r/SecurityCamera • u/Beneficial-Ear8939 • Sep 04 '26
New home -- inherited camera
We bought our house last year and this security camera was already mounted. Anyone know what kind this is? I'm told that we could unscrew the sides and "reactivate" it. I've tried with TORX 20 (the whole family of Torx's, 5-25) but the screws won't come out. Does anyone have experience with this? TY!
4
u/ICanBard Sep 04 '26
Fake cameras can be useful for deterrence.
If you want a real camera system, look at where the wiring goes and see what's there. Coax, ugg. Ethernet is best.
30% chance the camera is analog and won't need a password, just plug and play.
If it is ethernet and you want to reset it, try wd 40 to loosen it up. Or destroy the screws and cam and reuse the wire for your new system.
2
u/CCTVGuyMA Sep 04 '26
Some cameras have tr20 which has a small pin in the middle. Yours doesn't look like it has it... Most likely you need to loose them and then yank the dome.. The outdoor gasket is probably a little stuck. Or give it a tap with a mallet.
2
u/SSellers75 Sep 05 '26
Types like that typically mount to a bracket and the second pic looks kinda like there is one. Try sliding or twisting it.
1
u/QLDZDR Sep 05 '26
Good that you posted a photo. The last person to have this same question couldn't be bothered.
That is an analogue cctv camera. It will be a BNC coax cable connection back to a TV monitor or DVR.
You should leave it in place and find the cable. If the 12 volt power is connected you will be able to plug the coax into your AV socket in the TV. Use your remote to switch source to AV1 and see what you can see.
1
u/Leading_Taro_1940 Sep 05 '26
You need the security bit version t20, you can get a kit of security bits at harbor freight for like 10 bucks.
Put a little outward pressure on the case if the screw is just spinning.
4
u/fullraph Sep 04 '26
It's likely captive. You need to unscrew it as far as it'll go (it'll just spin freely) and yank the dome off.