PTZ camera image "stretched'. Conflict with DVR?

[Daedalus51 0]

I have a problem that I'm wondering if anyone else has seen and, hopefully, knows the cause.

 

I have a Q-See 4-channel DVR and a cheap PTZ dome with a Hitachi VK-S454 block cam. After maybe 3-7 days of operation, the camera image will begin to get suddenly distorted, where it's stretched so much vertically that all I can see are fuzzy blurs when anything moves into view. When the problem starts it usually will soon correct back, but then it will distort more frequently, and stay distorted for a longer period. After a day or 2 of this, it stays distorted. At this point I have to unplug the camera for at least 3 days before it fixes itself. Any less than that, and the image is still distorted. It almost seems like a charge is building up somewhere it shouldn't be, and slowly dissipates when the unit is unplugged.

 

The problem occurs if I leave the RS-485 wires unhooked. However, it does not occur if the camera is plugged in and hooked up to a TV instead of the DVR.

 

The DVR is very basic, and does not have focus control. I'm considering purchasing a contoller and/or another DVR, but I'm hoping to get some confirmation this will fix the problem before spending the money. I would rather not have to dump the dome if possible.

 

Think this is a grounding problem? I've grounded the dome to the plumbing, but haven't seen a difference.

 

Thanks for you help/thoughts.