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📸Cameras & Camera Software => Legacy non Wi-Fi X10 Cameras => Camera General Discussion => Wireless Cameras(non IP) => Topic started by: Don N on October 12, 2006, 09:50:19 PM

Title: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 12, 2006, 09:50:19 PM: This has always been a problem for me, and I would like to find a fix. My camera videos all get recorded in the proper directory. Some are readable (meaning I can retrieve them and watch the video) and some are not readable (meaning I can't view the video).

If I look at the properties, of the non-readable files, everything seems to be normal (i.e. stored in the proper directory, byte size is normal, type of file is normal, etc.). If I try to play the (non-readable file) I get this message (The file is already in use. Close other programs that might be using the file, or stop playing the file, and then try again.). I have no idea what other programs would be using the file or why the file would be in use.

I've attached a sample of what the one readable file looks like and what the non-readable files look like. If someone has some insite on how to fix this problem, I would appreciate some feedback. The Activity Monitor shows the camera coming on, thus accounting for all 13 of videos being "recorded."
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Chris S. on October 13, 2006, 12:28:03 AM: Don,
Instead of a thumbnail view, can you provide a "Detail" view of the directory ?
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 13, 2006, 12:37:17 AM: Chris S. Here is a detail view
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Chris S. on October 13, 2006, 10:20:38 AM: Don,

Take a look at these reference posts.

This post here, has a link to another post that I created describing your situation.
Take a look and see if it is a similar problem.

This post was for the 3.204 issues
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9251.msg55065#msg55065

This post was for the 3.203 issues referenced in the above post
http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=8245.45

I ended up going back to AHP 3.203, but still have the "zero" length video recorded files.
I ended up putting some delays in the macro after the video recording stopped to allow the system to complete the video
processing , and close the file. Otherwise, I would get "zero" length files as you did.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 13, 2006, 01:48:37 PM: Chris S. -- Thanks for the suggestions, but ...

I put in delays (1 second) at the beginning and 2 second delays at the end of the Camera Recording Macro. This had no affect. I'm still getting unreadable files mixed with readable files. This has been a problem for me from the beginning. None of the last three (AHP) updates have made any improvements. So it appears to be a problem that X10 chooses to ignore. I would guess that it's a simple timing issue that could be easily resolved by checking for completion of the video being recorded in the PC's directory before accepting another recording request.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Chris S. on October 13, 2006, 03:02:55 PM: Quote from: Don N on October 13, 2006, 01:48:37 PM
Chris S. -- Thanks for the suggestions, but ...

I put in delays (1 second) at the beginning and 2 second delays at the end of the Camera Recording Macro. This had no affect. I'm still getting unreadable files mixed with readable files. This has been a problem for me from the beginning. None of the last three (AHP) updates have made any improvements. So it appears to be a problem that X10 chooses to ignore. I would guess that it's a simple timing issue that could be easily resolved by checking for completion of the video being recorded in the PC's directory before accepting another recording request.

1 or 2 second delays I doubt will be long enough.
In my post under 3.203 issues, I ended up putting a 1min 30sec delay (1:30) after the video recording stopped
before I allowed another video recording to begin. Your system may be faster, or slower.

I ended up running tests to determine the amount of time the original video file would need to complete it's
processing before I allowed the Macro to run again and start a new recording session.
What I did was ;
1) Have the folder open with detail view (so I can see the file being created (with time stamp) and size (zero length initially)
2) Run the Macro from either a control pad (while sitting at the PC) or run the Macro on the PC
3) Keep an eye on the file size

When video recording starts, you will see the new file created in the Windows Explorer view at zero bytes,
wait for the recording to stop, and starting counting, or look in the AHP Log to see when (time) the video
recording stops, and then keep an eye on the file that was created and the AHP time clock.
At some point, the video file's size will change from zero byte to whatever.
That duration in time will be the minimum delay that you will have to put in the macro after the video recording stops (and clears whatever flags)
for a new video recording session to begin.

I hope this didn't sound too confusing.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 13, 2006, 08:40:55 PM: Chris S -- no problem in following your instructions, they were very clear. In my setup, I find that it only takes 1-2 seconds for the video's file size to change once the recording stops. I've repeated the test many times with the same result. I'm running (initiating) the Macro from the PC. And each time the video is readable.

In another test, I would initiate the Macro again before the first video completed it's recording. I did this multiple times in various tests. This would simulate, I presume, real motion being detected by the motion detector. When I did this, some video's became unreadable. Generally, the first video recorded correctly. Subsequent videos became unreadable. So it seems that when the motion detector sent multiple signals to start recording videos, the videos were unreadable (with the exception of the first video). Once the motion detector complete it's cycle (in my case, I have the motion sensor send an off command after 1 minute) I'm able to send another motion sensor on command and that video recording is readable. Is this making sense?

So after doing this testing, it seemed to me that the nonreadable video recordings are a function of the motion detector sending multiple signals to start recording before the current video recording is finished. How to prevent the Camera Recording Macro from sending video recording signals before the current recording "session" is completed seems to hold promise for eliminating nonreadable videos. So that's where I'm at now --- trying to figure out how to prevent my Camera Recording Macro from sending the next video recording signal before the current video recording is completed.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Charles Sullivan on October 13, 2006, 11:42:40 PM: Don N,
Can you try this:
Set a flag as the first step in the macro and clear the flag as the last step. Condition the macro to trigger only if the flag is not set.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 14, 2006, 01:08:29 AM: Charles Sullivan ... that was a good suggestion. One that I thought should work.

I've tried setting flags before, as you suggest, and the result is the same. The Camera Recording Macro still gets initiated by the motion sensor multiple times. I'm not sure why this doesn't work ... but I thought I read in this forum that testing flag conditions isn't always reliable.

I use an RR501 transceiver to receive the RF from the motion sensor. I'm going to set it up to turn off the RR501 once the motion sensor activates the Camera Recording Macro. Then turn on the RR501 as the last step in the Macro. I'll do some tests with that configuration. Results to follow!!!!!
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Charles Sullivan on October 14, 2006, 01:37:22 AM: Don N,
Are you sure the RF isn't reaching both the CM15A and the RR501? Other posts have indicated this as being the source of a problem. and it appears there's no way to disable a macro being triggered from an RF signal received by the CM15A. (You can disable transceiving but not triggering.)

I'm not sure what you mean by turning off the RR501. Merely sending it an OFF signal doesn't stop it from transceiving.

Instead of a flag, you might try creating a dummy appliance module at some unused housecode/unit address. Turn it ON/OFF and use its status as the condition in your macro.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 14, 2006, 11:07:46 AM: Charles Sullivan ... Ah, you are right about "turning off" the RR501. It would only turn off the appliance attached to the RR501 and have no affect on RF reception. Your other suggestion that RF signals may be reaching the CM15A could be a problem. As a test, I'll surround the CM15A with some kryptonite (or other suitable material) to help block RF reception. If that doesn't work, I'll try the dummy appliance module suggestion. Stay tuned.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Tuicemen on October 16, 2006, 03:41:47 PM: Well I wasn't going to reply to this thread as I stopped using the video capture for this after the beta test was over and it still wasn't fixed! ::) ???
I thought this would have been fixed by now! ::) ???
But since Don N asked I will provide the work around I use since Don still has the problem I did!!
Since your having video capture problems use auto stills at the rate of 00:05 not true seem less video but it is good enough for me!
I've never had auto stills fail to capture! :D Now I do get some bad pics occasionally when switching from cam to cam! ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 16, 2006, 08:16:02 PM: Quote from: Tuicemen on October 16, 2006, 03:41:47 PM
Well I wasn't going to reply to this thread as I stopped using the video capture for this after the beta test was over and it still wasn't fixed! ::) ???

Wow ???, as I understand what you just said ... this function has never worked. And I've been screwing around with this for weeks trying to figure out what I've been doing wrong. Guess I didn't read the small print on the AHP box when I opened it. Tell me again why this stuff is being beta tested ... why isn't the results made public by our community organizers (if they are the beta testers), why isn't the non-working function removed from the latest plug-in update, until it's fixed by X10? :o :o :o :o :o

I guess the "line" between working and not working just got smaller in the advertising world!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Tuicemen on October 16, 2006, 09:09:29 PM: Quote from: Don N on October 16, 2006, 08:16:02 PM
Quote from: Tuicemen on October 16, 2006, 03:41:47 PM
Well I wasn't going to reply to this thread as I stopped using the video capture for this after the beta test was over and it still wasn't fixed! ::) ???

Wow ???, as I understand what you just said ... this function has never worked. And I've been screwing around with this for weeks trying to figure out what I've been doing wrong. Guess I didn't read the small print on the AHP box when I opened it. Tell me again why this stuff is being beta tested ... why isn't the results made public by our community organizers (if they are the beta testers), why isn't the non-working function removed from the latest plug-in update, until it's fixed by X10? :o :o :o :o :o

I guess the "line" between working and not working just got smaller in the advertising world!!!!!!!

I wouldn't say it has never worked!
Some I assume have it working however I never could get it to work 100% !
Actualy if you deep into the forums I have reported this before as well as the work arround ! ;) :D
If you check the update notifications you can see what was fixed Unfortuneatly as you stated they don't state what is currently outstanding!
AHP Software Revision History - FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=10154.0)
Many users forget bugs or not working componets if they find a work arround they usualy stick with the work arround! :(
I apoligize for not posting sooner :-[ :-[ As I state before I thought this was fixed and someone would help you get it working! ;) ::) also post isn't under AHP(iWitness)
I'll start a thread in the Software problems and bugs section titled "Outsanding Bugs and Software Issues"
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 17, 2006, 11:04:27 AM: Tuicemen --- Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the Stills when I get some more time. Thanks for setting up the new thread "Outsanding Bugs and Software Issues." Hopefully, this will help close the loop between beta test findings and new software updates.

Now to summarize my findings regarding using a motion detector to activate a camera for recording videos.
1. A single RF signal (created by walking past the motion sensor) transmitted to a Camera Recording Macro will produce, in most cases, one readable video file.
2. Multiple RF signals (created by walking back and forth past the motion sensor) transmitted to a Camera Recording Macro will result in many unreadable video files.
3. Inserting time delays in the Camera Recording Macro did not eliminate unreadable video files.
4. Setting/Statusing flags in the Camera Recording Macro did not eliminate unreadable video files.
5. Ensuring the RF signal didn't reach both the CM15A and RR501 did not eliminate unreadable video files.
6. Creating a dummy appliance module and using its status as the condition in the Camera Recording Macro did not eliminate unreadable video files.
7. Using a RF Command ON/OFF in the Camera Recording Macro did not eliminate unreadable video files.

Perhaps there are combinations of the above actions that may work. I did not try any combinations. If there are folks out there that are successfully using a motion detector, sending multiple RF signals, to record multiple videos ... I would like to hear about your setup.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: bronco on October 17, 2006, 01:29:41 PM: I solved the many triggers on a motion detector by pluging in the transceiver to an appliance module connected to the A/c
in the macro that is triggered by the Mot det , the first thing i did was turn off the appliance module with stops any more transmissions of the Mot det. the last step in the macro is to turn the appliance mod back on.

I had tried flags, other macros sent/received from the old cm-11 and using the cm-15 but nothing worked as well as the above.

The mot det was outside far enough away from any other transceiver to pick it up.

Also, the video files seem to be very sensistive to the codec used. search for codec , I posted some things there.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 17, 2006, 02:35:13 PM: bronco -- thanks for the reply.

I would like to duplicate your setup. What transceiver (RR501, TM751, etc.) and appliance models (AM14A, AM486, etc.) are you using?

You mentioned the sensitivity to Codec used. I'm using Cinepak Codec by Radius. I'll try the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2 that you mentioned in this thread http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9013.0 Where did you get it? Although, it sounds as if you still get zero-length files.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Tuicemen on October 17, 2006, 02:59:07 PM: Quote from: Don N on October 17, 2006, 02:35:13 PM
bronco -- thanks for the reply.

I would like to duplicate your setup. What transceiver (RR501, TM751, etc.) and appliance models (AM14A, AM486, etc.) are you using?

You mentioned the sensitivity to Codec used. I'm using Cinepak Codec by Radius. I'll try the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2 that you mentioned in this thread http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=9013.0 Where did you get it? Although, it sounds as if you still get zero-length files.
I too had better luck with some Codecs then others but still couldn't get 100% reliability! :'( ::) ;)
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: bronco on October 17, 2006, 08:59:06 PM: Appl Mods can be either AM466 (3prong) or AM486((2 prong)

Transceiver TM751

On the Codec, Using the Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec V2 Key=8,comp=75,dataRate=300
Today I have several runs made setting the record time to:
2 sec yielded two files each running about 45 sec each
8 sec yielded eight files each running about 45 sec each except for the last one running for 6 sec

it seems to be holding steady, people walking at times seems a bit jerky.
anybody have any suggestions on settings?

The Microsoft mpeg-4 V2 was on my machine and just showed up as a selection.

after you select another codec be sure to save it.
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Don N on October 20, 2006, 10:43:19 PM: Hmmm -- I hope I'm not celebrating too soon, but perhaps my problem has been resolved. No more unreadable video files!!! I had to move my PC within my den to accommodate my wife's need to rearrange things (I think most will understand this)!!!! As a result:
1. I had to plug the CM15A and the VA11A into a different outlet. (I really don't think this had any impact)
2. I was using two USB ports on the front of the computer for the CM15A and VA11A. I switched to the USB ports on back of the computer. (Possibly the solution)
3. I needed to download another copy of the VA11A driver to accommodate the change in USB ports. (Possibly the solution)

No other changes were made. But as I said above, for two days now I've had no unreadable video files. The motion sensors fire off multiple RF signals (as they detect motion) and the camera macro responds perfectly. No more AHP crash messages either.

You can draw your own conclusions on whether any of these actions resolved the problem or not. But for now, it's working and I'm crediting my wife with helping to solve the problem. ;)
Title: Re: Some camera videos are readable and some are not readable -- why?
Post by: Charles Sullivan on October 20, 2006, 10:49:30 PM: Haiku:
Yesterday it worked.
Today it's not working.
Windows is like that.

(Or vice-versa if you prefer.)