By Damion Dick
If you have ever been shopping for surveillance cameras you may have encountered these letters in the spec sheets, but what do they mean and how does it work for you?
Let’s take a look…
WDR or Wide Dynamic Range:
Wide dynamic range (WDR) technology balances the light on an image via image sensors (CCD & COMS) and digital signal processor (DSP). A CCTV/IP camera with WDR capability comes with an image sensor that packed with two image sensors of the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) type that capture one scene for multiple times and combine those captures to optimize overall videos/images quality.
There are two types of wide dynamic range (WDR) technologies used in CCTV/IP cameras: Digital WDR & True WDR.
Digital WDR surveillance cameras use software algorithms to brighten dark areas and dim overly-lit areas in images.
True WDR deploys light-sensitive sensors (CCD/CMOS) and DSP technology to balance lighting.
BLC or Back Light Compensation:
Backlight compensation (BLC) works by increasing the level of exposure for the entire image via digital signal processors (DSP), which divides an image or scene into different sections and adjust the lighting accordingly.
Simply put, BLC works to brighten the whole scene on a video/image frame instead of balancing lights on overexposed and underexposed areas like WDR does, which in some cases, washes out some already overly-lit areas in an image/video.
HLC or High Light Compensation:
Highlight compensation (HLC) is a technology used in CCTV/IP security cameras to deal with image overexposed with lights like headlights or spotlights. Security cameras’ image sensors detect strong lights in video and reduce exposure on these spots to enhance the overall quality. You may find these in LPR (License Plate Reader) Cameras.
Which one is best?
Well, that depends on your scenario.
If your camera is facing the direction of Natural light, such as, an entry way or egress door. Maybe a window or glass that lends light to the room – then you want to use WDR.
If you have something more of artificial lighting in the background, then BLC
Try each setting and see if the result best suits your exact situation.
I hope this has helped increase your understanding of CCTV cameras and how they work and also assist in your decision making process.
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