Webcam showing IR

[virtualpilot45]

Having heard about how the Near IR is picked up by unfiltered webcams, I tried pointing a remote at my a.) webcam and b.) point and shoot camera. To my surprise, on both I saw a blinking white light, which was completely invisible to my eyes

This explained something weird I had noticed about video chatting. The background is usually hideously overexposed, so I try shutting the curtains. This has virtually no effect, and white light continues to seep through, even when the room appears dark to the naked eye! Am I right in thinking that webcams and cameras are also weakly sensitive in the Near UV?

[RogerTheDodger]

Yes.

[fatwoul]

I've often thought the same thing, vp45. I guess teenagers talking to each other online about how nobody understands them tend to inhabit the darkened recesses of a house, so maybe webcams are designed around that.

[virtualpilot45]

Either that or the government WATCHES US WHILST WE SLEEP.