Popular embedded vision applications that require HDR include smart traffic devices, security/smart surveillance, agricultural robots, patrol robots, etc. Uncover a single source of truth for HDR technology and how HDR cameras operate.
While resolution, sensitivity, and frame rate had been the definitive benchmarks for selecting a suitable industrial camera in the past, high dynamic range has become increasingly inevitable for applications involving challenging & varying light conditions. Dynamic range is the difference between the darkest and lightest tones in an image (which are generally pure black and pure white). Once the spectral range in a scene exceeds the camera's dynamic range, the object captured will tend to wash out to white in the output image. The dark areas in the scene also appear darker. It's difficult to capture the image with details in both ends of this spectrum. But with modern technologies like HDR and advanced post-processing, accurate reproduction of a scene can be done. HDR mode captures images and videos without losing details in bright and dark areas of a scene. This blog is intended to elaborately discuss how HDR works, and where to use HDR cameras.
What is High Dynamic Range (HDR)?
Many applications require images with optimal exposure time, where the bright areas aren't too bright, and the dark areas aren't too dim. In this context, dynamic range refers to the total amount of light being captured from a particular scene. If a captured image contains a lot of bright areas along with many dark areas covered in shadow or dim light, the scene could be described as having a high dynamic range (high contrast).
Some of the most popular applications that require HDR include smart trolley & smart checkout systems, security & smart surveillance, robotics, remote patient monitoring, and automated sports broadcasting. To learn more about various applications where HDR is recommended, please visit Key embedded vision applications of HDR cameras.
How An HDR Camera Works?
An HDR image is usually obtained by capturing three images of the same scene, each at different shutter speeds. The result is a bright, medium, and dark image, based on the amount of light that got through the lens. The image sensor then combines all the photos to stitch together the entire image. This helps to create an image similar to what a human eye would see. This post-processing activity of taking either one image or a series of images, combining them, and adjusting the contrast ratios with a single aperture and shutter speed produces HDR images.
When Should You Use HDR Cameras?
HDR cameras are designed to capture high-quality images regardless of lighting conditions.
ㆍHDR camera for bright lighting condition
In bright indoor and outdoor lighting conditions, images captured in normal mode get overexposed, which results in detail loss. But images captured with an HDR camera will reproduce the exact scene in indoor as well as outdoor bright lighting conditions.
ㆍHDR camera for low lighting conditions
In low lighting conditions, images captured by a normal camera are much darker and not clearly visible. In such a scenario, enabling HDR will brighten up the scene and produce good quality images.
Hampo's HDR Camera Module
Hampo 003-1635 is a 3264*2448 ultra high definition (UHD) Camera that delivers excellent performance like low-light sensitivity, high dynamic range (HDR), and 8MP ultra HD video. If you are interested in our products, please contact us now!
Post time: Nov-20-2022
