@Clive_A 

Hi, you say that with IR disable image would be unreadable, so I tried it myself.

I covered the IR lights manually.

This is how the image looks with IR disabled.

This is how it looks with IR enabled.

I agree that the image is worse because there is less light.

But saying its unreadable is simply false.

Plus some people have external IR lights so they dont even need the integrated IR light in camera.

And IR lights that cannot be disabled can easily become hindrance. For example if there is window in front of the IP camera.

Example YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOd2gJaUY7k

And from what I looked every competitor brand like Dahua and Hikvision offer option to disable IR lights in IR mode.

So while I agree that usually people should have IR lights turned on, there are many reasons why that can be undesirable.

And if every other brand can do it I believe its not much to ask for TPLink to also offer this option.

I see there is even request in Tapo forums for this: https://community.tp-link.com/en/smart-home/forum/topic/667894

Should I create feature request thread if I would like for this to be implemented in Vigi line of IP cameras?

Thanks.

  @FoxtrotCZ 

FoxtrotCZ wrote

@Clive_A 

Hi, you say that with IR disable image would be unreadable, so I tried it myself.

I covered the IR lights manually.

 

 

This is how the image looks with IR disabled.

 

 

This is how it looks with IR enabled.

 

 

I agree that the image is worse because there is less light.

But saying its unreadable is simply false.

Plus some people have external IR lights so they dont even need the integrated IR light in camera.

 

And IR lights that cannot be disabled can easily become hindrance. For example if there is window in front of the IP camera.

Example YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOd2gJaUY7k

 

And from what I looked every competitor brand like Dahua and Hikvision offer option to disable IR lights in IR mode.

 

So while I agree that usually people should have IR lights turned on, there are many reasons why that can be undesirable.

And if every other brand can do it I believe its not much to ask for TPLink to also offer this option.

 

I see there is even request in Tapo forums for this: https://community.tp-link.com/en/smart-home/forum/topic/667894

 

Should I create feature request thread if I would like for this to be implemented in Vigi line of IP cameras?

 

Thanks.

This is readable because you have ambient light. Consider removing the street lamp and comparing it again? Or move the camera into an environment where there is no IR or visible human-made light, and compare the image with and without the IR illuminator?

When in IR mode, the image can be readable while the external light is involved. But it could get overexposed because it is not from the IR light. An IR image is based on the IR light being shot and reflected, and then it gets back to the sensor to compose the image. So the IR mode gets the IR turned on by default. 

As for your doorway, where there is no ambient light, is that readable? 

If your ambient light is good enough, consider the full-color mode? All in all, all you need is to get a clear picture at night. If you consider the IR mode is not suitable for the current installation spot, then switch to a different mode. 

Or go to the VIGI app and use the 'Off' option, which should be what you want after further description. 

If this is what you are after, you are not reading the existing posts. Disable Bright White Light While Image & Night Vision Is On

  @Clive_A 

I totally agree. If there werent external lights then I would definitely need the in-built IR lights or the image would be unreadable.

I think I didnt use some terms correctly, sorry about that. Let me clear that up.

Your proposed solution in linked post (Night Vision - Off) results in IR mode being disabled and camera is in Full-Color mode. This isnt what I meant.

I was looking for a way to have camera in IR mode but without IR lights/illuminators.

Once again, I agree that in 99% of cases this is not ideal combination but I believe there are situations where it can be useful.

The best case that illustrate this is camera behind a window. In this case the IR lights made the camera unusable in IR mode.

Video demonstrating this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOd2gJaUY7k

So if you have your own external IR lights to illuminate surroundings and the camera behind a glass window (for example for protection) you would want the camera in IR mode but without in-built IR lights.

I now understand this is not possible in TPLink cameras. But I think this option could be added.

Thanks.

  @FoxtrotCZ 

FoxtrotCZ wrote

  @Clive_A 

I totally agree. If there werent external lights then I would definitely need the in-built IR lights or the image would be unreadable.

I think I didnt use some terms correctly, sorry about that. Let me clear that up.

Your proposed solution in linked post (Night Vision - Off) results in IR mode being disabled and camera is in Full-Color mode. This isnt what I meant.

I was looking for a way to have camera in IR mode but without IR lights/illuminators.

Once again, I agree that in 99% of cases this is not ideal combination but I believe there are situations where it can be useful.

 

The best case that illustrate this is camera behind a window. In this case the IR lights made the camera unusable in IR mode.

Video demonstrating this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOd2gJaUY7k

 

So if you have your own external IR lights to illuminate surroundings and the camera behind a glass window (for example for protection) you would want the camera in IR mode but without in-built IR lights.

 

I now understand this is not possible in TPLink cameras. But I think this option could be added.

Thanks.

You can submit a request regarding this. 

And describe the situation where you need the IR mode while IR light is off.

I'll pass this to the PM and let them evaluate that.