What to do if one or more system cameras (for V8 recorders) are showing as black rectangles on Live View (TV)

This guide should help you disable the cameras from showing as a black rectangle in Live View (via the TV). Normally, it will show black screen or rectangles as well as the date and time. This is NOT the same as video loss error (DVR), TV display errors, or boot failure.

1. Covert is enabled

The Covert setting is a feature if your DVR and TV are displayed in a public area (shop,
warehouse, etc.), but you don’t want others to see an image from the camera. If Covert is enabled, the camera will detect motion and trigger your DVR to record, but you will not see an image of the camera in Live View mode. To disable, do the following: 

1. Go to Menu > Setup > Display (left side).
2. Click on the Live tab at the top.
3. Uncheck the Covert box beside each camera/channel number.
   
4. Click on Apply to save.

2. DVR Camera type does not match the video type set in the recorder

This applies to camera models that start with PRO- model numbers.

1. Go to Menu > Setup > Display (left side).
2. Stay on the Live tab at the top.
3. Check the Camera Type column.
   1. If the channel that has a black screen is set to AHD or TVI, select Auto.
      
4. Click on Apply to save.

3. The TV's format does not match the type of format selected in the recorder

To disable, do the following: 

1. Go to Menu > Setup > System (left side).
2. Stay on the General tab at the top.
3. Toggle from PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL depending on your TV's video format setting.
   
4. Click on Apply to save.

4. Privacy mask is enabled

This function obscures all or part of your image for privacy. Areas obscured by a mask won’t be shown live or recorded.

To disable, do the following: 

1. Go to Menu > Setup > Display (left side).
2. Click on the Privacy Zone tab at the top.
   
3. If the boxes are checked, uncheck them all.
4. Click on Apply to save.