How to Fix Pixelated Video on Your Merkury Camera
A pixelated or blocky video feed from your Merkury smart camera can make it difficult to see important details, defeating the purpose of having a security camera. This common issue is almost always related to the quality and stability of your Wi-Fi connection. When the camera struggles to send a high-quality video stream to your phone, it drastically reduces the quality to maintain a connection, resulting in poor image clarity. This guide will help you diagnose the root cause and take the necessary steps to restore a clear, sharp picture.
Understanding Why Video Becomes Pixelated
Pixelation is a form of video compression. Your Merkury camera sends a large amount of data when it streams in High Definition (HD). If your Wi-Fi signal is weak or congested, there isn't enough "space" to send all that data. The camera's software then makes a choice: either stop the stream completely or compress the image by grouping pixels into larger blocks of similar colour. This compression allows the video to keep streaming but at a much lower quality.
Key causes include:
- Weak Wi--Fi Signal: The camera is too far from your router.
- Network Congestion: Too many other devices are using your Wi-Fi at the same time.
- Low Quality Setting: The app might be set to stream in Standard Definition (SD) instead of High Definition (HD).
- ISP Throttling: Your internet service provider may be slowing down your upload speeds.
- Dirty Lens: A smudged or dirty lens can sometimes be mistaken for pixelation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Merkury Video Quality
Follow these steps to troubleshoot and fix your camera's pixelated stream.
### 1. Check and Adjust In-App Quality Settings
Let's start with the easiest fix inside the Merkury (or Geeni) app.
- Open the Live View: Select the camera you want to fix.
- Look for the Quality Setting: On the live video screen, you should see a button that says either "SD" (Standard Definition) or "HD" (High Definition).
- Select HD: If it's on SD, tap it to switch to HD. This tells the camera to send the highest quality stream. If the video is still pixelated on HD, or if it struggles to load, your Wi-Fi connection is almost certainly the problem.
### 2. Test Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Now, let's quantify how strong the camera's connection is.
- Go to Camera Settings: From the live view, tap the settings icon (pencil or gear) in the top right.
- Find Device Info: Navigate to the "Device Information" section.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal: Look for the "Signal Strength" or "Wi-Fi Signal" indicator. A good signal is typically 80% or higher. If your signal is below 75%, you have found the likely cause of the pixelation.
### 3. How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal
If you've confirmed a weak signal, you need to strengthen the connection between your router and the camera.
- Move the Router: If possible, move your Wi-Fi router to a more central location in your home, closer to the camera.
- Move the Camera: Try repositioning the camera to a spot where the signal is stronger. Even moving it a few feet can make a difference.
- Eliminate Obstructions: Wi-Fi signals are weakened by physical barriers. Reduce the number of thick walls, large metal appliances (like refrigerators), or mirrors between the router and the camera.
- Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender: A Wi-Fi extender (or repeater) is a device that picks up your existing Wi-Fi signal and rebroadcasts it, extending its range. Place one halfway between your router and the Merkury camera.
- Upgrade to a Mesh System: For the best possible coverage, consider a mesh Wi-Fi system, which uses multiple nodes to blanket your entire home in a strong, stable signal.
### 4. Reduce Network Congestion
If your signal strength looks good, your network might just be too busy.
- Check Other Devices: Are other people in your household streaming 4K movies, downloading large files, or playing online games? This all consumes upload and download bandwidth. Try to test the camera's stream when the network is less busy.
- Reboot Your Router: Unplug your router from power for 60 seconds and plug it back in. This can clear its memory and sometimes improve performance.
### 5. Clean the Camera Lens
As a final check, use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to gently wipe the camera's lens. A smudge or piece of dirt can diffuse the light and create a blurry or low-quality image that might be confused with pixelation. Do not use harsh cleaners or abrasive materials.
By systematically improving the Wi-Fi connection to your Merkury camera, you can provide it with the bandwidth it needs to stream a consistently clear and detailed HD video feed.