If a bad camera signal is present, it will effect all other cameras on that DSP
chip or bank. Also, each DSP
chip represents 30FPS, and all cameras on that bank share those 30FPS.
For example, placing 9 cameras on an ETV-240 would mean cameras 1 & 9 would share 30FPS, and cameras 2-8 would each have 30FPS for themselves only.
Basics of Camera Signals (see attached document for signal graph)
Camera signals should be between +1v and -1v with a strong, bright image.
Signal strength can be affected by:
Cable length vs Cable rating
Interference
Improperly attached connectors
Deterioration over time
Some devices, such as monitors, will amplify the signal, making a weak signal look good. Most digital capture cards do not amplify the signal.
Signs of a problem in the ETV software
An entire bank (see pg. 1) of cameras disappear
When checking Settings, camera shows as Inactive rather than Disabled
Signal Loss is present on the camera image, however it is a solid green or white color, it is not blinking between green & white
Image has the 'robot' effect: Stuck between two frames, flashing back and forth between the two frames for a few seconds and then suddenly back to real time video.
System may be rebooting due to a bad camera signal and the Watchdog feature enabled in the DVR
Settings.
Testing and resolving problems
Swap a problem camera with a known good camera signal on a different bank. Check if the problem follows the camera, or if it stays with the input channel. This gives a good indication of the source of the problem.
Disconnect cameras on that bank one at a time until all other camera's images on that bank reappear. The disconnected camera is the source of the problem.
Connect only 1 camera at a time to the DVR
. Continue to add cameras till a problem becomes visible. The newly added camera is the source of the problem.
Enter Settings and press the button labeled, “Reset 'camera name' to default” near the middle of the Camera Setup window on every camera. Apply and OK the settings. Recheck video for problems.
Load the default configuration file for the ETV, available in C:\Elite. To do this, exit the DVR
software, and go to Start | Programs | ETV Server | Settings Utility. Enter an administrator's username/password and click Import. Select the configuration file found in C:\Elite. When completed, restart the ETV Server and recheck video for problems.
Disable the Watchdog feature temporarily through Settings | DVR
Settings by unchecking the box next to Watchdog on the right side of the window. Let DVR
run for a period of time that exceeds the amount of time it usually would take to reboot.
Inactive vs Disabled Cameras
When installing a new camera, make sure you are at LIVE screens when the camera is connected. After the cable is connected, go into Settings to check whether the camera shows up as Inactive or Recording Disabled. The DVR
checks the status of the camera when first entering Settings, therefore if you are already in the Settings window when a new camera is added, it will not change the status from Inactive to Recording Disabled until Settings is exited and reentered.
Inactive: No camera signal detected
Disabled: Signal detected, recording is turned off
Enabled: Signal detected, recording is turned on
Network Camera Option
If Network Camera is checked, regardless of there is an IP camera setup and not working or if there is no IP camera setup and an analog camera connected, LIVE screens will display Signal Loss. When connecting an Analog camera to the capture card or whip cable, make sure Network Camera is not checked.
