Author Topic: two cameras will not work  (Read 4727 times)

swan456

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two cameras will not work
« on: August 10, 2011, 09:08:15 AM »
Can anyone tell me why when I hook up two cameras one will always freeze, this happens everytime, what could be going on?

OUAnthony

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2011, 06:39:32 PM »
Does the actual camera freeze? In other words, when you view the camera feed in the icamsource window (on the computer), the video is frozen? What kind of cameras, USB or IP camera? Does the same camera freeze each time? If so, does that camera ever freeze when it is the ONLY one added as a source in icamsource? What operating system are you using?

captain

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2011, 10:21:30 PM »
I have the same, or similar problem.  I posted before about three cameras utterly failing, and I thought that two was functional, but now that I'm 2000 miles away I discover that ONLY the built-in isight works.  The firewire iSight which WAS working, suddenly stopped sending video, and then iCamSource crashed.  I managed to have the machine hard-reset, and both cameras came up for a short while, but then the firewire iSight failed again.  I have killed the PS and restarted iCamSource several times.  I have rebooted the iMac several times.  Every time now iCamSource comes back with ONLY the internal camera served.  Of course, that is the camera that faces AWAY from what I want to monitor.  sigh.

How can I reconfigure iCamSource via the command line, and maybe get the external camera recognized and served again?

captain

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2011, 10:30:16 PM »
I have tried to edit ~/Preferences/com.skjm.icamsource.plist, but it's not a text file, and even running it through strings, the references to devices are too cryptic to decipher, but it does still at least list both cams, so I'm not sure why it's not serving them.

OUAnthony

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2011, 12:34:17 AM »
In the past, I had issues with icamsource crashing and cameras not being consistent because I did not have port forwarding set up properly. Do you have "router auto-config" enabled in icamsource? If so, do you have uPNP enabled on the router? If the answer to both questions is yes, it is still possible (although, unlikely) that there is a port forwarding issue. The only way to know for sure would be to set up manual port forwarding...both in icamsource and in your router. You need 7 UDP ports forwarded per camera. If you have 3 cameras, forward 21 ports (ex: 12000-12020). Make sure that the computer running icamsource has a static IP address on the local network, and then edit the firewall settings in the router to forward those same UDP ports to the local IP address of the computer running icamsource. If you still have issues with inconsistency/freezing/etc, it could be power issues with the cameras not getting enough power, or hardward issues, or some unknown driver or software issue.

I have had USB webcams freeze up after running for a few hours...but I've never had that issue with my IP cameras. If monitoring is that important, you might consider getting a couple of wired or wireless IP cameras. If you get wireless, make sure they are close to a wireless router so they have a strong signal. Wired is always better. I use D-Link DCS-910 and DCS-920's...love 'em. They were cheap ($50-$60/each) and they have a decent picture indoors, with an ability to adjust the focus. I'm not sure if they still sell them. The 920's are wireless, but supposedly the wireless range sucks. I wired mine to be safe.

captain

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2011, 01:01:40 AM »

Well, it's not so much the whole program crashing, as it seems to have "lost" it's connection to the firewire iSight camera, and now even a reboot of the whole computer isn't resolving this problem, where it did previously.  When I had hands-on I could reconfigure iCamSource, i.e. re-add the iSight firewire camera as the second camera, which would restore the serving of the second camera.

Currently, iCamSource is serving up Cam0 just fine, but Cam1 is just missing, gone, lost, disconnected....

To answer your questions, no, "router auto-config" is in its default position.  The instructions said to not mess with it unless things weren't working, and they WERE working initially, and ONE camera is still being served, so it seems like maybe that isn't the problem.  No?

uPNP is operational on the router, so that shouldn't be the problem, particularly since the Cam0 is still being served, and I can see it and even hear its audio (which is something else that didn't work when cam1 was operational and the only camera that would send audio).

Static IP, check.

Power problems are unlikely, as the iSight is the only FW400 device on a powered Firewire hub.


I guess what I would like to try is reconfiguring the iCamSource settings.  The problem is being remote.  I need to do this via the shell, i.e. Terminal.

I have pulled out the current settings using

defaults read ~/Library/Preferences/com.skjm.icamsource | grep Last | grep ID

LastAudioID = "AppleHDAEngineInput:8,0,1,0:1";
LastVideoID = 0x2440000005ac8502;
LastAudioID = " 0xa27000414603e";
LastVideoID = " 0xa27000414603e-video";

I wish I had thought to do this BEFORE, when it was working, to have something to compare with, but it looks like both cameras are configured.  Obviously, cam0 is, as I can see (and hear!) it just fine.  I'm bemused by cam1's disappearance and utter refusal to come back to life though.

OUAnthony

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2011, 04:16:51 AM »

Well, it's not so much the whole program crashing, as it seems to have "lost" it's connection to the firewire iSight camera, and now even a reboot of the whole computer isn't resolving this problem, where it did previously.  When I had hands-on I could reconfigure iCamSource, i.e. re-add the iSight firewire camera as the second camera, which would restore the serving of the second camera.

When you say that the firewire camera seems to have lost its connection, are you basing that on the inability to see the video feed in the iCam app? Or are you logging in remotely to your computer, viewing icamsource, and not seeing the firewire camera listed? If you do have remote access to the computer running icamsource, which it sounds like you do since you tried editing a file, try deleting that same file. The SKJM guys have suggested that deleting that file will reset icamsource settings to default and let you start all over. But try the other things below before you do that.

Currently, iCamSource is serving up Cam0 just fine, but Cam1 is just missing, gone, lost, disconnected....


To answer your questions, no, "router auto-config" is in its default position.  The instructions said to not mess with it unless things weren't working, and they WERE working initially, and ONE camera is still being served, so it seems like maybe that isn't the problem.  No?

The problem is that networks can get very complex with varying levels of routing in between your phone and computer...complicating port forwarding considerably. So while the default setting might have worked from your home network to your cell network at that time, it doesn't mean things won't change. Everyone from your home ISP to your cell provider (and everyone inbetween) is constantly changing network settings for security purposes, adding hardware, etc. Plus, as you travel away from home, there are more routers between you and the home computer. So it is important (in my mind) to correctly configure port forwarding. I don't know for sure that is what the problem is, but based on my experience, it is the likely culprit. I have experience all or most of your issues without proper port forwarding. Once I got it configured correctly, everything started working flawlessly. Oh, and yes, it is possible to view one camera and not another because of port forwarding issues.

uPNP is operational on the router, so that shouldn't be the problem, particularly since the Cam0 is still being served, and I can see it and even hear its audio (which is something else that didn't work when cam1 was operational and the only camera that would send audio).

See above. The fact that audio wouldn't work when the other cam was on leads me to believe, even moreso, that this is a port forwarding issue. Each type of data requires one or more ports to transmit through. If there aren't enough ports available (due to lack of proper configuration), some of those data streams (audio in your case) won't make it to the destination. It is possible, especially after a system reboot, that this time around, it gave priority to the video and audio stream of the first camera...so now the video stream from the 2nd camera is not showing up.

Static IP, check.

This really only matters if you set up manual port forwarding (for icamsource of for remote access to your computer, etc).

Power problems are unlikely, as the iSight is the only FW400 device on a powered Firewire hub.

I agree that it is unlikely...especially since it sounds like your computer is a Mac, which I am assuming you purchased pre-built. Beginners who build their own computer will often skimp on a quality power supply and/or get one that can't handle all of their hardware...leading to weird behavior. The only issue I remember seeing on these boards regarding power was the USB hub on Mac Mini's.

I guess what I would like to try is reconfiguring the iCamSource settings.  The problem is being remote.  I need to do this via the shell, i.e. Terminal.

Assuming you have the ability to remotely control your home computer, connect to it, open icamsource, stop the cameras, enable auto router config, restart the cameras. Since you already have uPNP enabled on the router, it should start working immediately. If it doesn't, try rebooting both the router and the remote computer. To reboot the router, browse to the router's IP address using your remote computer...login like you would as if you were at home on that computer. Use the web console of the router to reboot it. You will lose your remote connection at that point. Check iCam after a few minutes to see if everything is functioning properly. If it isn't, remote in to your computer and restart it. I am assuming, here, that you will still be able to access and control the computer remotely even though nobody is logged into it after it reboots. If that assumption is incorrect, then I would not reboot it...just attempt exiting icamsource and then restarting it.

Also, you noted that your computer has a static IP address, and I am assuming you mean on your local network. Does your ISP also provide you with a static IP address? Generally they don't (unless you pay extra for it). With that being said, cable providers typically don't change the IP addresses very often. If you restart the router, your home network might get a new IP address. This will cause you to lose the ability to connect remotely IF you do not have DDNS (dynamic DNS) set up. That's something to think about before you restart your router.


I have pulled out the current settings using

defaults read ~/Library/Preferences/com.skjm.icamsource | grep Last | grep ID

LastAudioID = "AppleHDAEngineInput:8,0,1,0:1";
LastVideoID = 0x2440000005ac8502;
LastAudioID = " 0xa27000414603e";
LastVideoID = " 0xa27000414603e-video";

I wish I had thought to do this BEFORE, when it was working, to have something to compare with, but it looks like both cameras are configured.  Obviously, cam0 is, as I can see (and hear!) it just fine.  I'm bemused by cam1's disappearance and utter refusal to come back to life though.

captain

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2011, 12:03:44 PM »
I must not have been clear about my "remote access" to the iMac running iCamSource.  I have ssh "remote login" access, but I do not have RemoteDesktop running.  So, I have full access to the unix level, but no remote GUI. 

I was experiencing this "loss of cam1" problem when I was on site, and manually reconfiguring (reinstalling) cam1 was resolving the problem.  Oh, and that was with my iPhone on the LAN, so port forwarding should not have been the problem.  I guess the best way to solve this would be for me to buy Apple Remote Desktop client, install it here, and figure out how to turn on Sharing/ARD on the remote iMac.  Then I could access the GUI, be sure that Firewall and/or Little Snitch and/or iCamSource aren't throwing error dialogs, and manually reconfigure iCamSource.  Alas, it's not really worth the $300, or whatever Apple is now charging, to buy the ARD client. 

I know that it is *possible* to troubleshoot this remotely, but I've about run out of steam.  Fortunately, my Cisco webCam is running along fine, and I can remotely control it's servo-controlled camera to peer around and ensure that at least part of the site is not on fire.  :-P

Thanks for all the suggestions.  If you want to continue this thrash, I'm game for a few more rounds, but I'm not sure this will be very helpful for your ultimate debugging.  Once I am back on site, maybe we can suss out WHY iCamSource keeps losing touch with the FW iSight, but keeps running well with the built-in iMac iSight camera. 

Let me know what, if anything, you'd like me to do.

Cheers!

OUAnthony

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2011, 05:44:50 PM »
You were clear...but I'm not a Mac user...so I assumed that terminal connection also meant you'd have GUI access. Apple makes you pay to remote control their computers? That sucks! Most Windows machines includes Remote Desktop. Hmm...you're sure there's no free way to remotely control (via GUI) your Mac? Maybe you could use the command line access to FTP and install a free VPN program and then execute it? RealVNC offers a free trial of their VPN software, which works on Mac. They also have a remote app for iPhone/iPad that allows you to control the Mac remotely...cost is $10. I just looked for a second on google...there might be some free alternatives.

I have 3 cameras running through icamsource on my computer (which has a static IP and port forwarding configured), and 1 additional camera on another computer (no static IP, and therefore no port forwarding). Even when both computers and my iPhone are all on the same local network, I still can't see the one camera from the computer that does not have port forwarding set up for it. So it actually is possible that port forwarding is still the culprit. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to set up port forwarding correctly and see if it fixes it.

If you decide against going the VPN route mentioned above, I have one more idea. Sign up for a free account at dropbox.com. Then FTP the Mac installer to your Mac, install it. Hmm, on 2nd thought, you'd need to be able to enter your username/password and change some icamsource settings (the record folder) to get this to work. Dang it. For future reference, though, dropbox will back up your motion events offsite. If crazy port forwarding issues start happening, you can still view the motion events...even though you might not be able to see the camera in icamsource. This leads me to another idea....

If you have root access to your system, I am assuming you can browse through all of the directories, right? Go to the directory that stores motion events (assuming you have motion record enabled for the "missing" camera) and see if there are pictures in the directory. The absence of pictures does not, however, necessarily mean that icamsource is not still monitoring the camera...it could just mean that no motion events have occurred. If port forwarding is the only issue, icamsource (if configured to) will still record motion events from that camera even though you can't see it...assuming the camera didn't freeze or crash or something.

SKJM Support

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2011, 07:46:11 PM »
We've heard reports of problems of certain Mac models that prevent multiple USB cameras working simultaneously due to an issue with the USB bus. It isn't a problem with iCamSource in particular, because the problem occurs with other programs as well.

You can find out if this is the problem you are experiencing by trying to open two of the cameras in different programs simultaneously (such as iChat or Photobooth).  For example, open one camera in Photobooth and then try to open a different camera in iChat.

OUAnthony

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2011, 07:55:04 PM »
I think he said the external cameras were firewire. Would that possibly suffer from the same issue as the USB hub? I'm not sure how firewire power works.

SKJM Support

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Re: two cameras will not work
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2011, 05:05:09 PM »
We've seen cases where there was an issue with multiple firewire cameras, but it sounds like you have one built-in camera and one firewire camera, so they shouldn't be using the same bus.

If iCamSource is crashing, there should be crash logs.

The crash logs would be in:

/Users/<Your Username>/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/iCamSource_<date_time>.crash.log

or in:

/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/iCamSource_<date_time>.crash.log

If you have Mac OS 10.6.3, I think they moved the crash logs to /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports or /Users/<YourUsername>/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

If you find crash logs, please send the most recent one to support@skjm.com

Also is the firewire camera plugged directly into the computer or is it daisy-chained with other firewire devices?