Understanding

Infra-red

(or trying to)

This has been a long time in coming. It's another area of the paranormal research community, that is misunderstood and as always, taken at face value without even attempting to find out the how's and why's....

When people hear the term "Infra-red", they naturally assume it's some ultra-high tech property of light that magically transforms spirits into the physical realm.

Not even close....

The equipment that we commonly use that is "labeled" infra-red, such as video cameras with "Night-Shot", is only a fraction of the spectrum. Infra-red runs an entire gamut of varying degrees and levels.

First, let's look at the two major categories of Infra-red, and the equipment they are commonly associated with.

~1) Image Enhancement

Infra-red pertaining to our night-shot video cameras and night vision devices, operate on the  lower portion of the infra-red light spectrum. This means it collects tiny amounts of available light, that are present but may not be perceptible to our eyes, and amplifies it to the point that we can see the image. What we're seeing is the amplified light bouncing off of walls and objects within the range of the camera.

Have you noticed using your night-shot, that it's great for indoor use, but nearly useless outdoors or in expansive areas? That's because our affordable cameras have cost efficient devices that are limited in capability. Boosters are available, but are for the most part, bulky and expensive. They have varying degrees of light amplification, but you have to adjust the settings to suit the size of the area you are observing.

~ 2) Thermal Imaging

This operates by capturing the upper portion of the infra-red spectrum, which is emitted as heat by objects rather than simply reflected as light. Warmer objects such as warm bodies emit more of this light than cooler objects like trees or buildings...(or headstones)

The key difference between the two levels is that Thermal-IR is emitted by an object, and Light Amplifcation-IR simply reflects off it. (dust, pollen, bugs)

Capturing IR in Imaging

The big claim going around now, is that Digital Cameras have the ability to capture the infra-red spectrum, therefore that's the way to go....Not true. Some say you can capture the IR light emitted from your TV remote with your digital. This is true in that aspect, however you can do the same with your video camera and computer web cam...it isn't a digital camera's "ability", it's simply a video imaging process.

But now you're thinking, "But Ken, digital cameras aren't video!"

Yes they are, its all electronic...the same with your TV, video camera, and web cam. They all have a process called Refresh Rate, where the internal workings are constantly changing to provide the image in "real time". This process takes place at a cyclic rate of 60 to 120 times per second...much too fast for you to see with the naked eye.

However, the same Refresh Rate taking place within the cameras, will see the TV remote...Why?...because the remote operates on the same cyclic rate.

Your TV remote is only "infra-red" basically because you can't see the beam with the naked eye. TV remotes work on an entirely different process than just making an infra-red beam.

The remote actually works on an AM radio frequency. The circuitry converts this frequency into light as a convenience, so you don't have to have a cord running from the remote.

(Prove it Ken)

Here's a neat little trick you can try at home...I picked this up while attending E.S.I..

Take a transistor radio...meaning portable, not a big ol' Home Entertainment Center, and set the AM dial to the lowest setting, all the way to the bottom of the dial, below 530 kHz.

Turn up the volume somewhat....now take your TV remote, or any remote, and hold down the channel or volume button close to the radio's antenna...You'll hear *thip thip thip thip thip thip*. That's the AM signal being picked up by your AM receiver...

Here's another example of cyclic rate, and how you can see the remote LED in your digital.

Remember from the "Human v. Animal Ophthalmology" page, about Flicker Fusion, and the ceiling fan example? Try this...

Using a small fan, desk size works or any portable fan, and turn it on. The blades spin at a high rate of speed. You know they're there, you know they're turning, but you can't see them, right? Same with the remote...you know its there, but can't see it.

Now turn on your TV, and look at the screen through the fan....now you can see the blades. Why?

It's the same cyclic rate that becomes synchronized to allow you to see the TV remote IR LED in a video process, i.e. digital camera, video camera, web cam...

Here are other things you can do.

Take your night-shot video camera and a digital camera into a darkened room. Point the video camera with the night-shot on, at a wall about 4 feet away.

Now, aim the remote at the wall, and hold down the channel or volume button...You'll be able to see the IR "beam" very faintly reflecting off of the wall. This is because the light amplification of the night-shot is utilizing the tiny amounts (very tiny) of available light from the IR LED.

Now, do the same thing with the digital camera, with the LCD screen on so you can see what's going on. Activate the TV remote at the wall....Do you see the "beam"? Nope...

So, there's still yet another digital theory shot to hell...digitals do not capture the Infrared Spectrum as claimed...To steal a phrase from one of my favorite TV shows, "Myth Busted". They only display the remote's LED bulb working its cyclic process...

I love this "Mr. Wizard" stuff...I just wish more people would take the time to learn how to do it, rather than merely speculate...

This is what's killing our field...too much assumption, not enough hands-on...

To get any answers, we have to weed out what doesn't work, before we can find what will...If we want real, we're going to have to work for it...If we want wishful thinking, then keep assuming...

I keep saying, this stuff goes way deeper than just snapping pictures to brag about.

You need to learn and understand how your gear works, not just take everything at face value.

~~~copyright 2004, Dr.Ken

None of this material may be used without
the written consent of Dr.Ken