Will my camcorder record IR light in the night without problems?

Q. I have a JVC Everio GZ-Mg360 and comes with a control remote and when i point the control remote it can see it and recoords the IR light so it can detected, and my question is:

If i buy an infrared light that can illuminate more will my camcorder be able to see it and record in the night without problems?

A. Most cameras can see Infrared light almost as well as visible light, whether they be CCD (charge coupled device / solid state), or the old fashion vacuum tube imaging device (Saticon, Trinicon). The fact that you can see "invisible" light from your remote control proves that.

Newer cameras have low-light / nighttime options that amplify available light, similar to "starlight" night vision. If you have those options, you might experiment with turning them on and off and checking the results.

Another feature you can play with is the "auto-iris", and/or automatic gain/exposure controls. You probably want to turn them to "manual", but be careful here, because a bright light source will not only wash out your picture, but can damage the imaging device as well (even the CCDs can get "burns").

FYI: when Sony first introduced their night/low light bright-up option, it could be turned on any time, day or night. The results of amplifying light during the day, or brightly lit areas turned out to be somewhat interesting, to say the least. When you amplify light to extremes, apparently it will produce an "X-Ray" effect, mostly concerning clothing and undergarments. It didn't take Sony too long to "correct" this problem - they removed the manual option, and it's now controlled by a photo-sensor so it only comes on during low light situations. Needless to say, there was quite a rush to obtain the original cameras, and lots of folks tore into the newer ones in an attempt to defeat the "auto" feature.

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recommended camcorder?

Q. What camcorder would you recommend for a safari holiday in south africa

with these things in mind
Good night vision
Good quality recording

A. Sony Camcorder has the good night shot system such as

Sony DCR-SR45 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom /Super NightShot Infrared System/ $299.00

Super NightShot Infrared System With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away.


Super NightShot Infrared System With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away.


more information click: http://astore.amazon.com/discount.cheap.sony.handycam-20/detail/B00123UGXK


or Sony HD camcorders:
Sony HDR-SR11 10.2-MP 60GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

1920x1080 recording Record stunning, incredibly detailed video footage in the clarity of 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution.

5-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor (with Exmor technology) and Bionz image processor Sony's newly-designed CMOS image sensor delivers bright, vivid, and spectacularly detailed 5-megapixel (effective) video footage, as well as 10.2-megapixel still images -- all with prolonged battery life. Exmor technology captures images with high resolution and high sensitivity. In addition, the advanced Sony Bionz image processor improves camera response time and screens out noise so the signal from each pixel is as pure as possible.

uper NightShot Infrared System With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away

For more information try this link: http://astore.amazon.com/discount.cheap.sony.handycam-20/detail/B00123XZNI

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What is a good camcorder for recording video and uploading it to the internet?

Q. I have a website that I'm creating, and I would like to put some videos on it 5-10 minutes long. What type of camcorder, or what are the specifications to look for in a camcorder, that will produce a med to high quality and clear video?

A. The real question is what type of activity are you filming. This should drive the decision of the camera. A camera which is great in full sunlight at the beach may not be as good for those pictures of the family around the dinner table at night. Most cameras will upload to the computer fairly easily through firewire [better] or USB2 [not as good]. You should also consider if you want an automatic everything kind of camera or one which allows you to manipulate the settings. If you are looking for an everything camera and you get one which requires you to adjust the settings -- you will hate the camera... also the opposite... if you want to adjust the settings and the camera wants to do it for you... just as bad.

Bottom line, is to determine the type of scene you are filming, determine the special features you desire and how you want the camera to handle them.

Strongly suggest you get one with firewire ports for computer transfer... you will thank me for this suggestion.

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How do I turn my camcorder into an infrared camera?

Q. I'm a paranormal investigator and am looking to use my camcorder only at night. I know that I have to purchase IR lights. How do I attach them? Also, do I need to remove a blocker from inside the lens?

A. The IR lights can be used independently from your cam. Just point them in the same direction as the camera lens.
Unless you have a videocam with a nightshot setting such as some of the Sony models, you will have to remove the anti-alias filter in front of the imaging sensor. Whether removing this (often tiny) filter is economically viable, is very debatable because after its removal the distance between the lens and sensor must be recalibrated, and requires specific knowledge of the camera type used, and quite often, special instruments with very fine tolerances.
Before having your camera converted, you could try whether its IR sensitivity is enough to pick up some of the IR beams of your IR illuminator. A simple test will do: point the IR remote of your tv set towards your camera in the dark, press a few buttons on your remote, and check whether or not your videocam recorded any of the IR signals/flashes from your remote. This will give you an indication of the IR recording capabilities of your camera.

Alternatvely, you could look at various night scopes with a so-called video-out jack. They can be expensive, but the $398 Yukon Ranger 5x42 LT for instance (see link below), has a (NTSC) video output which lets you attach a (portable) video recording device, and has built-in IR flashlight.

Addtional edit:
On sale now by Thinkgeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras-photography/e5b5/

Original Question

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How do I turn my camcorder into an infrared camera?

Q. I'm a paranormal investigator and am looking to use my camcorder only at night. I know that I have to purchase IR lights. How do I attach them? Also, do I need to remove a blocker from inside the lens?

A. The IR lights can be used independently from your cam. Just point them in the same direction as the camera lens.
Unless you have a videocam with a nightshot setting such as some of the Sony models, you will have to remove the anti-alias filter in front of the imaging sensor. Whether removing this (often tiny) filter is economically viable, is very debatable because after its removal the distance between the lens and sensor must be recalibrated, and requires specific knowledge of the camera type used, and quite often, special instruments with very fine tolerances.
Before having your camera converted, you could try whether its IR sensitivity is enough to pick up some of the IR beams of your IR illuminator. A simple test will do: point the IR remote of your tv set towards your camera in the dark, press a few buttons on your remote, and check whether or not your videocam recorded any of the IR signals/flashes from your remote. This will give you an indication of the IR recording capabilities of your camera.

Alternatvely, you could look at various night scopes with a so-called video-out jack. They can be expensive, but the $398 Yukon Ranger 5x42 LT for instance (see link below), has a (NTSC) video output which lets you attach a (portable) video recording device, and has built-in IR flashlight.

Addtional edit:
On sale now by Thinkgeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras-photography/e5b5/

Original Question

Anyone know where i can buy a camcorder with night vision online?

Q. Me and my friends are going to spend the night over at a haunted house next month and we want to record everything with a night vision camcorder.
$400 budget.

A. The Sony Handycam is a good inexpensive choice with night vision, check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00123UGTO?ie=UTF8&tag=innovatincuba-20

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