Using surveillance to record and monitor suspicious activity can result in serious security risks even after a few minutes of inactivity. Any security problem can make you feel as if you have no system, so any issue you encounter should be addressed immediately. We will discuss in this post some of the most notable reasons why a DVR may lose security video and how to fix them. Since NVRs will use a different protocol, these fixes only apply for DVR failure?
What is my perception of video loss?
It could be that your surveillance system is malfunctioning, preventing you from viewing video. For example, a monitor or camera could lose video. During this condition, the monitor loses the video signal (also known as display video loss) so that the DVR is not viewable. It is impossible to record cameras that cannot be seen on a DVR monitor, and therefore can’t be seen on a DVR.
It’s possible to identify the type of video loss from the DVR menu. In the event that you cannot locate a menu, the issue may be with your monitor. The DVR menu means that video has been lost due to the camera.
I cannot see video on my monitor
Video loss can easily be monitored with a simple interface. For you to solve this issue, you must follow these steps:
- If the monitor output (VGA or HDMI) is not working, the monitor needs to be checked.
- A working VGA/HDMI cable is essential to a smooth installation.
- You should check that the output from the DVR corresponds to the HD resolution of the monitor.
There are a number of reasons why videos can disappear from your camera:
- The power supply is not sufficient in (one or more) of the chambers
- A power supply likely cause’s video loss in multiple cameras connected at the same time to the same power source.
- For cameras equipped with separate power supplies, only that one needs to be checked.
- An incorrect connection of coaxial or BNC cables
- Testing the coaxial cable first will ensure it is working with the camera. Check whether the video loss camera cable works with a new camera cable.
The signal type was not received
Specifications should outline which types of camera signals the recorder supports (TVI, AHD, CVBS, and CVI). After choosing the type of signal, check the camera for video signals.
Maybe there is something wrong with the DVR’s camera port
Be sure your DVR is working correctly before you disconnect it. Check if video is available by plugging in the camera that is not working instead of trying to fix it.
DVR loading and start-up issues
You may encounter situations when your DVR remains on the startup screen or loading screen:
The DVRs are not getting enough power
- It is helpful to check the power supply if you do not have power to your DVR.
- Whenever possible, plug directly into the wall rather than using a power strip.
- Keeping a DVR uncovered is preferable.
- It’s time to replace the power supply.
- There is no need for a hard drive
- Discard the hard drive and make sure it passes the loading screen.
- It appears that the DVR’s firmware has been updated
- If this is the cause of the problem, then the current firmware on the DVR has an expiration date.
When you have completed all these steps, if you are still experiencing problems with your DVR, please contact our technical support team.
TV DVRs (digital video recorders) are difficult to access, hard to export, and sometimes physically damaged, requiring recovery services.
Our data recovery services can help you recover data after a lost file or after formatting a hard drive. We can also recover data following other severe problems such as fire and water damage. Engineers at Salvagedata can recover CCTV DVR recordings (and perform forensic analysis if needed) in many cases.
