Frequently Asked Questions

There is an active trouble condition on your system.  Your system will generate a trouble code that can be used to decipher the actual trouble condition.  

• Press the ‘*’ followed by the number ‘2’.
• This will generate a small number in your display window.  This number corresponds to the trouble condition on your system.  Here is a synopsis of each code and how to resolve:

1) a number ‘1’ light indicates a service required condition.  If this number appears – press ‘1’ again and you will receive another number indicating the exact trouble.  Here is a list of those trouble codes:

1. Low System Battery - This trouble will present when the panel's backup battery isn't charged. If you have had a recent AC power failure please allow the backup battery 12-24 hours to recharge. If you haven't any recent power failures or if the issue persists please contact our Customer Service Team https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .
2. Bell / Horn trouble.  This condition will require service – it indicates an issue with the siren/sounder connected to your alarm system. 
3. General System Trouble.  
4. General System Tamper. 
5. General System Supervisory.  
6. 5205 Power Supply Module Low Battery.  
7. 5204 Power Supply Module AC Fail.  

2)  AC Power Failure - This trouble will present when your panel has lost AC Power. Your panel does run off of a backup battery that is inside of the panel for 24-48 hours depending on use. The panel's transformer should be located in a nearby outlet. Start by confirming that the transformer is still securely plugged into the outlet. If the transformer is plugged in, test that outlet with a cell phone charger or small lamp to confirm that is working. If for some reason the outlet isn't working please check your breakers or a nearby GFI outlet to make sure that they haven't tripped.  If the trouble persists after confirming the outlet has power please contact our Customer Service Team https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .

3) Telephone line trouble.  This indicates that the alarm panel is not able to detect the phone line connection.  Please ensure that your telephone system is up and operational.  If it is not, contact your telephone carrier to resolve.  If it is operational, contact our Customer Service Department https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .

4) Failure to Communicate.  This indicates that the alarm panel was not able to forward an event to our Central Station.  This is very similar to the previous trouble condition.  Ensure your telephone system is up and operational.  If it is not, contact your telephone carrier to resolve.  If it is operational contact our Customer Service Department https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .

5) Zone fault.  Press the ‘5’ key and you will receive a number corresponding to the affected zone.  The indicated zone has a fault that is preventing it from operating properly.  Please contact our Customer Service Department https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .

6) Zone Tamper.  Press the ‘6’ key and you will receive a number corresponding to the affected zone.  The indicated zone is detecting a tamper condition.  This typically indicates the device is not assembled properly and usually occurs after battery replacement in the contact.  Please remove the cover and attempt to reseat it properly.  If the tamper condition fails to clear, contact our Customer Service Department https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .

7) Low Zone Battery.  Press the ‘7’ key and you will receive a number corresponding to the affected zone.  The indicated zone is reading a low battery condition and needs a replacement battery.  Replace the battery in the contact and the condition will clear.  If changing the battery does not resolve this, please contact our Customer Service Department https://spectrumsyst.com/contact .

8) Reset Time & Date.  This indicates that your alarm panel has lost its time & date and needs to be reprogrammed.  This usually occurs if the system powered all the way down.  To set the time and date:

• Press the ‘*’ key followed by the ‘6’ key.
• Enter your 4-digit master code.
• Pres the ‘1’ key.
• Enter the time and date together as described (note: time must be entered in military time) - <military time>, <mmddyy>.  For example it is 6:49pm on 10/5/2015.  This would be entered as: 1849 100515.  1849 corresponds to military time entry of 6:49pm and the date is entered with the year as two digits.
• Then press the ‘#’ key to set.  It may take several minutes for the updated time to reflect on your display.

In most cases, the first file on the hard drive is deleted and replaced with the latest images.  If you are finding that you have insufficient recorded days, in most cases, an additional hard can be installed.

AVOID PURCHASING NO-NAME, KNOCK-OFF PRODUCTS OR UNKNOWN CLONE BRANDS!!!   We have seen a number of DVRs and cameras with no name on them.  They may perform like the branded models but there is no factory support on these products.  eg. If you loose your password to access the DVR, there is no support anywhere to reset the passwords.   This means that the DVR is useless even though it appears to operate.  Typically there is no back-door password to reset back to factory default. Spectrum only deals with brand name companies that offer great support.  

Box store camera systems perform usually well as the professional cameras.  The problem is tech support.  There is usually little to no factory tech support.  Often times, if a camera becomes defective, the whole system has to be returned to the store rather than providing a replacement of the single camera or DVR,  This means all the cameras need to be removed to return to the store.  For this reason, Spectrum Systems will not install these types of cameras.  Spectrum Systems will only install brand named professional NDAA compliant camera systems that has excellent factory support.

Not all provinces have mandates to be accessible and inclusive for everyone.  Ontario, AODA laws and standards, in becoming accessible for people with disabilities by 2025.

There are two types of security DVRs; both can be computer based or standalone video  recorders that can work without an internet connection to provide  reliable on-site video recording:

• DVR (Digital Video Recorder) - for use with analog security  cameras that have BNC ends and send analog video over coaxial wire such  as RG59 siamese cable.
• NVR (Network Video Recorder) - for use with IP cameras or PoE  cameras that transmit digital video and power over network cabling such  as CAT5e or CAT6.

A DVR recorder is commonly referred to as an Analog DVR or Coax DVR,  because it allows digital recording of video from analog video sources.  Our DVRs support older analog security cameras using composite video  (CVBS) as well as newer high-definition digital signals such as HDCVI,  HDTVI, and AHD that enable use of up to 4K cameras over old coaxial cable.

All of the DVRs we sell are XVR recorders, which are hybrid recorders  that provide functions of both an Analog DVR and NVR in one box. They  allow use of both BNC cameras and IP cameras. There are BNC ports in the  back for a direct connection to coax wire, and an additional POE switch can be used to connect PoE or IP cameras.

NVR recorders can only be used with IP or PoE cameras and do not  support Analog cameras. They provide the best possible integration with  supported IP cameras to take advantage of AI smart security camera features such as smart motion detection and auto tracking. There are PoE NVRs for up to 16 channel security systems which have built-in PoE ports to  allow for easy plug-&-play setup with compatible cameras. For larger  systems,  professional 4K NVRs can be scaled to support up to 128 cameras per recorder over a local computer network using PoE switches.

Regardless of which type suits you best, both our DVR and NVR offer  advanced features including easy to set up remote viewing over the  internet from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.