Outside CCTV cameras can fail from temperature extremes.
CCTV, or closed circuit television, surveillance systems are used to monitor sensitive areas where it is important to know what activity is happening. The systems are complex electronic devices which often require specialized tools and equipment to understand what is going on between the components. However, troubleshooting, or checking the critical parts of the camera, the connection between the camera and the system, the recorder and the software, often narrows down the problem.
Instructions
1. Check the power to the camera. Ensure that the batteries are fresh if it requires them, or check that the electrical hookup is functional. Clean the lens for damage and ensure that nothing is blocking its view. Move the camera to another system and see if it works on that system. If it does, then the problem is somewhere other than the camera.
2. Check the cable for kinks or tears. Remove the camera and system cable connection and reconnect each end to see if that clears up the problem. Change the cable out for another one and check what happens. Use the current cable between the system and a camera somewhere else to see if the cable works properly there. If using a wireless system, recheck the settings in the software to see if they have changed or that the system is "seeing" the camera. Add another wireless device that you know is working to the system and check if it connects properly.
3. Check the digital video recorder or computer to see if it is plugged in, turned on and working properly. Open the computer box and reseat the video card, along with the other peripherals such as the hard drive and RAM. A digital video recorder is a closed box that will not let you check the insides, but look for any damage to the outside that may be causing problems. A dent or other scuff may indicate a hard blow that jarred something loose inside or damaged a component. Connect the computer or DVR to a cable and camera that you know is working to see what happens.
4. Check the software to see if any changes were made, or if it has become corrupt. Reinstall the software using the backup disk for a computer and reenter the correct parameters and information.
Tags: camera another, camera system, digital video, digital video recorder, know working, that know
