SKJM Forum
Support => iCam Support => Topic started by: Teresa on March 25, 2012, 06:08:51 AM
-
Hi. I've got tested 3 PC, 6 webcams, but on all setups my audio stream stops working randomly. Sometimes I have audio whole day, sometimes just few minutes. The same thing is with the video stream. I am connecting with iCam aprox. 20 times a day to check my house and dog, but what a surprise when I connect at night and I see just still picture of sunny day instead of moving stream and darkness because of night. iCam source is connected well, I can see all of my webcams streams and audio, but at "some" times vieo or audio freezes. CAN ANYONE HLEP PLEASE? I'm really sick of it now!
-
I had issues with audio too (audio source was a microphone plugged into my sound card)...I never did figure it out, so I gave up on it. The SKJM guys asked me if any other program was attempting to take control of or access the microphone, and I couldn't determine the answer. So good luck on that.
I've also had issues with webcams freezing up, but this wasn't an issue specific to iCam...I think it might be a driver issue. A few people on here had video freezing issues with iCam because they didn't have their webcams plugged directly into a USB port on the computer...they were using extension cables or hubs. From what I've read on here, they generally resolved these issues by plugging the cameras directly into the computer and/or making sure they had the most updated drivers for their webcam. And like the microphone, make sure nothing else is trying to use the webcam (Skype, Windows Live Messenger, etc). I use IP cameras instead of webcams to avoid issues like these, and for better consistency.
I'm sure the SKJM guys will provide more specific help, but it would help if they knew more info concerning your setup...operating system and 32/64 bit, webcams plugged directly into computer or not, etc.
-
I have all webcams plugged directly to PCs. Win XP 32b. Latest drivers. No other program is running, no service wants to use cams or audio. As I said it's working hours and then audio or video stops working on random cams. Sometimes stops the cam1 plugged to PC, sometimes stops cam3 plugged to pc3 etc. Port forwarding set correctly. Latest Icam source 2.4.4b. iCam is really great app, but most time doesn't work properly :(
-
You mentioned 3 pc's and 6 cameras...what is the max number of cameras you have plugged into one computer? Worst case senario, you can use Task Scheduler to run a batch file every couple of hours...this batch file could kill icamsource.exe and then restart it. While this isn't ideal, and would lead to a minute or so of down time each time the batch file runs, it should keep your cameras from freezing...and will hopefully keep your audio more consistent. I helped another user write a batch file already, so let me know if you want the code and I'll PM it to you. But hopefully the SKJM guys can get you working properly so you won't have to resort to that.
-
Thanks Anthony, but as you wrote it is not a nice solution. The software should work as is. I have few weeks ago tested connected 4 webcams to one Mac and everything were smooth. Now I'm running just one webcam per PC and it still freezes. I hate PCs long years and really know why. Connected to the Mac, in the preview pane on iPad wirh four previews I have smooth movement on all cameras but on PC with just 1 cam connected it' s like a stroboscope game, one frame per 1,5 second, terrible. I have tried few versions of iCam source on pc but it's all the same. And the pcs are no rubish, quite powerfull. Ufff I really have no more idea. I have bought a lot of new webcams in the meaning that will help, so spent a lot of money and time with no progress.
-
It seems like someone else on here recently had issues with a slow framerate on Windows XP. Try e-mailing customer support and refer them to this post. I'm sure they will do everything they can to help you...even if it means tweaking the program a little (they've done it before). Their customer service is amazing. Thankfully, with IP cameras, I haven't had any issues. But I understand your frustration. Anyway, maybe the framerate and freezing issues are related...so they might be able to get you fully functional within a week or so. Do you have all Windows updates installed? Also, you might try using the software that came with the webcams to reduce the resolution to 640 X 480 (the max used by iCam) and the framerate (if possible) to 5fps, which might also help.
-
Also, I know .NET is used by icamsource.exe, so you might make sure you have the latest version of it installed on the computers, as well.
-
Yes for sure I have all latest updates of system, .net etc. And for the frame rate and resolution - for example one one my webcam I have Logitech c270 hd with nice software, but no software let me to set the resolution to be sent to the icam source. It can be set only when I run the Logitech soft and I can record in it. But it can't be running with iCam, just one soft can be running at the same time.
-
Try accessing the camera settings with a program such as Skype or Windows Live Messenger and see if that allows you to change the resolution. On my wife's computer, I was able to use the Cyberlink Youcam software that came with it to change the default resolution...and it applied that resolution as the default for all programs as far as I can tell.
-
I have 5 fps set on all cameras and 640x480 but still the same, sometimes video or audio randomly freezes :((((((
-
Try reading this thread...they had a similar framerate problem. Also, have you e-mailed customer service? Like I said, they will work hard to get it working for you. I've never seen better customer service for a $5 piece of software.
http://skjm.com/forum/index.php?topic=4095.0
-
Thanks for help. I tried use 2.4.3b version as described in the other thread, this solved bad frame rate but constantly crashes after few minutes. So I contacted icam support via email but still didn't get an answer.
-
Dang. :-/ Hopefully they'll get back to you in the next day or 2. Usually they're on top of things. Sorry I couldn't help more.
-
My apologies for the delay in getting back ... OUAnthony has been giving great suggestions up until this point, but it seems like there is another cause of your issues.
What is the % CPU usage of the iCamSource application in the Task Manager when it is running?
It sounds like running the iCamSource with just one webcam connected still results in freezing issues, is that the case? Also, when running the single camera with the latest iCamSource from the website (not the 2.4.3b test version) is the frame rate slow in the iCamSource Preferences preview window? Or just in iCam on your phone?
-
Also, when the video stream in the iCamSource freezes, what is the % CPU of the iCamSource in the Task Manager?
Additionally, when the video freezes, does clicking Stop and then Start again fix everything for a while? Or do you have to restart the iCamSource, unplug and re-plug in the webcam, or restart the computer?
-
When the video freezes just like few minutes ago I've checked the icam source window. The first running cam was ok,the second freezes displays only grey color. Pressing stop and then start button fix it for a while. The same with sound.
-
Yes freezing issues I have also when connected only 1 webcam. Have tried on all version of icam source incl latest 2.4.4b. The frame rate in icam source window is good, on iphone/ipod/ipad terrible!
-
The freezing issue and the frame rate issue are two separate problems. Let's look at the frame rate problem first:
- - -
If 2.4.4 gives you a slow FPS when 2.4.3b is smooth, then the fix put into 2.4.4 based on the changes made in 2.4.3b must not have been sufficient to completely fix the problem.
If you could download the following 2.4.3c logging version and unzip it to your iCamSource folder and run it, it should also be smooth when you connect using iCam: http://skjm.com/icam/iCamSource2.4.3c.zip
When it is running, it will also create an iCamSource_Debug_Log.txt file in your iCamSource folder. If you could e-mail that log file to support@skjm.com after confirming that the frame rate is smoother than 2.4.4 then hopefully we can track down the additional causes of this issue. Don't leave 2.4.3c running indefinitely as it will continue to create a larger and larger log file.
- - -
As for the freezing issue, it is likely an issue between the computer and your camera since the iCamSource simply sits and waits for the system to hand it data from the camera once it has connected. If, after a while, the camera stops sending image it may be a hardware / driver issue. When you are running the iCamSource with a single webcam connected, what are the descriptions of the items in the Video and Audio drop-down lists that you choose?
Also, make sure that there are not duplicate entries in the Cameras list on the left-hand side of the iCamSource Preferences window. If the same webcam is entered more than once that can cause problems.
Also, what is the % CPU usage of the iCamSource application when running (after you have clicked the Start button) in the Task Manager?
-
Ok thanks, now I'm running the 2.4.3c version and collecting data. How long should I leave it running?
-
And YES, the 2.4.3c version frame rate is much more higher. I'm running it now for about 15 minutes with no crash! :)
-
If you have run it and confirmed that the frame rate is higher in iCam then that should be enough. (The log file will hopefully contain the cause of the slow frame rate in 2.4.4 ...)
-
Log file sent to your email, thanks
-
Uh few minutes later I've sent the log to you on one two cameras the sound stopped working. The sound for both cameras has one source from external mic so the sound is not taken from cameras. :(
-
I have a new version for you to try that does not create a log file but should hopefully fix your slow frame rate issue: http://skjm.com/icam/iCamSource2.4.3d.zip
If you could download that version and let me know that it also fixes the slow frame rate issue, I would appreciate it. (It is similar to 2.4.3c except it does not create a log file, so you can leave it running.)
As for the sound stopping, does the video stop when the sound stops? Or is it just the sound?
When the iCamSource is running, if you could open the Task Manager and see what the % CPU usage of the iCamSource is, I would appreciate it as well: http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/taskman.htm
I am assuming you are running Windows XP Service Pack 3 and have all of the latest OS updates installed, correct?
What are the descriptions of the items in the Video and Audio drop-down lists that you choose?
-
2.4.3d is running good frame rate too.
When the sound stops working my currently 2 connected cams continue running video and the second also audio with no change, just one have no audio more. When I press just stop button and again start it solve I have video and audio on both cams for a while.
The cpu usage when running smooth and when something stops working is the same about 30% on my machine.
Yes I'm running latest xp updates incl SP3.
On drop down menu in icamsource I have one cam USB video device, second is USB PC Camera with mic (SN9C105). And both cameras takes sound from internal pc mic in to which is connected external mic because of earlier troibles with audio stops working. When I take audio from cameras its stopping too.
-
USB Video Device indicates that Windows is using the generic webcam drivers for the device instead of the ones provided by the webcam manufacturer. The generic webcam drivers do have stability issues with a number of webcams, similar to the problems you are experiencing. (They work for a while but then just quit.)
I believe you mentioned you were using Logitech webcams in a previous post. If that is the case, please make sure you have the latest webcam drivers installed for your Logitech webcams, downloaded directly from Logitech: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/support-downloads
-
It's not using generic driver. Drivers for all cams were successfully installed. Also the Logitech cam which I'm using rather connected to mac had on PC its driver, with the full name in drop down menu in icam sourceand had the same interrupts of video and sound as the other cams. The sad thing is that sometimes but MORE LESS! it happens also on Mac. During the day stops working the audio stream for example. So it's something inside the icam source. I really like your software, thats why I payid for it but its not a safe solution for wathching my house cause I can't believe the pictures, never knows when it freeze again so it will not send me the push notofications of some intruder etc. I have really tried lots of different cams wit its drivers on four computers, pc and macs and the freezes were on all!!On a Mac just few times but did, on pc every day minimum one freeze.
-
There are currently no other users reporting this freezing issue, so I am guessing that it has something to do with your specific setup.
If you choose "No Audio" from the Audio drop-down list does the video eventually stop / freeze? It may be something specific to the audio capture for some reason.
-
:(( it's really sad because I setup new router today, tried all versions of icam source on 3 different pcs and 2 macs, 5 different webcams and the result was on all the same - randomly freezes.
-
Since it seems that the issue is with the iCamSource receiving audio and video from the webcams, changing the network router shouldn't have an effect.
Did you try choosing "No Audio" in the iCamSource with a single webcam? Also, what type of Mac do you have? Does it have a built-in webcam?
-
I have tryed it on iMac G5 with iSight and without and Logitech C270 I'm running through latest Mac Mini. On mini I have not freezes of video but couple of days it stops sending audio.
-
Miracle, on one PC two cams are already for two days sending video, it was never been so long. But on one cam stopped audio :)