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The image sensor is the component of the camera that captures light and begins the process of converting it into a digital image. There are two types of sensors, security cameras: CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). Which of the two you choose depends on your application.

First a little history on each technology.

With a CCD sensor, each individual Pixela € ™ s load is transferred through an output node, then is converted into an electrical signal. The signal is then buffered and sent as an analog signal. Because the pixels can be devoted to capturing light, and the image quality is usually quite high.

With a CMOS sensor, each individual pixel performs its own load to voltage conversion, and the sensor also performs amplification and noise correction. The sensor also includes digital circuits that allow the chip to the output in a digital format. Due to the complexity of this design, the area devoted to the capture of light is reduced. And because each pixel has to make his own conversion, the uniformity (hence the picture quality) A is lower.

The production cost of both types of sensors are similar, but sometimes require CMOS sensors additional support chips to optimize image quality. CMOS sensors are ideal for devices that require speed and low power consumption, while CCD sensors excellence in image quality and low light performance.

While both CMOS and CCD sensors have matured greatly in recent years, when it comes to cameras security, I prefer CCD for outdoor applications and indoor CMOS IP camera functions. Let me explain why.

In the world remains camera, CCD and CMOS sensors are almost on par in terms of performance. In fact, CMOS sensors are attractive in this space due to its much lower power requirements – a feature important for devices operating with batteries. In the world of security cameras, I think the CCD CMOS sensors outperform their counterparts in several indicators key.

The first and most important is sensitivity to light. If you need a security camera with capabilities superior night vision, CCD is the way to follow. CMOS cameras I've tested, with or without infrared lighting, were almost completely blind in the dark. The CCD cameras are very capable in applications low light, and are terrible when combined with infrared illumination. If you need to record in low light situations, CCD is the way forward â € "even consider the CMOS.

The second factor to consider is the image quality. In the world of security cameras, while both technologies are increasingly close, CCD has the advantage in terms of image quality. This is because the CCD image sensors are less noisy than their counterparts in CMOS.

So why one to consider the purchase of a security camera with a CMOS sensor? Mainly because the sensors are more common in IP Security Cameras – ie, cameras that are equipped with built in web server and communicate using IP over CAT5 cabling. These cameras are usually very affordable and are ideal for applications indoors that require web-based video streaming.

In conclusion, CCD sensors are the way forward for outdoor applications under scenarios light or Imageo requires a higher quality. CMOS sensor based cameras should only be considered for interior applications with lighting conditions decent.

About the Author:

Andy J Thompson is a freelance CCTV specialist from Canada.

His blog can be found at http://www.securitycameratutor.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Battle of the video sensors – CMOS vs CCD

Ccd Only

Ccd Only