Gyro Gearloose 0 Posted June 18, 2007 I am adding on to a customers previously installed 3 year old camera system. The existing system includes 7 B&W domes with varifocal, auto iris lenses. ( ADT A-CB3VD ). These cameras are installed in the hallway ceiling of an apartment complex. The maintenance guy showed me the Pelco monitor but the picture for each camera was over exposed and completely washed out. I have attempted to adjust the cameras with the dc level adjustment on the board ( This is the only adjustment on the board. No other dip switches or pots) and by adjusting the monitor. None of theses adjustments did any good. We did find that if the power was dropped to the cameras for an hour or so we get a usable picture for about 15 minutes then it starts to head south and is soon all washed out. I guess I'm surprised that all 7 cameras would die so quickly ( 2 years ) and exhibit the same problem within the same time frame. According to the manager there they started to get bad about 2 years after they were installed. How long do you expect most cameras to last? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CameraGenius 0 Posted June 18, 2007 most cameras these days have a life span of 3-5 years i believe, with some obviously lasting much longer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted June 19, 2007 I imagine the obvious was also done, cleaning them? Also, budget cameras typically dont last as long, at least the image gets worse over time .. the $50 bullets for example (that ive used) give a great image for about 1 year then gets worse .. they can last to an extent but the lighting effects them greatly after that .. cheaper chips, cheaper lenses, and iris controlled by the camera, sun probably damages them also, as well as heat. Also, it could just be the Iris are bad on the Varifocal lenses in the domes, in your case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kao 0 Posted June 19, 2007 I was absolutely amazed that some Vitek color dome cameras we installed a couple of years ago in a school, died after 18 months or so. Out of about 13 installed, 4 went bad about the same time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted June 19, 2007 they are OEM cameras also .. but even the big brand names can die .. sometimes you just get a bad batch.. .just expect the lower priced models to go easier.0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CollinR 0 Posted June 20, 2007 You get what you pay for! Don't buy no-name Chinese trash and it will last. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
