Auto Iris Varifocal Dome Camera

We'll look today at a high-quality dome camera, the DC-311 from totalsecuritywarehouse.com. This is one of the most flexible dome cameras on the market, and would compliment any security camera system. This dome camera is available in two versions, a color and a black and white model. Let's take a closer look at some of the specs.

The DC-311 uses a Sony Super HAD CCD chip for the highest quality images in all lighting conditions. This sensor chip is especially sensitive to light, making this dome camera a good choice for low-lighting conditions. The camera features an auto iris lens which automatically adjusts to changes in light for a better image (variable focus). The camera has a manual zoom feature, with a 4-9mm zoom lens. You set the zoom by removing the dome and adjusting the camera lens. You can perform this operation when the camera is installed and adjust it for zoom amount for the optimum field of view for the location where the camera is mounted.

Resolution for this dome camera is a respectable 420 horizontal TV lines, which provides clear, crisp images. Light sensitivity is 1 LUX for the color model and .2 LUX for the black and white model. Here's a quick comparison showing what this means in the real world - 1 LUX is about the amount of light available late in the evening, around dusk. .5 LUX is about the amount of light available in a well-lit parking lot at night. And .05 LUX would be perceived by the human eye as total darkness. So the black and white model of this security camera can see in near total darkness.

This is a wired dome camera that features Plug n Play connections. The power requirement is 12VDC at 110ma for the black and white model and 12VDC at 120 mA for the color version.

There are dip switch settings on the back of the camera for control of the following features:

• AI - Auto Iris - Automatically adjusts the size of the lens opening in response to varying lighting conditions
• AGC - Automatic Gain Control - An electronic circuit that tries to keep the video signal at a constant level (1V peak to peak) no matter what the lighting and image conditions
• AWB - Auto White Balance - An electronic circuit in color cameras that helps to maintain true colors in the image
• BLC - Balance Light Control - Adjusts for bright spots in a picture. For example can keep the headlights on a car from blurring out the license plate on the front of the car
• FL - Focal Length - Varying this value effects the depth of field (what remains in focus) in the image

Let's recap the major features of this dome camera:

- Image Sensor: 1/3” SONY HAD CCD
- Resolution: 420 TV Lines
- Min. Illumination: .1 Lux (Color Mode), .2 Lux (B&W Mode)
- Lens: 4~9mm AutoIris Vari/Focus
- Power Required: 12V
- Current Consumption: 110mA Max (B&W), 120mA Max (Color)

As you can see, this dome camera is loaded with features. It would make an ideal addition to a security camera system in a retail setting, an apartment building, a factory or warehouse. It has excellent low-light operation, and the zoom lens allows for placement in a variety of locations. For more details about the DC-311 Auto Iris Varifocal Dome Camera and information on where to purchase, see the following link: Auto Iris Varifocal Dome Camera