I just watched this BnC fix-it video, went outside to bend the ground on my Camera's BnC Connector like he did, and it WORKED! I was about to replace the whole 30 foot cable. Thanks for posting this.
I just got around to going step by step check of my dead camera, I was ready to replace the camera and cable. I had already bought new cameras and cables, but decided to check out the contact that the connections were making!!!. Walls!!! Working like new. And I have a spare cameras and cable. Thank you very much! Next time I have a problem I will go to RUclips, take advice and do test, then buy. Think I will add another camera to my system.
Very good but my problem is disconnecting them. I have to twist anticlock then use a screwdriver to twist them off. This problem came with my DVR as they cannot be pulled off. Thank you for a solution I may need in the future.
Great video thanks and fixed my BNC to RCA video cable and finally pinned down rthe cable as the fault of poor connection, not pc, not camera, not old drivers. I didn't have to crimp the ground inward as in video. Instead by observation I saw there there were 2 movements that could be used to push the BNC onto the camera video out connector. The first connector was the culprit and brought to my attention by your excellent video. I observed if I pushed on the BNC by holding the outer sleeve jacket of the BNC, its the outer sleeve you use to twist onto the centering pin and then twist laterally to hold the connector in contact and in position. I noticed doing this there was still a small gap between the ground of the camera ground and the BNC ground. What I needed to do instead was to push it on instead from the black plastic sleeve with my thumb and forefinger on the dotted and lined section of the sleeve for gripping it. I needed to use this motion to push the BNC firmly on. Then to use the second motion to twist the BNC using its silver sleeve so that the locking pin was firmly held. Using the first procedure didn't work at all. I probably need a new cable but great thanks for the heads up there.
I wish i had seen this Video years ago when searching for faults on the old Coax based network in my old workplace :) Hours crawling under office desks looking for the one bad connector that killed the network ( closed circuit with end Termination ) :) Excellent.
Hey Rich, Thanks! I've been having trouble for years with the signal from two cameras. I was actually looking for a replacement camera when I found your video. And your advice fixed the problems! Thanks!!
Your video inspired me to try something slightly different. Instead of bending anything I used a tiny bit of carbon conductive grease on the neutral to bridge the connection. It worked. You were right about loose connections. Carbon conductive grease is a special black grease that conducts electricity. Just use a small bit and make sure you don't get it between the neutral and center positive contacts.
welll when I connect the cctv to my tv there is no video I checked the camera power.it gets power and its night vision work but there is no video signal output from the cctv
Thanks this helped fix an intermittent problem I was having on a Lorex HD camera. Another fix that I have run across is for the power connection. Using Stanley crimping pliers (the one with the prong to crimp a butt connector) take the male end of the power cable (the one that plugs into the camera) about 1/3 of the way from the outer end and put a SMALL (small) dimple on the metal jacket of the connector. This will tighten the inner barrel for the center pin and also make the outer jacket oval for a better connection as well......Just sayin".....Thanks again
You can use side cutters,IF you are careful. I mangled the BNC connector slightly as well. Anti-seize helps the connection: just a little dab will do ya.
Thank you I am having this problem on the back of my DVr video loss blinks in and out i hold up on the connection and boom they all work i will try this on my day off thanks again didn't even think about this i even took the board out and checked there solder job lol
get rid of all cables out of the box ..solid copper heavy duty phone cable works best.brighter night vision .better night play back . get a phone crimp tool and connecters. i put two cables together .120 feet and it didnot work. i ran 225 foot phone cable worked great. plus the extra wire i used for a micrphone.its the stuff they use to run thru walls
I understood the part about using phone wire for the power side of the circuit. Did you use the original cable for the video ( BNC) side? And, are you saying you also used conductors in the phone cable to connect your camera's audio? My concern is that video and audio usually require a shielded cable. it might be ok if there is no chance of outside interference, but that's usually not the case.
Will this grounding issue cause massive reboots on the Q-see systems? I've replaced the fan, wiped the drive. When it works, it's great. But this rebooting has got to stop! Thank you!
Good day sir, i know this video is 9 years old but do you know if this security systems still works? I read this company shut down and discontinued their apps
Yes, there are still some out there. There are still manuals available and remote access APPs for QT & QC models. If you're thinking about buying a used one, make sure it has a good return policy. There are people out there that won't test the equipment they sell and a lot of it is unusable junk.
My issue is at night the IR function gets all squirrelly. I’m assuming bc it draws more power and either my cable is damaged (which happens when you stare at it the wrong way), or your fix for a loose ground. I’m going to try your fix later today and see if that works. 👍🏼
It sounds more like a power issue. Those power adapters do go bad at times. Also, you may have too many cameras connected to one adapter.If you have another adapter ( Usually 12 volt DC with the '+' at the tip, and rated at 500ma or more) try connecting only the one camera to it. Check to see if that solves the problem. also, be sure you don't have any corrosion or loose connection where the power connectors connect.
I bought 100’ security cable from Walmart the brand is ONN and I’ve had three that I’ve took out the box and connected them and did not work only 2/5 worked and I have no idea why they don’t work I tried doing this and still not working
Any advice on how to repair that male BNC end? I accidentally pulled it off (broke the wire) when pulling the wires in the attic. Do they make BNC repair connectors for cables that small (not RJ59)?
Hi. I'm going to assume that the BNC came off of the cable side, rather than the Camera side. I'm not aware of any mini BNC connectors, however all is not lost.. In the box that your DVR system came in, there should be a small package of BNC-to-RCA adapters. If you can't find them, you can purchase one from Radio Shack www.radioshack.com/products/bnc-adapter-2 You can also purchase a male RCA connector to go onto the cable side. First choice would be a shielded jack that requires soldering: www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-phono-rca-type-plug-2-pack Second choice is the solderless: www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-solderless-rca-plug-4-pack You will need mini screwdriver for those. And because they're not shielded, keep them at least one foot away from any electrical wires. Hope this helps..
I have the exact cables you have in the video. The BNC came off on the receiver side and dropped down to where I cannot retrieve it. Not sure why I'd need an RCA adaptor. I just bought a few of these in case it happens again. Hoping this will allow me to use the cable instead of having to purchase and re-run a new one. www.parts-express.com/bnc-male-to-screw-terminal-connector--090-106
Hey, good call! I forgot they had those screw down BNCs. Since the wires aren't shielded where they screw down, be sure to keep them at least a foot away from any electrical wiring. Otherwise, you'll get 60 cycle hum interference in your video pictures.
Hi! Very silly thing. Recently put up 4 cameras, and realized one camera wire been put up wrong way. Now do I have to rewire or is the any way to get some sort of converter to save the hassle.
Silly? Yeah.. I've done the same thing! It is probably easier to change out the cable, as you would need (4) adapters to make it work. The BNC adapters are available but I'm not sure of the Power adapters. Here's my question.. how is the cable run? is it loose through an attic or crawl space? is it secured against the walls? If it's loose, you can simply take another camera cable and use the existing one to pull the new one to the camera or DVR location. Of course, be sure the new one is facing the right way this time. If you don't have another cable available, you can use a strong pull-string or wire. Either way, be sure you wrap tape around the connection point in a way that the connection won't get caught on anything while you're pulling the new cable to the final location. BTW, if you have to use pull-string, the length needs to be at least twice as long as the distance to the location you'll be pulling to. That way, when you have the original cable in hand, you can take it to the starting point, tie it on to the string ( the correct end towards the camera) and pull it through a second time. TIP: it helps if you have a second person helping you. One to pull and one to feed it . Hope this helps!
@@rchaisse thanks a million for your quick response. Cable is run inside the wall. So was thinking maybe easier to use some sort of converter or adapter to the camera connection and one in the DVR box. Once again, thanks a lot.
@@mustafaiqbal2255 You might want to consider pulling the cable out with a string, like I had suggested. The wall is probably open and if you ran it from the attic down, it may be an easy fix.
@@rchaisse thanks again, I've tried already but seems stock somewhere. Not moving at all. And bought few male to female and female to male adapter, but no video. When I open the app, it shows 4 camera but only 3 has video. Sorry for all this sort of silly things. As I'm not a tech person. And thought when I put it up I did great job. Actually when I did the wiring, whole house was going under full renovation. So after I pulled the wire, builders putup insulation, plasterboard and all sorts. Now fill like a total idiot, that never check in first. :(.
@@mustafaiqbal2255 Please.. DON''T feel like an idiot. Unless you've done this sort of installation before, there's no way you can think of everything. You can only learn some things by experience. This type of work is complicated and it's easy to make mistakes. I've been doing this for a LONG time and I still make mistakes. Best anyone can do is to double-check your work so you can discover problems before they end up causing more problems later.
How would you clean the female part of the power cord? I received a camera to work on and I believe the female power cord from the camera is corroded so it's not getting power. Any ideas on cleaning it?
If you have some contact spray ( Deoxit D5 or similar ) and a toothbrush, that would be best. Otherwise, a light scraping with a mini flat-blade screw driver or very fine sandpaper. If you take too much off, you can damage the plating and that could affect the integrity of the connection. Hope this helps..
Hi, We have a large CCTV system at work. ( 46 cameras, 3DVRs) about 2 months ago, there were 3 cameras blacked out. A co-worker said one day all three cameras went back on after a heavy storm, back that only last a day. What do you think the problem is? My first guess was the voltage is not enough to power up the cameras.
+Goforit8866, That depends on what kind of cameras, what kind of power supply and what kind of cables & connectors you have used.If they worked once, then the power supply's amperage must have been okay, unless you have changed something.What do the 3 cameras have in common? a single power supply that no other cameras share ?Suggestion: have someone watching the dvr monitor. while communicating with each other by cell phone or walkie talkie, move the connections around. if there is a change, then there's a good chance it's a bad connection. If not, try replacing the power supply, if it's a plug in adapter.One thing I have not covered in this video is that if you purchase 3rd party power connectors, the female end is often larger that the male end. ( add your own jokes, here ) Take a sharp pointed object and poke it in the end of the male tip and separate the split until it fits into the female end tightly. Do not split too much or you'll probably break the tip and end up having to replace the connector.Good Luck.
having this issue with camera 2 its been giving me blue and red lines for over a year, i figured it was because it was near a electrical wire. well recently the image went black and white lol. so i wobbled the cable and it got rid of both issues. now i see the issue is this same thing in the video but at the dvr unit source. i wiggle the shit out of the wiresto get a clear pic and then it fucks up again. i suspected it might need some adjusting and this video proves it edit didnt work, think i just gotta replace the entire cable
Hi Jon, Are you wanting to shorten the cable because there is a problem with the cable, or is it because it's just too long? If it's too long, you can buy a 15' or 25' that would not cost much. Or, simply roll it up the existing cable and hide the excess. Otherwise, you could cut out a section of the cable and splice the remaining ends together. If the end is defective, the pre-made cables are not going to allow you to replace the ends. If that's the case, do you have a spare cable? If so, I would cut a few feet from the end of the new one, cut off a foot or two from the end of the defective one, and splice the wires. Soldering is the best method, but you could get away with twisting the wires and taping them. I looked for a video to help you with this, couldn't find one. Let me know if you need any more assistance and I'll try to help you further..
hi : our summers just finished and i have nearly all 7 channals flickering and or braking up. i can put 1 channal into the dvr and i can get it to go, but if i try to connect more, they will show a stable pic for a while but if i put too many or reboot they all all go back to flickering and colors all over the place. its been running good for 3 years, i will try this tommorow .. thanks
Sounds like you need to replace the power supply that is connected to the DVR. But it could be the power supply that's connected to the cameras if they're all sharing the same one.
hello I have a replacement camera for a qsee dvr and I'm pretty sure its compatible but when I wired it up and have power goin to it its flashing other channels of my system, its almost like there are crossed wires but there aren't any, do u think I should just change out the whole wire?
Hi Mike, Disconnect the camera from the end of the cable. Connect the Powerplug to the cable. If the rest of the cameras start flashing, you have a bad cable. If they are acting properly, connect your new camera to the end of the cable. If they start flashing, then you have a power problem. in that case, the camera is most likely requiring more power than you power adapter can supply. IF you have four cameras connected to one power adapter, try disconnecting a couple and see if the remaining cameras are working properly. If so, you need to add another power adapter. If not, the new camera may be defective.
sorry to bother you but im one of those people that bought a surveillance system but im new to all of this, so i bought a system which came with 4 cameras, which all work great, but my dvr is an 8 channel, which my friend gave me 4 more cameras he wasnt using no more, so i connected them to my dvr what i notices is that the first one of his i connected has wavy lines on my monitor, and the other 3 i connected later on look worse, i noticed that once i unplug one or two cameras from the power supply (by the way i bought another power supply for the cameras my friend game me) the other one looks better, also one camera connects and disconnects, im really getting frustrated with this issue and hoping you can help me out with this, since its the only form of help i can think of at this moment.
+sebastian osorio My first question is 'Did your friend say these were working fine before he gave them to you? Anyway, it sounds like the power supply that you purchased may not have enough amperage to power these. Did you look at the one that came with your system? Did you buy one with the same voltage and at Least the same amperage?Try this..Disconnect all your other cameras from the Original power supply. Connect one of the new ones to your old power supply and to the DVR. If it doesn't work, the new cameras may not be compatible. There are IP & HD cameras that are not compatible with an Analog DVR, and Analog Cameras are not compatible with IP and HD DVRs.Hope this helps..
+sebastian osorio My first question is 'Did your friend say these were working fine before he gave them to you? Anyway, it sounds like the power supply that you purchased may not have enough amperage to power these. Did you look at the one that came with your system? Did you buy one with the same voltage and at Least the same amperage?Try this..Disconnect all your other cameras from the Original power supply. Connect one of the new ones to your old power supply and to the DVR. If it doesn't work, the new cameras may not be compatible. There are IP & HD cameras that are not compatible with an Analog DVR, and Analog Cameras are not compatible with IP and HD DVRs.Hope this helps..
+rchaisse that's exactly what I was thinking because I know for a fact that they do work fine, but I just noticed last night that once I connect more than two to the power supply that I separately bought for them, they start acting weird, either the video in the screen starts getting alot of noise or the 3rd camera starts turning on and off constantly, by the way these cameras are a little bigger and heavier to mine, they have focus and other controls on the camera itself. What kind of power supply do you recommend for these?
Yes, follow this link.. ruclips.net/video/4C_RDEAdSco/видео.html It's a bit long, but it does show how. it only shows 1 center wire. you will have 2 center wires. Soldering is better than just twisting them together, but either one will work. Just be sure to insulate each splice with tape so the wires won't touch the other wires that you splice. If this splice is going to be outdoors, you need to wrap the outside of the entire group of wires with rubber tape, then vinyl tape, or, coat the group with silicone II caulk so no moisture can get at the splices inside.
I have an 8 camera analog Mace system using Siamese cables. All worked years ago when installed. I've had to do a few repairs due to animals and again everything was fine. The separate power supplies for each camera were commoned to a single higher amperage power supply. Still OK. At one point, I ran a separate power supply to one camera thinking the cable had a problem. All OK again, it uses the same power supply as the other 7 cameras. Recently, the cameras have gotten progressively worse with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines on all but the one camera with the separate power run. If it was the power supply, it would affect that one too but it is clear. All lines except one are run directly into the attic and then down to the DVR, very little exposure on the outside. What could be causing this interference on 7 of the 8 cameras? All connectors have been checked and refreshed.
Interesting. I have to say I'm a bit confused about what you're telling me.. Rather than pick about it, let me suggest this. Connect a single power supply to a single cable. Lines or no lines? Now connect the power supply, by itself, to the next cable. lines or no lines? Continue until all eight have been tested. If you have one that's bad, mark that cable with some tape. If not, then start adding cameras to the power supply splitter cable. If it gets progressively worse, then the power supply is failing. You can add a second power supply to handle 4 of the cameras. Also, if you have the knowledge and skill, tighten your electrical connections at the breaker box and the outlet. These connections can fatigue over time and can have an influence on the amperage draw from your devices. Warning.. you need to respect electricity. It can kill you or start a fire.. Don't try this if you don't know what you're doing. Hire a qualified electrician.
Thank you for your response. Since my post, the one good camera has gone dark and the others just have colored bars. I opened the DVR, blew out all of the dust and refreshed all of the connectors. I did use a separate 12V 1A power supply to one camera where I could reach the pigtail connectors. No change. The video and screen are OK because all of the menus and startup screen look fine. The same bad results happen with the remote app on my PC as well. I think the video input electronics for the cameras are just shot.
Hi, hope you fixed your proplem, It sound hound looping between some devices, tray to have all device from one source power, just to make sure there is no diffrent in grounding. becouse if you have 2 different source power, it cloud conflict in mixing different grounding.
We bought a used Q-see to use with our security cameras. Someone started set up and put in a pass word so now we can’t get past that. Can you give us a solution?
This is actually a pretty complex process. And, if I give you the answer here, I would be exposing it to potential criminal activity. I'm not sure how to proceed here. If you feel comfortable giving me your email address then maybe we could correspond. Other than that, I would call around to local surveillance installers and see if they could help you directly.
@@rchaisse I think my husband has given up. The guy we bought it from was given it to sell and use the money for missions at his church, so we will just call it a 100.00 donation from us for Gods work. Thank you for your response.
***** That depends.. There are fire & building codes that may apply in your area. The other concern may be rodents chewing the wires. It's your judgment call..
Hello I have 3 cameras that went dead at the same time. All at the rear of my home. My question is can a lighting flash to close to the house would it kill the cameras? I have power the red light lite. But wont show anything? Thank you.
It's possible that lightning struck the cameras and fried the electronics. It's also possible that it damaged the channels that they were connected to inside the Recorder ( DVR). Disconnect one of the cameras that's not working, and connect it to a known working channel on the DVR. If it doesn't work, the camera is damaged. But you're not done.. You need to take a working camera and connect it directly to the bad channel AT THE DVR. You need to power it with a KNOWN working power supply. If you don't get a picture, you know that it affected the DVR, as well. If so, you can use any other available channels, if you have any. Otherwise you need to purchase another DVR of the same type, or send it in for repair. Good luck.
I tried this and it wouldn't work for me, i have a 15 metre cable and it works fine but i needed a 30 metre cable however the video wont work, i have power but cant get picture.. the video connectors are slightly different on each cable. There seems to be a plastic coating inside what u referred to as the ground part of the connection in the cable that doesn't work.. it's all metal on the other cable that works..
Hi chaise, Thanks man for helping all..I have DVR connected 8 camera, all camera working excellent, except, blurry for like 3 second, then back to excellent view. it is like focus and in-focus for view second. any Idea?..thanks for your help
Hi, If it's happening to all cameras at the same time, it's either a power source problem, or the DVR itself. You could try disconnecting half the cameras to see if it changes anything. My guess would be the DVR, but without actually seeing the symptom it's hard to say. Best of luck to you..
Hey Rick. Thanks for the Video. I installed a QSee System about a Year and a Half Ago. Just a couple weeks ago I realised that 2 of the Cameras Video Feeds are Lost During the Day but Are Seen at Night. Can you help me resolve this. Also just this week 4 of the Other Additional Cameras I put to use all of the Display have been flickering and now the screen has turned white. Can you Help
Sounds like temperature change might be the cause. Are these 2 cameras outside ? If so, re-tighten your connections as I have shown in the video. If not, is the DVR in a location, such as a closet, where the temperature may be colder at night than the rest of the house. If so, tighten the connections on the DVR connectors. As far as the display problem goes, Check the tightness of the power supply connectors. ( If you wiggle the connections, does the picture change?) Swap out the power supply with a known working one.
Perhaps you could help Rick. I have a Lorex system that has three cameras that seem to have faded. I cleaned the lens on each and the problem still persists. The color is distorted during the daylight hours. I spoke with Lorex and they recommended that I reset the DVR or replace the cameras. Is there another way to correct the issue. It is almost a purplish hue. Thanks, Cody
+acmmorrison Hi Cody, My only thought might be the power supply adapter. They do have a habit of failing. Unplug all but one camera and see if that improves the picture. If so, you have found the problem.best wishes,Rick
Hi. I would like to know what the problem could be if my receiver's light is not on when plugged in? The light on the plug that you connect to the receiver will be on/green when not connected to the receiver. When the two are connected the light on the plug will show very faintly and will be constantly blinking. Maybe this repair will fix this issue also?
Sounds like a bad power adapter, however the term 'Receiver' makes me wonder if you're referring to the DVR, rather than a camera. The power needed to operate the DVR is greater than the one needed for a camera. Be sure that you haven't plugged in the wrong one. If you have another power adapter that came with your camera system, you might try swapping it and seeing if it now works. If so, replace the power adapter with a new one. Note: there are power ratings on the side of adapters. What matters is the output voltage, usually 12 volts D.C., polarity is usually + and is at the CENTER of the connector. The amperage is either listed as A (amperage) or MA ( milli-amps) 1000 ma = 1 amp. 3000 ma = 3 amps Hope this helps.
Connect the power adapter directly to the receiver with no other cables connected. If it still doesn't work, replace the power adapter. if you don't want to deal with the manufacturer, take it to Radio shack or a Fry's electronics type of place. They should be able to provide you with a replacement. It's okay if the amperage is greater than the adapter you currently have, but the other specifications MUST be the same. If there are suppose to be lights on the receiver, you may want to take the receiver with you and test it at the store.
Bassmaster: I went through 2 Swanns. I got a cheap-O Samsung 8 ch,4 cameras and I use the Swann cameras for IR ONLY. If you split the voltage,it does cause a voltage drop. I ran a separate power wire to the IR camera on one camera set up.I just ripped out the power cable from the Siamese wire and fished it through the conduit. another Swann camera,I wired up to it's own power supply,but didn't fish that wire. BTW,the Samsung system works OK. $300.
I went through TWO Swann systems and gave up. I bought a Samsung 8 channel for $300 and used the Swann cameras for IR only. They are voltage hogs,so I had to dedicate a separate 12 V. to them.
can I ask if you have ever run the Video Cable through a wall with small holes drilled at the floorpoints. Can the connectors be cut off the reattached once they are pulled through the wall?
The connectors themselves are molded and cannot be re-attached, however, if you cut the wire about 12 inches from the connector, you can then splice the cable. You will need a soldering iron, small wire cutters, electrical tape and a small piece of aluminum foil to shield the splice from electrical interference. You also need good lighting and some magnification as the wires are very small and can easily be crossed with the other wires in the splice. If that doesn't sound like something you want to tackle, I suggest you get a 3/4" paddle bit and drill a hole with that. If you stagger the video and power connectors, you can tape them onto a stiff wire and work it through the holes.
Hello, i have Qsee QT474 security cam system and has been working flawlessly for nearly 3 years. Yesterday all 4 cams went to video loss all at once. Any good advice?
Sounds like a bad power adapter. Do you feed all 4 cameras with one power adapter? If you have another power adapter that came with your camera system, you might try swapping it and seeing if it now works. If so, replace the power adapter with a new one. Note: there are power ratings on the side of adapters. What matters is the output voltage, usually 12 volts D.C., polarity is usually + and is at the CENTER of the connector. The amperage is either listed as A (amperage) or MA ( milli-amps) 1000 ma = 1 amp. 3000 ma = 3 amps You can use an adapter that has more amperage, but the other specifications must be as I described . Hope this helps
Thank you for the response so quickly. I just ran up in the attic and checked my power connections. The adapter was slightly unplugged (where the cameras hook into the power supply). You wouldn't be able to tell it without picking it up. So thank you for the guidance. Im so glad it was an easy fix!
Wow they finally fixed my ability to reply. Sorry, I haven't been replying on your comments.. I tried everything I could think of but nothing worked. to JTJUllian, you probably found out by now that you CAN repair these cables. here's a link that may help.. it's not for a Video/ Power cable, just a video cable. If that doesn't work for you, let me know and I'll create a video for you. Rick
No. There are several types of cables that are used for surveillance cameras. You need to match the ones that came with the system you bought. There is one exception that you can use Analog HD cable on Analog cameras, but not the reverse. Also, you must have the same type of connectors, on the ends of the cable, that match the connectors on the cables that came with the cameras.
If your cables have ends on them, connect them to the DVR & Camera before you run the wires. If they work, then you can run the wires. I can't help you with the connectors. It depends on too many factors. Try to get some help locally, or check with the manufacturer of your equipment. Also, there are plenty of videos on youtube that can help.
Hello, my problem is on the back of the DVR, I did like showed but still somethings wrong. If you push in on it ,the the camera works.Have any more ideas, need help.Thanks!
Do you have more than one camera connected to the DVR? Does it happen on more than one DVR connection? Does it happen with more than one cable? Those answers will help identify if the problem is with the DVR or the Cable. If it turns out to be the cable, you will probably need to replace the cable, or, if that is too much work, you can splice a new cable on the end to replace the bad cable's end. Hope this helps..
I have eight cameras and only two of them are doing this. I just replaced the hard drive and when I started it back up it was doing this. But one of them was already having problems at times when I dusted the system o
Let's say channel 4 is one of the ones giving you trouble. And channel 1 is one that is working properly. At the back of the DVR, Take cable 1 and move it over to cable 4's position. And move the cable that you take off of 4 and connect it to 1. If the picture on 4 is still giving you trouble, the problem is with the DVR.. most likely the connector needs to be adjusted more, as I demonstrated in the video. If the picture on 1 is now giving you trouble, then it's the cable that needs repair or replacing. BTW, I'm assuming that you know that when you connect these cables to the DVR you need to push and twist, to lock them in place.
Hello, I switched them but channel 5 and 7 still don't work. I adjusted the connector some more. It was really tight and I had a hard time pushing it down. But I got it and twisted it. Could it be the connector is bad and needs replacing if that's possible? Thank you so much for trying to help me.
I'm sorry to say that it sounds more like the DVR channels are bad. Be sure to unplug the DVR from power for about a minute. Then test it again. If you have the same problem, it sounds like it's time to replace it. If you do, be sure the New DVR is compatible with your existing cameras. Also, if you have a business, this is a write-off so there is no concern about you spending the money. It's less you pay at tax time. ( or thew more you are refunded) best wishes..
Sir, i have a problem with my analog camera, it has a power showing on IR led but has no display. I tried to put other analog camera on the same cables and it is working. what would be the possible problem? thank you
Sure sounds like the camera is dead. Did you try moving the video connection at the camera end while somebody is watching the monitor display to see if it flickers on and off. If it does, follow my instructions in this video. Otherwise, you might want to check and see if it's still under warranty. Or , check some of the videos on repairing cctv cameras. Other than that, it's time to replace it or send it in for repair. Sorry, I couldn't be more help..
Hey. Cameras work fine during the day then at night the voltage on the bnc connector on the DVR end goes from 1.3v to 0v at night. Why am I having this outage? Tried swapping the camera. No luck.
Try changing power supplies.. Sounds like when the LEDs come on, the power supply is failing. If the power supply is feeding 4 cameras, unplug all but one from the P.S. and see if you have picture.
rchaisse fixed all cameras at one location. One needed the grounding tip you suggested and the other power cable was faulty. The other hotel has 4 of 24 that go out randomly through the night. One uses IR. The others have constant lighting so no IR. Ive changed the camera, did the grounding tip, runs are 300ft and 2 cables are spliced one factory 60ft and 240ft of spool so I relocated the power off the first cable. To power to camera closer. Not sure what issue can be? When I cover camera IR cuts on but video is offline
It would not help a loose connection. And, it's not designed to improve conductivity. If you want 'contact' spray I would recommend DeoxIT 5% Spray Contact Cleaner, 5 oz. not cheap. $15 - $20, but it's the best IMO.
@@rchaisse Thanks for the tip mate. I am about to install this system next week. Do you think its a good idea to spray joins before connecting... just in case?
@@strikemaster1 not really. If these connections will be outside or in a moist environment I would suggest you to wrap the connection with 3M Rubber Splicing Tape. Then wrap it with a good quality vinyl tape to keep the rubber tape in place. Wrap from the edge of the connector, out an inch or two, then back to an inch or two past the other end of the connector, then back a ways. Do that with both tapes. This should make it last a long time.
Sorry it took so long to respond. This could be an indication of either what I'm showing you here, of of a poor power connection, or over-loaded power draw. Definitely, try the repair I show, first. Check at the camera end as well as the DVR end. Then, If you are using 2 or more cameras connected to a single power supply, disconnect the OTHER cameras from the Power supply pigtail. If your picture improves, that tells you there is either too many cameras on that one power supply, OR one of the cables has a problem. In the case that the hole in the male end of the power connector is too big ( which sometimes occurs, use your pliers to squeeze the middle of the male connector just enough to tighten the connection. Hope that helps.
Yes. Do both ends of the cables,including the 12 V. connection. I JUST did 2 of my cameras and the horizontal lines and "ghosting" went away!!!!! Maybe it's called blooming.
On a 8 channel system I have a black screen, not sure what caused it to go out but it's out. If one goes out do they all go out? I also have no way to get to my main screen to do a manual reboot
if your entire Monitor screen is black, the first thing to check is the power. Are you getting a light on the Monitor indicating that it's powered on. Sometimes the power cord is not fully seated on the back of the monitor. Also check the Monitor's Video cable. Be sure it's seated well on both ends. if that doesn't fix the problem, can you take the monitor to a computer and plug it into the VGA OUT connector? be sure to take the cable with you. This will tell you if the problem is with the Monitor, or the DVR. If it's the DVR, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then try it again. Hope this helps..
+rchaisse it has worked for the past 4 years, now when you turn it on it shows on the screen that Swann is loading,,,,after that the scream says no support for a half second then goes black. I have tried it with the hdmi cord and an AVG chord, both have the same result, I have opened it up and nothing appears to be fried, etc. Is there a way to do a factory reset on it?
There is a chance it's the hard drive, but I think more likely the DVR. Open it up. (power unplugged). Carefully pop out the Silver battery (note which side is up). wait at least 1 minute. Put the battery back in. Turn on the power and see if it boots. If you're going to replace the DVR, be sure to get one that supports the type of cables and cameras that you have attached. Also, be sure you plug it into a good surge protector or Back-up Power supply. Also, the Hard-Drives used in DVRs have an AV included in the model number.
Ok so it turned out I had a bad DVR and the system wouldn't even boot up. Anyway replaced that and everything was good for about an hour. Anyway now I have noticed 4 out of my cameras (1-4) says date loss. If I switch power supplies still doesn't work but everything else does. Any suggestions or ideas on what the fix is?
First thing to try is taking the cable off the port that is NOT working, and connect it to a port on the DVR that IS working. If you get a picture, the port is bad. If you don't, the cable, power supply or the camera is suspect. Swap known good, with suspected bad. Or, suspected bad with known good. Whichever is easier. Always remember.. you could have more than one thing wrong.
Thank you and I will do that. I was pressed for time this morning. Basically has 3 power supplies total, 1 for DVR, 1 for cameras 1-4 and one for 5-8, If all 4 cameras are out in a section even after I swap to the 4 ports that I know are working, What would be your take on that?
It sounds like your Power supply is bad, or has a bad connection. Now swap the power supplies and see if your bad cameras work. If so, replace the power supply. If not, unplug all the bad cameras and try one at a time. If you have a short out towards one of the cameras, it can pull down the voltage from the power supply and none of those 4 cameras will work.
I did swap the power supplies, the one that wasn't working on the 1-4 made the 5-8 work, So power supply is good. So you're saying that if I had a shorter out camera etc and unplug that one and just left it unplugged I should be able to get 3 out of the bad 4 to possibly work as long as the bad one is unplugged? Sorry about all the questions it's just that Swann Customer Support takes forever and is awful
When you say 'Picture' are you referring to the entire monitor screen, or to one camera's picture? If it's the entire monitor picture, the first thing to check is the cable between the Monitor and the DVR. Be sure it's fully seated on both ends. The same goes for the power cord being fully seated into the back of the monitor. If all is well there, then the only true way to troubleshoot the problem is connect another monitor ( that you KNOW is working ), OR take your monitor and connect it to a laptop or desk computer. If possible, use the working computer's cables on the monitor that is question. If the problem is the camera, then you need to connect your camera onto a cable that has a camera that is working correctly. Same problem means a defective camera. If the Camera is working properly, then it's an issue with your cable. From your description of the problem, I would say it would most likely be on the power side. Please, write back and let me know what you find, or if you have other questions.. Rick
just the cameras view, the monitor is fine, ill switch thing around and see what i find. the system has only had one camera and it has always done this.
You might want to purchase another camera & power supply for no other reason than to help with troubleshooting problems like this. My guess would be a bad power connection.. perhaps crimping the female ends, just a bit, might solve it. if you look real close and compare the female hole with the male pin you'll probably see that the hole is much bigger. If you crimp too much you won't be able to fit them back together. And, yes.. perform the adjustment that I show in the video. That seems always needing to be done.
Got same problem. But I did this and still having problems. Could I cut both ends off and splce then together? There is a really loss spot on the femail end. Thanks
Before you cut, is the problem that your video keeps cutting out? Does the connection feel tight after you crimp it like what I show in the video? With one of the connectors in each hand, does the connection spin easily? If so, crimp it until if feels firm. Also, is the problem at the camera end, or the DVR end. The connectors on the back of the DVR need to be tightened, as well. If you have another person available, have them watch the monitor as you move the connections to see if you can tell where exactly the problem is. You may have to lightly crimp the female end of the power connector at either end... sometimes the male pin is much smaller than the female connector's hole, which can also make for an intermittent connection. Good luck and let me know if you have any success.
Ok. First, let's make sure you have power to the camera.. Does it have night vision? That would show up by having LEDs around the Center lens. If so, cover the front of the camera with your hand. After a couple of seconds, peek under your hand and see if the LEDs are lit up. If, so, the power is getting to the camera. If all is well, which input are you using to connect to the tv?
I can't think of any way to make it clearer than it is. Perhaps, reviewing it a few times will be more revealing. If you have a specific question I'll be happy to answer.
I just watched this BnC fix-it video, went outside to bend the ground on my Camera's BnC Connector like he did, and it WORKED! I was about to replace the whole 30 foot cable.
Thanks for posting this.
THIS IS THE BEST EVER ADVICE. SOLVED MY ISSUE IMMEDIATLEY SAVING ME HOURS OF FRUSTRATION
I just got around to going step by step check of my dead camera, I was ready to replace the camera and cable. I had already bought new cameras and cables, but decided to check out the contact that the connections were making!!!. Walls!!! Working like new. And I have a spare cameras and cable. Thank you very much! Next time I have a problem I will go to RUclips, take advice and do test, then buy.
Think I will add another camera to my system.
Great video! Short, concise and to the point.
Your the man thanks a lot, this problem was driving me crazy we need more people like you in this word again thank you.
My Lorex system has been driving me nuts past few months, was about to throw it out the window until I watched this.
So glad to hear that it helped !
Rick what a guy it's guy's like you that saves us wannabe cctv engineers alot of time thankyou very much and hope your having a great day.
And its people like you that make me glad I did.
You have a great day, too!
Very good but my problem is disconnecting them.
I have to twist anticlock then use a screwdriver to twist them off.
This problem came with my DVR as they cannot be pulled off.
Thank you for a solution I may need in the future.
I use long-nosed pliers for that. much easier.
Very helpful instructions. I saved Rs.650/- plus the technician's connector. I feel good I was able to fix with your video
I was having the same problem with my camera, till I watched your video. Thanks for the info.
Great video thanks and fixed my BNC to RCA video cable and finally pinned down rthe cable as the fault of poor connection, not pc, not camera, not old drivers. I didn't have to crimp the ground inward as in video. Instead by observation I saw there there were 2 movements that could be used to push the BNC onto the camera video out connector. The first connector was the culprit and brought to my attention by your excellent video. I observed if I pushed on the BNC by holding the outer sleeve jacket of the BNC, its the outer sleeve you use to twist onto the centering pin and then twist laterally to hold the connector in contact and in position. I noticed doing this there was still a small gap between the ground of the camera ground and the BNC ground. What I needed to do instead was to push it on instead from the black plastic sleeve with my thumb and forefinger on the dotted and lined section of the sleeve for gripping it. I needed to use this motion to push the BNC firmly on. Then to use the second motion to twist the BNC using its silver sleeve so that the locking pin was firmly held. Using the first procedure didn't work at all. I probably need a new cable but great thanks for the heads up there.
+Colm Brazel I'm so glad the video could help. Good job troubleshooting the problem!
Totally fixed my problem. It usually got worse toward the hotter part of the day. Thank you!!!
hey mate
thanks for this video
clear concise information without any music or fancy effects
you are doing gods work (so to speak)
yer, I agree... the music is a real turn off for me.
Thank you for your tip! It worked exactly like you said!!
Thank you for showing me this fix. It helped resolve my long time issue.
I wish i had seen this Video years ago when searching for faults on the old Coax based network in my old workplace :) Hours crawling under office desks looking for the one bad connector that killed the network ( closed circuit with end Termination ) :) Excellent.
Thanks for the help, one small tweak on the ground connector done the trick
Wonderful!
Thanks! Your trick work well. Saved me a lot of money from what i had thought as a faulty camera.
Great Video. Saved me from re-terminating multiple BNC connections on my new Swan DVR (which would have done nothing to fix the problem).
Hey Rich,
Thanks! I've been having trouble for years with the signal from two cameras. I was actually looking for a replacement camera when I found your video. And your advice fixed the problems! Thanks!!
Thank you loado.
Your video inspired me to try something slightly different. Instead of bending anything I used a tiny bit of carbon conductive grease on the neutral to bridge the connection. It worked. You were right about loose connections. Carbon conductive grease is a special black grease that conducts electricity. Just use a small bit and make sure you don't get it between the neutral and center positive contacts.
I like the idea of BOTH : )
Fantastic!!!. your advise make me to do it very easy. Thank you
it really work, thank you very much
Thanks! Can't wait to try this! I have an Amcrest 8CH DVR and all the bnc connections are crap.
welll when I connect the cctv to my tv there is no video
I checked the camera power.it gets power and its night vision work but there is no video signal output from the cctv
Thanks for the video solved my problem instantly !
Glad to have helped!
Have great day, Sir thanks!
Thanks this helped fix an intermittent problem I was having on a Lorex HD camera. Another fix that I have run across is for the power connection. Using Stanley crimping pliers (the one with the prong to crimp a butt connector) take the male end of the power cable (the one that plugs into the camera) about 1/3 of the way from the outer end and put a SMALL (small) dimple on the metal jacket of the connector. This will tighten the inner barrel for the center pin and also make the outer jacket oval for a better connection as well......Just sayin".....Thanks again
@Chuck: can you provide more details on the Stanley tool you used for crimping?
It's a Stanley Model 84-203...I have a pic but can't post it here
I should have done that when I was on the ladder!!! Oh,well.
Thanks,Chuck Pav.
You can use side cutters,IF you are careful.
I mangled the BNC connector slightly as well.
Anti-seize helps the connection: just a little dab will do ya.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
So glad I could help!
Thanks. This will work.
Thank you I am having this problem on the back of my DVr video loss blinks in and out i hold up on the connection and boom they all work i will try this on my day off thanks again didn't even think about this i even took the board out and checked there solder job lol
Thank you , fixed my problem
Thanks for posting, solved all my problems!
get rid of all cables out of the box ..solid copper heavy duty phone cable works best.brighter night vision .better night play back . get a phone crimp tool and connecters. i put two cables together .120 feet and it didnot work. i ran 225 foot phone cable worked great. plus the extra wire i used for a micrphone.its the stuff they use to run thru walls
I understood the part about using phone wire for the power side of the circuit. Did you use the original cable for the video ( BNC) side? And, are you saying you also used conductors in the phone cable to connect your camera's audio? My concern is that video and audio usually require a shielded cable. it might be ok if there is no chance of outside interference, but that's usually not the case.
Thanks a lot, it worked!!!
Will this grounding issue cause massive reboots on the Q-see systems? I've replaced the fan, wiped the drive. When it works, it's great. But this rebooting has got to stop! Thank you!
Good video📡📡👍👍👍
Thanks buddy, Solved.
On the 12 V. transformer ends,too.
A little dab of anti-seize makes a better connection.
Good suggestion.
I crimp the shaft of the male connector just a bit, about 3/8 " from the tip.
works great!
Sir you just save me a lot of money .. cause I kept buying cables. Thank you
You're very welcome..
Nice one Thank you
you saved my day for 3 dayes i'm trying to fix this issue
I got the male broke off ( the one go with power cable) , is anyway that i can replace it sir !
Good day sir, i know this video is 9 years old but do you know if this security systems still works? I read this company shut down and discontinued their apps
Yes, there are still some out there. There are still manuals available and remote access APPs for QT & QC models. If you're thinking about buying a used one, make sure it has a good return policy. There are people out there that won't test the equipment they sell and a lot of it is unusable junk.
Cool thx a lot 😊
Yo Dope video it had me glued keep em coming!:)
I cut the white hair made my own connection because it comes our problem when you trying to take it or lose
Great video...
thanks mate...it works!
Good fix for my broken RF tnasmission
My issue is at night the IR function gets all squirrelly. I’m assuming bc it draws more power and either my cable is damaged (which happens when you stare at it the wrong way), or your fix for a loose ground. I’m going to try your fix later today and see if that works. 👍🏼
It sounds more like a power issue. Those power adapters do go bad at times. Also, you may have too many cameras connected to one adapter.If you have another adapter ( Usually 12 volt DC with the '+' at the tip, and rated at 500ma or more) try connecting only the one camera to it. Check to see if that solves the problem. also, be sure you don't have any corrosion or loose connection where the power connectors connect.
thank you!
Good...
I bought 100’ security cable from Walmart the brand is ONN and I’ve had three that I’ve took out the box and connected them and did not work only 2/5 worked and I have no idea why they don’t work I tried doing this and still not working
How do you so easily pull them apart? I have one that will not budge. Not making sense to me at all.
Hi Alan, My 1st question.. is this at the Camera end, or the DVR end? Do you have any trouble disconnecting the others?
Any advice on how to repair that male BNC end? I accidentally pulled it off (broke the wire) when pulling the wires in the attic. Do they make BNC repair connectors for cables that small (not RJ59)?
Hi. I'm going to assume that the BNC came off of the cable side, rather than the Camera side.
I'm not aware of any mini BNC connectors, however all is not lost..
In the box that your DVR system came in, there should be a small package of BNC-to-RCA adapters. If you can't find them, you can purchase one from Radio Shack www.radioshack.com/products/bnc-adapter-2
You can also purchase a male RCA connector to go onto the cable side.
First choice would be a shielded jack that requires soldering: www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-phono-rca-type-plug-2-pack
Second choice is the solderless: www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-solderless-rca-plug-4-pack You will need mini screwdriver for those. And because they're not shielded, keep them at least one foot away from any electrical wires.
Hope this helps..
I have the exact cables you have in the video. The BNC came off on the receiver side and dropped down to where I cannot retrieve it. Not sure why I'd need an RCA adaptor. I just bought a few of these in case it happens again. Hoping this will allow me to use the cable instead of having to purchase and re-run a new one.
www.parts-express.com/bnc-male-to-screw-terminal-connector--090-106
Hey, good call! I forgot they had those screw down BNCs. Since the wires aren't shielded where they screw down, be sure to keep them at least a foot away from any electrical wiring. Otherwise, you'll get 60 cycle hum interference in your video pictures.
Would you have any idea how to wire a external alarm off a camera to alert u of motion ?
Not off the top of my head : ) If you give me the name & Model# I'll take a look..
Hi!
Very silly thing. Recently put up 4 cameras, and realized one camera wire been put up wrong way. Now do I have to rewire or is the any way to get some sort of converter to save the hassle.
Silly? Yeah.. I've done the same thing! It is probably easier to change out the cable, as you would need (4) adapters to make it work. The BNC adapters are available but I'm not sure of the Power adapters. Here's my question.. how is the cable run? is it loose through an attic or crawl space? is it secured against the walls? If it's loose, you can simply take another camera cable and use the existing one to pull the new one to the camera or DVR location. Of course, be sure the new one is facing the right way this time. If you don't have another cable available, you can use a strong pull-string or wire. Either way, be sure you wrap tape around the connection point in a way that the connection won't get caught on anything while you're pulling the new cable to the final location. BTW, if you have to use pull-string, the length needs to be at least twice as long as the distance to the location you'll be pulling to. That way, when you have the original cable in hand, you can take it to the starting point, tie it on to the string ( the correct end towards the camera) and pull it through a second time. TIP: it helps if you have a second person helping you. One to pull and one to feed it .
Hope this helps!
@@rchaisse thanks a million for your quick response. Cable is run inside the wall. So was thinking maybe easier to use some sort of converter or adapter to the camera connection and one in the DVR box.
Once again, thanks a lot.
@@mustafaiqbal2255 You might want to consider pulling the cable out with a string, like I had suggested. The wall is probably open and if you ran it from the attic down, it may be an easy fix.
@@rchaisse thanks again, I've tried already but seems stock somewhere. Not moving at all.
And bought few male to female and female to male adapter, but no video. When I open the app, it shows 4 camera but only 3 has video. Sorry for all this sort of silly things. As I'm not a tech person. And thought when I put it up I did great job.
Actually when I did the wiring, whole house was going under full renovation. So after I pulled the wire, builders putup insulation, plasterboard and all sorts. Now fill like a total idiot, that never check in first. :(.
@@mustafaiqbal2255 Please.. DON''T feel like an idiot. Unless you've done this sort of installation before, there's no way you can think of everything. You can only learn some things by experience. This type of work is complicated and it's easy to make mistakes. I've been doing this for a LONG time and I still make mistakes. Best anyone can do is to double-check your work so you can discover problems before they end up causing more problems later.
How would you clean the female part of the power cord? I received a camera to work on and I believe the female power cord from the camera is corroded so it's not getting power. Any ideas on cleaning it?
If you have some contact spray ( Deoxit D5 or similar ) and a toothbrush, that would be best. Otherwise, a light scraping with a mini flat-blade screw driver or very fine sandpaper. If you take too much off, you can damage the plating and that could affect the integrity of the connection.
Hope this helps..
Hi, We have a large CCTV system at work. ( 46 cameras, 3DVRs) about 2 months ago, there were 3 cameras blacked out. A co-worker said one day all three cameras went back on after a heavy storm, back that only last a day. What do you think the problem is? My first guess was the voltage is not enough to power up the cameras.
+Goforit8866, That depends on what kind of cameras, what kind of power supply and what kind of cables & connectors you have used.If they worked once, then the power supply's amperage must have been okay, unless you have changed something.What do the 3 cameras have in common? a single power supply that no other cameras share ?Suggestion: have someone watching the dvr monitor. while communicating with each other by cell phone or walkie talkie, move the connections around. if there is a change, then there's a good chance it's a bad connection. If not, try replacing the power supply, if it's a plug in adapter.One thing I have not covered in this video is that if you purchase 3rd party power connectors, the female end is often larger that the male end. ( add your own jokes, here ) Take a sharp pointed object and poke it in the end of the male tip and separate the split until it fits into the female end tightly. Do not split too much or you'll probably break the tip and end up having to replace the connector.Good Luck.
having this issue with camera 2 its been giving me blue and red lines for over a year, i figured it was because it was near a electrical wire. well recently the image went black and white lol. so i wobbled the cable and it got rid of both issues. now i see the issue is this same thing in the video but at the dvr unit source. i wiggle the shit out of the wiresto get a clear pic and then it fucks up again. i suspected it might need some adjusting and this video proves it
edit didnt work, think i just gotta replace the entire cable
How to you shorten the pre made camera cords
Hi Jon, Are you wanting to shorten the cable because there is a problem with the cable, or is it because it's just too long?
If it's too long, you can buy a 15' or 25' that would not cost much. Or, simply roll it up the existing cable and hide the excess.
Otherwise, you could cut out a section of the cable and splice the remaining ends together.
If the end is defective, the pre-made cables are not going to allow you to replace the ends. If that's the case, do you have a spare cable? If so, I would cut a few feet from the end of the new one, cut off a foot or two from the end of the defective one, and splice the wires. Soldering is the best method, but you could get away with twisting the wires and taping them. I looked for a video to help you with this, couldn't find one. Let me know if you need any more assistance and I'll try to help you further..
hi : our summers just finished and i have nearly all 7 channals flickering and or braking up. i can put 1 channal into the dvr and i can get it to go, but if i try to connect more, they will show a stable pic for a while but if i put too many or reboot they all all go back to flickering and colors all over the place. its been running good for 3 years, i will try this tommorow .. thanks
Sounds like you need to replace the power supply that is connected to the DVR. But it could be the power supply that's connected to the cameras if they're all sharing the same one.
@@rchaisse YES it was the power supply going to the splitters/cameras .. many thanks 🙂
@@marsbar1965 Good to hear! Thanks for letting me know!
hello I have a replacement camera for a qsee dvr and I'm pretty sure its compatible but when I wired it up and have power goin to it its flashing other channels of my system, its almost like there are crossed wires but there aren't any, do u think I should just change out the whole wire?
Hi Mike,
Disconnect the camera from the end of the cable. Connect the Powerplug to the cable. If the rest of the cameras start flashing, you have a bad cable. If they are acting properly, connect your new camera to the end of the cable. If they start flashing, then you have a power problem. in that case, the camera is most likely requiring more power than you power adapter can supply. IF you have four cameras connected to one power adapter, try disconnecting a couple and see if the remaining cameras are working properly. If so, you need to add another power adapter. If not, the new camera may be defective.
sorry to bother you but im one of those people that bought a surveillance system but im new to all of this, so i bought a system which came with 4 cameras, which all work great, but my dvr is an 8 channel, which my friend gave me 4 more cameras he wasnt using no more, so i connected them to my dvr what i notices is that the first one of his i connected has wavy lines on my monitor, and the other 3 i connected later on look worse, i noticed that once i unplug one or two cameras from the power supply (by the way i bought another power supply for the cameras my friend game me) the other one looks better, also one camera connects and disconnects, im really getting frustrated with this issue and hoping you can help me out with this, since its the only form of help i can think of at this moment.
+sebastian osorio My first question is 'Did your friend say these were working fine before he gave them to you? Anyway, it sounds like the power supply that you purchased may not have enough amperage to power these. Did you look at the one that came with your system? Did you buy one with the same voltage and at Least the same amperage?Try this..Disconnect all your other cameras from the Original power supply. Connect one of the new ones to your old power supply and to the DVR. If it doesn't work, the new cameras may not be compatible. There are IP & HD cameras that are not compatible with an Analog DVR, and Analog Cameras are not compatible with IP and HD DVRs.Hope this helps..
+sebastian osorio My first question is 'Did your friend say these were working fine before he gave them to you? Anyway, it sounds like the power supply that you purchased may not have enough amperage to power these. Did you look at the one that came with your system? Did you buy one with the same voltage and at Least the same amperage?Try this..Disconnect all your other cameras from the Original power supply. Connect one of the new ones to your old power supply and to the DVR. If it doesn't work, the new cameras may not be compatible. There are IP & HD cameras that are not compatible with an Analog DVR, and Analog Cameras are not compatible with IP and HD DVRs.Hope this helps..
+rchaisse that's exactly what I was thinking because I know for a fact that they do work fine, but I just noticed last night that once I connect more than two to the power supply that I separately bought for them, they start acting weird, either the video in the screen starts getting alot of noise or the 3rd camera starts turning on and off constantly, by the way these cameras are a little bigger and heavier to mine, they have focus and other controls on the camera itself. What kind of power supply do you recommend for these?
+sebastian osorio 2 to 3 amps each camera, Sometimes labeled 2000ma or 3000ma. Especially if they have a lot of Infra-red LEDs for night vision.
+rchaisse yeah they have alot of led's do you know if they sell the cables into one unit (one plug) or should I get them individually?
Hey, can I splice my camera cables back together? Something chewed them in half. How can I fix it or do I need to get new cables? Thanks
Yes, follow this link.. ruclips.net/video/4C_RDEAdSco/видео.html
It's a bit long, but it does show how. it only shows 1 center wire. you will have 2 center wires. Soldering is better than just twisting them together, but either one will work. Just be sure to insulate each splice with tape so the wires won't touch the other wires that you splice. If this splice is going to be outdoors, you need to wrap the outside of the entire group of wires with rubber tape, then vinyl tape, or, coat the group with silicone II caulk so no moisture can get at the splices inside.
I have an 8 camera analog Mace system using Siamese cables. All worked years ago when installed. I've had to do a few repairs due to animals and again everything was fine. The separate power supplies for each camera were commoned to a single higher amperage power supply. Still OK. At one point, I ran a separate power supply to one camera thinking the cable had a problem. All OK again, it uses the same power supply as the other 7 cameras. Recently, the cameras have gotten progressively worse with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines on all but the one camera with the separate power run. If it was the power supply, it would affect that one too but it is clear. All lines except one are run directly into the attic and then down to the DVR, very little exposure on the outside. What could be causing this interference on 7 of the 8 cameras? All connectors have been checked and refreshed.
Interesting. I have to say I'm a bit confused about what you're telling me..
Rather than pick about it, let me suggest this. Connect a single power supply to a single cable. Lines or no lines? Now connect the power supply, by itself, to the next cable. lines or no lines? Continue until all eight have been tested.
If you have one that's bad, mark that cable with some tape. If not, then start adding cameras to the power supply splitter cable. If it gets progressively worse, then the power supply is failing. You can add a second power supply to handle 4 of the cameras. Also, if you have the knowledge and skill, tighten your electrical connections at the breaker box and the outlet. These connections can fatigue over time and can have an influence on the amperage draw from your devices. Warning.. you need to respect electricity. It can kill you or start a fire.. Don't try this if you don't know what you're doing.
Hire a qualified electrician.
Thank you for your response. Since my post, the one good camera has gone dark and the others just have colored bars. I opened the DVR, blew out all of the dust and refreshed all of the connectors. I did use a separate 12V 1A power supply to one camera where I could reach the pigtail connectors. No change. The video and screen are OK because all of the menus and startup screen look fine. The same bad results happen with the remote app on my PC as well. I think the video input electronics for the cameras are just shot.
Hi, hope you fixed your proplem, It sound hound looping between some devices, tray to have all device from one source power, just to make sure there is no diffrent in grounding. becouse if you have 2 different source power, it cloud conflict in mixing different grounding.
We bought a used Q-see to use with our security cameras. Someone started set up and put in a pass word so now we can’t get past that. Can you give us a solution?
This is actually a pretty complex process. And, if I give you the answer here, I would be exposing it to potential criminal activity. I'm not sure how to proceed here. If you feel comfortable giving me your email address then maybe we could correspond. Other than that, I would call around to local surveillance installers and see if they could help you directly.
@@rchaisse I think my husband has given up. The guy we bought it from was given it to sell and use the money for missions at his church, so we will just call it a 100.00 donation from us for Gods work. Thank you for your response.
What a wonderful way to resolve that!
Can you run these BNC cables in the walls and attic with out running through pipe or some other protection?
***** That depends.. There are fire & building codes that may apply in your area. The other concern may be rodents chewing the wires. It's your judgment call..
A rat chewed through my surveillance camera wire. I don't want to change out the whole thing. Is there a way to fix them?
Nope . Pull it out feed another in
Hello I have 3 cameras that went dead at the same time. All at the rear of my home. My question is can a lighting flash to close to the house would it kill the cameras? I have power the red light lite. But wont show anything? Thank you.
It's possible that lightning struck the cameras and fried the electronics. It's also possible that it damaged the channels that they were connected to inside the Recorder ( DVR).
Disconnect one of the cameras that's not working, and connect it to a known working channel on the DVR. If it doesn't work, the camera is damaged. But you're not done.. You need to take a working camera and connect it directly to the bad channel AT THE DVR. You need to power it with a KNOWN working power supply. If you don't get a picture, you know that it affected the DVR, as well.
If so, you can use any other available channels, if you have any. Otherwise you need to purchase another DVR of the same type, or send it in for repair.
Good luck.
I tried this and it wouldn't work for me, i have a 15 metre cable and it works fine but i needed a 30 metre cable however the video wont work, i have power but cant get picture.. the video connectors are slightly different on each cable. There seems to be a plastic coating inside what u referred to as the ground part of the connection in the cable that doesn't work.. it's all metal on the other cable that works..
Could be a power problem. I was losing signals on my longer runs, bought a bigger power supply and the problem went away.
Hi chaise, Thanks man for helping all..I have DVR connected 8 camera, all camera working excellent, except, blurry for like 3 second, then back to excellent view. it is like focus and in-focus for view second. any Idea?..thanks for your help
Hi, If it's happening to all cameras at the same time, it's either a power source problem, or the DVR itself. You could try disconnecting half the cameras to see if it changes anything. My guess would be the DVR, but without actually seeing the symptom it's hard to say. Best of luck to you..
Hey Rick. Thanks for the Video. I installed a QSee System about a Year and a Half Ago. Just a couple weeks ago I realised that 2 of the Cameras Video Feeds are Lost During the Day but Are Seen at Night. Can you help me resolve this. Also just this week 4 of the Other Additional Cameras I put to use all of the Display have been flickering and now the screen has turned white. Can you Help
Sounds like temperature change might be the cause. Are these 2 cameras outside ? If so, re-tighten your connections as I have shown in the video. If not, is the DVR in a location, such as a closet, where the temperature may be colder at night than the rest of the house. If so, tighten the connections on the DVR connectors.
As far as the display problem goes, Check the tightness of the power supply connectors. ( If you wiggle the connections, does the picture change?) Swap out the power supply with a known working one.
Perhaps you could help Rick. I have a Lorex system that has three cameras that seem to have faded. I cleaned the lens on each and the problem still persists. The color is distorted during the daylight hours. I spoke with Lorex and they recommended that I reset the DVR or replace the cameras. Is there another way to correct the issue. It is almost a purplish hue.
Thanks,
Cody
+acmmorrison Hi Cody, My only thought might be the power supply adapter. They do have a habit of failing. Unplug all but one camera and see if that improves the picture. If so, you have found the problem.best wishes,Rick
On my Samsung system,there is a way to adjust HUE,but the crimping of the BNC and 12 V. connectors solved multiple problems for me.
Hi. I would like to know what the problem could be if my receiver's light is not on when plugged in? The light on the plug that you connect to the receiver will be on/green when not connected to the receiver. When the two are connected the light on the plug will show very faintly and will be constantly blinking. Maybe this repair will fix this issue also?
Sounds like a bad power adapter, however the term 'Receiver' makes me wonder if you're referring to the DVR, rather than a camera. The power needed to operate the DVR is greater than the one needed for a camera. Be sure that you haven't plugged in the wrong one. If you have another power adapter that came with your camera system, you might try swapping it and seeing if it now works. If so, replace the power adapter with a new one.
Note: there are power ratings on the side of adapters. What matters is the output voltage, usually 12 volts D.C., polarity is usually + and is at the CENTER of the connector. The amperage is either listed as A (amperage) or MA ( milli-amps) 1000 ma = 1 amp. 3000 ma = 3 amps
Hope this helps.
Thanks for responding. I have wireless cameras and the receivers connect to a BNC cable and then to the DVR.
Connect the power adapter directly to the receiver with no other cables connected. If it still doesn't work, replace the power adapter. if you don't want to deal with the manufacturer, take it to Radio shack or a Fry's electronics type of place. They should be able to provide you with a replacement. It's okay if the amperage is greater than the adapter you currently have, but the other specifications MUST be the same. If there are suppose to be lights on the receiver, you may want to take the receiver with you and test it at the store.
I just commented below, by the way I have a Swann, Any problem I have ever had I fixed myself because their customer service I find to be awful
Bassmaster: I went through 2 Swanns. I got a cheap-O Samsung 8 ch,4 cameras and I use the Swann cameras for IR ONLY.
If you split the voltage,it does cause a voltage drop. I ran a separate power wire to the IR camera on one camera set up.I just ripped out the power cable from the Siamese wire and fished it through the conduit.
another Swann camera,I wired up to it's own power supply,but didn't fish that wire. BTW,the Samsung system works OK. $300.
I pulled out the Swann system and bought a Samsung set up.
I used the Swann cameras for IR only.
I went through TWO Swann systems and gave up. I bought a Samsung 8 channel for $300 and used the Swann cameras for IR only.
They are voltage hogs,so I had to dedicate a separate 12 V. to them.
can I ask if you have ever run the Video Cable through a wall with small holes drilled at the floorpoints. Can the connectors be cut off the reattached once they are pulled through the wall?
The connectors themselves are molded and cannot be re-attached, however, if you cut the wire about 12 inches from the connector, you can then splice the cable. You will need a soldering iron, small wire cutters, electrical tape and a small piece of aluminum foil to shield the splice from electrical interference.
You also need good lighting and some magnification as the wires are very small and can easily be crossed with the other wires in the splice.
If that doesn't sound like something you want to tackle, I suggest you get a 3/4" paddle bit and drill a hole with that. If you stagger the video and power connectors, you can tape them onto a stiff wire and work it through the holes.
rchaisse Thank you for the feedback Rick!
I wouldn't risk it at all.
my cctv does not give video signal
Hi Wasay,
I need way more information..
is it your tv? or your camera? or is it the DVR?
Did it work at one time?
Give me the Brand and Model number and I'll try to help you..
Hello, i have Qsee QT474 security cam system and has been working flawlessly for nearly 3 years. Yesterday all 4 cams went to video loss all at once. Any good advice?
Sounds like a bad power adapter. Do you feed all 4 cameras with one power adapter? If you have another power adapter that came with your camera system, you might try swapping it and seeing if it now works. If so, replace the power adapter with a new one.
Note: there are power ratings on the side of adapters. What matters is the output voltage, usually 12 volts D.C., polarity is usually + and is at the CENTER of the connector. The amperage is either listed as A (amperage) or MA ( milli-amps) 1000 ma = 1 amp. 3000 ma = 3 amps
You can use an adapter that has more amperage, but the other specifications must be as I described .
Hope this helps
Thank you for the response so quickly. I just ran up in the attic and checked my power connections. The adapter was slightly unplugged (where the cameras hook into the power supply). You wouldn't be able to tell it without picking it up. So thank you for the guidance. Im so glad it was an easy fix!
Wonderful! Glad to help.
Wow they finally fixed my ability to reply.
Sorry, I haven't been replying on your comments.. I tried everything I could think of but nothing worked.
to JTJUllian, you probably found out by now that you CAN repair these cables. here's a link that may help.. it's not for a Video/ Power cable, just a video cable.
If that doesn't work for you, let me know and I'll create a video for you.
Rick
I got a new camera system..can I use any type of cables to make it work? thanks
No. There are several types of cables that are used for surveillance cameras. You need to match the ones that came with the system you bought. There is one exception that you can use Analog HD cable on Analog cameras, but not the reverse. Also, you must have the same type of connectors, on the ends of the cable, that match the connectors on the cables that came with the cameras.
+rchaisse I have BNC cables somebody told I can use the Q-see cables also I will need two BNC females connectors
If your cables have ends on them, connect them to the DVR & Camera before you run the wires. If they work, then you can run the wires. I can't help you with the connectors. It depends on too many factors. Try to get some help locally, or check with the manufacturer of your equipment. Also, there are plenty of videos on youtube that can help.
+rchaisse ok thanks
Hello, my problem is on the back of the DVR, I did like showed but still somethings wrong. If you push in on it ,the the camera works.Have any more ideas, need help.Thanks!
Do you have more than one camera connected to the DVR?
Does it happen on more than one DVR connection?
Does it happen with more than one cable?
Those answers will help identify if the problem is with the DVR or the Cable.
If it turns out to be the cable, you will probably need to replace the cable, or, if that is too much work, you can splice a new cable on the end to replace the bad cable's end.
Hope this helps..
I have eight cameras and only two of them are doing this. I just replaced the hard drive and when I started it back up it was doing this. But one of them was already having problems at times when I dusted the system o
Let's say channel 4 is one of the ones giving you trouble. And channel 1 is one that is working properly.
At the back of the DVR, Take cable 1 and move it over to cable 4's position. And move the cable that you take off of 4 and connect it to 1.
If the picture on 4 is still giving you trouble, the problem is with the DVR.. most likely the connector needs to be adjusted more, as I demonstrated in the video. If the picture on 1 is now giving you trouble, then it's the cable that needs repair or replacing.
BTW, I'm assuming that you know that when you connect these cables to the DVR you need to push and twist, to lock them in place.
Hello, I switched them but channel 5 and 7 still don't work. I adjusted the connector some more. It was really tight and I had a hard time pushing it down. But I got it and twisted it. Could it be the connector is bad and needs replacing if that's possible? Thank you so much for trying to help me.
I'm sorry to say that it sounds more like the DVR channels are bad. Be sure to unplug the DVR from power for about a minute. Then test it again.
If you have the same problem, it sounds like it's time to replace it.
If you do, be sure the New DVR is compatible with your existing cameras.
Also, if you have a business, this is a write-off so there is no concern about you spending the money. It's less you pay at tax time. ( or thew more you are refunded)
best wishes..
Sir,
i have a problem with my analog camera, it has a power showing on IR led but has no display. I tried to put other analog camera on the same cables and it is working. what would be the possible problem? thank you
Sure sounds like the camera is dead. Did you try moving the video connection at the camera end while somebody is watching the monitor display to see if it flickers on and off. If it does, follow my instructions in this video.
Otherwise, you might want to check and see if it's still under warranty. Or , check some of the videos on repairing cctv cameras. Other than that, it's time to replace it or send it in for repair.
Sorry, I couldn't be more help..
thank you sir
I'll just guess,here.Possible bad connection/damaged BNC end.
Hey. Cameras work fine during the day then at night the voltage on the bnc connector on the DVR end goes from 1.3v to 0v at night. Why am I having this outage? Tried swapping the camera. No luck.
Try changing power supplies.. Sounds like when the LEDs come on, the power supply is failing. If the power supply is feeding 4 cameras, unplug all but one from the P.S. and see if you have picture.
rchaisse fixed all cameras at one location. One needed the grounding tip you suggested and the other power cable was faulty. The other hotel has 4 of 24 that go out randomly through the night. One uses IR. The others have constant lighting so no IR. Ive changed the camera, did the grounding tip, runs are 300ft and 2 cables are spliced one factory 60ft and 240ft of spool so I relocated the power off the first cable. To power to camera closer. Not sure what issue can be? When I cover camera IR cuts on but video is offline
Hi Sherman,
Never saw your reply until now..?
Are you still having problems?
Would a short spray of silicone spay also help?
It would not help a loose connection. And, it's not designed to improve conductivity. If you want 'contact' spray I would recommend DeoxIT 5% Spray Contact Cleaner, 5 oz. not cheap. $15 - $20, but it's the best IMO.
@@rchaisse Thanks for the tip mate. I am about to install this system next week. Do you think its a good idea to spray joins before connecting... just in case?
@@strikemaster1 not really. If these connections will be outside or in a moist environment I would suggest you to wrap the connection with 3M Rubber Splicing Tape. Then wrap it with a good quality vinyl tape to keep the rubber tape in place. Wrap from the edge of the connector, out an inch or two, then back to an inch or two past the other end of the connector, then back a ways. Do that with both tapes. This should make it last a long time.
@@rchaisse Got it... thanks mate 🙂
I have shadow problem do you think that would fix it
Sorry it took so long to respond.
This could be an indication of either what I'm showing you here, of of a poor power connection, or over-loaded power draw.
Definitely, try the repair I show, first. Check at the camera end as well as the DVR end.
Then, If you are using 2 or more cameras connected to a single power supply, disconnect the OTHER cameras from the Power supply pigtail. If your picture improves, that tells you there is either too many cameras on that one power supply, OR one of the cables has a problem.
In the case that the hole in the male end of the power connector is too big ( which sometimes occurs, use your pliers to squeeze the middle of the male connector just enough to tighten the connection.
Hope that helps.
Thanks
Yes. Do both ends of the cables,including the 12 V. connection. I JUST did 2 of my cameras and the horizontal lines and "ghosting" went away!!!!!
Maybe it's called blooming.
On a 8 channel system I have a black screen, not sure what caused it to go out but it's out. If one goes out do they all go out? I also have no way to get to my main screen to do a manual reboot
if your entire Monitor screen is black, the first thing to check is the power. Are you getting a light on the Monitor indicating that it's powered on. Sometimes the power cord is not fully seated on the back of the monitor.
Also check the Monitor's Video cable. Be sure it's seated well on both ends. if that doesn't fix the problem, can you take the monitor to a computer and plug it into the VGA OUT connector? be sure to take the cable with you. This will tell you if the problem is with the Monitor, or the DVR. If it's the DVR, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then try it again. Hope this helps..
+rchaisse it has worked for the past 4 years, now when you turn it on it shows on the screen that Swann is loading,,,,after that the scream says no support for a half second then goes black. I have tried it with the hdmi cord and an AVG chord, both have the same result, I have opened it up and nothing appears to be fried, etc. Is there a way to do a factory reset on it?
There is a chance it's the hard drive, but I think more likely the DVR. Open it up. (power unplugged). Carefully pop out the Silver battery (note which side is up). wait at least 1 minute. Put the battery back in. Turn on the power and see if it boots. If you're going to replace the DVR, be sure to get one that supports the type of cables and cameras that you have attached. Also, be sure you plug it into a good surge protector or Back-up Power supply. Also, the Hard-Drives used in DVRs have an AV included in the model number.
+rchaisse yeah did all of that to NO Prevail, what do you mean AV supply in the hard drive?
+rchaisse I mean AV included in the model number?
Ok so it turned out I had a bad DVR and the system wouldn't even boot up. Anyway replaced that and everything was good for about an hour. Anyway now I have noticed 4 out of my cameras (1-4) says date loss. If I switch power supplies still doesn't work but everything else does. Any suggestions or ideas on what the fix is?
First thing to try is taking the cable off the port that is NOT working, and connect it to a port on the DVR that IS working. If you get a picture, the port is bad. If you don't, the cable, power supply or the camera is suspect. Swap known good, with suspected bad. Or, suspected bad with known good. Whichever is easier. Always remember.. you could have more than one thing wrong.
Thank you and I will do that. I was pressed for time this morning. Basically has 3 power supplies total, 1 for DVR, 1 for cameras 1-4 and one for 5-8, If all 4 cameras are out in a section even after I swap to the 4 ports that I know are working, What would be your take on that?
It sounds like your Power supply is bad, or has a bad connection. Now swap the power supplies and see if your bad cameras work. If so, replace the power supply. If not, unplug all the bad cameras and try one at a time. If you have a short out towards one of the cameras, it can pull down the voltage from the power supply and none of those 4 cameras will work.
I did swap the power supplies, the one that wasn't working on the 1-4 made the 5-8 work, So power supply is good. So you're saying that if I had a shorter out camera etc and unplug that one and just left it unplugged I should be able to get 3 out of the bad 4 to possibly work as long as the bad one is unplugged? Sorry about all the questions it's just that Swann Customer Support takes forever and is awful
Yes, but unplug the 4 cameras from the power supply.. Then, connect each one to the power, only one at a time. That should isolate any bad cables.
is this a solution for a picture that flashes to black and back to picture, i have even called qsee about the problem but they were little help
When you say 'Picture' are you referring to the entire monitor screen, or to one camera's picture? If it's the entire monitor picture, the first thing to check is the cable between the Monitor and the DVR. Be sure it's fully seated on both ends. The same goes for the power cord being fully seated into the back of the monitor. If all is well there, then the only true way to troubleshoot the problem is connect another monitor ( that you KNOW is working ), OR take your monitor and connect it to a laptop or desk computer. If possible, use the working computer's cables on the monitor that is question.
If the problem is the camera, then you need to connect your camera onto a cable that has a camera that is working correctly. Same problem means a defective camera. If the Camera is working properly, then it's an issue with your cable. From your description of the problem, I would say it would most likely be on the power side.
Please, write back and let me know what you find, or if you have other questions..
Rick
just the cameras view, the monitor is fine, ill switch thing around and see what i find. the system has only had one camera and it has always done this.
You might want to purchase another camera & power supply for no other reason than to help with troubleshooting problems like this. My guess would be a bad power connection.. perhaps crimping the female ends, just a bit, might solve it. if you look real close and compare the female hole with the male pin you'll probably see that the hole is much bigger. If you crimp too much you won't be able to fit them back together. And, yes.. perform the adjustment that I show in the video. That seems always needing to be done.
What is the red cable for ?
+Diego Cruz The Red Cable, in the video, is the Power connector. It connects to the Power Supply on one end, and connects to the camera on the other.
Got same problem. But I did this and still having problems. Could I cut both ends off and splce then together? There is a really loss spot on the femail end. Thanks
Before you cut, is the problem that your video keeps cutting out?
Does the connection feel tight after you crimp it like what I show in the video?
With one of the connectors in each hand, does the connection spin easily? If so, crimp it until if feels firm.
Also, is the problem at the camera end, or the DVR end. The connectors on the back of the DVR need to be tightened, as well.
If you have another person available, have them watch the monitor as you move the connections to see if you can tell where exactly the problem is. You may have to lightly crimp the female end of the power connector at either end... sometimes the male pin is much smaller than the female connector's hole, which can also make for an intermittent connection.
Good luck and let me know if you have any success.
I get check cable connection when I turn on my sannce camera.
if you still need help...
What are you plugging it into?
I tried 2 different tv's and 2 different computers. Same results.
Ok. First, let's make sure you have power to the camera.. Does it have night vision? That would show up by having LEDs around the Center lens. If so, cover the front of the camera with your hand. After a couple of seconds, peek under your hand and see if the LEDs are lit up. If, so, the power is getting to the camera. If all is well, which input are you using to connect to the tv?
It has power. I am using a HDMI connection
I'm a bit confused.. Does your camera plug into a DVR and you're trying to plug the DVR's HDMI output into your TV?
share repairibg method in detail please
I can't think of any way to make it clearer than it is. Perhaps, reviewing it a few times will be more revealing.
If you have a specific question I'll be happy to answer.
DVR how to repair?
thanks
+Arvin Mark Presbitero What is the problem with it and what brand?
I have a Lorax dvr and I can’t get the video from the cameras to show could my ground not be contacting from the dvr side also?
The little bend on the DVR BNC input trick works well,too! PIX!
!!!!!!! I'll do the camera end,now.
Thanks!
You're very welcome!
do not buy q-see, junk,
It was 'Okay' in the beginning compared to what else was out there. Anyway, they are no longer in business as of 01/31/21