Multiple XCam2 to VCR: Possible Issues
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Contents |
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Question
My multiple-wireless-camera kit is supposed to record to my VCR, but it's not working. What could be wrong?
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Answer
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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:
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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.
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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
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Bad Picture
- Not enough light
- 2.4 GHz interference
- Camera range issues
- Switching problems (see above).
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
