how we solved camera interference

[FredWanaker]

just posting a solution for any with the same issue. Have a Liftmaster 3280M from about 12 years ago. Security company added a camera outside it about 20' away and it worked fine, they added a second one nearer the garage to get a blind spot after someone stole a catalytic converter from the next door neighbor and took a look at ours but left it. With the second camera, the built in garage door opener in the car, "Homelink" failed to work unless I was inches from the garage literally. "Homelink" is the hardware most car manufacturers are using whose cars have built in garage remote controls, turn lights on etc.. The solution that worked was to extend the door opener antenna to the opposite side of the garage above the garage door, stapled to the header in a square pattern. It works fine again, and perhaps even better. Maybe we'll replace the opener soon anyway with a modern one less prone to interference issues, but for now problem solved.

 

[Wrench97]

I take it the cams are wireless?

 

[kaymccampbell]

Don't be in a hurry. Modern openers are just as prone to interference.

 

[couch67]

Sounds like you fixed your problem, if you see it come back you can have a look at what WiFi channel your router is communicating on. On most, you can manually set the channel on the band that the cameras are using (2.4 or 5 Ghz). Need to pick one that wont interfere with the neighbours. Theres many free phone apps that will scan both bands and show you which wifi signals are present, their strength, and what channel they are using.

 

[FredWanaker]

The cameras are wi-fi made by Hikivision and one of their brands. Moving the wi-fi antenna on the camera made a tiny change so we know it is the camera and not the power supply. We also tried a different brand power supply many feet away on an extension cord and nothing changed. The Linksys router I have is reasonably high end for them, and about six months old. Their software now scans the area for channels being used then sets the channel automatically, there is no manual setting. I confirmed that with Linksys because changing channels was one of my first thoughts. The router transmits in 5Mhz and 2.4 Mhz, the cameras are 2.4 Mhz because it is longer range. Lots of threads on the Internet of people with similar issues. We have a doorbell camera and another of the same model so it caught us off guard. The Liftmaster works on 315 Mhz so there should not have been interference, however lots of harmonic probably from all this new equipment being sold. I suspect that over time the interference will cause issues with the circuit board in the opener. Just sending a stronger signal may not be a long term solution. Good to know even newer units have similar problems.

 

[dcg9381]

Glad you've figured it out. Can tell you that I've had issues with 2.4Ghz networks (using Hikivision cameras) and garage door interference (range). In my case it was solved by shifting the 2.4 ghz channel.. Just don't remember which way!