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6 COMMON PROBLEMS WITH CCTV AND HOW TO FIX IT.

Post date 29 Sep, 2023

 

1) Help! My Images Are Only in Black and White

 

 CCTV cameras display colors only when there's sufficient light.

 

 At night, cameras use infrared (IR) light for night vision, resulting in black and white images.

 

 Some high-end cameras can capture limited colors in low light conditions but still require some illumination.

 

 To address black and white images, ensure proper lighting by adding additional lights if necessary.

 

 Check the camera for obstructions and damage that may affect image quality.

 

 Verify correct cable connections to prevent issues with image display.

 

 Test the camera on a different monitor to isolate potential issues with the main monitor or its settings.

 

 If problems persist despite adequate lighting, seek assistance from the camera manufacturer.

 

2)There Are Horizontal Lines on My CCTV Video

 

Two typical root causes for CCTV image issues: interference from ambient lighting or electrical interference.

 

Troubleshooting Steps:

 

  1. Avoid Electrical Light:

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      Ensure no electrical light directly falls on the camera. Bright lights can interfere with single-chip CCD sensors, causing flickering or horizontal lines.
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  2. Check Power Supply:

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      Inspect the power supply for damage and adequate power filtering. A damaged or inadequate power supply can leak interference into the equipment, affecting the CCD sensor and causing distortions.
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  3. Inspect Cables:

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      Check cables for shielding damage.
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  4. Proper Cable Routing:

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      Ensure long cables (Cat 5 or coaxial) are routed correctly, away from high-frequency equipment and electrical sources, and properly grounded.
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  5. Consider Alternative Cameras:

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      If lighting is unavoidable and causing issues, consider using a WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) camera or CMOS sensor cameras, but explore other solutions first.
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3) My CCTV Video Is Flickering

 

CCTV flickering can be difficult to diagnose as it may occur intermittently. Common causes include interference due to incorrect installation, malfunctioning equipment or power supplies, bad ambient conditions, or insufficient power supply.

 

Troubleshooting Steps:

 

  1. Check the Monitor:

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      Ensure the monitor is not the problem, especially if flickering occurs only in full-screen mode. Verify that the monitor is functioning correctly.
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  2. Inspect Connectors and Cables:

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      Check connectors and cables, especially the shielding, for damage. Ensure cables are correctly routed and grounded, especially if the camera has an analogue output or uses long cables.
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  3. Test Without Video Signal:

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      If the camera has an analogue output, disconnect the video cable at the camera output. If flickering continues, inspect the monitor’s power supply, cables, and connectors for damage.
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  4. Terminate Video Outputs:

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      Ensure that all video outputs are correctly terminated if the camera is connected to loop-through equipment with additional video outputs.
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  5. Check Power Supply in Low Light:

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      Ensure the power supply meets the camera’s requirements, especially for IR LEDs, which draw more power in low light. Flickering under low ambient lighting is often due to insufficient power.
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  6. Avoid Electrical Light Sources:

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      Ensure the camera is not pointing at electrical light sources, and re-angle the camera if sudden lighting changes cause flickering.
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  7. Disconnect Equipment to Isolate Issue:

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      Disconnect cameras or recording equipment to see if the flickering stops. If so, inspect for damage.
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  8. Check Frequency Compatibility:

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      Ensure the camera and devices are rated for 50 Hz operation. Some equipment requires manual configuration for 50 Hz or 60 Hz operation.
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  9. Inspect Camera and IR LEDs:

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      Check the camera, especially the IR LEDs, for damage. Damaged or aging LEDs and light sensors can cause inherent flickering.
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4) My CCTV Camera Footage is Noisy

 

Noisy CCTV footage is usually caused by electrical or RF interference. Similar to flickering, addressing typical sources of interference is essential.

 

Troubleshooting Steps:

 

  1. Inspect Connectors and Cables:

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      Check connectors and cables for damage, especially analogue video cables.
    • Ensure all cables are routed correctly, away from interference sources, and correctly grounded if required.
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  2. Test Without Video Signal:

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      If your camera has an analogue output, disconnect the video cable from the camera. If noise remains on the monitor, this typically indicates interference at the monitor’s end. Check the monitor’s power supply and cables.
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  3. Isolate Interference:

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      Disconnect other cameras or video equipment to see if the noise level decreases. Damaged or improperly shielded equipment can interfere with other devices.
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5) My CCTV Camera Shows a Black Screen

 

If your CCTV camera displays a black screen, it could indicate a lack of video signal or obstruction in the optical pathway.

Troubleshooting Steps:

 

  1. Check Optical Pathway:

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      Ensure the optical pathway is not obstructed, especially at high zoom levels where small lenses can be blocked by objects like leaves or branches.
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  2. Verify Ambient Lighting:

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      Make sure ambient lighting conditions meet the camera's requirements. Some cameras cannot capture images in low light or darkness, resulting in a black screen.
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  3. Power Cycle:

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      Power off and then on your camera. If all cameras show a black screen, reboot the DVR box, as modern DVR boxes and high-end cameras can crash and need a reset.
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  4. Inspect Lens and Camera:

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      Check the lens and camera for damage. Even if a camera powers up and sends data, it may not produce a picture if its optical components or sensor are damaged.
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6) My CCTV Camera Is Not Working on Mobile

 

If you can't view your CCTV stream on a mobile app despite accessing it locally, it's likely a configuration issue rather than a problem with the camera or equipment.

 

Troubleshooting Steps:

 

  1. Check Network Configuration:

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      Ensure your camera or DVR/NVR is connected to the local network and that all settings are correct, especially if using a static IP address. Verify netmask, gateway, and DNS addresses.
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  2. Review Firewall Settings:

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      If your camera offers mobile access through a cloud-based app, ensure your network firewall isn't blocking connections from the camera to the Internet.
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  3. Verify VPN Configuration:

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      If your CCTV system requires a VPN connection for remote/mobile access, ensure the VPN service is correctly configured.
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  4. Confirm DDNS Settings:

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      If your CCTV system offers remote/cloud access via dynamic DNS (DDNS), ensure DNS settings are correct. Note that DDNS may not work on all networks, especially 4G networks.
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