Do Your Cameras Work When You Need Them Most?

Have you ever urgently needed footage from your security camera system, only to discover that the one camera you need isn’t working—or worse, is covered in grime and useless?

You’re not alone. As cameras become more critical to our organizations, we’re installing more of them, expecting more from them, and relying on them to be ready when we need them most. So why does it always seem like the one camera you need is the one that fails? I’ve had this conversation with countless clients. Murphy’s Law always seems to come up—and honestly, it strikes more often than we’d like. But there’s more to it than just bad luck. Let’s explore some of the real-world challenges that impact camera reliability.

1. Environmental Factors

Have you noticed your camera images degrade at night? That’s often due to the camera’s infrared (IR) illuminators kicking in. While this light is invisible to humans, it’s a beacon for bugs—and where there are bugs, spiders follow. Spiders love to spin webs on cameras because the IR light attracts their prey. These webs, invisible during the day, reflect IR light at night, distorting the image. Dust is another culprit. During the day, a dusty dome might not affect image quality much. But at night, the IR light reflects off the dust inside the dome, creating glare and reducing visibility.

2. Camera Movement

Even the best installations can’t always prevent gradual shifts. Over time, vibrations, weather, or even minor bumps can cause a camera to move. What once covered an entire parking lot might now only see half. Because this shift happens slowly, it often goes unnoticed—until it’s too late. Sometimes, the movement isn’t accidental. I’ve seen cases where employees subtly adjust cameras to avoid being watched, or bad actors intentionally redirect them. One client lost critical footage of a door because someone didn’t want the camera pointing near their desk and “tweaked” it just enough to miss the action.

3. A Changing World

The world around your cameras doesn’t stay static. Trees grow, bushes expand, and people start parking large vehicles in new spots. All of these changes can obstruct your camera’s view over time, reducing its effectiveness without you even realizing it.

4. Technology Limitations

Cameras are essentially small computers running 24/7, often in harsh environments. They endure temperature swings, power fluctuations, and wear and tear. These factors can lead to glitches or failures. Storage is another issue. Maybe your parking lot used to be empty, giving you 60 days of footage. Now it’s full every day, and you’re only getting 15 days of history. Without monitoring, these changes can catch you off guard.

So, What Can You Do?

With the rise of AI and cloud technology, we now have tools to proactively monitor camera health. Solutions like VideoHealth allow you to:

• Set reference images for each camera

• Use AI to detect changes in view or quality

• Monitor storage usage and alert you to changes

• Ensure your system is always ready when you need it

Never Miss Another Event

Your camera system is a critical part of your security infrastructure. Don’t leave it to chance. Let us show you how VideoHealth can help you stay ahead of problems and ensure your cameras are always working when it matters most. Talk to us today—because the footage you need tomorrow depends on the system you maintain today.

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