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Optimise night vision performance

Bascom cameras use infrared technology to provide night vision, allowing them to capture clear images even in complete darkness. However, factors like camera positioning, exposure settings, and maintenance can impact performance. In this article, we share practical tips to help you get the best results from your cameras at night.

Positioning

Infrared technology emits invisible light that reflects off objects and returns to the camera's sensor. Correctly positioning your camera helps ensure the best reflection:

  • Centre the subject: position the camera so the most critical area or object is in the centre of its view, where the light is strongest.
  • Keep the angle low: point the camera down to allow the light to bounce off the ground, creating additional illumination rather than disappearing into the sky.
  • Maintain a clear line of sight: avoid obstacles like walls, roofs, and trees, particularly near the edges of the camera's view. These can directly reflect light back to the camera, creating hotspots and causing underexposure in other areas.mceclip1.png This image demonstrates a poor camera angle. By slightly turning the camera to the left, you can reduce reflections on the wall, significantly improving the overall image quality.
  • Avoid bright lights and reflective surfaces: ensure the camera is not pointed at bright lights, infrared light from other cameras, or reflective surfaces to prevent glare.

Exposure compensation

The default camera settings are designed to perform well in most situations. However, in certain lighting conditions, enabling exposure compensation can improve the night vision:

  • Highlight Compensation (HLC): reduces glare caused by bright lights or reflective surfaces, improving the visibility of details such as licence plates.
  • Backlight Compensation (BLC): enhances foreground visibility when backlit by strong light sources, improving the visibility under carports or near windows.
  • Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): improves detail visibility in both bright and dark areas simultaneously, ideal for high-contrast lighting environments.

Instructions for enabling exposure compensation

Use the recorder (with a monitor and mouse)
  1. Move your cursor to the bottom edge of the screen to reveal the menu bar.
  2. At the bottom left of your screen, click the menu icon  .
  3. Click Settings and unlock the recorder if prompted. 
  4. Go to Cameras  > Image control.
  5. Click the settings icon   for the camera you want to configure.
  6. From the Exposure Compensation dropdown, select either HLC, BLC, or WDR.
  7. Optionally, adjust the newly visible slider to fine-tune the intensity.
  8. Right-click anywhere on the screen to save your changes.
Use the PC software
  1. At the top of the application window, click the recorder settings icon  .
  2. Go to Channel > Image control.
  3. From the Channel dropdown, select a camera.
  4. From the Exposure Compensation dropdown, select either HLC, BLC, or WDR.
  5. Optionally, adjust the newly visible slider to fine-tune the intensity.
  6. Click the Save button.
Use the smartphone app

To change the exposure compensation using the smartphone app, the recorder must be running firmware version V8.2 or higher.

  1. Tap the menu icon  .
  2. Go to Recorder settings and select your recorder.
  3. Go to Channel > Image Control > Image Control.
  4. From the Channel dropdown, select a camera.
  5. From the Exposure Compensation dropdown, select either HLC, BLC, or WDR.
  6. Optionally, adjust the newly visible slider to fine-tune the intensity.
  7. In the top-right corner, tap the save icon  .

Maintenance

Fingerprints, droplets, dirt, and spider webs on the cover can block infrared light and impede vision. Follow these maintenance tips to keep your night vision clear:

  • Clean the camera cover: use a cotton or microfiber cloth to gently wipe the camera cover. Avoid paper towels, as they can scratch the surface.
  • Use a cleaning solution: for greasy covers, apply a glass cleaner like Windex to a cotton or microfiber cloth, then gently wipe the cover.
  • Remove spider webs: check for and remove spider webs in front of the camera. Consider using a spider repellent if they frequently return.
  • Weatherproof the camera: if water droplets are an issue, consider applying a water-repellent like Rain-X to the cover, or mounting the camera in a more sheltered location.

Need further assistance?

If you're experiencing night vision issues, our team is here to help. Simply take a screenshot of your night images and submit a request. We’ll review the image and offer personalized advice to improve your camera's performance.

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