Use your webcam in the dark.docx

7/29/2019 Use your webcam in the dark.docx

1/5

Use your webcam in the dark.

- Part 2

Finding a better light source

Lastupdate:

2005-04-14

From this in normal light

(without IR filter)to this in total darkness

to this with two different IR

LED types

Note - You can click on all pictures to see a fullsize version

The problem

The solutionThe components

The result

Disclaimer

The problem

So, inpart 1I tried to use 10 regular IR LEDs (CQY99) as illumination for mymodified Philips PCVC740k webcam. It did work well, but using 10 LEDs takes up a

lot of space, at the same time as theyre not that efficient. So can we do this better? I

looked trough all IR LEDs at my preferred supplier(Elfa in Stockholm), and came up

with one LED that was interesting. (By the way, Elfa ships all over the world, but Im

sure that you can find a similar supplier in your country)

The solution

So, I found a LED called HSDL-4220 with a brother called HSDL-4230. The difference

between these are the angle of the emitted beam. The 4220 emits a 30 beam while 4230emits a 17 beam. And the 4220 emits 38mW/sr while 4230 emits 75mW/sr, where the
http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/2/#The_componentshttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/2/#The_componentshttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://http/www.grynx.com/index.php/disclaimer/http://http/www.grynx.com/index.php/disclaimer/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.elfa.se/http://www.elfa.se/http://www.elfa.se/http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www.elfa.se/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://http/www.grynx.com/index.php/disclaimer/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/2/#The_componentshttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20%283%2040w%20cieling%29.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20%283%2040w%20cieling%29.jpg


2/5

difference is due to the angle of the beam. Electrically theyre the same. The datasheet

for them is here.

The continuous electrical specifications for them are 875nm centre, max 100mA, 1.5V.

At a 100mA the 4220 delivers 76mW/sr and 4230 delivers 150mW/sr (in the middle

that is). The LED emits a small amount of red light when running on 50 and 100mA.

Now, lets have a look at the test rig and the pictures of the emitted light from the IR

LEDs.

Finding a better light source Last update: 2005-04-14

From this in normal light

(without IR filter)to this in total darkness

to this with two different IR

LED types

Note - You can click on all pictures to see a fullsize version

The problem

The solution

The componentsThe result

Disclaimer

The problem

So, inpart 1I tried to use 10 regular IR LEDs (CQY99) as illumination for my

modified Philips PCVC740k webcam. It did work well, but using 10 LEDs takes up a

lot of space, at the same time as theyre not that efficient. So can we do this better? I

looked trough all IR LEDs at my preferred supplier(Elfa in Stockholm), and came up

with one LED that was interesting. (By the way, Elfa ships all over the world, but Imsure that you can find a similar supplier in your country)
http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/2/#The_componentshttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/2/#The_componentshttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://http/www.grynx.com/index.php/disclaimer/http://http/www.grynx.com/index.php/disclaimer/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.elfa.se/http://www.elfa.se/http://www.elfa.se/http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20(3%2040w%20cieling).jpghttp://www.elfa.se/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://http/www.grynx.com/index.php/disclaimer/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/3/#The_resulthttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/2/#The_componentshttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_solutionhttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/#The_problem_http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/No%20light.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20%283%2040w%20cieling%29.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/normal%20light%20%283%2040w%20cieling%29.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdf


3/5

The solution

So, I found a LED called HSDL-4220 with a brother called HSDL-4230. The difference

between these are the angle of the emitted beam. The 4220 emits a 30 beam while 4230

emits a 17 beam. And the 4220 emits 38mW/sr while 4230 emits 75mW/sr, where the

difference is due to the angle of the beam. Electrically theyre the same. The datasheetfor them is here.

The continuous electrical specifications for them are 875nm centre, max 100mA, 1.5V.

At a 100mA the 4220 delivers 76mW/sr and 4230 delivers 150mW/sr (in the middle

that is). The LED emits a small amount of red light when running on 50 and 100mA.

Now, lets have a look at the test rig and the pictures of the emitted light from the IR

LEDs.

Part 2 - New IR LED

by Chris J. @ 11:26. Filed underUncategorized

The components
http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www.grynx.com/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/http://www.grynx.com/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/http://www.grynx.com/category/uncategorized/http://www.grynx.com/category/uncategorized/http://www.grynx.com/category/uncategorized/http://www.grynx.com/category/uncategorized/http://www.grynx.com/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/part-2-a-better-ir-source/http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdfhttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/HSDL-42x0%2007520182.pdf


4/5

Ive used a similar setup as in thefirst partas this will enable me to experiment with the

values more flexibly.

As you can see the 4230 really lights up, and I got very exited about it when I first took

this picture.

Next, lets have a result with all the test projections will the different IR LEDs.

So, whats the conclusion?

Of first the 4230 (17 beam) I actually were a bit disappointed. The beam is so focused

that in my 1.5m test setup I got circles on the wall.

1*4230 100mA 3*4230 100mA all focused in the middle
http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204230%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204230%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204230%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%20focused%20middle.jpghttp://www.grynx.com/index.php/projects/use-your-webcam-in-the-dark/


5/5

2*4230 50mA each 3*4230 100mA focused on three points

As you can see there is nothing wrong with the intensity in it self, but the way it looks

(!) makes it unusable for my needs.

As for the 4220 the results were a..lot..better..

1*4220 100mA 3*4220 100mA 10*CQY99 20mA

Even only one 4220 LED outperforms the 10* CQY99 that I used earlier. And I guess

that I could get ever smoother results on the three 4220 if a managed to focus them a

little more spread, but Ill do that some other time

By the way, I noticed a smooth headache coming on while doing these experiments!

You might want to avoid looking into the LEDs as I really doesnt know if it good or

bad for you. After all 3*4230 at 100mA generates 450mW of light that your eye cant

protect itself from.

If you know anything about it then drop me a email, before I loose my eyesight

Note. Looking into an IR light source might (?!)damage your eyesight. I dont take any responsibility

for any personal damages, but hey, I can still see good (or at least Im under that impression.)
http://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204220%20100mA%20non-focused.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/1%204220%20100mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/3%204230%20100mA%203%20point.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpghttp://www2.grynx.com/wp/projects/ir/42x0/2%204230%2050mA.jpg

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Use your webcam in the dark.docx