Cam acting weird

[j-bird]

I can't post a video, but my trail cam is acting weird. I have it set on video and it seems to be pulsating in the intensity level of the IR "flash". It pulsates like every second for the duration of the video. But then in some videos it doesn't do it at all.

These pics below are from the same video file. I just paused it and took a screen shot to show the differences in the intensity.

The cam is mounted low (like 2 feet off the ground), which I had never done before. I am not thinking this would impact it, as it does it in some videos from the same pull and not others, but I have no idea.

Any idea why it's doing this?

 

[yoderjac]

This is not uncommon. I don't know your specific camera, but in general most cameras ramp up LEDs, shutter the camera, and ramp them down. Some of the higher end black flash cam have much better synchronization with a very fast ramp up and down with the shutter occurring at the peak. This is because visibility is a combination of wavelength, intensity, and duration.

Cameras use different strategies for video. Often it ends up being a power issue. The camera is consuming power for a longer duration because video is running for whatever duration you set rather than a single picture. Often, the power systems can't drive the LEDs at the sustained power level for that period. Video is really a bunch of individual low resolution pictures strung together. So, power consumption goes up and down. It is not surprising for the LEDs to go up and down in intensity.

New batteries may help the issue. Also keep in mind that temperature affects battery performance and there is recovery time after stress. I'm not surprised to see this occur in some videos but not others.

Your camera height won't affect whether this occurs or not, but it could easily affect how easy it is to perceive in the video. More reflection from items close to the camera makes this more apparent.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[j-bird]

This is not uncommon. I don't know your specific camera, but in general most cameras ramp up LEDs, shutter the camera, and ramp them down. Some of the higher end black flash cam have much better synchronization with a very fast ramp up and down with the shutter occurring at the peak. This is because visibility is a combination of wavelength, intensity, and duration.

Cameras use different strategies for video. Often it ends up being a power issue. The camera is consuming power for a longer duration because video is running for whatever duration you set rather than a single picture. Often, the power systems can't drive the LEDs at the sustained power level for that period. Video is really a bunch of individual low resolution pictures strung together. So, power consumption goes up and down. It is not surprising for the LEDs to go up and down in intensity.

New batteries may help the issue. Also keep in mind that temperature affects battery performance and there is recovery time after stress. I'm not surprised to see this occur in some videos but not others.

Your camera height won't affect whether this occurs or not, but it could easily affect how easy it is to perceive in the video. More reflection from items close to the camera makes this more apparent.

Thanks,

Jack

thanks Jack......I wondered if a set of new batteries may help.....especially with us finally getting cold.

 

[Reagan]

Damn Jack, that’s a lot of typing to say new batteries.


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[Peplin Creek]

A lot of people consider lithium batteries for trail cameras for this reason. The voltage stays constant even in cold temps until the battery is dead. Makes for consistent picture and video performance... at a higher cost though.

 

[j-bird]

A lot of people consider lithium batteries for trail cameras for this reason. The voltage stays constant even in cold temps until the battery is dead. Makes for consistent picture and video performance... at a higher cost though.

I typically use lithiums - this cam has done great for several months now on basic batteries......but a battery change may be in order and could be a quick fix as well. Lets see what sort of watch list I can get on by buying a bunch of lithium batteries!!!!

 

[yoderjac]

Damn Jack, that’s a lot of typing to say new batteries.


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That is because I wasn't saying a new set of batteries is the answer. That is an inexpensive thing to try. Many things can cause power fluxuation. Is it better to give a man a fish or teach a man to fish? :)