M400 Web Browser Interface
432-0012-00-12 Version 110 July 2016 27
Setup->IR->AGC Scene Presets
The AGC parameters affect how the overall IR video image appears. The default Histogram 
algorithm is suitable for most installations, but in some cases one of the other selections may 
provide a more appealing image, depending on personal preferences. Be aware the settings that 
are optimal at one time may be less optimal a short time later, since conditions such as weather 
and time of day affect the image and are constantly changing. 
• Gray Shade Compression (Plateau value) when set high, the algorithm approaches the 
behavior of classic histogram equalization—gray shades are distributed proportionally to the 
cumulative histogram, and more gray shades will be devoted to large areas of similar 
temperature in a given scene. On the other hand, when the value is set low, the algorithm 
behaves more like a linear AGC algorithm—there is little compression in the resulting 8-bit 
histogram.
• Brightness (ITT Mean) setting determines the temperature that is at the middle of the 256 
“shades of gray” available to the camera. Higher values allow more detail in hotter scenes, 
while lower values allow more detail in lower temperature scenes.
• Contrast (Max Gain) can generally be used to increase contrast (although it may also 
increase noise due to increased gain).
• Sharpness (DDE) is used to enhance image details and/or suppress fixed pattern noise. 
Higher values increase Sharpness, while lower values soften (blur) the image and filter fixed 
pattern noise.
• Gamma (ACE) provides a contrast adjustment dependent on the relative scene temperature. 
Gamma values greater than 0 give more contrast to the hotter scene content and decrease 
contrast for the colder scene content. Gamma values less than 0 do the opposite by 
decreasing the contrast for hotter scene content and leaving more of the “shades of gray” to 
represent the colder scene content.
• Smart Scene Balance (SSO) value defines the percentage of the scene that will be allotted a 
linear mapping. With SSO enabled (greater than zero), the difference in gray shades between 
two objects is more representative of the difference in temperature, although the optimization 
in local contrast can be lost.
It may be best to start with the Scene Presets selections, but experiment with different AGC 
settings. Select Save Settings button at the bottom of the page to keep the settings after a power 
cycle or select the Factory Defaults button to return the settings to default values.
Each Scene Preset provides a combination of parameters that are preferred for certain types of 
conditions. Select a Scene Preset that provides an image that is optimal for the situation. Recall 
the Scene preset can also be toggled by selecting the Toggle Scene Preset button from the Live 
Video page control panel.