Troubleshooting
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| PROBLEM | SOLUTION | |
| I cannot hear the sounds from the
nestbox camera: |
If you are using NCH debut, as we mention on our instruction page, sound is usually not audible in real time, only on playing back recordings so check by doing a little recording, make a test with noise and play it back. The same system unfortunately applies in Free2x Webcam Recorder. Before going into more complex possibilities it is may be a good idea to try plugging the usb cable into a different port on your pc, particularly if the computer is more than 2 years old, as the connections in these loosen over time! If sound is not audible either in real-time or playback the first option is to check that it is enabled in your camcapture software - you may have the wrong option ticked in the "microphone" source box? Instructions for doing this are towards the bottom of the Instructions page. Secondly you may need to adjust your computer's default option for sound hardware. |
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When I plug the camera in the programme on the pc I get a message: "no device recognised" "no usb device installed" or similar! |
There are a several possible causes for the camera not to appear on screen/not to be recognised by the computer or the software programme. Before going into more complex possibilities it is may be a good idea to try plugging the usb cable into a different port on your pc, particularly if the computer is more than 2 years old, as the connections in these loosen over time! If no success achieved with this then please try the solutions below: The most likely problem is that you need to instruct your capture software to use the camera: SELECTING THE NESTBOX WEBCAMERA IN NCH DEBUT: SELECTING THE NESTBOX WEBCAMERA IN VLC MEDIA PLAYER:
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| I have opened up the devices menu but no usb2 webcamera is listed | Some computers will not let you view/hear another webcamera if it is not selected as its default video or audio device To sort this you will need to change the default camera in the computer's own Control panel. In Windows 7 press start at bottom left of screen and look for Control panel option on the right. Select large icon in the "view by" menu at the top right of window just below search control panel. Now click on Devices & Printers. Amongst the devices the window should show 2 video or webcameras. Right click to select the one that is not usb2.0 pc camera and then select the disable option from the list that appears by it. This will cause the second camera to be enabled. In Windows 10 select Settings from start menu at bottom left of screen. When window opens click on Devices. From the list on the left click on Connected devices. At the BOTTOM of the window you will see the heading Related settings and under this is Devices and Printers. Click on this and a new window will open. Amongst the devices the window should show you one or more cameras. Right click to select the one that is not usb2.0 pc camera and then select the remove device option from the list that appears by it. This will cause the second camera to be enabled. You will, of course, have to reverse the process should you need to use the inbuilt camera later. 4. The last possibility for the camera not working is that the total distance from camera to pc is too long for the usb port to power the webcamera. We supply different cameras and cables with built-in active repeaters (boosters) to avoid this happening. Put simply a webcamera will work on a normal usb2 cable and/or extension up to 6.5 metres long after that you will need more boost on the line. The short-lead 1.5m camera should work with its 5m extension cable without the need of boosting. If you want to add extra length onto this basic system you will need to dump the 5m extension supplied with the box and swop it for good quality 10m active repeater cable. Even a good quality 10m active extension cable will not necessarily work when added onto the ordinary 5m extension you have had with your nestbox - you will need to use two cables with a repeater on each. If adding extra extension cable(s) don't forget you will need to cover all junctions to protect against damp - send us an SAE telling us what you are up to and we will send you with a complementary piece of poly sheath for this purpose! If you already have the new 11.5m system with the 10m extensions this is unlikely to be a problem as the repeater on your extension cable is very powerful. If you have worked your way through all the above checks and the camera is still not working then there is probably a fault with either cable or webcamera and its time to contact us for help so we can get the camera up and running. |
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| I have downloaded the software you suggest but all I can see on the screen is my own face! | It could be that your pc or laptop has an inbuilt webcamera and is "defaulting" to that camera automatically when you open webcamera capture software. You probably need to tell the software and/or the computer that you wish to use the usb2 webcamera inside the birdbox instead. Instructions for doing this are outlined in the answer above. |
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| I have a MAC and not much of the above advice applies! | Firstly: if your computer is a MAC, it will be extra reluctant to recognise an external camera -
we have found that Apple has a default on its products that reverts to its inbuilt webcamera and
does not permit external cameras to be installed. Newer Macs which have Apple's own Photobooth software can contact the webcamera using this application. We received a tip from a customer who is using Macbook Pro mid-2012 edition with El Capitan - his pc was not accepting any of it until he plugged in the Camera BEFORE turning on the computer! Lastly there is always a chance of help from Apple support or from their communities. Try the info at: https://discussions.apple.com/message/17028690#17028690 |
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| Can I watch two webcams at once on my pc? | Wouldn't it be great to watch the action both inside and just outside the nestbox at one time! We know that there are programmes, (some free) out there that purport to let you watch multiple webcams at once on one pc/one screen but as of now we have not tested them so suggest you get some reviews or look at you tube tutorials on this before committing yourself to the project - we will update you when and if we manage this ourselves! Here's a link to get you started: how to use ManyCam | |
| Can I extend the usb lead further than the extension you supplied with the webcamera? | Usually this will be fine as long as you do it using a USB2 cable with an ACTIVE REPEATER online to boost the signal between pc and camera. Don't try to "daisy chain" several extension leads - just get one of the length required. Also please read under point 4 in earlier question above and make sure you cover all exposed connections to protect them from damp damage (send us an SAE with covering note and we will send you some complementary poly sheathing to help with this problem!) | |