Image Quality: Distorted picture

Many factors, including installation, cables, and environmental factors, can affect the camera video feed quality. If you notice the camera video feed is distorted, blurry, pixelated, has wavy lines, or static, you may be able to resolve the quality issue with the troubleshooting steps below.

To restore video feed quality:

• Ensure that the plastic sticker on the lens has been removed and that the lens is cleaned periodically using a soft cloth.
• Ensure that there is no moisture on the lens. Consider mounting the camera in an area that provides shelter, or adjust the camera sunshade (if applicable) to prevent rain / moisture from accumulating on the lens.
• If using a bullet camera, ensure that the mounting screws are secure using the provided Allen key. Loose screws can cause the inner lens to shake and blur the image.
• Ensure that the camera's power adapter is installed indoors. The camera's power adapter is not rated for outdoor weather.
• Insufficient power can cause video feed issues. Try connecting the camera to a different, functional power outlet, and ensure the camera is properly connected to the power adapter.
• If using an 8-in-1 or 4-in-1 power adapter, try plugging the power adapter into a different power outlet. Unplug all other cameras attached to the power adapter, if the image on the camera improves, the power adapter may be damaged. Replace the power adapter.
• If using a Varifocal Camera, refer to your camera's user manual to manually focus the camera, and access the camera's on screen display (OSD) menu. Click here for downloads and documentation for your product.

In addition to checking your camera and power cables, you may also need to check your cable installation for cabling issues.

To prevent cable issues between the DVR / NVR and the camera:

• Ensure that there are no kinks or coils in the cables. Kinks or coils can cause signal bleed or create shorts which can prevent video feed from displaying properly.
• Ensure that cables are not bound together. Bound cables can cause signal bleed and static.
• Ensure that no damage to the cables was caused during installation (e.g., staples, metal bindings, or buried wire).
• Ensure that cables are secured to the back of the DVR / NVR. See your user manual for assistance with connecting cameras to the recorder. Click here for downloads and documentation for your product.
• Ensure that cables are secured to the back of the cameras.
• Try using a different BNC cable or Power over Ethernet (PoE) / Ethernet cable to connect the camera to the back of the DVR / NVR.
• Ensure that the BNC or PoE cord length does not exceed the guideline set in your camera user manual. Image quality will degrade after the maximum recommended cable length. Click here for downloads and documentation for your product.