Uniview Poor Quality? How to Fix Your CCTV Footage

How to Troubleshoot and Fix Poor Quality Uniview Camera Footage

Investing in a Uniview (UNV) security system is a step towards securing your property, but poor video quality can defeat the purpose. If you're experiencing issues like pixelation, blurriness, or grainy images, your camera's settings are likely not optimised. This guide will help you diagnose and correct the common causes of poor video quality in Uniview systems.

By adjusting a few key settings on your camera or Network Video Recorder (NVR), you can significantly enhance image clarity and get the crisp, detailed footage you expect.

Understanding the Factors That Affect Video Quality

Several key parameters control the quality of the video stream from your camera. Understanding them is key to making the right adjustments.

• Resolution: This is the size of the image (e.g., 1920x1080 or 2560x1440). Higher resolution means more detail, but it requires more bandwidth and storage.
• Bitrate: This is the amount of data used to encode the video per second. A higher bitrate results in better quality but consumes more bandwidth and storage. A bitrate that is too low for the set resolution is a common cause of pixelation.
• Frame Rate (FPS): This is the number of individual images captured per second. Higher FPS results in smoother motion but, again, uses more resources.
• Encoding (Codec): Uniview often uses H.264, H.265, or their Ultra 265. H.265 is more efficient, offering better quality for the same bitrate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Uniview Video Quality

You will typically make these adjustments by logging into your NVR's local interface or the camera's individual web interface.

1. Check and Adjust Encoding Settings

This is the most critical step for fixing pixelated or blocky video.

• Log in: Access your NVR or camera's settings menu.
• Navigate to Video Settings: Look for a menu labelled Camera → Video or Encoding.
• Select the Correct Stream: You will see options for 'Main Stream' and 'Sub Stream'. The Main Stream is the high-quality recording stream. The Sub Stream is a lower-quality stream for mobile viewing. Ensure you are editing the Main Stream.
• Increase the Bitrate: This is the most important setting. If your resolution is set to 1080p or higher, a low bitrate (e.g., less than 2048 Kbps) will cause poor quality. Increase the bitrate to a higher value, such as 4096 Kbps or even 6144 Kbps, and observe the change in quality.
• Verify Resolution: Ensure the resolution is set to the maximum your camera supports for the best detail.
• Choose the Right Codec: If your system supports it, select H.265 or Ultra 265 for the best balance of quality and storage efficiency.

2. Clean the Camera Lens and Check Focus

A physical obstruction or poor focus can be mistaken for a digital quality issue.

• Clean the Lens: The camera's lens or dome cover can accumulate dust, grime, or spiderwebs, leading to a blurry or hazy image. Power down the camera and gently clean the lens with a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth.
• Adjust the Focus: If the image is consistently out of focus, you may need to adjust it. Some cameras have a manual focus ring near the lens. Others have a remote 'Auto Focus' or 'Fine Tune' option in the web interface under the PTZ or Image settings. Use this to sharpen the picture.

3. Optimise Night Vision (IR) Performance

Poor quality at night is a common complaint.

• Check for IR Reflection: At night, the camera's infrared LEDs can reflect off nearby surfaces like a wall, ceiling soffit, or even the camera's own dome cover. This creates a bright, washed-out area and makes the rest of the scene dark. If you see this, try repositioning the camera slightly to angle the IR light away from the reflective surface.
• Enable Smart IR: In the Image or Display settings, look for an option called Smart IR. This feature automatically adjusts the intensity of the infrared LEDs based on how close an object is to the camera, preventing the 'white-out' effect on nearby subjects.

4. Review Network and Cable Integrity

While less common, a poor network connection can also degrade video quality.

• Check Cables: Ensure the Ethernet cable running to the camera is in good condition and the connectors are securely plugged in. A damaged cable can lead to data loss, which appears as video artifacts or a stuttering stream.
• Sufficient Power: If you are using a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch, ensure it provides enough power for all connected cameras. An underpowered camera may not perform optimally.

By systematically working through these steps, you can address the root cause of poor video quality and restore the clarity and detail of your Uniview security system.