Troubleshooting Poor Video Quality on Verkada Security Cameras
Verkada cameras are known for their high-quality video and ease of use. However, network conditions and configuration settings can sometimes lead to footage that is blurry, pixelated, or choppy. This guide will walk you through the steps to diagnose and resolve poor video quality within the Verkada ecosystem.
## Understanding Verkada's Adaptive Quality
A key feature of Verkada cameras is their ability to adapt video quality based on available bandwidth. When network bandwidth is low, the camera will automatically reduce the stream's quality to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted feed. This means that pixelation and choppiness are often symptoms of a network problem, not a camera fault.
## Initial Troubleshooting Steps
Start with the most common and easiest-to-fix issues.
- Clean the Camera Lens: This should always be your first step. A surprisingly large number of 'poor quality' issues are simply due to a dirty, dusty, or smudged lens. Use a clean microfibre cloth to gently wipe the camera's lens or dome.
- Check Network Connectivity:
- In the Verkada Command platform, check the status of the camera. A yellow or red dot indicates a connectivity issue.
- Review the camera's bandwidth consumption graphs. Spikes or very low bandwidth usage could indicate a problem.
- Ensure the network cable is securely connected to both the camera and the network switch.
## Adjusting Video Quality in Verkada Command
You have control over the video quality settings for each camera within the web-based Command platform.
### How to Change Stream Quality
- Step 1: Log in to your Verkada Command account.
- Step 2: Select the camera you want to adjust from the list.
- Step 3: Go to the Settings tab (gear icon).
- Step 4: Under the Video section, you will find quality settings. You can often choose between 'Standard Quality' and 'High Quality' for the local and remote streams.
- Step 5: Setting a Minimum Bitrate: For crucial cameras, you can set a 'Minimum streaming bitrate' to ensure that even on a congested network, the quality doesn't drop below a certain level. Be aware that this may cause the stream to become choppy if the network truly cannot support it.
### Adjusting Camera Focus
For varifocal cameras (models that allow you to zoom in and out), an incorrect focus is a common cause of blurriness.
- In the same Video settings tab, look for Focus and Zoom controls.
- Use the sliders to remotely adjust the zoom level and then fine-tune the focus until the image is perfectly sharp. This is a powerful feature that lets you fix a blurry image without having to physically access the camera.
## Addressing Low-Light and Night Vision Issues
Poor video quality in low-light conditions often appears as excessive grain or 'digital noise'.
- IR Illuminators: Verify that the camera's built-in infrared (IR) LEDs are functioning. At night, you should see a faint red glow from the LEDs around the lens. Ensure they are not obstructed.
- IR Reflection: Check for nearby surfaces, like walls or ceilings, that could be reflecting the IR light back at the camera. This can create a 'white-out' effect and make the rest of the scene appear dark and grainy. You may need to reposition the camera slightly to avoid this.
- Sufficient Lighting: While Verkada's low-light performance is excellent, adding a small amount of external light can dramatically reduce noise and improve image clarity and colour accuracy.
## Advanced Network Diagnostics
If you've adjusted the settings and the issue persists, the problem is very likely network-related.
- Bandwidth Uplink: Confirm that your internet connection's upload speed is sufficient for the number of cameras you are streaming remotely.
- Check for Packet Loss: Work with your IT department or network administrator to check the network switch port the camera is connected to. High rates of packet loss will severely degrade video quality.
By systematically working through these steps, from cleaning the lens to analysing network performance, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve almost any video quality issue with your Verkada cameras.