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Image Storage for Any Thermal Imager

With the advent of digital storage media, nearly every modern thermal imager is capable of storing images electronically. For thermal imagers that do not have image storage capability, there are inexpensive and readily available solutions.

For thermal imagers having a video output jack there are two options for image storage. The first option utilizes a VCR to record desired imagery. Videotape allows for recording of moving objects and/or dynamic processes. Videotape is inexpensive, readily available, and special equipment is not required for playback. Still images can be captured from videotape using a video capture board available for most personal computers.

The second option utilizes a digital recorder that accepts a standard video input. With a digital recorder, single frames of data may be captured to digital media such as PC cards. Camcorders having a digital snapshot camera feature may provide the best solution of all. Several currently available models allow a thermographer to record to videotape and/or to capture still images from the video input. Additionally, the daylight snapshot feature of the camera may be used to capture high quality daylight images.

Once images have been recorded, they can be directly imported into a PC for storage or incorporation into written reports.