On Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 am, clocks will fall back and can cause a variety of issues with video surveillance recordings across the industry. The type of problem - whether it's dual recordings, no recordings, or the inability to retrieve live or playback video from different viewing platforms - will vary depending on the system manufacturer. In some cases, if time issues are not corrected, the admissibility of video for evidentiary purposes can be affected.
So, before November 5, we recommend you check the following settings for each of these recording platforms:
Older Enterprise Systems: Ensure all devices - including Video Recording Managers, Archivers, NVRs, cameras, encoders, decoders and matrix systems - are all pointed to the same valid system time server. And don't forget your viewing stations! If they are off by an hour, it could affect live and playback video, even if the rest of the system is correct. Note: For systems using Bosch Video Management System v5.5 or later, IP cameras, Video Recording Managers and decoders are all automatically synced to the VMS' central server time.
Windows Operating Systems: If your video system software is installed on a Windows Operating System, check Microsoft's knowledge base for any known issues related to the end of Daylight Saving Time with the operating system or server platform you are using.