There are several methods to enable the use of video surveillance at night or at low light conditions. The use of thermal cameras is one option, modern IP cameras with more and more light sensitive sensors are another. Nevertheless, if it gets too dark or if you want to get clear video images at farer distances, there is no way around illuminators.

Light sources do play an important role for the quality of a video images. The problem is that regular halogen illuminators that are in use to light up areas are not reliable enough for CCTV applications because they are rather maintenance-demanding and most of them allow only about 1,000 hours operating time. Videotec has now designed a new generation of illuminators, that provide high reliability and enable excellent image quality for Standard Definition and Megapixel cameras, combined with high reliability.

The light produced by the Geko illuminator brightens the entire scene evenly, eliminating hotspots and underexposure, for clear nighttime images and secure surveillance of an area. The high efficiency heat sink body ensures maximum LED durability and protection against over-temperatures, whereas the front glass, made of special technopolymer, provides high IR transmittance. Geko illuminators ensure a long LED lifetime, high efficiency and zero maintenance. They are also protected against electrostatic and atmospheric discharges (lightning). These illuminators incorporate a circuit that allows them to be powered directly from a 12 Vdc/24 Vac or 24 Vdc supply.

Performance and Durability
LED light is truly a robust light: There are no gases, no filaments and no moving parts. It takes 50 incandescent light bulbs or 8 fluorescent lamps to equal the life span of 1 LED light bulb. Moreover the LED illuminators can operate in an extremely varied temperature range, as low as -50 °C up to 60 °C and still maintain their long term reliability. The Gekos provide clear night ­vision up to 140 m, in an indoor or outdoor environment. The range includes models with 850 nm and 940 nm wavelength with angles of 10°, 30° or 60°.

High Energy Efficiency Leads to Lower Costs
The autumn and winter months is the time period were all security professionals have not only to consider improving the performance of CCTV systems at night, but are also forced to have a look at their energy costs. During this period CCTV lighting is required to operate for longer periods of time. A system like the Videotec Geko helps to limit the overall costs of video surveillance. It consumes 6-12 W to operate, while conventional high efficiency lighting consume 50-100 W. An advantage that pays off: Geko illuminators are using only 12 % of the electrical power in standard usage.
Another aspect to consider is that with Videotec‘s advanced manufacturing capability and the long life span, the relative power used for their production is reduced and therefore reduces the pollution from energy production. With the the system also lasting 50 times longer than normal bulbs it reduces the quantity of waste ending up in the land-fill sites. Moreover they dramatically reduce maintenance costs. With an average life expectancy of 11 years (less than 6 months for normal bulbs), they make the total savings on maintenance and installation a very attractive option.