Common Troubleshooting Tips for Home CCTV Installation
Installing a CCTV system (closed-circuit television system) for your home is no longer an odd proposition. No longer just a vestige of the rich and famous, the current affordability of the various components that make u the CCTV systems make it easy for many everyday people to consider installing such a system for their peace of mind while away from home – either on vacation, on business, or just while at work. Parents who employee a nanny have long since gotten to know the famous – or infamous – Nanny Cam which will permit them to check in from work to see how things are getting along at home. Of course, with the affordability of the system components being what it is, there is no real surprise in the fact that many such systems can be purchased in a boxed set, ready for in home installation by the hobbyist.
Of course, sometimes even the most accomplished weekend installer will run into some problems, and here are some common troubleshooting tips for home CCTV installation to follow one you have everything installed in your home and hooked up to your personal computer, but you are not getting any images on your monitor:
- Do you have the proper system requirements for the software, such as an Intel Pentium processor or its equivalent?
- Are you running the required version of Microsoft Windows? If you are running an old version you will need to upgrade to support all the features available.
- Do you have enough RAM available – the usual recommendation is 128 MB? If you do not have enough RAM, then your system resources may not allow you to run the programs needed.
- Do you have enough hard drive space to accommodate the files you will need to install as well the space you will need to archived materials? If you run out of space, you may not be getting any more current feed.
- Will you be able to hook up the cameras and other gadgets in the first place via USB ports on your CPU? If you do not have the proper ports on your computer you will need to purchase an adapter. Keep in mind that sometimes an adapter will take away some of the power of your system, and usually problems can be traced directly to such a component.
- Do you have the proper Internet configuration that will permit you to access the system? A dial up connection will prove itself almost worthless when you try to access something as complex as a surveillance file.
- Did you check the cables that connect the cameras to the switches or routers? Loose cables or those improperly connected are the bane of the existence of installers and service technicians who often spend valuable time fixing this little flaw.
- Did you install more than the recommended number of cameras? For example, some systems can only support three cameras, while others will be able to support six. If you install too many components, the system will break down and not permit you to use it at all. Resist the urge to put splitters into the line to accommodate more cameras; they will only take away from the power that goes to the system components.
- Did you follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for how to adjust wireless camera pictures?
- Are your cameras set up properly for their uses? For example, if you are putting an indoor camera outside when it is dark and you do not have infrared technology in play, you will only see a black or dark screen, nothing more. Similarly, if you place an indoor camera out of doors and allow the elements, such as rainwater or sprinkler drops, to get in touch with the lenses, you will probably damage the sensitive technology, and soon you will be watching a black screen because the camera is damaged.
As you can see, the troubleshooting required for a home CCTV set are very basic, and with an owner’s manual and some common sense you should be able to take care of most problems yourself. For the more advanced problems and tech errors, it is always advantageous to purchase a system from a manufacturer who has local offices that will make it a snap to get a customer service representative to dispatch an installer to take a look at your system.
