How to Fix Pixelated Video on Your Lorex Security System
A clear, sharp image is essential for any security camera system. If your Lorex video feed is pixelated, blocky, or blurry, it can make it impossible to identify faces or read number plates, defeating the purpose of having surveillance. Pixelation is a digital artifact caused by issues with data compression, signal transmission, or incorrect settings.
This guide will help you identify the root cause of your Lorex camera's poor video quality and provide effective solutions to restore a crisp, clear picture.
## Understanding Main Stream vs. Sub Stream
Your Lorex NVR/DVR uses two different video streams for each camera:
- Main Stream: This is the high-quality, full-resolution stream that is used for recording footage directly to the hard drive.
- Sub Stream: This is a lower-quality, lower-resolution stream that is used for remote viewing on your phone or computer. This uses less bandwidth, allowing for smoother playback over the internet.
It is important to identify if the pixelation is happening on the live view on a monitor connected directly to the NVR (Main Stream) or when viewing remotely on the app (Sub Stream), as the causes can be different.
## Troubleshooting Poor Video Quality
Let's break down the potential causes and how to fix them.
### 1. Check and Adjust NVR/DVR Settings
Incorrect settings are the most common reason for poor video quality.
- Bitrate: This is the most critical setting for image quality. Bitrate determines how much data is used to create the video image. A low bitrate will result in heavy compression and a blocky, pixelated image.
- Log in to your Lorex NVR/DVR.
- Navigate to
Settings > Recording > Recording Settings. - Select the camera channel you want to adjust.
- Find the Bitrate (Kbps) setting for the Main Stream. If the quality is poor, this value is likely too low. For a 1080p camera, a bitrate of 2048-4096 Kbps is a good starting point. For 4K cameras, you will need 6144-8192 Kbps or higher.
- Increase the bitrate, apply the settings, and check the video quality again.
- Resolution: Ensure the camera's resolution is set to its maximum native capability (e.g., 1920x1080 for a 1080p camera). Setting it lower will reduce clarity.
- Frame Rate (FPS): While a higher frame rate creates smoother motion, it also requires more data. If your bitrate is too low for your chosen frame rate, the quality will suffer. A standard of 15-20 FPS is usually sufficient for security purposes and balances quality with storage space.
### 2. Inspect Physical Cabling
For wired Lorex systems (IP or BNC), the physical connection is vital.
- Cable Quality: Low-quality, unshielded, or damaged Ethernet (for IP cameras) or BNC (for analog cameras) cables can cause signal loss, leading to digital artifacts like pixelation.
- Cable Length: Exceeding the maximum recommended cable length (typically around 90-100 metres for Ethernet) can degrade the signal.
- Connections: Ensure connectors are securely crimped and plugged in firmly at both the camera and NVR ends. Corrosion or loose connections can severely impact image quality. Try swapping the cable with a known good one to test.
### 3. Address Network Bandwidth (for Remote Viewing)
If the video is only pixelated when you are viewing it remotely on your phone (Sub Stream), the problem is likely your internet connection's upload speed.
- Check Upload Speed: Run a speed test from your home network. Your NVR needs sufficient upload bandwidth to send the video stream to your phone. If your upload speed is low (e.g., less than 1-2 Mbps per camera being streamed), the video quality will be automatically reduced to prevent constant buffering.
- Adjust Sub Stream Settings: You can lower the Sub Stream's resolution or bitrate in the NVR settings. This will reduce the bandwidth required for remote viewing, which can result in a more stable, albeit less detailed, image on your app.