About CCTV Rescue & Practical Home Security

I've spent the last few years fitting, repairing and maintaining CCTV systems — diagnosing faulty cameras and power supplies, sorting apps that stop communicating, and getting systems back online after router changes. I've maintained a Hikvision system over several years where most of the "offline" problems came down to internet or app updates, not the cameras — and it still runs today.

A recent one: a home CCTV system went down after a new router. The cause was a Wi-Fi extender feeding the NVR that simply needed reconnecting. Most "my cameras are dead" jobs turn out to be the connection, the router or the app — and that's exactly what I trace. I've also replaced a failed recorder with a new HiLook NVR — supplied it, fitted it, installed the hard drive and set the whole system back up. And I've fitted and set up a Ring video doorbell for a customer — mounted it, connected it, installed the app on their phone and configured it so it just worked.

Behind the camera work is 26 years with computers: support-desk certified, Cisco CCNA networking training, 16 years on Linux, plus building systems, configuring routers and switches, and building websites. I troubleshoot methodically — power, cables and connections first, then work through to the real cause, asking the right questions to pin down exactly what's wrong before fixing it.