Alert Security Systems

[kl323]

It seems that every 2-3 weeks, the SD cards would fail. I have 4 cameras in my system and all it takes is a reformat to get it to work. But this is a very annoying cycle.

Ideas? 

I also have a camera stuck with the purple LED. still trouble shooting. So far, I hate this system. It's been over a year already.

[ataoned]

Ive never had an sd card fail and I work work with computers for a living. Is it possible the card is filling up and the camera cant see it or read it? Doesnt the software have an option to start recording over again? The stuck LED sounds like a electric hardware issue. For about 300 now you can purchase a reliable dvr with storage and cameras for about 100. Or you can use network cameras and install software on your computer to turn it into a recorder. Axis cameras are popular among home owners and come with free recorder software for one camera. Logitech makes great consumer electronics but if you want something more reliable, switch to hard drives.

[F4U_Corsair]

Hi kl323, I'm not sure about the purple LED, I'll have to ask around or perhaps another forum user could help. 

Regarding the SD card, that sounds like an SD card going bad.  Each memory spot in an SD card has a rated life and when a memory location (memory block) has been written to more than the rated numbers of times it can't hold a charge properly resulting in data corruption.  A low level format can map out bad blocks from use and give a card longer life; but if blocks are failing it's usually a sign to replace the card.  I would give support a call and get a replacement even if it's been a year.  Alternatively, consider getting a bigger card.  If the card is recording a lot in your use case then a bigger card will not only hold more recording history, but take longer before it reuses memory and cycles through the card again resulting if fewer passes of the card in the same amount of time netting you more oveall card life.

[jnoring]

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kl323 wrote:

It seems that every 2-3 weeks, the SD cards would fail. I have 4 cameras in my system and all it takes is a reformat to get it to work. But this is a very annoying cycle.

Ideas? 

I also have a camera stuck with the purple LED. still trouble shooting. So far, I hate this system. It's been over a year already.

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So purple LED is "connected to commander" (see http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18064/~/understanding-the-led-colors-on-... ); could you elaborate a bit on what you mean when you say it's stuck?

Like F4U stated, I'd call support and get new SD cards.  Or, consider ordering some nice big cards off amazon/newegg.  You can get really large cards (16 to 32 GB) for pretty cheap these days.  I saw a class-10 32 GB card for something ridiculous like $22 the other day.

[borq]

I have had new Alert system with 6 cameras for about 1 year and 5 of 6 original SD cards are stopped working during first year...

once SD card stop working, you can try to reformat it, but usually it will work for some short period and will fail again - only way to fix problem is to change failed SD card into new one...

and often, when there is problem with SD card, camera purple LED will stay ON after resetting camera...

[Ray.T]

i've had 3 cameras with the same 8gb sd card for 1 year and 3 months already, no problems, have 1 2gb that came with the 700e fail, and one of my 8gb sd's was defective, so all in all, not that bad.

[Ames]

At one place I had 4 of 4 fail in a couple of months.  Used Sandisk  replacment cards and they have lasted a year.  Another place the 6 cameras are all running the original cards.

[BlackHawk1776]

I was having odd issues with some of the 2gb cards that were included with the cameras, got a couple replacements, etc. but what really improved my overall experience was upgrading to 8 or 16gb sd cards (depending on the camera.)  the 8GB cards are going for about $8 on amazon and free shipping if you spend over $25 so I'm sure they can be had elsewhere on the net for a similar price as well.  I'd say it might be the best $8 you'll spend on the cameras.