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📸Cameras & Camera Software => Legacy non Wi-Fi X10 Cameras => Camera General Discussion => Wireless Cameras(non IP) => Topic started by: Mr. Jones on June 27, 2011, 05:08:32 PM

Title: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on June 27, 2011, 05:08:32 PM
I have my equipment out of town at another location and when i showed up Friday, I noticed that two of my cameras looked dark. I noticed the power was triped because one of the clocks was flashing 12. Both of the cameras are on a ground fault on the same curcuit. When I reset the ground fault I noticed that one of the cameras came back to normal. Do you think that the other camera was damaged by a power surge? Do you think that the camera will just fail over time? or do you think it is what it is? not improve or fail?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on June 27, 2011, 08:26:38 PM
I have my equipment out of town at another location and when i showed up Friday, I noticed that two of my cameras looked dark. I noticed the power was triped because one of the clocks was flashing 12. Both of the cameras are on a ground fault on the same curcuit. When I reset the ground fault I noticed that one of the cameras came back to normal. Do you think that the other camera was damaged by a power surge? Do you think that the camera will just fail over time? or do you think it is what it is? not improve or fail?  Thanks!

"Dark" as in: you can see an image but it is very dark, or do you mean "dark" as in no picture at all?
Can you take a power supply from a working camera and try it on the dark camera to determine if it is a power supply problem or a camera problem.

As far as answering your questions, your guesses will likely be as accrurate as anyone elses. An "underexposed" image might indicate a bad video amp. There is an adjustment for video gain in the camera base, but I do not know which pot it is. This thread has some additional information.
http://forums.x10.com/index.php?topic=20103.0

If me, I would replace the camera.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Brian H on June 27, 2011, 08:59:05 PM
The switchable power supply may have been damaged.
Trying one from a working one. As dave w suggested, is a good way to test for a bad supply.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on June 28, 2011, 12:33:44 PM
When I say dark I mean; the light level is 50% less than it was. Plus, I notice a line going across the screen at the top part of the screen. Thanks for the feedback guys! I would have never thought about switching out the power supply. Also, I forgot about the video adjustment at the base of the camera. Thanks again!

Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on June 28, 2011, 01:22:18 PM
When I say dark I mean; the light level is 50% less than it was. Plus, I notice a line going across the screen at the top part of the screen.

IMHO the line across the screen probably indicates the problem is with the camera and not the powersupply. .
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on June 28, 2011, 01:56:01 PM
Really! Do these cameras fail often? Should I maybe invest into another system? Which brings me to a question (maybe I should post it in another forum section) knowing what you know about X10 would you invest in another system of theirs? Or would you go with someone else? If so, who?
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Brian H on June 28, 2011, 03:02:23 PM
I would try the supply anyway.
If it is low voltage and hum bars. It could be the supply.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Tuicemen on June 28, 2011, 03:54:57 PM
I've been running a x10 cam since they first started selling them.
It has been outside under a over hang (Only protection from the elements) and it still works fine other then a slight image burn in.
There certainly are other systems with more bells,whistles and a better picture.
However if a power surge was the culprit it is likely other systems would have suffered the same way.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on June 28, 2011, 04:33:53 PM
That's where I have my cameras....under the over hangs. The system was running fine for a year now until this last weekend. Then when I reset the ground fault that one came back, and the other came back (like I said) 50%.

Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Phil45680 on July 02, 2011, 02:05:44 PM
I also have one camera (out of 7) that is "dark". I hadn't looked into it yet as I wasn't sure what to change to fix it other than replacing it. I will try the power supply first. This happened after a severe thunder storm that made the electric "flicker". There is so much to be learned on these forums and I thank all of you for sharing your expertise with the rest of us! You are way more helpful then you know!
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on July 02, 2011, 04:31:35 PM
Interesting that you also have a "dark" camera after power interuption. Perhaps X10 decided to remove another zener to save a nickle (how old are your cameras).
Please let us know if a different power supply fixes the problem.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on July 06, 2011, 12:08:30 PM
I bought my X2 cameras last summer. Can you buy just a power supply from x10? or should I do an ebay search?

As Phil45680 mentions, you guys are a great help and this shows what the word "community" means. I would have no clue how the tackle the issuses I'm having if it wasn't for the people who post. Even if you agree or disagree with others, it's good to see all feedback. Thanks Boards!  

#:)
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on August 28, 2011, 09:35:41 PM
Okay folks, I bought two new power supplies for the two dark cameras and they are back to normal. It was the power supplies after all. I noticed a difference as soon as I plugged them in. Also, I did buy the power supplies from X10 and they were $20 a piece. I think that was a bit steep but I thought that I would pass it on. I hope this helps!
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on August 29, 2011, 11:09:51 AM
thought I would pass it on. I hope this helps!
Yes it does. One for the archives.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: js349 on September 19, 2011, 04:13:52 PM
I have the same problem with a camera, unfortunately changing the power supply, camera, and or receiver has not fixed my issue. So, if anyone has any other ideas about what it could be, I'd love to know. This is the only X10 camera I use and I have a spare camera, receiver and power supply so that is how I tried the others.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on September 19, 2011, 05:07:34 PM
I have the same problem with a camera, unfortunately changing the power supply, camera, and or receiver has not fixed my issue. So, if anyone has any other ideas about what it could be, I'd love to know. This is the only X10 camera I use and I have a spare camera, receiver and power supply so that is how I tried the others.
Lets think about this. You have a dark picture; you have changed the power supply which fixed the issue in this thread, but did not fix your problem. So you also changed the camera, and the receiver, and you still have the same issue.

Soooo what is left? You have eliminated everything but the TV monitor (hint). I am assuming a standard TV or flat panel monitor, as you did not mention what you are feeding signal to. Haven't added any new 2.4 GHz stuff have you? (cordless phone, wireless router, etc).
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: msauto on September 19, 2011, 08:16:29 PM
Yep
Had same problem except I changed ha systems
Monitor worked fine until I tried to watch a video with netflix and couldn't hardly see it same as with cameras in ahp
Bought a new ha system w/20" flatscreen , wow what a difference ,"crystal clear" and everything is fine now >!
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: js349 on September 20, 2011, 08:13:02 AM
Sorry, I should have specified, I'm watching it on a computer monitor but it doesn't matter where I watch it, it's still the same. And, I eliminated my 2.4 Ghz phones and replace them with the DECT 6 phones.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on September 20, 2011, 10:32:11 AM
Sorry, I should have specified, I'm watching it on a computer monitor but it doesn't matter where I watch it, it's still the same.

So does that mean you have checked the analog video output directly from the receiver?

If that is normal, which interface are you using between receiver and computer? Could anything have changed the CODEC in the computer? (I'm just throwing darts with eyes closed now).
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: js349 on September 20, 2011, 10:53:33 AM
Sorry, I should have specified, I'm watching it on a computer monitor but it doesn't matter where I watch it, it's still the same.

So does that mean you have checked the analog video output directly from the receiver? I believe I have but I need to do this again.

If that is normal, which interface are you using between receiver and computer? Could anything have changed the CODEC in the computer? (I'm just throwing darts with eyes closed now).
I am using a VA11A usb device. I don't have an extra one of these to test.
Edited by Tuicemen to fix quote(readability)
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on September 20, 2011, 12:45:55 PM
I am using a VA11A usb device. I don't have an extra one of these to test.
You said earlier you "thought" you checked the analog output from the receiver. Since you completely swapped the receiver out we can probably assume the receiver is OK. You are not using a splitter between the receiver and the VA11A are you?

That pretty much leaves the VA11A and/or the computer as causes.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: js349 on September 20, 2011, 12:51:14 PM
I am using a VA11A usb device. I don't have an extra one of these to test.
You said earlier you "thought" you checked the analog output from the receiver. Since you completely swapped the receiver out we can probably assume the receiver is OK. You are not using a splitter between the receiver and the VA11A are you? Nope, no splitter in use.

That pretty much leaves the VA11A and/or the computer as causes.
Well, I guess my next step is to buy a VA11A and see if that fixes it. I don't believe it is my computer because I can view other cameras that are IP cameras without any problem.

edited by tuicemen to fix quote
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: msauto on September 20, 2011, 04:11:19 PM
Your not running windows 7 are you? -:)
from what i have read windows 7 and va11a DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER B:(
X10 says will not work but some have had results albeit troublesome B:(
 >!
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: js349 on September 20, 2011, 04:17:25 PM
Your not running windows 7 are you? -:)
from what i have read windows 7 and va11a DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER B:(
X10 says will not work but some have had results albeit troublesome B:(
 >!

Nope, not running Windows 7 - XP SP3
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on September 20, 2011, 04:24:50 PM
js 349

When you use "Quote" for a reply, after the entry screen comes up move curser past the "[/quote]" box before you start typing.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: js349 on September 21, 2011, 09:59:03 AM
js 349

When you use "Quote" for a reply, after the entry screen comes up move curser past the "
" box before you start typing.
[/quote]

Sorry about that. I purchased a new va11a and I'll report back here after I get to try it.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: dave w on September 21, 2011, 10:02:43 AM
That worked well.
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Noam on September 21, 2011, 01:56:27 PM
That worked well.
rofl
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: Mr. Jones on November 05, 2012, 06:19:59 PM
I just wanted to update you guys with something that has happened to me a couple of times now...I have had power interruptions and a couple of times i thought that my power supplies were shot because the cameras were black. All I've done to fix that problem is to unplug and re-plug them back in and the cameras came back to normal. I'd thought that i would share. 
Title: Re: Camera looking dark
Post by: jamejohan20 on November 27, 2012, 06:33:33 AM
I also had such sort of the camera system (I have the same problem with a camera, unfortunately changing the power supply, camera, and or receiver has not fixed my issue ) but Now I have changed and Now I installed a dom security cameras. so I would like to suggest to all my friends if you want to install for the outdoor then must install the dome cam......