CCTV Manuals

My V380 Pro CCTV Camera Not Recording—When I Playback the Footage, It Says “No Recorded Files Found”—Here’s How I Fixed It Quickly

I wrote this article based on my experience when I received a call from a V380 Pro camera user. The customer explained that they were unable to play back recordings on their camera. They said that the V380 Pro camera had been installed a month ago, so it should have saved some recordings by now. However, when the customer tried to play back the recordings, the screen only displayed the message “No Recorded Files Found.” Why can’t the V380 Pro camera find the recordings?

In this article, you’ll find the reasons why recordings aren’t found on the V380 Pro camera and how to fix the problem.

EZVIZ C6N vs. TY1 vs. H6C: A Comparison After a Month of Use—Which One Is the Best?

TY1 Pro vs. C6N vs. H6c—These three cameras have identical designs. It’s hard to tell them apart—especially once they’re installed. The only differences between them are in the packaging and the app. As of 2026, based on the data I have, the EZVIZ TY1 series has the most models. The EZVIZ C6N has three models, the H6c has two models, and the TY1 has eight models. So, out of these three series, which one is the best?

In this article, I’ll explain the differences between the three based on my experience after using them for one month.

My EZVIZ Camera’s Color Night Vision is Not Working—Understand EZVIZ Camera Night Vision Modes to Fix It

Why is the image from my EZVIZ camera black and white at night? When I first installed an EZVIZ camera, I would always get questions from customers that same night asking, “Why is the night vision on my EZVIZ camera black and white? Shouldn’t it be in color?” So, not many customers yet understand the menus on EZVIZ cameras and the night vision modes available. EZVIZ cameras offer night vision modes that can be customized to meet customers’ needs.

To understand the EZVIZ camera’s night vision mode, I’ve written a comprehensive article on the topic. Please read it all the way through.

My V380 Pro CCTV Camera Won’t Connect to My Phone—It’s Stuck on “Connecting”—How Do I Fix V380 Pro CCTV Connection Problem?

V380 Pro CCTV Camera Stuck on Connecting Screen

On August 19, 2026, I received a call from one of my customers who uses a V380 Pro WiFi camera. The customer reported that the camera installed on the side of their house was malfunctioning—it wouldn’t open on their phone and was stuck on “connecting.” My customer suspected that the power cable was damaged, so they unplugged the camera from the power source before I arrived at their home to inspect it.

This article describes my experience fixing a V380 Pro camera that wouldn’t open on my phone and kept showing the “connecting” status.

Why Hikvision NVR and DVR Firmware Upgrading Failed? But I Downloaded It From the Official Website—How Do I Fix This?

I tried to upgrade the firmware on my Hikvision NVR and DVR, but it failed. An error message appears: “Upgrade failed. Firmware mismatches.” What should I do? Actually, you don’t need to update the firmware if all the DVR’s functions are still working normally. It’s very rare for a Hikvision DVR to malfunction. Generally, the most common issue with DVRs is that they fail to record. As a technician, I rarely perform firmware updates myself, unless a specific function on the DVR isn’t working or the DVR prompts me to update the firmware.

I’ve also had a firmware update fail before; in this post, I’ll explain what you can do if you encounter a failure during a Hikvision DVR firmware update.

The Dahua Pro Challenge 2026 Has Begun—Read the Terms and Conditions to Become the Champion

It’s started! Yes, Dahua is once again holding a competition called the Dahua Pro Challenge 2026. I’ve participated in this event before, but I haven’t won yet. The video I submitted didn’t get many views, so I didn’t win. The winner received the grand prize: a trip to Dahua’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China. The Dahua Pro Challenge is a program/competition created by Dahua Technology to recognize camera technicians who install Dahua products.

For those of you who would like to participate in this competition, please read the terms and conditions I’ve outlined below.

Why Are My Dahua NVR and DVR Status “Offline” Even Though My Internet Connection Is Working Fine—Here’s How I Fixed It

Why is Dahua NVR Offline But Internet Works

Dahua NVR status is offline but internet is working – I recently received a call from a fellow technician regarding a Dahua NVR that was showing an offline status despite the internet being working fine. He asked me to help resolve the issue by visiting the location in person. Upon arrival, I discovered an unexpected problem: the NVR was offline, but the internet was working fine.

This is my experience story to overcome the problem of Dahua NVR online status even though the internet at the location is working well.

PoE CCTV Camera vs. WiFi CCTV Camera—Here’s Which One Is Best, in My Opinion as a Security Camera Technician

PoE Cameras vs. Wi-Fi Cameras Comparsion

I’ve installed WiFi cameras, PoE cameras, solar-powered cameras, 4G cameras, and all kinds of other cameras. Which one is best for you? Basically, security cameras all serve the same purpose—monitoring and recording—and the only difference lies in their systems. I refer to PoE cameras as IP cameras, since PoE stands for Power Over Ethernet. Meanwhile, WiFi cameras are those whose systems connect to a WiFi network.

To help you better understand PoE cameras and WiFi cameras, in this article I’ll explain them based on my own experience.

Why Is My Hikvision Analog CCTV Camera Showing No Video on Monitor? Repair Experience & Tips

Why Hikvision analog CCTV camera showing No Video on monitor – This article describes my experience repairing a Hikvision analog camera that showed a “No Video” message on the monitor. One day, while I was enjoying a public holiday, a customer contacted me about a problem with their Hikvision camera. They wanted me to come and repair it that same day, but since it was a holiday, I politely declined. I assured them that I would visit the next day instead, and they agreed.

If you are facing the same problem, be sure to read this article to the end. In this guide, I will explain how I fixed a Hikvision analog camera that was displaying a “No Video” message.

Can I Install a CCTV Security Camera Without WiFi or a Subscription? Here’s What You Need to Know

Can security cameras work without WiFi or internet? Many prospective security camera users ask me whether they need a WiFi network and a subscription when installing security cameras. They assume that installing a camera is just like subscribing to an internet service—that there’s a monthly fee they have to pay. When I encounter customers like this, I usually explain which cameras require WiFi and which don’t, as well as which ones involve a monthly fee and which don’t.

In this article, I’ll explain what’s needed to install security cameras, as well as the different types of cameras available.

Can My Neighbor Point a CCTV Security Camera at My House?—I’m Very Upset. What Should I Do?

My Neighbor Is Pointing Their Security Camera at My House

Security camera lenses have a straight field of view and record everything in front of them. Disputes with neighbors over cameras pointed toward my property are extremely rare; in fact, some of my customers have installed cameras that are slightly angled toward their neighbors’ homes, and rather than getting angry or filing complaints, those neighbors have actually expressed their gratitude because the cameras have helped keep their front yards a little safer.

When is it illegal for a security camera installed by a neighbor to be pointed at my house? And as a neighbor, what should I do?