What are the influential factors of IPC image definition?

Setting ISP Parameters
By setting Image Signal Processing (ISP) parameters, you can adjust video images to adapt to different surveillance scenarios.

NOTICE:
ISP parameters are associated with each other. Set the ISP parameters strictly based on the site requirements to prevent poor image quality or overexposure.
Procedure
Choose Settings > Channel Configuration > ISP Parameters.
The page for setting ISP parameters is displayed, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 ISP Parameters tab page

Set ISP parameters. For detailed parameter description, see Table 1.
Table 1 Parameter description
Parameter

Description

Local Output

Indicates whether to enable local CVBS output. To enable local CVBS output, select the check box. The default value is selected.

Day/Night mode

The day/night mode helps the IPC to adapt to low illumination conditions. The options are as follows:
Auto (default): The IPC automatically switches between day and night modes based on illumination conditions.
Color: The IPC captures color images.
B/W: The IPC captures black and white images.
Day/Night sensitivity

This parameter is available only when you set Day/Night mode to Auto and Day/Night Trigger to Internal trigger.

The day/night sensitivity refers to sensitivity for switching between color mode and B/W mode. A higher sensitivity indicates higher flexibility to switch from B/W mode to color mode. The default value is High.

Exposure compensation coefficient

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Auto exposure or Shutter priority.

Exposure compensation is a technique for adjusting the exposure indicated by a photographic exposure meter, in consideration of factors that may cause the indicated exposure to result in a less-than-optimal image.

Focus mode

You can select a focus mode based on the site requirements. The options are as follows:
Auto (default) : The IPC automatically detects the surveillance scenario. If out of focus due to a scenario change, the IPC automatically re-focuses to obtain clear images. You can set Sensitivity in this mode. The default value is Medium.
Manual: Use the focus buttons on the PTZ control panel to focus manually. In this mode, the IPC locks the focus for the current scenario.
Semi-Automatic: The speed dome focuses automatically only once after panning, tilting and zooming.
NOTE:
If you click a zoom button on the PTZ control panel, the scenario changes and the IPC automatically re-focuses.
If you click a focus button on the PTZ control panel, the IPC locks the focus for the current scenario and does not re-focus when the scenario changes.
Exposure mode

You can select an exposure mode based on the site requirements. The options are as follows:
Auto exposure (default): The camera automatically sets the shutter speed, the aperture value and gain based on an object's exposure value measured by the metering system.
Shutter priority: Users manually choose a specific shutter speed, while the camera then automatically selects an aperture value and gain to match. This mode is used to shoot moving objects.
Manual exposure: Users manually set the shutter speed, and gain when the Auto exposure cannot meet the site requirements.
Auto aperture

If you select the check box, the aperture is automatically adjusted. The default value is selected.
If you deselect the check box, the fixed aperture is the maximum aperture.
NOTE:
When the auto aperture function is enabled but the aperture cannot be fixed (resulting in flashing video image), you can disable the auto aperture function.
Background frequency

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Auto exposure.

A flashing background environment influences the image quality. To obtain high-resolution images, you can set the background frequency to suit lighting conditions. Select a proper background frequency based on the standard frequency of the power grid. The default value is Disable.
NOTE:
Disable the background frequency in natural light.
Full frame rate

The camera collects the full frame rate through the sensor or chip. The full frame rate is read-only.

Shutter speed

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Shutter priority or Manual exposure.

A larger value of this parameter indicates a longer exposure time.

Compensation coefficient

This parameter is available only when you set Backlight/WDR to Backlight compensation

This function is used to correct the exposure of objects in front of a bright light source, a larger backlight compensation factor indicates more powerful backlight compensation. However, a too large factor will lead to overexposure. You can adjust the backlight compensation factor based on the site requirements.

WDR

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Auto exposure and Backlight/WDR to WDR.

Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) is intended to provide clear images when there are very bright and very dark areas simultaneously in the camera's field of view.
Auto: The exposure ratio is automatically adjusted to prevent the too bright background or too dark foreground.
Manual: The exposure ratio is manually adjusted to prevent the too bright background or too dark foreground.
NOTE:
WDR is not recommended in direct-light scenarios at night, for example, high-pressure sodium lamps and transportation strobe lights.
Auto slow shutter

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Auto exposure.

Slow shutter extends the duration from the moment the shutter opens to the moment it closes. More time is available for movement in the subject to be recorded by the camera. The default value is Disable.

Shutter limit

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Auto exposure.

This function is mainly used to ensure that the shutter speed is greater than or equal to the minimum value.

Gain limit

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Auto exposure or Shutter priority.

The gain limit function is used to restrict the upper limit of the Automatic Gain Control (AGC).
In the case of low illumination conditions, the AGC can be enhanced to improve image brightness. However, a high level of AGC will increase the image noise and degrade the image quality. Set this parameter based on the site requirements.
When Metering mode is set to Auto metering in infrared light conditions, over-exposure will occur on the area with light in the foreground. By setting this parameter, this phenomenon can be eased.
Gain

This parameter is available only when you set Exposure mode to Manual exposure. The default value is 0.

Defog mode

This function is used to increase the image visibility in poor weather conditions such as rain, fog, and smog. A higher defogging level indicates clearer images. However, a too high level will lead to image distortion. You can set the defogging level based on the site requirements. The default value is Off.

White balance mode

White balance adjusts the color circuit within a camera to remove color cast and ensure accurate color reproduction in various lighting conditions. The options are as follows:
Auto (default): The camera automatically adjusts the red and blue offsets in environments where the color temperature ranges from 2500 K to 10,000 K. Video images may slant blue in the morning or at dusk.
Manual: The red and blue offsets must be adjusted manually.
Auto-Track: You can manually set the upper and lower thresholds of color temperature. The upper or lower threshold of color temperature ranges from 1000 to 15000. The upper threshold must be greater than the lower threshold.
One push: This mode allows you to set the current white balance mode as the fixed mode for all scenarios. Only a re-configuration can change the white balance mode.
Indoor: The camera automatically adjusts the red and blue offsets in indoor environments where the color temperature ranges from 4500 K to 5500 K and tungsten lamps or incandescent lamps are used.
Outdoor: This mode applies to sunny environments where the color temperature is from 5500 K to 6500 K.
Fixed sodium lamp: This mode applies to environments where the color temperature ranges from 2000 K to 2300 K and sodium lamps are turned on.
Fluorescent lamp 1: This mode applies to environments where the color temperature ranges from 2500 K to 3500 K and fluorescent lamps are used.
Fluorescent lamp 2: This mode applies to environments where the color temperature ranges from 3500 K to 4500 K and fluorescent lamps are used.
Incandescent: This mode applies to environments where the color temperature ranges from 2700 K to 2900 K and incandescent lamps are used.
NOTE:
When White balance mode is set to Auto, you can drag the sliders or enter values in the spin boxes to adjust the blue and red fine-tune offset values. These values are integers ranging from 0 to 255.
When White balance mode is set to Manual, you can drag the sliders or enter values in the spin boxes to adjust the blue and red intense-tune offset values. These values are integers ranging from 0 to 255.
It is recommended that you use the Auto mode.
Noise reduction switch

Indicates whether to enable the noise reduction function. The options are as follows:
Disable: Disable the noise reduction function.
Normal mode (default): You can set Noise reduction level when you set Noise reduction switch to Normal mode. A higher noise reduction level indicates better noise reduction effect but lower image definition.
Expert mode: You can set Temporal noise reduction level and Spatial noise reduction level when you set Noise reduction switch to Expert mode.
Spatial noise reduction level: A higher spatial noise reduction level indicates better noise reduction effect. Object edges are smooth, but the image clarity decreases.

Temporal noise reduction level: A higher temporal noise reduction level indicates better noise reduction effect. The image noise is less, but the image clarity decreases.

Brightness

Indicates an attribute of visual perception in which a source appears to be radiating or reflecting light.

Hue

Indicates the degree to which a stimulus can be described as similar to or different from stimuli that are described as red, green, blue, and yellow.

Saturation

Indicates the colorfulness of a color relative to its own brightness.

Contrast

Contrast is the ratio of black and white colors in an image.
Increasing the contrast improves the image clarity and color brightness.
Decreasing the contrast dims the entire image.
Sharpness

Sharpness reflects the image clarity and edge sharpness.

Intelligent infrared

Prevents overexposure. You are advised to enable the intelligent infrared function when the infrared light is enabled. The default value is selected.

Infrared light control mode

Indicates the mode in which the infrared light is controlled. The options are as follows:
Auto (default): Indicates that the IPC automatically enables or disables the infrared light and controls the infrared light brightness.
Manual: Indicates that users manually enable or disable the infrared light and control the infrared light brightness.
NOTE:
You can configure the infrared light for an IPC, so the IPC can use it to increase the infrared illumination and enhance image quality in extremely low illumination conditions.
The infrared light is automatically disabled in color mode.
The infrared light includes three types, dipped light, second light and high light.
Focus compensation

Eliminates focus changes upon a switchover and re-focuses to ensure clear video images.

This function is disabled by default.

Dipped light

This parameter is available only when you set Infrared light control mode to Manual. To enable the dipped light, select the check box.

You can set Dipped light brightness when Dipped light is selected. A larger value indicates higher brightness.

Second light

This parameter is available only when you set Infrared light control mode to Manual. To enable the dipped light, select the check box.

You can set Second light brightness when Second light is selected. A larger value indicates higher brightness.

High light

This parameter is available only when you set Infrared light control mode to Manual. To enable the dipped light, select the check box.

You can set High light brightness when High light is selected. A larger value indicates higher brightness.

Status

Indicates whether the infrared light is on.

Reset

Used to restore the ISP parameters to default values.