Is Your Zosi Camera's Video Quality Poor?
You've invested in a Zosi security system to keep an eye on your property, but what's the point if the video footage is blurry, pixelated, or lagging? Poor video quality can make it impossible to identify faces or read number plates, defeating the purpose of having a camera in the first place. The good news is that many quality issues can be fixed by adjusting settings or making small physical changes.
This guide will walk you through the most common causes of poor Zosi video quality and how to resolve them.
Understanding Video Streams: Main-Stream vs. Sub-Stream
Before diving in, it's important to know that Zosi systems use two different video "streams":
- Main-Stream: This is the high-quality, full-resolution stream that is used for recording to your NVR/DVR.
- Sub-Stream: This is a lower-quality, lower-resolution stream that is used for viewing on mobile phones or when displaying multiple cameras on one screen. This uses less bandwidth.
A common issue is judging the quality based on the sub-stream you see on your phone. Always check the main-stream recordings on your NVR/DVR for the true quality.
Cause 1: Incorrect Resolution and Bitrate Settings
The most common culprit for poor quality is simply that the camera is not configured to record at its best settings. This can happen by default or after a system reset.
Solution:
- Access Your NVR/DVR: Log in to your Zosi recorder's main menu using a connected monitor.
- Navigate to Camera Settings: Find the menu for "Camera" or "IPC" settings. This will show a list of your connected cameras.
- Check Encoding Parameters: Go into the "Encode" or "Video Settings" for an individual camera.
- Set Main-Stream Resolution: Ensure the "Resolution" for the Main-Stream is set to the highest value your camera supports (e.g., '1920*1080' for a 1080p camera, or higher for 4K models).
- Adjust Bitrate: The "Bitrate" determines how much data is used for the video. A higher bitrate generally means better quality. If your network can handle it, choose a higher value. If your video is lagging, you may need to lower this slightly.
Cause 2: Physical Lens and Focus Issues
If the image is consistently blurry or out of focus, the problem is likely physical.
Solution:
- Clean the Lens: This may sound obvious, but dust, fingerprints, and water spots on the camera lens are a primary cause of fuzzy video. Use a clean, soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lens dome or cover.
- Remove Protective Film: Ensure the thin, clear plastic film that protects the lens during shipping has been removed.
- Check for Manual Focus: Some older or varifocal Zosi cameras have a manual focus ring or screw on the camera body or cable. While watching the live feed, you may need to carefully adjust this to achieve a sharp image. Most modern fixed-lens cameras do not have this adjustment.
- Check for Condensation: If you see moisture or fogging inside the lens, it means the camera's weather seal has failed. The camera should be brought indoors to dry out, but the damage may be permanent.
Cause 3: Weak Network Connection (Lagging and Pixelation)
For Wi-Fi cameras, a weak connection to your router is a major cause of poor quality. When the signal is weak, the camera over-compresses the video to be able to send it, resulting in blocky, pixelated images and a laggy feed.
Solution:
- Check Signal Strength: In your Zosi app or NVR settings, there may be an indicator for the camera's Wi-Fi signal strength.
- Move Closer: Try moving the camera closer to the Wi-Fi router. If the quality improves, you've found the issue.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender: If you cannot move the camera or router, a Wi-Fi range extender placed halfway between the two can boost the signal and improve video quality.
- Reduce Interference: Keep the camera and router away from other electronic devices, especially microwaves and cordless phones, which can interfere with the 2.4GHz frequency.
Cause 4: Poor Night Vision Quality
If your daytime video is fine but your night vision is grainy, dark, or has bright spots, the issue is with the infrared (IR) illumination.
Solution:
- Check IR LEDs: In total darkness, look at the camera. You should see the IR LEDs glowing with a faint red light. If they are not on, night vision is disabled in the settings or has failed.
- Clean the Lens Dome: Smudges or dirt on the lens can cause the IR light to reflect back into the lens, creating a foggy or washed-out image.
- Avoid IR Reflection: Don't point the camera directly at a nearby surface like a wall, soffit, or the underside of an eave. The IR light will bounce off this surface and cause the camera to overexpose the image, making the rest of the scene appear black. Adjust the camera angle so it has a clear view.
By systematically working through these settings and physical checks, you can significantly enhance your Zosi system's video quality.