Multiple XCam2 to VCR: Possible Issues

Question

My multiple-wireless-camera kit is supposed to record to my VCR, but it's not working. What could be wrong?

Answer

Setup Problems

Most likely, some part of the system is not configured correctly. Here is a master list of symptoms with all possible causes listed:

No picture on TV

• Wrong power supply on video receiver; the VR31A takes a PR30A and the VR36A takes a D9300.
• Video receiver not turned on-check power switch near antenna hinge
• Video reciever not connected to VCR
• VCR not on correct channel to view Video Receiver
• VCR not hooked to TV/ TV not on correct channel to view VCR
• Camera and video receiver on different A-D transmission channels.
• If your TV gives you a blue screen instead of displaying static, there may just be really, really nasty 2.4GHz radio interference in your location.

Cameras won't switch via remote

• TM751 not plugged in to wall outlet.
• TM751 and cams not set to matching House and sequential Unit codes
• TM751 or camera in outlet with bad power line communications; causes include:
  • Surge Strip- all cameras must be plugged directly into the wall
  • Line Noise
  • Phases Not Bridged
  • If an inverter or generator is used, it must generate pure sine wave AC power.
• Remote not set to correct House code
• RF signal from remote control not reaching the TM751

Bad Picture

• Not enough light
• 2.4 GHz interference
• Camera range issues
• Switching problems (see above).

Cameras switch via remote but not via sensor

• Sensor misprogrammed (you must reprogam the sensor after mounting with the screws provided)
• RF signal from motion sensor not reaching the VCR Commander
• Sensor set for nighttime operation

VCR doesn't record video

• Incorrect IR programming
• Incorrect RF programming
• IR cable not in correct place
• VCR Commander II in Home Mode
• RF not making it to Commander
• VCR off
• Video receiver connected to TV instead of VCR
• VCR on wrong channel
• VCR does not have one-touch recording via remote control
• VCR remote control has an unusual IR signal that the Commander cannot learn

Hardware Problems

Here is a list of devices in a common wireless camera kit and all possible issues they may have short of complete failure. Devices that have completely failed should be fairly easy to identify.

TM751

• Broken antenna- will click from the button on the front, but will not click via remote.
• Broken relay-TM751 will not click from button or relay, but will still retransmit. Rare.
• Broken powerline sender- will click but will not control other devices. This is extremely rare but has been known to happen. It is hard to diagonse without another TM751.

XCam2+Power Supply

• Mistuned video sender- if you get a picture with the camera and receiver on different A-D transmission channels, either the camera or receiver is mis-tuned.
• Power supply has bad powerline reciever- the camera will not turn off, even when tested on a powerstrip with your TM751.

Video Receiver

• Mistuned video receiver- if you get a picture with the camera and receiver on different A-D transmission channels, either the camera or receiver is mis-tuned.

Motion sensor

• Broken IR sensor- LED only flashes when you tap the buttons under the battery cover
• Broken antenna- LED flashes but cameras do not switch; remote control works.

VCR Commander

• Broken IR receiver- won't take IR from three different media remotes (TV/DVD/stereo/etc)
• Bad IR cable- cannot control 3 different media devices, no matter where the cable is placed
• Bad RF receiver- won't learn RF signal from any motion sensor or X10 remote control