X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Topic started by: loma on March 28, 2006, 02:37:13 PM
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X10
I am getting the following quite often:
Video connecting...
Video closed
Why?
Loma
AHP & MyHouse update to v3.203 Available [1 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=8245.msg50422#msg50422)
Re: AHP & MyHouse update to v3.203 Available [3 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12512.msg51005#msg51005)
[TTA Edit: Experiment to determine whether or not SPLITTING 'Highly-Viewed' / 'Highly-Replied' but currently INACTIVE threads from LONG, LONG AGO (I'm starting with ~2 years) into parts will allow current ACTIVE threads to appear in the Top 10 Topics (by Replies) section of the Statistics Center (aka More Stats) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?action=stats) Page.
NOTE: I *WILL* address the <BR> problem...]
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It could have something to do with some of the stability changes we made -- probably a messaging problem, rather than a data problem. I'll find out.
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X10 thanks for the reply. Yes under pull down menu at the top "view" scroll down to "live video" nothing happens at all. In rooms view the"on air" icon to view the camera at F5. when i click "on air" I get the "active hm invalid..." etc message and the programs shuts down!
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Just updated to 3.203. iWitness now will record video from a macro but does one of the following two thing.
1. records about 35 seconds of video instead of the 2 minutes the macro is set to record.
2. about 80% of the time it starts to record video, and gets the infamous "The Application Active Home Pro has encountered an error and needs to close. And asks if you want to send info to Microsoft.
Running Windows XP Pro, all updates applied. On a 1.0 GHz P3 with 512 MB memory. Nothing else running, dedicated to home automation. Active Home Pro, iWitness, Smart Macros and My House.
If I switch the macro to record stills at a 2 second interval, I get stills at intervals ranging from 2 to 12 seconds, but at least I don't crash.
If anyone needs any files or any other info, let me know. And thanks in advance for any help.
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Wetcoaster: What codec do you have selected for saving video? What frame rate? If you get the crash again, can you click for more info and tell me the module name that the crash occurred in, the version number, and the crash location?
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Thanks for the quick reply.
The codec is Cinepak, the quality is 60% and the frame rate is 10 fps. I have also tried no compression and get very similar results with the crashes.
I'll try and get a moment later tonight and cause a crash and get more info for you.
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WetCoaster, I sent an email and my AHX files to X10, they are looking into it.
I showed the same problem, but my test showed a twist too.
I set 5min delay and it recorded 5 files 40sec long... changed it to 1min and went to bed.
In the morning it had several 0kb files... I triggered it again and it created a 40sec file within the 0kb files.
my video rec is still turned off.
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O.K. here you go. I triggered the macro manually. Here is the info from the error.
AppName:activehm.exe AppVersion:3.0.0.202 ModName:iccvid.dll
ModVer:1.10.0.12 Offset:0000d570
Codec - Cinepak
Video Quality 50%
Framerate 10fps
Hope this helps
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iccvid.dll is part of the Cinepak codec library, so if the crash is there it would suggest something wrong with the codec on your system. Can you choose a different codec (not a Cinepak one) and see if you get the same problem?
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Part way home. The cinepak codec was causing the crash. I switched to no compression figuring that was the least reliant on any one else's software. It now records video without crashing.
The remaining issue. I get somewhere between 19 and 61 secornds of video recorded per trigger of the macro. The times are pretty much random, though more tend to be closer to the one minute mark. This is with a macro that is set to record for 2 minutes.
I've also downloaded a new version of the cinepak codec and when I get a moment I'll install that and try and see what happens there too and let you know.
Meantime, anything you need from me to try and help with the video record time solution?
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I've been an X10 Active Home user for years and just in the past 3 months switched to AHP. I'm not an X-10 "Power User" and only have it turning on and off things such as lamps and fans. For that, it works quite well. AHP did solve a problem I had with modules located on a different circuit since now it will send wireless commands to another transceiver module.
I do have two issues. 1) When Daylight Savings time arrived, the "interface" recognized the time change and I had hoped it would BUMP the ON times for the lamps up by one hour due to the increased daylight. That didn't happen and I had to go through each of them and increase the time to the next hour. 2) I wish I could figure out how to get the Active Home Professional link Icon off the top of my tool bar "Help". (See Attachment)
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Hmmm,
No problem here with Daylight Savings Time. My dusk timers worked as usual: 10 minutes before dusk.
As to the icon in your taskbar, just delete it. I've never had such an icon snice I got AHP last July.
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2) I wish I could figure out how to get the Active Home Professional link Icon off the top of my tool bar "Help". (See Attachment)
Shrink the window a bit :)
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Thanks MystyX - but as you can see, that didn't make any difference.
Dan - Thanks for the input. (I don't have DUSK timers turned on) Is that what it takes to make Daylight Savings Time work?
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Hmm weird... almost seems like only certain resolutions? or diff. ver. then v3.203?
AHHH... See MyHouse in yours they added that but didnt move the Icon as its not attached to that.
without myHouse shows this...
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AnotherX10User: The CM15A and ActiveHome Pro won't change the hour of timers for daylight savings time; it just adjusts the time in the interface to remain correct. If you want timers that change automatically to match changes in sunset, you'll need to use a Dusk-based timer.
There isn't a way to hide the icon on the tool bar. If you can make your window size bigger (not smaller) it will move away from being on top of the Help menu.
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Wetcoaster: What frame rate do you have your video set for? When you play the video back (try through AHP and in Windows Media Player) does the action seem sped up? If so, the problem is one I've seen here. The video is probably recorded for the correct length of time, but the playback speed or framerate is off.
If you are able to, you can watch the "REC" icon in the status bar of AHP to see how long AHP is recording for when your macro is triggered. It should stay on for the correct lenght of time. If not, we'll need to test it out, and I may need to have you send me your AHX file.
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I have tried various framerates from 5 to 15 frames/sec and get the varying different amounts of recorded times. But now that you mention it, it there is a mobile subject in the field of view when I trigger the macro and test record, the time is sped up.
So, you are correct there. I see a framerate problem on playback, and I have also looked at the video with two other tools capable of looking at AVI files and they are speeded up when I think about it.
I have not checked to see if the "REC" icon is on the whole 2 minutes, but will check later and update.
If you need any more info, again let me know.
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That's probably enough information, given that I can duplicate the problem on a system here. We're working on it.
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X10 Pro:
If this report is to lengthy, let me know, and I will keep it to a minium next time.
Windows XP SP2
AHP 3.203
iWitness
Smart Macros
I have been running a few iWitness video recording test and here is what I have found with my setup.
Preference Settings for Video:
General Video Tab:
Capture Resolution 640x480
Video Settings Tab:
Current Capture Resolution 320x240
This never changes even when “Quality” Slider Bar is set to 100%
On initial change of “Quality”, value= 100% Frame Rate=16fps
Close Preferences, go back into Preferences and “Quality” text box has no value
and Frame Rate defaults back to 12fps.
Codec is defaulted to Cinpac Codec (I’ve tried a few others, no problems)
Preferences When Opened:
(http://i2.tinypic.com/sy1ow1.jpg)
Preferences After Change:
(http://i2.tinypic.com/sy1phe.jpg)
Preferences When re-Opened after Change:
(http://i2.tinypic.com/sy1s0n.jpg)
I have 2 Macros that basically perform the same function with one small variance.
The Macro 5 records activity from the Left Side of the Shed, the Macro 6 records
Activity on the right side of the Shed.
1 Wireless Nightwatch camera – C5
2 ActiveEye Motion Sensors – B5(Left Side), B6(Right Side)
1 Lamp module for lamp in Garage – B16 (Turned on by Macro B6)
1 Socket Rocket w/ lamp in Garage – B15 (Turned on by Macro B5)
1 Lamp module for Lamp in Living room (B2) (Either comes on to 100% w/ B5 or
Dims to 50% w/ B6
I included one of the Macros (B5) , but both Macros perform the same operation with the
exception of where the Ninja Panning will occur, and what lights will come on.
The lights coming on, are my indicators as to what side of the Shed, activity has been
sensed.
Original Macro - Allow 1:30 sec for video file to be released from processing.
It seems that even when the recording has stopped, and the Camera turned off,
The video file created has zero bytes until approx 1:30sec after Camera is turned off.
I ran a few tests, and within the directory where the video file is being created/stored,
The full size in bytes is not displayed until approx 1:30sec after Camera is turned off.
Some additional processing is being done on the file, before any locks are released.
If video recording is attempted within the 1:30sec, a new file is created w/ video cut short,
And the first file will remain with zero length.
Macro Trigger B5 ON- tripped by Motion Sensor:
Trigger Conditions B5 On and
Module Status Off - Left Side Desk Lamp, Right Side Lamp
End Trigger Conditions
WAIT for 5 Seconds
Turn Left Side Desk Lamp ON
Turn End Table Lamp ON
Turn Rat Cam ON
Move Camera Rat Cam to Preset Center CAM
Start Recording Video
Move Camera Rat Cam to Preset Pan Left
WAIT for 20 Seconds
Move Camera Rat Cam to Preset Center CAM
WAIT for 1 minute, 30 seconds
Stop Recording Video
WAIT for 5 Seconds
Turn Rat Cam OFF
Turn End Table Lamp OFF
WAIT for 1 minute, 30 seconds (Allows for video file to be completed)
Turn Left Side Desk Lamp OFF
(Updated Macro without 1:30 sec delay)
Macro Trigger B5 ON- tripped by Motion Sensor:
Trigger Conditions B5 On and
Module Status Off - Left Side Desk Lamp, Right Side Lamp
End Trigger Conditions
WAIT for 5 Seconds
Turn Left Side Desk Lamp ON
Turn End Table Lamp ON
Turn Rat Cam ON
Move Camera Rat Cam to Preset Center CAM
Start Recording Video
Move Camera Rat Cam to Preset Pan Left
WAIT for 20 Seconds
Move Camera Rat Cam to Preset Center CAM
WAIT for 1 minute, 30 seconds
Stop Recording Video
WAIT for 5 Seconds
Turn Rat Cam OFF
Turn End Table Lamp OFF
Turn Left Side Desk Lamp OFF
Activity Monitor:
For Video Records 1 and 2, I waited until each video file’s zero length size was updated real-time to
the correct size, ie 24 – 19meg, before initiating Macro B5 again. (The 1:30sec delay usually accomidates for the completion of the video file)
Events Report : 04/03/2006 17:45:09.965
0 04/03/2006 5:29:26 pm Receive B5 (Left Side Sensor)
1 04/03/2006 5:29:26 pm Receive B On (Left Side Sensor)
2 04/03/2006 5:29:33 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
3 04/03/2006 5:29:33 pm Transmit B On (Left Side Desk Lamp)
4 04/03/2006 5:29:34 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
5 04/03/2006 5:29:34 pm Transmit B On (End Table Lamp)
6 04/03/2006 5:29:34 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
7 04/03/2006 5:29:35 pm Transmit C On (Rat Cam)
8 04/03/2006 5:29:35 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
9 04/03/2006 5:29:36 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition3
10 04/03/2006 5:29:57 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
11 04/03/2006 5:31:33 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
12 04/03/2006 5:31:34 pm Transmit C Off (Rat Cam)
13 04/03/2006 5:31:34 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
14 04/03/2006 5:31:35 pm Transmit B Off (End Table Lamp)
15 04/03/2006 5:32:35 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
16 04/03/2006 5:32:35 pm Transmit B Off (Left Side Desk Lamp)
********* End 1st Video **************
17 04/03/2006 5:34:03 pm Receive B5 (Left Side Sensor)
18 04/03/2006 5:34:03 pm Receive B On (Left Side Sensor)
19 04/03/2006 5:34:10 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
20 04/03/2006 5:34:10 pm Transmit B On (Left Side Desk Lamp)
21 04/03/2006 5:34:11 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
22 04/03/2006 5:34:11 pm Transmit B On (End Table Lamp)
23 04/03/2006 5:34:12 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
24 04/03/2006 5:34:12 pm Transmit C On (Rat Cam)
25 04/03/2006 5:34:12 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
26 04/03/2006 5:34:13 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition3
27 04/03/2006 5:34:34 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
28 04/03/2006 5:36:10 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
29 04/03/2006 5:36:11 pm Transmit C Off (Rat Cam)
30 04/03/2006 5:36:11 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
31 04/03/2006 5:36:12 pm Transmit B Off (End Table Lamp)
32 04/03/2006 5:36:12 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
33 04/03/2006 5:36:12 pm Transmit B Off (Left Side Desk Lamp)
********* End 2nd Video **************
The Next two videos without 1:30sec delay after Camera is Turned off.
4th run of Macro initiated when (Left Side Desk Lamp is turned OFF – End Macro)
As a result of initiating the B5 Macro for 4th video before the 3rd video file had been
released, (from whatever processing) it resulted in the 3rd video file remaining at zero byte length. No Video.
The 4th video was cut short to 5meg at a total of 15sec of video.
34 04/03/2006 5:38:03 pm Receive B5 (Left Side Sensor)
35 04/03/2006 5:38:03 pm Receive B On (Left Side Sensor)
36 04/03/2006 5:38:10 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
37 04/03/2006 5:38:10 pm Transmit B On (Left Side Desk Lamp)
38 04/03/2006 5:38:10 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
39 04/03/2006 5:38:11 pm Transmit B On (End Table Lamp)
40 04/03/2006 5:38:11 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
41 04/03/2006 5:38:12 pm Transmit C On (Rat Cam)
42 04/03/2006 5:38:12 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
43 04/03/2006 5:38:13 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition3
44 04/03/2006 5:38:34 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
45 04/03/2006 5:40:10 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
46 04/03/2006 5:40:11 pm Transmit C Off (Rat Cam)
47 04/03/2006 5:40:11 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
48 04/03/2006 5:40:11 pm Transmit B Off (End Table Lamp)
49 04/03/2006 5:40:12 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
50 04/03/2006 5:40:12 pm Transmit B Off (Left Side Desk Lamp)
********* End 3rd Video **************
51 04/03/2006 5:40:14 pm Receive B5 (Left Side Sensor)
52 04/03/2006 5:40:15 pm Receive B On (Left Side Sensor)
53 04/03/2006 5:40:21 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
54 04/03/2006 5:40:22 pm Transmit B On (Left Side Desk Lamp)
55 04/03/2006 5:40:22 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
56 04/03/2006 5:40:23 pm Transmit B On (End Table Lamp)
57 04/03/2006 5:40:23 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
58 04/03/2006 5:40:24 pm Transmit C On (Rat Cam)
59 04/03/2006 5:40:24 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
60 04/03/2006 5:40:25 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition3
61 04/03/2006 5:40:46 pm Transmit RF C CamGoPosition1
62 04/03/2006 5:42:22 pm Transmit C5 (Rat Cam)
63 04/03/2006 5:42:23 pm Transmit C Off (Rat Cam)
64 04/03/2006 5:42:23 pm Transmit B2 (End Table Lamp)
65 04/03/2006 5:42:23 pm Transmit B Off (End Table Lamp)
66 04/03/2006 5:42:24 pm Transmit B15 (Left Side Desk Lamp)
67 04/03/2006 5:42:24 pm Transmit B Off (Left Side Desk Lamp)
********* End 4th Video **************
Video Files created:
I added the duration of each video that was recorded to the directory listing.
(http://i2.tinypic.com/sy2h5w.jpg)
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Chris S: Can you send me the .AHX file with these macros in it? Also, how fast is your computer, and how much RAM? I'd like to try to test on a system that's close to yours here.
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Chris S: Can you send me the .AHX file with these macros in it? Also, how fast is your computer, and how much RAM? I'd like to try to test on a system that's close to yours here.
1.6 Gig with 1Gig of Ram
I'll send the AHX file.
Thanks
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Adding a bit more info hopefully to help find a solution to these problems.
First you are correct. I tried last night, I get the "REC" icon for the full 2 minutes that it should be recording.
Second, I do get compressed speed video. Any movement is certainly speeded up.
Third, I do get random record times still, ranging between 12 and 50 or so seconds
Fourth, I'll confirm what Chris is saying about triggering a second recording while the first is still processing. I was getting zero length files, and several files of varying sizes that no media player would open. These all occured when a second recording was started by triggering the macro right after the first finished recording. I have yet to play with the delay as Chris mentioned. That will be the next project.
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Actually, I had a similar experience, except in my case, the application crashes. The best I've been able to garner is that when one macro triggers a video start (or maybe two different ones or whatever) after a previous macro's video has started but not completed (like someone walked around the house - in which case if it would just keep recording the same vid file and switch cameras everything would be great).
A single video recording seems to work ok (except for being of a length that's usually different than what I asked for), but when multiples happen, and there is some overlap, the app crashes. This has happened on two completely different machines - one that's a Dell prebuilt the other is home built dual-core, etc.
The worst part is that whatever video MIGHT have gotten taken, doesn't get closed right (the old or the new one) and is therefore unviewable.
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I think the fix for video rec is a lengthy programming addition that will take a bit of time... they could be working on it or trying to avoid doing it, but I hope they are working on it, I'm sure its going to be longer then a weeks update to add all the programming for multiple triggers not thought of during original launch? :)
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We'll fix these problems. They shouldn't be too difficult, but I can't say when they'll be done.