How to Troubleshoot and Improve Poor Video Quality on Comelit Systems
A Comelit video intercom provides peace of mind by showing you who is at your door. However, if the video quality is poor—pixelated, grainy, or washed-out—it can be difficult to identify visitors, defeating the purpose of the system. This guide will help you diagnose and fix common causes of poor video quality.
We will explore issues ranging from simple physical obstructions to more technical problems like wiring and signal integrity.
Step 1: Start with the Basics - Physical Checks
Before diving into complex diagnostics, let's rule out the most common and easily fixable problems.
- Clean the Camera Lens: A dirty lens is a primary cause of poor video. Dust, pollen, and water spots can accumulate over time, making the image appear hazy or unfocused. Gently wipe the lens on the outdoor panel with a clean, soft microfibre cloth.
- Check for Adequate Lighting: While Comelit cameras have features for low-light conditions, they perform best with adequate lighting. If the image is dark or grainy, especially at night, ensure the area is well-lit. A porch light can make a significant difference in the clarity and colour of the night-time video.
- Inspect for Obstructions: Make sure nothing is blocking the camera's view. This could be anything from a spiderweb directly in front of the lens to overgrown shrubbery.
Step 2: Adjust Monitor Settings
Your indoor monitor has settings that can be adjusted to enhance the picture quality.
- Brightness and Contrast: An imbalance in these settings can make the video look washed out or too dark. Access the settings menu on your monitor and adjust the brightness and contrast levels until the image looks clear and balanced.
- Colour Saturation: If the colours look faded or unnatural, adjusting the colour saturation can help restore a more vibrant and accurate picture.
- Factory Reset Display Settings: If you are unsure what the optimal settings are, look for an option to reset the display to its factory defaults.
Step 3: Investigate the System's Wiring and Signal
The quality of the wiring is crucial for maintaining a strong and clear video signal between the outdoor panel and the indoor monitor. This is often the root cause of persistent video quality issues.
- Check Connections: Ensure all wiring connections are tight and secure at both the outdoor station and the indoor monitor. A loose connection can introduce interference and degrade the signal.
- Verify Correct Cable Type: Comelit systems require specific types of cables (e.g., twisted pair, coaxial) to function correctly. Using the wrong type of cable can lead to significant signal loss and poor video quality. Consult your installation manual to confirm the correct cable specification.
- Cable Length: The video signal weakens over distance. If the cable run between the panel and the monitor exceeds the maximum length specified by Comelit, the video quality will suffer. This can result in a soft, grainy image or "ghosting".
- Look for Interference: The video cable should not be run parallel to high-voltage electrical cables, as this can induce electrical interference, which may appear as lines or distortion on the screen.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you have performed the steps above and the video quality has not improved, there may be a more complex hardware issue. This could be a failing camera module, a problem with the monitor's internal components, or a hard-to-find fault in the wiring.
In such cases, it is best to contact a certified Comelit installer. They have the diagnostic tools and expertise to test signal strength, identify the faulty component, and restore your system's video quality to its optimal level.