Troubleshooting

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Troubleshooting

We have created the Zip recorders to be as intuitive and user friendly as possible. Hopefully this manual will help you understand your recorder and get the most out of it. However, there still might be times where you come across an issue and aren't quite sure what is causing it. We have created the following table issues you may encounter and possible solutions for you to try to rectify the problem.

 

 

Problem

Possible Cause

Possible Solution

The system is alarming and isn't recording

Hard drive is full

Check the hard drive state in the Storage - Disk sub-menu. If the state is Full you can change the overwrite action to Auto, this will overwrite old footage when full.

Loose cables

Check the hard drive state in the Storage - Disk sub-menu. If there is and error the cables to the hard drive may have come loose. You can try turning off the recorder and removing the power source. Remove the recorder's case and check that the data and power cables are securely connected to both the hard drive and main board. Once checked replace the cover, reconnect the power and turn on the recorder to see if the problem persists.

There is a hard drive error

Check the hard drive state in the Storage - Disk sub-menu. If there is and error the hard drive could have failed and may need replacing.

I have changed the password and now I cant log in

Forgotten password

1.If you have emails setup click the Forgot Password button and a new super password will be emailed to you which can be used for 1 day only. After you use this password you should immediately set a new password.

2.If you haven't setup emails you will need to contact your installer with system date (displayed at the top of the screen) and the recorder's serial number. This is 3 letter and 5 numbers which can be found can be found on the barcode label or in the Info screen.

I get no image from an IP camera it just says Off-line

Incorrect IP addressing

The IP addressing on IP cameras are very specific. The IP details set in the recorder must match the those of the camera exactly. For more information see the IP Channels section.

Faulty Cable

1.Ensure that the correct pairs are connected to the right pins on the RJ45 connector, that the connections are sound and that the cables are in good condition.

2.To eliminate cable issues, if the recorder has an internal switch, connect the camera direct to the switch. If the recorder doesn't have a built-in switch connect it direct to a PC using a crossover cable and use the Zip Finder program, to modify the IP address and view the camera.

The recorder is behaving erratically and/or cutting out

Overheating

The recorder needs to dissipate heat when it is running. Install the recorder in a place with good air circulation and away from heat sources to ensure stability and life of the recorder.

The remote controller doesn’t work

Remote isn't pointing at the recorder

Try again by aiming the remote controller at the IR receiver on the front panel of the recorder.

Low batteries

Check that the batteries in the remote controller are not flat.

Incorrect device ID

The Device ID by default is 000 but if it has been set to a value, then you have to enter this value to unlock the recorder. See the IR Remote Control section for more details.

The hard drive is full and I want to free up space

Hard drive is full

Due to file security you cannot erase individual files. If you want to erase files you have to erased everything at once by formatting the hard drive as explained in the Storage - Disk sub-menu.

No footage appears in the Playback screen

Recording has not been setup correctly

Ensure that you have set the required channels to record and that they are scheduled to record in Record sub-menu. Check that the record icon appears in live view mode.

There is a hard drive error

Check the hard drive state in the Storage - Disk sub-menu. If there is and error the hard drive could have failed and may need replacing.

Footage has been overwritten

The footage you are looking for may have already been overwritten. If the hard drive's overwrite status is set to Auto or after X days, the recorder will overwrite old footage when the hard drive is full or when the number of days has elapsed.

Incorrect search parameters

Check that you have entered your search parameters correctly

Incorrect date or time

The recorders date and/or time might have been wrong in the past but has since been corrected. The footage previously recorded will still contain the incorrect date and/or time. For example if the date was out by a day, events that happened on the 5th might only appear when you search for events that happened on the 4th.

Battery backup has failed

The date and time has reverted to a default setting following a power loss and the recorder's on-board battery may have failed. If so the battery will need replacing.

Motion detection isn't working

Motion detection isn't enabled

Check that the switch is enabled for the required cameras in the Video - Motion sub-menu.

No motion area defined

Check that you have defined the detection area as shown in the Motion - Setup section.

Motion detection isn't scheduled to record

1.Check that Motion is scheduled to record for the required camera in the Record - Schedule sub-menu.

2.Check that the schedule covers the intended time period

Recording has not been setup correctly

Check that the Record Switch is enabled in the for the required channel in the Record sub-menu..

Sensitivity has been set to low

Increase the sensitivity in the Video - Motion sub-menu.

An alarm input isn't working

Input connections no connected correctly

Check that you have connected the alarm connections on the back of the recorder to the correct alarm channel and ground.

Trigger device is faulty

You can bridge the alarm and ground connections on the back of the recorder causing an alarm trigger. If this works it could mean that the trigger device is at fault.

Incorrect alarm type

Check that the Alarm Type set in the recorder matches that of the trigger device, Normally-Open or Normally-Closed in the Alarm - I/O sub-menu.

Wrong channel set to record

Check that you have the right channel has been set to record in the Alarm - I/O sub-menu. Enabling the Buzzer and/or Full Screen mode will allow you to see if the input is triggering correctly, if it is you know a setting in the recorder is at fault.

PTZ isn't triggering

1.Check that the PTZ is working correctly by testing the PTZ controls in live view mode, see the PTZ Controls section.

2.Check that the PTZ is configured properly in the Video - PTZ sub-menu.

3.Check that PTZ Linkage has been enabled and that the correct PTZ channel and preset have been enabled in the Alarm - PTZ Linkage sub-menu.

Alarm isn't scheduled to record

1.Check that Alarm is scheduled to record for the required camera in the Record - Schedule sub-menu.

2.Check that the schedule covers the intended time period