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This booklet aims to educate and aware CCTV users about the probable issues within their

surveillance systems. It also highlights the most suitable solutions to the daily CCTV woes

and concerns.

You have perhaps purchased the best CCTV available in the market. But, is it worth your

investment? Are your CCTVs capturing high-quality videos as you had expected? Is the

complete surveillance system actually enhancing your security or worsening situations?

Here are some selection issues, which you had no idea of, until today. So, to ensure proper

security, drop all your work and have a look into the most commonly faced CCTV issues, the

potential problems that crop up and the right step to mitigate such concerns.

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1. Blur Vision Beyond Certain Distance

Problem: While selecting a CCTV surveillance system, most people are not aware about the

significance of the operating range and resolution of camera lens. Weaker lens in small

cameras limit its capacity for capturing movements and objects of a large area. Lower

resolution also results in blur images and videos. Thus, the CCTV fails to display good-quality

videos, beyond a certain point, from its point of installation. As a result, larger distance

actions and objects don’t come into the recording and even if it does, the quality is very

poor (blurry vision).

Solution: Depending on the residential or commercial area, people must go for the right

Camera (like PTZ, Box, Mini Dome) and regardless of such factors; they must blindly go for

good-quality lens with higher resolution for a clearer and wider view.

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2. Blackish/Whitish Images

Problem: People are also not aware about the importance of IR filters. When you are

installing a CCTV, you want clear and bright recordings in day as well as night. As the sun

rises or sets, the IR filter within the camera automatically adjusts the recording mode and

suits it to day or night. Poor-quality IR filters face disturbances from the sun and fails

switching over to night mode. Due to this, night images can appear too dark to spot

anything. Such filters also fail to give brighter recordings even during the day, after few days

of use. It gives imperfect colour or hazy images during the day and black-and-white images

at night.

Solution: Choose a camera with movable IR filters that automatically adjust with the Sun

and does not face any disruptions. Look for IR Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that provides

artificial IR illumination and increases the naturally occurring light in the scene.

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3. Blur Images with Noisy and Unclear Picture

Problem: People also overlook the importance of Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) technology.

As a result, as the CCTV camera rotates around to detect and capture motions, it creates

digital noise. The presence of the noise creates noisy and hazy pictures.

Solution: Before purchasing CCTV, buyers must enquire about DNR technology. DNR

effectively removes noise, and improves the motion detection performance of camera. It

also allows end-users to have long recording periods with its digital or network video

recorder.

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4. Unclear Images

Problem: Natural conditions like cloudy weather produce faint and unclear images. Absence

of the Digital Slow Shutter (DSS) technology causes this problem. Most CCTV cameras don’t

facilitate DSS, which is why, people get poor quality pictures.

Solution: CCTV buyers must look for cameras with DSS technology. It improves the camera’s

light-sensitivity and increases its usability range. Users can also get brighter images with

Minimal motion blurring.

5. Low-Light Obscuration/ Strong Backlight Distortion

Problem: It happens when the camera lacks Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology.

Solution: People must consider the presence of WDR technology in their CCTV camera. It

helps users with clear images even when bright and dark areas are simultaneously present

in the field of view. Thus, it prevents images from low-light obscuration and strong

backlighting effects.

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6. Sun-Induced Effects

Problem: Sun-Induced effects refers to awful video degradation like blurriness, changes in

contrast, and often complete blackout. These problems occur when the camera lens are not

covered. Thus, when the camera comes in direct contact with the Sun, the rays penetrate

the image sensors and results in Sun-induced effects.

Solution: People must ensure that their camera is well-covered. This will prevent any kind

of Sun-influenced distortion and will produce perfect images.

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7. Faulty Performance on Electrified Surfaces

Problem: Installing cameras directly on metallic or conductive surfaces makes it non-

functional. As electric current comes in contact with the conductive surface, it immediately

strikes inside the camera. If the camera is non-insulated, it becomes dysfunctional.

Solution: There are two way-outs. Firstly, people can avoid installing the camera in direct

contact with the metallic surface. Secondly, they must put an insulating material between

the camera and the metallic surface.

8. Fluctuating Blurry Images

Problem: Faults in the digital electronic equipment and power supply issues are the

probable reasons behind blurry images, which keep fluctuating.

Solution: People must ensure that they have constant power supply and steady voltage.

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9. Piecemeal Security Products

Problem: It happens when people connect various security devices with the CCTV system.

Since all security products might not be compatible with each other and perhaps also won’t

interact with the CCTV surveillance system, it affects the CCTV performance.

Solution: Instead of assembling security and alarm systems from different companies, the

best solution is to gather all CCTV equipment from one company. In this manner, people can

ensure that the entire setup will function hassle-free.

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10. Using Default Passwords and Easy Codes

Problem: Most modern CCTV systems have private video streams from IP cameras, which are open to worldwide internet. The unsecured IP cameras have higher chances of leaking out private information to the world. Sectors which continue using the default camera and easy code passwords thus have greater threat of exposing their recording to the worldwide Internet.

Solution: Soon after installation, people must change the default settings and enter new passwords and codes. Only those belonging to the residence or commercial premise must have the CCTV credentials.

11. Insufficient Alarm Coverage Problem: Most of the domestic premises have limited surveillance systems. As a result, even with the best brands of CCTV alarms, the cameras fail to record movements and objects in the unprotected area. In the view of any criminal offence, the residents fail to get recording of most commonly uncovered areas like entrance path, apartment doors, and

windows, staircases, etc.

Solution: The CCTV installation team must determine the best position for optimal view of the entire premise. While installing the system, they must maintain high and broad angles to ensure maximum coverage. All entrances must be well-covered by the camera. People must also ensure that the grid of the cam does not possess any open spot. At the same time, all doors, windows, and staircase of all floors must be fitted with an alarm, and directly connected to the CCTV system. Any movements recorded within the alarm will be directly found in the CCTV.

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12. False Security Alarms in Domestic CCTVs

Problem: More often than not, modern CCTVs raise alarms when tree leaves move with the

wind, or birds fly past the windows or similar natural occurrences. Malfunctioning of the

security system is one of the main reasons for detecting false rather irrelevant movements.

Inaccurate installation or human errors can also raise false CCTV alarms. Lack of motion

detection sensitivity is also another probable cause of false security alarms.

Solution: Using mask feature in the home security alarms, people can prevent motion

detection in certain areas. For instance, if residents install a CCTV in their backyards- an area

with lots of trees, the best way-out is to mask the tree and prevent its motions to be

captured by the CCTV. A better solution is to activate motion detection sensitivity- high

motion sensitivity during the day and low sensitivity at night.

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13. Surveillance Systems being Open to Hacks

Problem: CCTV hacking happens just like computers. Professional CCTV hackers can easily

steal the security codes, bypass the camera, and keep a regular eye on activities happening

within the domestic premise. When it comes to hacking, there are mainly three types of

home security systems- wired, encrypted wireless, and unencrypted wireless. Unencrypted

wireless cameras are most prone to hacking. Encrypted wireless CCTVs are secured,

however they are not 100% safe. Wired systems cannot be hacked. At a max, its wires can

be cut.

Solution: The best solution is to create a redundant system with a wired and an encrypted

wireless connection that will provide complete protection to the security camera and

prevent it from any kind of hacking.

14. Unclear Pictures due to Poor Cabling Network

Problem: Poor quality cables or inaccurate cabling network can cause a plethora of problems within the computer network. Errors in the cabling network are responsible for unclear or hazy images in the computer. Such issues also prevent proper functioning of Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Solution: People must never attempt to install the CCTV on their own. Instead, they should always hire an experienced technician, who knows the proper CCTV

installation procedure. Since the CCTV technicians use good quality cables, therefore, residents can prevent any kind of problems that might interrupt consistent connection between the cable and the computer.

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15. Backlight Reflection

Problem: Generally, the CCTV system is positioned right in front of the doors and windows,

without considering backlight reflection. People also purchase cameras which are not well-

equipped for managing backlight reflections. As a result, when the surveillance camera tries

to capture objects, it produces darkened images, due to reflection of sunlight.

Solution: Repositioning the camera to change the environment is a suitable solution to

overcome this problem. People can also use curtains or plants or close blinds to block the

sunlight reflection on the objects. Backlighting can also be reduced by using carpets. Adding

frontal lighting also works well and is another alternative to changing the camera position.

While browsing through various CCTVs, users must go for cameras with wide dynamic range

support. Such cameras have improved functionality for handling backlight situations.

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16. Wrong placement of Camera Angle

Problem: Most people believe that

placing the CCTV camera at upper angles

will provide wider views and bigger

images. Based on such conceptions, they

install the CCTV cameras at top-most

angles in lobbies and entrance doors.

Upper angle views cause difficulty in

recognising the facial features of moving

people. Thus, the faces are not

prominent. In an attempt to view the actual face, users zoom up the images, which

ultimately degrade the picture quality and yield nothing.

Solution: Users must install the camera at an angle of 10° to 15° to get maximum view along

with clear face detection. At the same time, cameras should be placed at a level that covers

every point within or outside the premise. Technicians are aware about the right camera

installation angles. It is best to consult them and take their service for installing the entire

surveillance system.

17. Loss of Cable

Problem: The video cables of the

CCTV systems reduce brightness

and degrade the quality of

pictures. Actually, longer the

cables, more is the damage.

While a hundred feet cable will

cause certain loss of picture

clarity, a thousand feet will

severely degrade the details and

brightness of the captured

pictures. The problem happens when users neglect the importance of connecting an

Equalizer or Amplifier at the monitor location.

Solution: To achieve zero loss of cable and get pure quality images without any degradation,

users must install an Equalizer or an Amplifier at the point of CCTV monitors. These

equipments effectively cancels cable loss and produces best quality and flawless pictures,

day and night.

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18. Ring on the CCTV Camera Problem: Another common concern is the formation of a ring in the CCTV camera while

capturing images and movements during night. It happens because the IR glows red and

reflects off the lens. The ring is only seen when people take fetch digital pictures from the

CCTV storage and spot a bluish light.

Solution: The lens must be kept close to the front cover of the camera. However, the cover

must not touch the glass of the camera lens.

Now that you know about the common errors of your CCTV systems, what are you waiting for?

Call 022-65200201 or Email contact@nimetler.com or

Visit www.nimetler.com for the best CCTV assistance

Source of Content:

1. https://www.honeywellvideo.com/

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3. http://www.cnbusa.com/en/html/product/product.php?seqx_prod=1141

4. http://www.cctvcameraworld.com/cctv-security-camera-image-problem/

5. https://reolink.com/problems-fixes-of-security-camera-systems/

6. www.axis.com

7. http://securemaxcctv.com/cctv-picture-problems-my-cctv-picture-is-not-sharp-and-

clear/

8. http://www.cctvforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26524