Scrolling black lines on CCTV cameras

The scrolling black lines you see on a CCTV camera feed when installing it in front of LED lights are commonly caused by a mismatch in the camera's shutter speed and the LED light’s refresh rate. This visual artifact is often referred to as "rolling bands" or a "flicker effect."

🔍 Why It Happens: Scrolling black lines on CCTV cameras

LED lights are not truly continuous light sources. They:

• Flicker rapidly (usually at 50Hz or 60Hz depending on the country).

• Turn on and off quickly (due to how AC power cycles and LED drivers operate).

• This flicker is invisible to the naked eye, but cameras with certain settings can detect and display it as moving black lines.

  
  

✅ Solutions:

1. Adjust the Camera’s Shutter Speed / Exposure:

   • Try setting the camera’s shutter speed to match the local power frequency (e.g., 1/50s for 50Hz regions like India or 1/60s for 60Hz).

   • Many CCTV systems have a “flickerless mode” or “anti-flicker setting” – enable it.

2. Change the LED Light Source:

   • Use high-quality, flicker-free LED lights designed for use with cameras or video recording.

   • Cheaper LEDs often have poor or no flicker control.

3. Reposition the Camera:

   • Change the angle or direction so the LED light isn't shining directly into the camera.

   • Try diffusing the light or bouncing it off a surface.

4. Use Cameras with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range):

   • Cameras with WDR or better image sensors handle lighting fluctuations better.