How to transform your webcam into an infrared cam


First and foremost, million thanks to M.J. Jag for kindly posting me this hack(trick) with great explanation on the principles of doing this trick. So here it goes.

Do you like to disassemble tech toys? Then this trick is for you! Do you know that CCDs (Charge Couple Devices), which are responsible to capture light in digital cameras, are very sensitive to infrared light? It's for this reason that producers insert an IR filter into their devices, in a way to be able to amplify visible light and to stop infrared. Here's the amazing part: as explained in this video


Transform Your Webcam Into An Infrared Cam! - video powered by Metacafe

You can disassemble your webcam and replace the IR filter with something else, and so transforming your webcam into an infrared device! All you have to do is to replace the filter with two layers of blackened photo film: they prevent the passage of visible light, but let the IR reach the CCD.


The result? Very cool. At the end of the video you can see nice tricks performed with the IR webcam, for example you can clearly see the light emitted from remote controls, you can look at the weird protection used on standard banknotes and see many dark object as if they were pale
and much more. All you have to do is just some patience, and you will be rewarded with
a lot of fun. Happy modding to all!

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Comments
  1. Garry Conn says on February 22, 2007 at 12:55 am

    Now that was pretty cool!!!!

  2. techdude says on June 12, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    WOW ! THAT’S A COOL TRICK.
    CAN I TURN MY LAPTOP’S WEBCAM INTO SUCH INFRA RED CAM??CAUSE THE PARTS MAY VERY TINY(I HAVE NEVER OPENED IT!!)

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