GeoVision GV-VD120D User manual

GeoVisionInc. 1 RevisionDate:11/9/2011
Solving IR Reflection and
Improving Night View
Article ID: GV15-11-11-09-c
Release Date: 11/09/2011
Applied to
Vandal Proof IP Dome
(GV-VD120D/121D/122D/123D, GV-VD220D/221D/222D/223D,
GV-VD320D/321D/322D/323D)
Fixed IP Dome (GV-FD120D/220D/320D)
Summary
If you are having difficulty getting clear live views under low light conditions with your Vandal
Proof IP Dome or the Fixed IP Dome, this is likely due to IR reflections inside the camera. To
solve the IR reflection problem, you can choose to disable the IR Light function if there is
sufficient lighting on the installation site. If you do not have enough lighting on the installation
site, proceed to identify the possible causes and adopt the solutions to reduce IR reflection
and improve the quality of live view.

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Troubleshooting flowchart
Solving IR Reflection and Improving Night view
Without external
IR illuminator /
sufficient lights
Keep IR Light
function enabled
With external IR
illuminator /
sufficient lights
Disable IR Light
function
See
Solution 4 (page 13)
See
Solution 6 (page 22)
Is my live view foggy?
Are there round spots or
water droplets on my live
view?
Are there light spots or
glass reflection on my live
view?
No
No
No
YES
YES
YES
See
Solution 3 (page 10),
Solution 5 (page 16)
See
Solution 1 (page 5),
Solution 2 (page 8)
Is there a circle of spots
on my live view? YES

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Disabling the IR
By default, the IR LEDs turn on when there are insufficient lights. To avoid IR reflection inside
the camera, you can disable the IR function if there are sufficient lights or an IR illuminator
installed on the installation site. The disabling the IR function is available on the camera with
firmware version 1.07 or later.
Note: The minimum amount of light (in lux) required in night mode and the corresponding
live image are detailed below.
For GV-VD120D/121D/122D/123D, GV-FD120D: approximate 4 lux.
For GV-FD220D/320D, GV-VD220D/221D/222D/223D,
GV-VD320D/321D/322D/323D: approximate 8 lux.

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To disable the IR:
On the Web interface, select Streaming 1 under Video Settings, select Off for IR Light and
click Apply.

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Possible Cause and Solution
If there are no sufficient sources of light, proceed to identify the causes and adopt the
suggested solution.
1. Are the screws properly tightened?
Spots in a curve
Live view with loosen screws showing spots in a curve
Vandal Proof IP Dome
(GV-VD120D/121D/122D/123D, GV-VD220D/221D/222D/223D,
GV-VD320D/321D/322D/323D)
Tightly secure the 4 screws inside the housing cover

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Tightly secure the 4 screws on the housing cover
Fixed IP Dome (GV-FD120D/220D/320D)
Tightly secure the 4 screws inside the housing cover

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Tightly secure the 2 screws on the housing cover
Solution:
Check the inside and outside of the housing cover and be sure the screws are properly
tightened.

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2. Is the rubber band around the lens loosened?
The rubber band around the lens prevents IR LED light from reflecting inside the camera
cover. If your rubber band is loosened or not properly fitted, some light may reflect inside the
cover and affect the quality of the live view.
Live view with displaced rubber band showing a circle of spots
Top View: The rubber band is out of position
Side View: The rubber band is out of position.

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Top view: The rubber band is at its normal position.
Side View: The rubber band is at its normal position.
Solution:
Check if the rubber band is properly fitted and completely attached to the camera cover when
the cover is attached. If your rubber band is still loose after your adjustment, contact the
vendor or local distributor for replacement.

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3. Is my cover dirty?
For a foggy live view, your cover may be dirty from dusts, finger prints or debris.
Note: If your camera is installed in a dusty or moist environment, your camera may need
regular maintenance.
Live view through a dirty cover appears foggy
Cover with dusts

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Solution:
1. Use compressed air or an air blower to remove any dust or debris on the cover.
IMPORTANT:
When using compressed air, be sure
1. not to use any type that will emit any chemical substance since they can damage
the cover coating.
2. to read the precautions labeled on the bottle before use. With some compressed air
brands, shaking the compressed air bottle before spraying, holding the bottle too
close to the target, or spraying for a long period of time can damage the cover
coating.
2. Clean the cover with lens cleaning cloth in one direction to avoid any possible
scratch.
3. If the cover is still dirty, spray small amount of clean water on the cover and use
lens cleaning cloth to clean the cover again.
IMPORTANT:
1. Do not use clothes or any ordinary material to clean the camera cover since they
may result in scratches.
2. Do not use alcohol-based cleaner to clean the camera cover since it may damage
cover coating.
It is advisable to use one of the following to clean the cover:
Micro fiber Cloth
For example, Giottos CL3612 (http://www.giottosusa.com/cleaning-kits.shtml)

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Non-abrasive Wipes
For example, PEC-PAD Non Abrasive Wipes
http://mpex.com/pec-pad-non-abrasive-wipes-4x4-quot-100-pk.html
Chamois Skin Cleaning Cloth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamois_leather

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4. Is there condensation on the camera cover?
Water or fog may adhere on the outside of the camera cover due to rain or condensation,
especially for the outdoor camera such as Vandal Proof IP Dome. Water may also condense
inside the camera if the silica gel bag in the camera loses its effectiveness.
Note: If your camera is installed in a dusty or moist environment, your camera may need a
regular maintenance.
Live view through a wet cover showing round spots
An example of condensation on the outside of cover

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An example of condensation inside the cover
Solution:
Check your cover and see if the water or fog is on the inside and/or outside and follow the
steps below to dry the cover.
1. Use an air blower or the suggested compressed air (see the solution for 3. Is my
cover dirty?)to remove any dust or debris on the cover.
2. Use some tissue to absorb the water.
Note: Do not rub the cover with tissue since it may result in scratches.
3. Clean the cover with the suggested lens cleaning cloth (see the solution for 3. Is
my cover dirty?). Be sure to swipe in one direction to avoid any possible damage to
the cover.
4. If the live view is still unclear, spray small amount of clean water on the cover and
clean the cover again with the suggested lens cleaning cloth.

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5. For Vandal Proof IP Dome, if the condensation is on the inside, the desiccant might
have lost its effectiveness. Replace a new silica gel bag.
IMPORTANT:
1. Be sure the silica gel bag is concealed in the camera after 2 minutes of exposing to
open air.
2. Be sure to replace the silica gel bag every time you open the camera.
Note: For a video demonstration of replacing a silica gel bag, visit the following YouTube
link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=w0JYkT57y7w&noredire
ct=1

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5. Is my camera scratched?
Live view through a scratched cover appears foggy
A scratched cover
Solution:
Some scratches may not be easily visible. If your live view is foggy, and you cannot tell
whether the cover is dirty or scratched, first clean the cover by following the cleaning
instructions mentioned in 3. Is my cover dirty? If the live view is still blurry after cover cleaning,
your cover may be scratched and you will need to contact the vendor or local distributor for
cover replacement.
Note: The cover for GV-IP Camera series is a consumable item and is thus not included in
the Limited Warranties.

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Vandal Proof IP Dome
(GV-VD120D/121D/122D/123D, GV-VD220D/221D/222D/223D,
GV-VD320D/321D/322D/323D)
1. Follow the steps in the previous solution to clean your cover.
2. Check if the live view is clear. If your live view is still blurry, your cover is likely
scratched. In such case, contact the vendor or local distributor for cover
replacement and then proceed to fit the new cover.
3. Unscrew to open the housing cover.
4. Unscrew the thread lock.
5. Unscrew the indicated parts and remove the iron ring.
Iron ring
An iron ring

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6. Push the old cover out.
7. Put on the new cover and insert the black mask.
New
cover
Black
mask
A black mask
A cover
Make sure the rubber ring is correctly fitted with two lines facing up.
Single line

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Note: Be sure to hold the new cover along the edge to avoid making fingerprints on the
cover.
8. Follow steps 3 to 5 to secure the iron ring, thread lock and the housing cover.
Note: Be sure the rubber ring and the housing cover fits properly or water may enter the
camera body.
Fixed IP Dome (GV-FD120D/220D/320D)
1. Follow the steps in the previous solution to clean your cover.
2. Check if the live view is clear. If your live view is still blurry, your cover is likely
scratched. In such case, contact the vendor or local distributor for cover
replacement and then proceed to fit the new cover.
3. Remove the housing cover.
For Hard-Ceiling Mount, Wall-Surface Mount and L-Shaped Wall Mount, use the
supplied torx wrench to remove the housing cover.
For In-Ceiling Mount, simply pull the housing cover off and unscrew the thread lock.

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4. Unscrew the indicated parts inside the housing cover and remove the plastic ring.
A plastic ring
5. Push the old cover out.