How to See Infared Light

Remote Controls

Have you ever wondered what infra-red light looks like? Here's how to find out!

[edit] Steps

  1. Obtain a remote control with a visible LED on it. Make sure it has batteries in it and that they are not out of power.
  2. Grab a digital camera, video camera, camera phone, web cam or any other piece of camera equipment with an LCD screen.
  3. Turn the camera on, making sure it is in capture mode, and look through the LCD screen.
  4. Point the LED on the remote directly at the camera lens.
  5. Hit any button on the remote, except for mode-change buttons such as TV, as those do not send an infra-red signal.
  6. You should now see a bluish-white light emitting from the dark panel of the remote, as in the image below. This is infra-red light!
    Infrared Light
    Infrared Light
    Remote Control
    Remote Control


[edit] Tips

  • Turn the piece of equipment the remote controls off first, so you don't affect it using the remote.
  • Use a remote with a visible LED.
  • Make sure the batteries in the remote and the camera are not out of power.
  • Certain cameras are not sensitive to infra-red light. If this does not work, try a different camera.
  • Some camera cellphones are able to see infra-red light.
  • You can also see the infrared light in a Nintendo Wii sensor bar.


[edit] Things You'll Need

  • Remote control
  • Camera


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Categories:Computers and Electronics

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Anonymous, Julia Maureen, Aluion, Brad, Martyn P, Za_1884, Kals, Maluniu, OhioMike, Omars1098, Rajkalyan, BlueNinja, DeSalvionjr
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