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The OSD & Troubleshooting
The On-Screen Display
We’re constantly on the lookout for ways to incorporate more features and more advanced technologies
into our products. So here’s one we’re excited about: the PRO-780 features an
On-Screen Display
(OSD)
that you can control with the included control unit.
As this is a new, powerful feature, we couldn’t possibly fit the full explanation of everything it can do
into this booklet. So, we’ve created an online guide you can access at:
www.swann.com/osdpro
Of course, you don’t have to use this feature at all. The PRO-780 will work perfectly well if you never
even connect the controller – it’ll adjust all of its settings automatically.
Troubleshooting
Problem:
At night, all I see is white.
Solution:
The camera is most likely looking through a window. At night, the infrared light the camera
uses to see in the dark can ‘bounce back’ off a reflective surface (such as glass, water, spider webs,
some ceramics and so on) and effectively blind the camera. If you want to see outside, mount the
camera outside - we made it weatherproof for a reason!
Problem:
I see only a blank screen where my image should be.
Solution:
Check the wiring to the camera, and ensure the camera is being supplied power from
the included power adapter. Try using a different video lead, or connecting the camera to a different
television or monitor. Be sure there are no devices interrupting your signal, such as a DVR or VCR that
isn’t outputting the signal correctly.
Problem:
I can’t see anything at night.
Solution:
The maximum range of the night vision is just that, the maximum range. If there’s nothing
in this range, you won’t see anything. Also, some dark objects (like the proverbial black cat) may not
reflect enough light to be seen except as a silhouette if the background is brighter. Some objects which
can easily be seen in visible light don’t reflect much infrared light.
Problem:
My image just doesn’t seem as “nice” as it should.
Solution:
That’s one of the ironic things about so many configurable options on a high-end camera.
You’ll probably need to tweak a couple of things before you’ll get a really “good” image. We’ll deal
with the most common issues one at a time.
Everything looks blurry/soft.
You probably need to adjust the focus (the knob on the right). This is simply a matter of removing the
right protective cap on the rear of the camera, and turning the control knob one way until you find the
best focus point or it won’t turn any more. Then, turn it back the other way. If there is no “sweet spot”
then this indicates one of two things.
1. Your lens might be dirty. Clean the front of it with a dedicated lens cleaning cloth (available at any
camera store). Avoid using solvents or cleaning chemicals, as these can leave a residue.
2. You might be trying to focus on something outside the “depth of field” - objects need to be at
least a certain distance from the camera for you to be able to focus on them. Typically, this will be
only a few feet (about 1m) but this distance can increase dramatically if the lens is zoomed in, or
in low light conditions.
3. Be sure to replace the protective cap once you’ve set the focus!
