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Author Topic: Camera module doesn't work sometime  (Read 5628 times)

Don N

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Camera module doesn't work sometime
« on: July 23, 2006, 12:45:54 AM »

I have AHP Pro with all the plug-ins on a HP Media Center PC running XP.  Everything works fine (sensors, timers, macros. etc) except the AHP application will occasionally not allow me to "Go Live" when I click on the camera module.  When this happens I cannot record video either.  Restarting the application solves the problem but, results in the same condition after awhile (1-2 hours later, sometimes 6 hours, etc).  All other application functions work fine.  It's just this problem with the camera module.  I would appreciate any help in solving this problem.  Thanks
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jawaid

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2006, 10:52:43 AM »

I have similar problems. The iWitness module works well but has not kept running more than a few hours. All of a sudden the image quits and all you see is a screen with the logo. Restarts solve the problem temporarily. At the same time, the same video feed switched to a TV seems to work fine. I am puzzled and hope that others will share their experience so we can understand the problem.
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Don N

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2006, 12:53:29 PM »

Thanks Jawaid --  sounds like you definitely have the same problem.  There must be an internal problem with the iWitness application.

X10 Pro -- is there a way to monitor the iWitness module to see what happens?  I suspect some code gets "clobbered" in the application.
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jawaid

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2006, 10:50:48 PM »

Don

I was seeing these problems on a daily basis. The iWitness did not allow me to go live. I replaced that VA11A interface and this seems to have solved many of the problems. The iWitness has been up and running for the last 3 days without losing the video input. I use it to take motion-triggered snapshots.
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Don N

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2006, 08:12:47 PM »

Tuicemen --- glad to see you back!!!!!  Hopefully, the month that you have been gone was an enjoyable one.  Wasn't sure whether you saw my post or not, I know you have some cameras.  Have you experienced what I and Jawaid have described?  I see Jawaid has fixed his problem with another VA11A.  I was hoping I could fix the problem without buying something else.  I had thought there might be some code being "clobbered" in iWitness, but now I'm wondering if my TM751 that I'm using might be the bad guy.  I know it doesn't play well with the CM15A.  So thought I might purchase the V572AB transceiver to replace the TM751.  From what I read, the V572AB is more friendly and will give me some added RF range ... which I really would like to have.  But my problem seems to be more related to the iWitness module and not with the CM15A functions.  Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts.
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Tuicemen

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2006, 08:38:42 PM »

Nice to see I was missed! ;) :D ::)
Don I haven't noticed this problem but then I don't run Iwitness long enough this time of year I have my setup with a TM751 but only the cams are used with it nothing else. I never had much luck with the video as I recall, maybe the problems I had have been fixed. In anycase I now use the auto stills set to every 5 sec thats close enough to video for me! and never had problems with it stopping before I wished  or any other notable problems!
 Why don't you test your setup without the TM751 bring a cam close so the cm15a can control it if it works without quiting then it could be the TM751. I've have one go bad (my fault,doesn't work well with modified sine wave inverters used with my solar setup at the cottage).A friend had one go funny on him don't know the cause but now it will turn on/off but won't turn anything else on/off
also Have you checked you activity monitor? Perhaps your getting some noise which the TM751 thinks is an off command for the cam!
Just some thoughts! ;) :D ;D
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Don N

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2006, 08:46:08 PM »

Tuicemen -- Just a quick update.  I took the TM751 out of my setup and after two days of testing I have not had a problem with iWitness "crashing."  So maybe the TM751 is/was the problem.  I'm going to run my setup a couple more days without the TM751 just to add more credibility.  If that's successful, then I will put the TM751 back in my setup and see if iWitness "crashes."  So, stay tuned!!!!  Thanks.
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2006, 10:09:54 PM »

If you have a RR501, try that. If you don't and want to, go to http://www.automatedoutlet.com/home.php  They have the RR501 at a pretty good price.  It might be nice to see if the problem with the TM751 with iWitness "crashing"  extends to the RR501.
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Don N

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2006, 10:37:33 AM »

Dan, Thanks for the RR501 suggestion.  Unfortunately, I don't have one to try.  If my current tests remain conclusive I plan to purchase a V572AB and use that to boost my RF range.  From what I read here in the forum the V572AB should boost my RF range considerably ... even beyond the RR501 range.   More info to follow.
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2006, 02:57:00 PM »

Sounds good, but remember, if you are running AHP, it does not support the V572AB directly and you will have to "kluge" an acceptble substite for it. A V572AB is SmartHome unit only.
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Don N

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #10 on: August 04, 2006, 09:27:51 PM »

Dan -- Well, after reading your comment and doing more research, I think I will buy an RR501.  The V572AB does seem like a "kludge" with AHP.  Too many extra components to purchase/setup and install, plus it turns out to be rather costly.  If I set up an RR501 close to each motion sensor, that should give me the RF range I would need instead of trying to centralizing one transceiver.  And the price at automateoutlet for the RR501 is quite good.  But first I want to stick to my current testing regiment.  No problems with iWitness and this is the third day without the TM751 in my setup.  Tomorrow I will put the TM751 back into my setup and see if iWitness fails.  If it does, then I will purchase the RR501s.  Stay tuned.
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Tuicemen

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #11 on: August 05, 2006, 08:24:52 AM »

Don: It may be that the tm751 is ok and the place you had it located was the problem. If it was picking up noise it would repeat it back onto the power lines if you get a RR501 before you determine this you'll have the same problems if located in the same place as you had the tm751! Try it in different locations just to be sure!
What does your activity monitor look like? Has it settled down as well since removing the tm751? If not then start looking for noisy devices! ;) :D
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Don N

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2006, 10:12:07 AM »

Update (for those who care) --- I placed the TM751 back into my setup and within 5 hours iWitness "crashed."  I placed the TM751 on another circuit and iWitness "crashed" within 2 hours.  I then removed the TM751 and have been running "crash-free" again.  Needless, to say I've ordered two RR501s for my setup.  Once they are installed in my setup, I will post the results.  Thanks again, Dan and Tuicemen for your ideas ... your checks are in the mail !!!!!!
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steven r

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Re: Camera module doesn't work sometime
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2006, 03:58:51 PM »

...Thanks again, Dan and Tuicemen for your ideas ... your checks are in the mail !!!!!!
Hey they get checks? Too bad I don't know anything about iWitness.
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