What our experts say …
The PIH-7030H is part of a new range of Super-Eye cameras from Taiwan-based Merit Li-Lin. Various specifications are available, including an interesting sounding ultra-low light colour model that operates down to 0.01 lux. Although not in the same class, when it comes to low-light performance the 7030H can still produce a useable image in poor lighting conditions.
It is a mains powered colour camera (12v DC and 24v AC models are also available), based around a 1/3-inch Sony ExView HAD image sensor with a 752 x 583 pixel array, giving a claimed resolution of 480 lines. For the record low light sensitivity is down to just 0.1 lux.
Exposure options are auto iris lenses (video or DC controlled types) or a fixed iris lens and the camera’s AGC and electronic shutter, which operates over a range of 1/50th to 1/1000th second. White balance is fully automatic and there is a switchable backlight function.
The camera is built into a surprisingly chunky and not especially pretty-looking case, with cast alloy end caps and chassis base, covered by a steel shell. No attempt has been made to weatherproof the camera or protect it from dirt/dust ingress, though a range of protective housings are available if it is to be used in a hostile environment.
A detachable 1/4-inch UNC mount can be bolted to the top or bottom of the enclosure. At the front there is a standard C-mount threaded collar (a CS adaptor ring is supplied). The collar is itself threaded and screws in and out of the front cap, providing a crude but effective back-focus adjustment. The collar is fixed into position with a pair of tiny grub screws set deep into the top and bottom of the front plate; a suitable Allen key is included with the camera.
Moving around to the back there is not a lot to see. Immediately above the captive mains cable is a red power-on LED and a standard four-pin square socket for an auto iris lens. Next to the socket that are two buttons for setting line lock phase, and a recessed adjustment for the iris level.
To the right of the buttons is a four-way miniature DIP-switch, for turning backlight compensation on or off, enabling the electronic shutter, selecting internal or line-lock synchronisation and DC or video controlled auto iris lens. A standard BNC panel mounted socket next to the mains lead handles composite video output.
Very sturdily built Inside the case there are four PCBs. The mains power supply is on the left side, the CCD image sensor is mounted on a small board at the front, on the right is the sparsely populated video processing board (with Sony chips much in evidence) and at the back the fourth board handles the switching functions, external adjustments and output connections.
It is very sturdily built and the boards are held rigidly in place. Interwiring is kept to an absolute minimum, it is a very tidy looking assembly and there is every reason to suppose it will enjoy a long and healthy life. The image was unaffected by several firm applications of the Security Installer variable pressure, dynamic electronic circuit intermittency testing apparatus, or rubber mallet as we sometimes call it.
Installation and set-up is all very straightforward, apart from the back-focus adjustment, which can be a mite fiddly if the top and bottom grub screws have to be loosened and tightened. Incidentally there is no mention of how to do this, or even that the facility exists in the very brief instruction manual, though in one of the diagrams there is an arrow pointing to one of the holes, labelled ‘Adjustment for lens’.
Setting up an auto iris lens is dealt with in a similarly rudimentary fashion and just to confuse matters the manual states the mains PSU operates over a range 90 – 260v AC (50/60Hz), yet the model/serial number plate attached to the underside of the camera clearly states 230v AC 50Hz.
Resolution on our sample was a touch more than 450 lines, resulting in a reasonably sharp image. In good light, noise levels are low and colour accuracy is excellent, even in normally troublesome tube and mixed light conditions. While the camera can produce a colour image in very low light it tends to be quite noisy and grainy, nevertheless it is still a notch or two up on many similarly specified colour cameras. The electronic shutter responds quickly to lighting changes and backlight compensation is moderately effective.
What the manufacturer says …
The CCTV industry has traditionally used mono cameras for two reasons: they are less expensive than colour and are more sensitive so can be used in poorly lit environments. In recent years we have seen an increase in the use of colour CCTV systems, in line with falling prices. Additionally, manufacturers have come up with a number of ways to increase the sensitivity, in order to utilise these colour cameras in external applications. The two main developments were the chip-charging camera and the Frame Integration camera. Both carried a significantly higher price tag, which limited their acceptance for the majority of installations. Now a cost effective solution is about to change the traditional divide between colour and monochrome applications.
The new range of Li-Lin SuperEye cameras is now outperforming regular mono cameras in most low light conditions. These CCD devices offer sensitivity down to an incredible 0.01 lux without having to use Frame Integration or chip-changing techniques. The SuperEye cameras are available in both 330 and 470 TVL resolution versions, with respective sensitivity specifications of 0.01 lux and 0.1 lux. Both models are available in three different voltages (12v DC, 24v AC and 230v AC) and incorporate Digital Signal Processing features for improved Back Light Compensation and reduced glare. All versions can be supplied with either an IR pass or IR cut filter; the IR pass filter maximises sensitivity by increasing response over a longer wavelength. This also enables the use of covert IR lighting, although this will produce a mono image if it is the only source of illumination. The IR cut filter produces truer colour reproduction under daylight but may slightly reduce measured sensitivity if the lighting on site has a significant infrared content, such as halogen or tungsten (all filament bulbs produce IR light).
Low light colour cameras will have a significant effect on the ratio of colour to mono systems sold over the coming years. No doubt the CCDs will continue to improve and the cost will continue to fall. This should NOT be seen as a negative impact on our industry as it is currently providing installers with a cost-effective and justifiable upgrade opportunity, whether on an existing system or a new quotation.
