How to Fix Poor Video Quality on Your Guardzilla Camera
A security camera is only as good as the video it produces. If your Guardzilla camera's live feed is pixelated, stuttering, or lagging, it can be difficult to see what's happening, defeating its purpose. Poor video quality is typically a network-related issue, but it can also be caused by camera settings or physical obstructions.
This guide will help you diagnose the reasons behind your Guardzilla's poor video quality and provide effective solutions to achieve a clearer, more stable picture.
Common Symptoms of Poor Video Quality
You may be experiencing one or more of the following issues:
- The video stream is heavily pixelated or blocky.
- The live feed frequently freezes, stutters, or lags.
- Colours in the video appear washed out or incorrect.
- There is a significant delay between real-time events and what you see on screen.
- The video is generally blurry and lacks sharp detail.
- Night vision quality is particularly poor or grainy.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Guardzilla Video Quality
Let's work through these solutions to enhance your camera's performance. Check your video feed after each step to see if there's an improvement.
1. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection and Speed
This is the number one cause of poor quality video. Your camera needs sufficient upload speed to send a clear video stream to your device.
- Run a Speed Test: Use a speed test website or app on your phone while connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your camera. You generally need an upload speed of at least 2 Mbps per camera for a stable HD stream.
- Check Signal Strength: The camera may be too far from your Wi-Fi router. Physical barriers like thick walls, floors, or large appliances can also weaken the signal. Try moving the camera closer to the router temporarily to see if the quality improves.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your router from power, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This simple step can resolve many network performance issues.
2. Reduce Network Congestion
Your camera is competing for bandwidth with every other device on your network.
- Limit Other Devices: If someone is streaming 4K video, downloading large files, or playing online games, it can consume a large portion of your available bandwidth. Try to limit these activities to see if your camera's performance improves.
- Consider a Mesh Network: If your home is large or has many Wi-Fi dead zones, a mesh Wi-Fi system can provide a stronger and more consistent signal throughout your property.
3. Adjust Video Quality Settings in the App
The Guardzilla app may allow you to choose the video quality. While you might want the highest setting, your network may not be able to support it.
- Open the Guardzilla app and navigate to the settings for your camera.
- Look for a Video Quality or Stream Quality setting.
- If it's set to High Definition (HD), try changing it to Standard Definition (SD). While the resolution will be lower, this requires less bandwidth and can result in a much smoother and more stable video stream if your internet connection is slow.
4. Clean the Camera Lens
A surprisingly common cause of blurry or hazy video is simply a dirty lens.
- Inspect the lens for dust, fingerprints, smudges, or condensation.
- Gently wipe the lens with a clean, dry microfibre cloth (the kind used for cleaning eyeglasses is perfect).
- Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive materials, as these can permanently damage the lens.
5. Update Your Camera's Firmware
Manufacturers often release firmware updates to improve performance and fix bugs that could be affecting video quality.
- Check within the Guardzilla app's settings for a firmware update option.
- If an update is available, make sure the camera remains powered on and connected to Wi-Fi during the entire update process.
By systematically working through these steps, you can significantly improve the video quality of your Guardzilla camera, ensuring you have a clear and reliable view of your property. If the issue persists after trying everything, consider reaching out to Guardzilla support for further help.