DIY video camera repair

In detail: do-it-yourself video camera repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Video surveillance of the property is the most effective way to keep the property safe and sound. However, like any other device, the surveillance system can fail. And since the video surveillance system includes many devices, the number of problems is quite significant. Typically, parts of the complex are: one or several cameras of different types (cameras with built-in lens, dome cameras, in protective casings, covert surveillance cameras), video recorders, special cards for capturing images, a power supply unit and a drive on which the obtained images are recorded. With so much equipment, it's no surprise that IP cameras can fail.

The main reasons for equipment inoperability and breakdowns most often include:

Lack of maintenance, improper performance or maintenance out of time;
Incorrect installation of video cameras, mistakes when laying the control line;
Deterioration of the main components of the video camera;
Damage due to weather, mechanical damage from hooligans, branches, etc.
Defective product;
Too high or too low temperature at the installation site, high humidity;
Failure of the power supply;
Voltage surges and noise in the power supply or mains.

Most of the problems in the operation of video cameras are due to damaged wires or loops, which can be easily changed with a soldering iron.

If you have a video surveillance complex, for which some of the IP cameras no longer function, you should start by checking the video camera's uninterruptible power supply. It is he who most often fails.

In order to check the performance of the camera, it is necessary to test the performance of the infrared lamps installed around the camera to ensure shooting at night. If you cover these lamps with your palm and they do not light up, then the power supply of your surveillance system needs to be replaced. Another way to check if the camera is working is to connect its power supply to a voltmeter. If the output voltage is approximately 10-15 volts. If there are no problems with the power supply, you need to check the connector of the DVR. The non-working camera is connected to another connector, and if after that it works, then the DVR itself needs to be repaired.

Video (click to play).

When checking an IP camera, they also use a computer to which it is connected with special software to diagnose such problems. In this case, the camera must be displayed on the local network of your personal computer. It may be necessary to check the integrity of the cable with a tester. When the wire is short-circuited, without power supply, the tester will show that the resistance is equal to infinity. This means that somewhere your cable has broken, causing grounding.

If after all this your ip-camera does not work, then for further repairs you will need to disassemble the video camera. To do this, it is necessary to remove the housing, fixing elements, infrared lamps. After parsing, you need to inspect the camera circuit for swollen capacitors. If they are found, replacing them with elements with similar characteristics can help, and we check for heating when turned on. If after that the ip-camera does not work, you can try to connect the cable from another working camera to the non-working one. Broken cables in the tail of the device are a common problem. You can also try replacing parts of a non-working camera with modules that are working.Thus, you can quickly find problematic modules and search for them. When assembling, after this, it is necessary to carefully fold everything in the same order and apply sealant at the points of attachment of the parts. This is required to avoid liquid getting inside the ip camera.

The most frequent breakdowns in the operation of video surveillance systems are:

Problems with supplying power to any part of the video surveillance system;
Damage or wear of control elements;
Inoperability of the server for receiving data from the IP camera;
Defocusing video cameras;
Lens fogging;
Failure of the microphone;
Problems switching to different shooting modes;

Moreover, server failures are very costly and difficult to repair. It is almost impossible to do it with your own hands, and the cost of repair work is close to the price of buying a new kit.

If the device does not send a signal and does not transmit an image to a working computer, it is necessary to check the electronic controls of the ip-camera and replace them with working ones. This can be done with your own hands. You can check which element is out of order using a tester, which is sold in any electronics store.

When the ip-camera is working, and there is a control menu, but the image is missing, the problem most often consists in the breakdown of the camera matrix. The matrix of CCTV cameras is characterized by frequent burnout. They are sold in many electronics stores. Using a soldering iron, you can quickly replace it with your own hands.

If the video camera works, accepts all incoming commands, but the control menu and the image from the ip-camera are not displayed on the screen, the problem most often consists in a failure or malfunction with the video output card. It is also sold in electronics stores. To fix the problem, you will need to replace it.

Does the IP camera keep shutting down or rebooting at short intervals? Most often this happens due to overheating of microcircuits. In such cases, most often the source of the problem is or problems with different versions of the firmware on the camera itself and the software of the computer to which the image comes. It is necessary to update the version of software or firmware on the camera. Also, the problem may be in the wrong place for the ip-camera, if yours is not equipped with a protective casing, then in direct sunlight it may overheat. The best solution is to move it to a shaded area.

In case of problems with the rotation of a PTZ camera, the most common source is rust on the gear wheel of the rotating mechanism or its erasure. The best solution is to replace it.

This malfunction can occur due to cable problems. Check the cable connections to the device inputs and how well they are insulated. If this does not help, try replacing the cables.

There are no problems in the operation of ip cameras, and the footage is not saved.

The problem in this case is with the recorder's internal storage. Try to test the connection of the ATA / SATA cable to the corresponding port on the hard drive. If that doesn't work, try connecting it to your computer and formatting and defragmenting it. If the problem persists, the best solution is to replace the hard drive;

It is caused by improper operation with the infrared (IR) illumination of the ip camera. To fix the problem, try to disassemble it and check all contacts between the light sensor and the camcorder. The cable may have been broken in some place. It is possible to try to replace the cable between the IR module and the input connector. If this does not help, you will need to replace the IR module.

First of all, check if the power is going to the DVR. If there are problems in the operation of his power supply. This can be done with a multimeter. Try replacing the dash cam power supply with a new one.If this does not help, then the best solution would be to take it to the service center for repair. It is a complex set of circuits, during the repair of which you can easily touch the unnecessary, therefore it is better to entrust its restoration to specialists.

Guide to troubleshooting the most common faults of CCTV cameras and the cost of repairing the device

A modern CCTV camera is a complex of mechanical, optical and electronic parts that are enclosed in a compact software-based device.

Therefore, the repair of CCTV cameras is associated with great care. Any, even the most insignificant, error in disassembling the device or dismantling its individual elements can lead to quite serious damage.

The first and easiest way is to turn off the power of the camera. To do this, you just need to break the power supply circuit of the device. Modern video surveillance systems include many components with a web interface that can be controlled using a special program.

Today there are systems with a set of software with which you can perform many different functions:

Turn off backlight.
Turn off the sound.
Terminate the recording function.
Shut down the system completely.

It will not be difficult to disassemble the camera, for this you need:

Unscrew the cover with protective glass.
Unscrew the three screws holding the IR illumination with the board.
Remove electronics from housing.
The board, to which all the available wires are connected, performs the PoE function, it supplies power to the device using twisted pair cables, as well as special Poe equipment.
Then, by unscrewing the four bolts, you can get to the main board itself.

Repair of video surveillance systems may be necessary for a number of reasons: equipment resource depletion, poor installation, external influences (weather events, human factor) and many others.

During operation, the power supply loses power and if the device does not have enough power, it does not turn on. If the device turns off exclusively at night, then the malfunction lies in a voltage drop when the infrared illumination of the camera is turned on.

If the camera power supply is an injector or PoE switch, you need to try replacing the injector or use a different switch port.

You can also protect your server from power surges by purchasing an uninterruptible power supply, but few users do this. As a rule, the power supply unit has a short service life, since it is subject to heavy loads.

Very often the cause of a malfunction is "swollen" or lost capacitors on the motherboard. A swollen capacitor is a breakdown that requires replacing a faulty capacitor or installing additional high-frequency capacitors to damp the impulses.

The capacity of the new capacitors must correspond to the replaceable ones or be somewhat larger, but not less, otherwise ripple will be skipped. In addition, it is worth observing the polarity indicated on the capacitor and the board.

With overvoltage (for a 12-volt camera - more than 14 volts), the entire video camera burns out. This process follows the scenario - initially the input power supply circuits burn out, and after that - the matrix itself. In the event of such a breakdown, the video camera module will need to be replaced.

Such repairs at home are almost impossible. But with experience in electrical repair, you can solder damaged parts, replace ports, or repair external tracks.

The video surveillance server is a complex technical device, the main function of which is to store the footage. This is quite useful when there are many IP cameras in the system.

During the recording process, information is transported via the Internet and enters third-party computers. Users are provided with personal access to them.

Accordingly, all records are stored on one medium: convenient, but somewhat more expensive than conventional recorders.

However, if the IP server fails, interruptions are inevitable. The server instantly switches to the backup unit.

Fault tolerance of network video surveillance systems is a rather serious problem, which is unlikely to be solved on your own.

Camcorders often have a problem with switching this mode. In some cases, the logic of the camera fails in places with poor lighting, where for the matrix of a video camera the difference between night and day light is hardly distinguishable.

The easiest method is to turn the power off and on.

If, after rebooting, the day / night mode of the camera does not work, you need to check the settings of the video camera. It is recommended to carry out such a check in accordance with the instructions, since the settings of the device could be lost due to a prolonged power outage or voltage surges.

Unfortunately, in rare cases, there are more complex malfunctions when the operability of this mode cannot be restored without interfering with the device circuit.

If the glass of the camera lens is fogged up, there is no point in wiping it. This will not correct the situation, as the main causes of fogging (low surface temperature and high humidity) will remain. It is worth wiping the camera only if stains and streaks appear on the glass due to fogging.

What to do if the glass of the camera lens is fogged up:

Reduce humidity (for example, move the camera to an air-conditioned room).
Heat the device to ambient temperature or (you can put it in the sun).

Also, moisture can get inside if the camera is not sealed. Therefore, it is not recommended to change the glass on a foggy camcorder. If condensation forms inside the camera, it may take much longer for the device to “sweat”.

The cost of repairing video equipment depends on the nature of the damage, the degree of complexity and the cost of spare parts. In most cases, prices are negotiable, set individually and depend on a specific case.

So, the cost of repairing the most common malfunctions is:

Replacing the power supply unit for video cameras - min. 1100 rub., Max. - 1500 rubles.
Replacing the battery of the power supply unit for video cameras - min. 400 rubles, max. - 650 rubles.
Replacing the infrared illuminator - min. 1350 rub., Max. - 1,700 rubles.
Search and elimination of cable break. lines of the system in the room - from 1,400 rubles. up to 1 600 rubles.
Search and elimination of a break in street lines of a video surveillance system - from 2,300 to 2,600 rubles.

Today there are many service centers and companies that provide quality video equipment repair services.

The size and degree of complexity of faults in units and individual units requires the use of specialized specialized equipment to carry out repairs at a high level.

Experts with extensive practical experience in repairing video cameras take into account all the nuances, thus avoiding unforeseen expenses. Therefore, it is best to entrust the repair of such equipment to experienced craftsmen, and not to “craftsmen” who are deprived of the necessary knowledge, skills and appropriate equipment.Usually, when buying a product or device in stores and unpacking it at home, we come across various waste paper that tells us about the product itself. In addition to these pieces of paper, we can also often notice the rules for the use and repair of the device in the event of a malfunction. They are needed in order to warn the user, as well as warn him how to handle the equipment, because in case of improper handling, the store or service that provided us with this product can deprive us of the established warranty, after which we will be deprived of free repair of the device , in the event of a breakdown.With regard tovideo monitoring systems, then it is not one single device, but several elements interconnected, making up a single system.This system itself usually consists of a video recorder, video capture cards, a small number of cameras with certain functionality, a power supply unit, a hard disk for recording data, the necessary connectors for connecting wires, as well as a device for displaying an image.Basically, after the installation of all equipment has been successful, the customer refuses further service, citing the fact that the manufacturer has already provided him with protection in the form of a guarantee. The warranty period for this type of equipment generally ranges from 1 to 3 years. Of course, installing such equipment, the customer, first of all, wants a longer service life, but anyway, sooner or later, any equipment may malfunction or even fail.Possible causes of equipment failures:

No image on the monitor... In such cases, it is recommended to check, first of all, whether power is supplied to the monitor or TV, as well as to check the operation of the network itself. If the problem in the power supply was not found, then it follows that the fault is on the monitor or TV itself.

One of the security cameras malfunctioning... A standard video surveillance kit usually includes 4 CCTV cameras, and if one of them fails, then first of all you need to check all the BNC register connectors. If, after checking the connectors, the camera still does not show signs of operation, then it is already worth checking the voltage in the network itself, using a special tester, which is sold in any electrical store.

Recently, the installation of video surveillance systems at various objects of the national economy has become very popular. This control system has found its application in everyday life. Very often the video control line is installed in apartments and private houses. The defense system is quite complex in its complex composition. It includes various optoelectronic and technical devices, including video cameras, video recorders, power supply, connecting wires and other auxiliary equipment. Like any technological complex, a video surveillance system can malfunction. Often, the reason for the inoperability of the line is the breakdown of the camera. Repair of CCTV cameras can be done by hand or with the help of specialists.In order to independently repair CCTV cameras, it is necessary to determine which classification type the device belongs to. Camcorders differ in a number of ways:

Type of color rendering (color and black and white);

Surveillance method (covert or open video surveillance);

Observation corner (swivel and non-swivel);

Appearance (standard and domed);

Method of information transmission (wired, wireless, IP cameras).

The video shows the repair of a CCTV camera:

Having completely removed the board, I installed it on the holder. To protect the plastic elements, I covered them with foil.

Having applied flux to the soldering site, removed the microcircuit with an average air flow.

After cleaning the soldering point, and tinning the tracks with lead-containing solder, I started preparing a new microcircuit for installation.

Prepared soldering point

For this, the microcircuit must be lubricated with flux, and all contacts must be well tinned.

Prepared microcircuit for soldering

Having installed the microcircuit on the board, he began to warm it with an average flow of air until the solder melted and the microcircuit sat down in its place. The temperature of the hair dryer was about 320 degrees.

A new microcircuit is installed on the board.

Also, after soldering the microcircuit with a hairdryer, you need to go over the contacts with a soldering iron in order to exclude possible undershoots.

After cleaning, it's time to plug in all the connectors and check the camera.

After energizing, the current consumption dropped to 90 mA.

Consumption of a camcorder after installing a new microcircuit

The computer recognized the local network connection, although the LED on the camcorder did not work.

Local Area Connection Indicator LED

If you look closely, you can see a black dot in the center of the LED, apparently the discharge was so strong that it was out of order. Since the connector is not collapsible, there is no way to change it.

After installing the program for Partizan CMS video camera, it was possible to successfully connect to the camera. The picture was normal, the ping of the camera was smooth.

Video camera image

Also, I decided to check the switching to night mode, for this I covered the light sensor with my hand, which is located on the board with IR LEDs.

The camera switched to black and white mode, consumption increased, which means everything is working properly.

Image in night mode.

Further, the camera was assembled and given to the owner. Thanks for watching and good luck with your renovations.

Equipment diagnostics.

Let's say you have a video surveillance system, and one camera out of four stops showing.

Firstly, it is necessary to check whether the power is being supplied. Because most often it is not the video camera itself that fails, but its power supply.

Almost all modern devices have IR illumination located around the lens. We cover the light sensor or the front panel of the camera with our hand so as to exclude the ingress of light. Built-in IR illumination, should light up in red, you can see it through your fingers. Also, the voltage can be checked with a multimeter (tester) at the output of the power supply, most video cameras consume 12 volts.

Secondly, check the channel on the recorder (for AHD / TVI / Analog). We connect the faulty camera to another channel of the recorder, there are cases of burnout of one of the channels - the DVR will need to be repaired.

Dismantling and repair of a video surveillance camera.

If you did not reveal any problems - go to disassembly. It is good if there is a second same camera (working copy). We disassemble the faulty one first. Carefully open the case and unscrew the bolts securing the module / lens / IR illumination. We make a visual inspection of the equipment. We check the module for swollen capacitors, if we see problematic ones, perhaps their soldering to similar ones will help. Immediately after turning on the video camera, the chip on the module should start to warm up.On cheap or weak modules, radiators are usually not installed. If the chip is heating up, it means that power is coming to it.

Camera still showing no signs of life? We take the second (working) and put it on its tail - the problem one. There are broken wires in the tail of the camera. By rearranging the elements, we can establish what is out of order on our camera. If the module burns out, we replace it entirely, if the infrared IR-Cut filter, lens or IR LED illumination, they can also be replaced. DIY repair will consist in finding and replacing the faulty item. It is not easy to find them in retail these days. The task will be greatly facilitated if there is a “donor”.

If digital ip camera stopped loading - try to "reset" it. On some models, there is a reset button, which can be pressed with a pin / pin, or when the camera is turned on, two unused contacts on the power block are closed. Also came across models on which reset is displayed on the tail. If there are no reset buttons, you can try to reset it programmatically, using the settings via the web interface or the ResetTool utility. Happy renovation!

1. Camcorder Sony-CCD-TR670E. Zoom and focus do not work. The reason is the poor contact of the loop with the connector coming from the camera unit board to the focusing and zooming motors. Eliminated by disassembling the camcorder and re-docking of this connector.

2. Camcorder Panasonic-G-101. The cassette receiver does not close, the rack guides move back and forth, but not for the entire range of travel. According to the owner, before the final breakdown, the device turned off during recording and playback, sometimes it did not close. The reason is a dirty software gear, with the whole L.P.M. do not disassemble. It is enough to drip alcohol / gasoline into the program gear and turn it several times (of course, not with your hands).

3. Sony (video-8) Camcorder very often the monitor screen starts to glow brightly with a reverse beam path - the reason for the impingement of the deflection pulses in the video signal. It is necessary to evaporate the electrolyte through which the pulses go to the deflector (usually 80 microfarads), rinse the board under it with alcohol and solder it back with a mica pad.

4. Video camera SONY CCD-FX280E Handycam. Defect manifestation: Unable to load a cassette into the camera. (the cassette receiver does not close). What happens: the screw securing the monitor is loosened from the inside and sticking to the magnet of the video head motor, jamming it. It is checked by checking the free rotation of the video heads.

5. Camcorder SAMSUNG VP-U12. Chaotic white dots appear in the image when viewing recordings. On pause, they disappear. Search for a malfunction should be in the engine of the tonal. It should be dismantled, the capstan should be removed. A defect in the metal coating of the rotor, which peels off, rubs the insulation of the stator windings. The solution is as follows: the metal coating is completely removed from the rotor (including magnetized particles). Further lubrication and assembly in reverse order. So far, I have come across 2 devices with such a defect.

PS This defect is also found in JG video cameras.

6. SONY CCD-TR330. The problem is: (1) The cassette drawer is in the eject position and will not close. Manual removal of the loading mechanism to any position (for example, stop) with the subsequent supply of power to the camera brings it to mode (1). The malfunction is eliminated by soldering the SW switch pins on the flexible board.

7. SAMSUNG VP-H66 camcorder. The defect is exactly the same as described in paragraph (5.) of this page. I have sent a letter to the SAMSUNG representative with a request to answer:
1.) Who is the supplier of these motors?
2.) whether the above mentioned company will correct the “manufacturer's error”.
3.) Will all cameras with this defect be repaired free of charge? Regardless of whether the warranty period has ended or not.

The answer will be posted on this page.

A letter sent to the representative office of SAMSUNG.

In the process of repairing your company's products, in particular the SAMSUNG VP-H66 and SAMSUNG VP-U12 video cameras, I and my colleagues in different parts of our homeland came across a defect. This defect manifests itself as follows. When using the camera while shooting, horizontal stripes appear on the screen across the entire screen. Further, after continuing to use the cameras, they stop accepting the cassette. When disassembling the camera, it was found that the result of this defect is a gross violation of production processes. Namely: the rotor of the motor contains a magnet which, in turn, is covered with a layer of tool varnish, which deteriorates over time. This coating (varnish) is quite hard and over time wipes off the varnish layer on the motor windings. I think that the service dealerships are very well aware of this defect. This defect was also found in LG cameras. Most likely the engine supplier is the same company. I am officially protesting your company and asking you to answer my questions.

1.) Who is the supplier of these motors?
2.) whether SAMSUNG will correct the “manufacturer's error”.
3.) Will all cameras with this defect be repaired free of charge? Regardless of whether the warranty period has ended or not.

I will post a letter with your answer on my page.

8.) Camcorder JVC model GR-AX338. The defect is like a dirty software switch, but it's not about it, but about the CN02 connector into which the ribbon cable from this switch is inserted. The repair consists in soldering the connector.

9.) Samsung - Temporary malfunctions: stop during playback with complete shutdown, the cassette is loaded. BVG rotates, complete shutdown, etc. Clean, solder and tighten the internal contacts of the stabilizer board connector and the carrier board.

10.) If it is necessary to clean the contacts of the program switch in the camcorder without the hassle of disassembling it, the liquid KONTAKT PRF7-78 produced by TAEROSOL (Fin) is amazingly helpful. I inject it through a thin tube (complete with a cylinder) directly into the gap of the program. gears. Penetration, cleaning and lubricating properties are simply amazing. The ever-wheezing volume controls in domestic equipment begin to work like new.

Video (click to play).

Typical malfunctions of SONY camcorders.

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