Interference from Incandescent heat lamp

[Bshanahan]

Hi Guys,

Sorry a complete newb here. I have a webcam setup in my pet tortoise enclosure that receives significant interference in the form of horizontal lines from the heat lamp. It is not an issue with the web cam as any digital camera I point under the light has the same effect. I am not sure that I can source a UV/Heat lamp that has a higher frequency to prevent this. Is there any filter I can attach to the camera to reduce the lines?

Thanks in advance,
Brendan

[lordsmurf]

Tin foil ?

[edDV]

This is probably RF interference rather than power line hum.

How is that webcam powered? From the computer?

Got a make/model number for this heater? What technology does it use?

[SLK001]

The problem is more likely caused by a variable intensity controller. An incandescent light, by itself, cannot cause this interference. However, standard run-of-the-mill triac based variable controllers are notoriously noisey.

To test this, take an AM radio near the light and vary the intensity. You should be able to hear a very audible buzz that changes frequency as you vary the intensity.

[Bshanahan]

It is not a normal incandescent light. It is a UV/Heat lamp that runs at a low frequency. I can use a sony handicam/olympus still camera/laptop web cam/iphone camera and they all have this effect shooting any area lit closely by this lamp. I think the lamp must only run at a low frequency as it flickers a bit visibly while warming up. None of these cameras have issues in this location when lit by a normal lamp.

[edDV]

It is not a normal incandescent light. It is a UV/Heat lamp that runs at a low frequency. I can use a sony handicam/olympus still camera/laptop web cam/iphone camera and they all have this effect shooting any area lit closely by this lamp. I think the lamp must only run at a low frequency as it flickers a bit visibly while warming up. None of these cameras have issues in this location when lit by a normal lamp.

So you need a different heater technology or you need to move the cameras away from the light and compensate with a telephoto lens.

[Bshanahan]

Yeah that was my question as those options aren't available at the moment. Video is still watchable, just not ideal. I just wanted to know if there was any video-geek type filter that can reduce this effect. I will try and obtain a higher frequency lamp next time. Might have to take a camera to the pet store and test them all...