
How to choose the right WDR camera?
WDR gives you the best range, varying from darkest to brightest areas, and the greater the cameras ability to change smoothly from one area to another, the better it will be. When searching for the right camera, always pay attention on decibels (dB) in camera’s specifications. The cameras with higher decibels level are much better. At the market currently, you can find two types of WDR cameras:
1. True WDR (they work with shutter speed technique)
2. Digital WDR (work with software compensation technique)
True WDR captures several images with different light exposure and merges them into a final image, while Digital WDR works with only one image creating digital exposure. These differences may impact your overall video footage quality, so you should be extra carefull while choosing the right camera for you and the specific ambient you would like to cover.
If you want to cover some dark and low visible areas, consult with FigyTech experts first. We will recommend you the best solution for installing video surveillance system, and give you the right and precise suggestion whether to use True or Digital WDR cameras in your system.