Is Your Friedland CCTV System Failing to Record?
The primary purpose of a CCTV system is to record footage, so when you discover your Friedland DVR or NVR has stopped recording, it's a critical failure that needs immediate attention. This guide will take you through a logical sequence of troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the most common causes of recording issues.
These solutions are generally applicable to most Friedland DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and NVR (Network Video Recorder) systems.
### Step 1: Check the Hard Drive (HDD) Status
The internal hard drive is where all your footage is stored. If there's a problem with the drive, recording will fail.
- Access the Main Menu: Using the connected mouse and monitor, log in to your Friedland recorder's main menu.
- Navigate to Storage Settings: Look for an option labelled "Storage," "HDD," or "Device Management."
- Check HDD Status: In this section, you should see a list of installed hard drives. The status should read "Normal" or "Good."
- If the status is "Error," "Unformatted," or similar, it indicates a problem the system has detected with the drive.
- If it says "No HDD" or the list is empty, the recorder is not detecting the hard drive at all. This could be a loose cable or a complete drive failure.
### Step 2: Formatting the Hard Drive
If the drive is detected but has an error status, a reformat is the next logical step. Formatting erases all data on the drive and sets up a new, clean file system for the recorder to use.
- How to Format: In the same "Storage" or "HDD" menu, there will be an option to "Format" or "Initialise" the drive. Select this option and confirm. The process may take a few minutes.
- Important: This will permanently delete any previously recorded footage. Only do this after you have backed up any important clips.
## Step 3: Review the Recording Configuration
If the hard drive status is "Normal," the problem is likely with the system's recording settings.
### Check the Recording Schedule
Your system is likely configured with a schedule that tells it when to record.
- Access the Schedule Menu: Find the "Record" or "Schedule" section in the main menu.
- Review the Grid: You will typically see a grid representing the hours of the day for each day of the week. Different colours usually represent different recording modes (e.g., green for continuous, yellow for motion detection).
- Ensure it's Enabled: Make sure the time blocks are coloured for the type of recording you want. If the grid is blank, it means the system is scheduled not to record. Adjust the schedule for each camera as needed.
### Check Motion Detection Settings
If you are using motion detection recording, incorrect settings can prevent it from triggering.
- Sensitivity: If the sensitivity is set too low, minor movements won't trigger a recording. You may need to increase it.
- Detection Area: Most systems allow you to draw a grid over the camera's view to select where you want to detect motion. Ensure this area is correctly configured to cover doorways, paths, or other areas of interest. If the wrong area is selected, movement elsewhere will be ignored.
## Step 4: Advanced Troubleshooting
If you've checked the drive and the settings, and it's still not working, consider these possibilities:
- Hard Drive Failure: Hard drives are mechanical and will eventually fail. The average lifespan for a surveillance-grade HDD is 3-5 years. If the drive is old and formatting doesn't help, it likely needs to be replaced.
- Power Supply Issues: An unstable or failing power supply for the DVR/NVR can cause various issues, including the hard drive not spinning up correctly. Ensure you are using the original power adapter.
- System Reboot: A simple reboot can sometimes clear up software glitches. Go to the main menu and find the "Shutdown" or "Reboot" option.
If you replace the hard drive and the problem persists, it may indicate a fault with the recorder's main board, at which point you should contact a professional security installer for service.