Camera Configuration & Image Settings
Purpose
This document covers how to configure each camera channel after initial setup — image quality, day/night mode, Smart Hybrid Light configuration, and how to get the best picture for each location. Getting the image right is as important as positioning the camera correctly.
Accessing Camera Settings
Main Menu → Camera → Image
Select the channel from the drop-down. All settings apply to that channel only.
Key Image Settings
Brightness
Controls overall lightness. Default (50) is usually correct. Adjust if the image is consistently washed out (reduce) or dark in adequate light (increase slightly). Do not use brightness to compensate for a fundamentally dark scene — that requires a better camera position or camera type.
Contrast
Controls the difference between light and dark areas. Default (50) is usually correct. Increase if the image looks flat; reduce if there are harsh simultaneous shadows and blown highlights.
Saturation
Controls colour intensity. Default (50) is correct for most scenes.
Sharpness
Controls edge enhancement. Default (50). Do not increase excessively — high sharpness creates a processed look and amplifies noise around edges.
Noise Reduction
Reduces digital grain in low light. Default (50) balances noise reduction against detail retention. Too high and fine detail is lost.
WDR — Wide Dynamic Range
WDR helps the camera handle scenes with both very bright and very dark areas simultaneously — e.g. a doorway where the interior is dark but outside is bright daylight.
Enable WDR for:
- Cameras looking from a dark interior toward a bright exterior
- Cameras facing direct sunlight at any point in the day
- Any backlit scene
WDR level: start at 50–70. Too high and the image looks processed.
Day/Night Settings
Main Menu → Camera → Image → Day/Night Switch
| Option | When to use |
|---|---|
| Auto | Correct for almost all installs — camera decides based on sensor light reading |
| Day | Forces colour mode permanently — rarely useful |
| Night | Forces night mode permanently — rarely useful |
| Scheduled | Switches at set times — use if auto switching is unreliable due to environmental light sources |
Leave on Auto for all standard installs.
Smart Hybrid Light Configuration
For Smart Hybrid Light cameras, configure the lighting mode:
Main Menu → Camera → Image → Light
| Mode | Behaviour | Use |
|---|---|---|
| IR Mode | IR LEDs only at night — black and white, no glow | Where customer wants no visible light |
| White Light Mode | White LEDs only at night — full colour, visible glow | Maximum deterrence |
| Smart Mode | IR by default; switches to white light on motion trigger | Recommended — best of both |
| Auto | Camera decides — generally similar to Smart mode | Acceptable alternative |
Set Smart Hybrid cameras to Smart Mode on all residential installs unless the customer specifically requests otherwise.
IR / White Light Intensity
Default (auto or 50) is usually correct.
- Reduce if IR is overexposing close objects directly below the camera
- Increase slightly if range is insufficient — but check for overexposure
Image Rotation and Mirror
Main Menu → Camera → Image → Display Settings
- Mirror — flips the image horizontally. Use when a camera is mounted upside down.
- Rotate 90° — use for narrow corridor installs where portrait orientation is more useful.
Leave at default unless the camera requires it.
Privacy Masks
Main Menu → Camera → Privacy Mask
Draw a rectangle over any area that should be permanently blocked from view (e.g. a neighbour's window that falls within the camera's field of view). The masked area shows as a solid block in live view and recordings.
Apply privacy masks proactively where a camera's coverage includes a neighbour's property. This demonstrates responsible installation and avoids future complaints.
Image Verification — Checklist for Every Channel
Before completing the install, check every channel on the monitor:
- Correct scene shown (not a neighbouring channel)
- No IR reflection (no white haze from a nearby surface)
- Correct exposure — not washed out or too dark
- WDR enabled if scene is backlit
- Day/Night switch working — cover the lens briefly to force night mode and confirm IR/white light activates
- Smart Hybrid mode — wave in front of the camera in night mode to trigger white light (if using Smart mode)
- No obstruction in field of view
- OSD showing correct channel name
Common Image Problems
| Problem | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| White blur / haze on image | IR reflection — surface in FOV bouncing IR back to camera; reposition or reduce IR intensity |
| Image too dark despite adequate light | WDR fighting backlight — adjust WDR level, or reposition camera |
| Colour bleed / purple tinge | White balance issue — force white balance mode or check for unusual lighting (fluorescent) |
| Grainy / noisy at night | Normal at IR range limits; increase noise reduction slightly; or camera is at the edge of its IR range |
| Blurry at edges, sharp centre | Varifocal lens not focused — refocus via menu (motorised) or adjust focus ring manually |
| Flickering image | Power supply issue; or fluorescent lighting — set anti-flicker to 50Hz |