Home Guard CCTV system

 

An old one - Looks like this https://www.serversdirect.co.uk/p/931388/homeguard-diy-1tb-4-channel-cctv-security-kit-with-x-480tvl-cameras

 

Trying to get it working again.

 

Unit is showing power light on and cooling fan is running

 

Cameras (2) are powered up (LEDs lit when dark)

 

Monitor connected and powered up

 

New batteries in remote and checked IR signal using camera on laptop

 

Mouse is lit up 

 

 

Monitor just shows Home Guard logo - so at least it knows what it is connected to - but I cant get it past this stage.

 

It's a while since I used it so not sure if it is knackered or if I'm missing a step somewhere along the line.

 

On line manual makes it look like you just power up and you are into the menus.

 

 

Grateful for any suggestions you can offer

 

 

I have had a similar issue with another brand a few years back, it turned out to be the hard drive so I swapped that with a cheap one from Amazon.

A few months after that the box would light up but nothing would happen, that was due to the power supply giving up.

 

The system was about 5 years old at that point so opted to get new equipment as the image quality was far superior.

 

 

Edit: Can you get in through the app on your phone and check settings that aren't visible on the monitor?

Edited 19 October, 20214 yr by MATT0693

Thanks MATT0693

 

Should have said, when I first tried to get it going the power supply was dead - tested with a voltmeter - output 0v

 

Now using a replacement power supply which seems OK

 

My mobile phone, unfortunately, is not a smartphone. Just about as basic a NOKIA as you can get.

Just noticed although power light comes on and fans start on power up there is no beep - thinking there probably should be.

 

 

OK looks like this is the problem - so no easy fix.

 

Guessing it's a capacitor although no markings.

 

The button cell is OK - the grotty stuff on it is just something that has been put on to hold it in place

3 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

Guessing it's a capacitor although no markings.

I think it was a capacitor. It is now toast!  

15 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

OK looks like this is the problem - so no easy fix.

 

Guessing it's a capacitor although no markings.

 

The button cell is OK - the grotty stuff on it is just something that has been put on to hold it in place

 

Definitely not an easy fix! You can get DVR's relatively cheap and just swap it all over, or use it as an excuse to upgrade  

 

Yes, a cheap new DVR that will use existing cameras and cabling is the plan I'm going with  - just hope they are all OK.

 

Getting one without a HD and will transfer the one in existing unit across.

 

Notice some sellers are a bit cheeky the way they don't quite spell out 'no hard drive included' but instead give an option - '+ 1Tb' - left me wondering what I get without the '+ 1Tb'  - Oh I see no storage!  so to my thinking not really a DVR at all. Anyway I'm buying this one in the full knowledge that it will come without a HD

 

 

At least that worked and without too much expense or effort. Resolution is poor but it always was. Longer term may go for something a bit better.

Electronic surveillance is no substitute for deterrent. My alarm system is in photo below. Only 8KG of dog, part JRT, part Cairn. She can jump higher than most can. And with her Cairn pedigree, most large dogs give her a miss when she has problems.

It is exasperating how unreliable even PIR floodlights are now. I have had a light over my garage, with a PIR sensor, for years. It uses a tungsten-filament quartz-halogen 'stick' bulb of 150W and has been totally reliable, except for fitting a new bulb a year or so back. Probably British made.

 

The latest ones have LED lights, that use a fraction of the electricity, but the sensors seem unreliable, even those with good IP ratings. Several websites list what they regard as good security lights with PIR sensors (eg: Meikee LED PIR security light, or Zinc Dion Indoor & outdoor PIR twin sensor) but when one checks owners' feedback on retailers' websites even the recommended makes rate badly. Most seem to malfunction within a year of installation, and rainwater entry into the supposedly IP65 sensors seems to be a common cause of failure. A typical customer wrote that of the 4 he bought, 3 had failed within a year. Even those that cost over 30 quid seem no more reliable than cheap ones. Some seem to fail withing weeks. My LEDLITE LTFL 10 watt flood with PIR sensor is no longer working correctly, 1 year after I bought it from TLC electrical. As far as I can see most of them are made in China, to western designs. I suppose better-made ones could be manufactured in Germany or Scandinavia, but might cost five times as much. ☹️