How to Fix Pixelated or Blurry Video on Your Scout Security Camera
A security camera is only as good as the video it produces. If the footage from your Scout camera is pixelated, blurry, or constantly freezing, it becomes difficult to identify faces or read number plates, diminishing its value as a security tool. Poor video quality is almost always a symptom of a network issue.
This guide will help you diagnose the root cause of your Scout camera's poor video stream and provide clear steps to improve its quality for a sharper, more reliable picture.
## Step 1: Analyse Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
The single most common cause of low-quality video is a weak Wi-Fi signal. Your camera needs a strong, stable connection to your router to upload a high-definition video stream. If the signal is weak, the camera has to compress the video file heavily, which results in pixelation and a blocky image.
### How to Check and Improve Your Signal
- Check Signal in the App: Open the Scout app and navigate to the settings for the camera in question. There should be a status indicator for its Wi-Fi connection. If it shows "Weak" or "Poor," you have found the likely culprit.
- Reduce the Distance: The further your camera is from your Wi-Fi router, the weaker the signal will be. If possible, try moving your router to a more central location in your home, or move the camera closer to the router.
- Remove Obstacles: Thick walls made of concrete or brick, large metal objects (like refrigerators), and even dense foliage can block Wi-Fi signals. Ensure the path between your router and camera is as clear as possible.
- Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move your router or camera, a Wi-Fi range extender or a mesh Wi-Fi system is an excellent solution. These devices boost your Wi-Fi signal, providing a stronger connection to devices in hard-to-reach areas.
## Step 2: Test Your Internet Upload Speed
While most people focus on download speed, for a security camera, upload speed is what matters. This is the bandwidth available for your camera to send video data to the cloud.
### How to Test Your Speed
- Run a Speed Test: Using a phone or computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your camera, search for an "internet speed test" online and run it.
- Analyse the Results: Scout, like most HD cameras, requires a minimum of 2 Mbps of upload speed per camera. If your test result is below this, or if it's fluctuating wildly, your internet plan may not be sufficient to support a clear video stream.
- Consider Network Congestion: If other people in your home are gaming online, streaming 4K movies, or on video calls, it consumes your available upload bandwidth. Try checking the video quality during a time when your network is quiet. If it improves, your network is simply too busy, and you may need to upgrade your internet plan.
## Step 3: Adjust In-App Video Quality Settings
The Scout app may allow you to choose the video quality for your stream. While it's tempting to select the highest setting, it's not always the best choice for your network.
- Find the Setting: In the camera's settings within the Scout app, look for a "Video Quality" or "Resolution" option.
- Lower the Resolution: If the setting is on 1080p (Full HD), try lowering it to 720p (HD). This will decrease the amount of bandwidth the camera needs, which can result in a smoother, more stable stream, even if it's slightly less sharp. A stable 720p stream is far more useful than a choppy, pixelated 1080p stream.
## Step 4: Perform Basic Maintenance
Finally, don't forget the simple things.
### Clean the Lens
A surprisingly common issue is simply a dirty lens.
- Action: Use a soft, microfibre cloth to gently wipe away any dust, smudges, fingerprints, or spiderwebs from the camera lens.
### Reboot Your Devices
A quick restart can clear temporary software glitches.
- Reboot the Camera: Unplug your Scout camera from its power source, wait a minute, then plug it back in.
- Reboot Your Router: Do the same for your home's Wi-Fi router.
By systematically improving your Wi-Fi signal and ensuring you have enough upload speed, you can solve the vast majority of video quality issues and restore a crystal-clear picture to your Scout security camera.