In this article, we will discuss how to troubleshoot the IR bleeding issue in Hikvision cameras. Image bleeding happens when the IR lights from the camera make the image look foggy/blurry and the overall picture quality of the camera deteriorates.
If you think that the image in your camera looks washed out or not right, you may have a bleeding issue. These tips can be applied to other non-Hikvision cameras, the troubleshooting is basically the same.
In this example, we will troubleshoot the Hikvision camera DS-2CD21x2-I. As you can see in the above image the nighttime image appears to look foggy or whitewashed.
This is caused by IR Reflection/Bleeding into the lens. The IR light may be reflecting off the surface of the dome cover or nearby objects. The possible causes for the IR reflection are listed below.
The most severe case of IR reflection/bleeding is caused by the foam ring not being firmly pressed against the camera dome. This will create a “circular fog” effect (as shown in the picture below).
To minimize the chance of IR “bleeding” into the lens, please make sure that the dome bubble is sitting snug against the foam ring. Please note, that upon good contact with the bubble, the foam ring will appear to be squished a little bit.
Nearby objects and barriers are another possible cause of “foggy” IR images. The picture below shows the effect of a small piece of cardboard positioned only 4 inches away from the side of the camera.
Even though not visible in the picture (the cardboard is outside of the camera’s field of view), the effect is tremendous
To avoid this situation:
- Avoid installing the cameras in tight corners.
- Use wall mount brackets to offset the cameras from walls and close surfaces.
- Try to rotate the camera as much away from background surfaces as possible.
- Make sure plants/vegetation are clear of the near Field of View. Plants’ leaves are highly reflective.
Dirty domes also cause IR “bleeding” and poor image. Avoid touching the dome during the installation and try to keep the protective film on the dome unit until the very end.
Touching the dome cover creates grease stains/spots on the bubble, which create blur. These may not affect the daytime image but will immediately be an issue with nighttime IR images. Always clean the dome cover with a soft cloth after the installation.
Usually, the domes get covered with dust/dirt, raindrops stains, and cobwebs over time. This will cause the image quality to degrade over a period of time (“foggy condition”).
Periodic cleaning of the dome cover may be required to maintain a clear image. The picture below shows the effect of the above-mentioned scenarios in a comparison with a clean dome
