pic + video not working

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Amanda Tanner

Hi. I have a GC-V4Gi/GoCam (Verizon 4G). Yesterday I changed the setting from pic to pic + video. It was my understanding that this would send me the pictures and a 10 second video. 

Since I changed the settings, I have been receiving pictures; however, there have not been any videos yet. Is there something I am missing? I have been checking on the app, and online as well. Nope, no videos. 

Thanks!

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    You have to request the video just like you do an HD photo. You only get a thumbnail of the pic. You won’t get the video until after the next time the camera checks in, so you’ll probably want to set scheduled events every couple or three hours throughout the day so you don’t have to wait too long.

    Liz

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  • Amanda Tanner

    So if I go into the settings and schedule a photo every day at noon, then the camera will download the video then?  I'm not sure if I understand. This would make the camera check in, right?

     

    ~Amanda

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    My video-capable cameras are set to take photos at 9 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM (because I want at least one night picture). They send status reports at midnight, 3 AM, 7 AM, noon, and 6 PM. You can set either a photo or a status report, a total of 10 events (but one status report is mandatory, you can only change the time).

    If your camera sends a motion-triggered photo after you request a video, it will send the video after it sends the photo. IOW, the video comes in after the next time the camera contacts the server, for whatever reason. Most of my cameras are in low traffic areas so I use scheduled events to make sure that I don’t have to wait more than 3 hours for a requested HD photo or video.

    Hope that makes sense.

    Liz

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  • Amanda Tanner

    Thanks, Liz. I will schedule some events and see what happens! Just to be clear, I don't have to actually "request" a video, right? As long as the setting is on pic + video, and I have some events set, eventually I'll get the videos?

    Warmly,

    Amanda

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    No, you must actually request the video. You don’t want a video from every photo. Daytime videos use just under 6 MB of data, unless it’s a windy day and there’s a “busy” background, in which case they can be double that. 

    You will discover that a lot of photos don’t have worthwhile video with them. 

    Liz

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  • Amanda Tanner

    OK, so how do I request the video, LOL. 

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    View the photo. If you are using iOS, below the photo there are some symbols, including HD and a little video camera. Tap the camera.

    In Android, tap the three dot menu in the upper right corner and Request video is an option.

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  • Amanda Tanner

    Gotcha! Thank you. I found it. 

     

    G'nite!

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  • Ricky Dameron

    Is this something new? Before I would receive a photo and video at the same time.  To request a video is a pain.  You have to wait until a new photo appears before the video will show.  This is not beneficial and defeats the purpose of this camera.

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    Ricky,

    GoCam and Ghost cameras have never transmitted photo and video at the same time. They've always required that you view the photo then request the video. The video comes in after the next photo comes in.

    If you always want video, you'll have to change your settings to video rather than photo + video.

    The new GoLive does send the video immediately after you request it, but you still have to request it.

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  • Chad Wasem

    I have a different problem, I've got one camera that has full battery and full signal, sends photos just fine but will only process the video request 1 out of 5 requests or worse. I'm seeing either "timed out" or "failed after 3 attempts" most of the time.

    I have formatted over the air as well.

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  • John Lockburner

    That's usually a poor signal issue. Is the cameras firmware up to date?

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  • Chad Wasem

    John-

    Yes the firmware is up to date and the camera has full signal. Only other thing I can think of is if the SD card is causing issues and needs to be replaced but I can't make it to the camera right now.

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  • John Lockburner

    Check the online portal (my.spartancamera.com) and see if the picture numbers are sequential or if there are gaps. Set to pic + video the pictures should be all even or all odd numbers.

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  • Chad Wasem

    In looking at that I did notice one of my other cameras had both even and odd numbers, is that a potential issue?

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  • John Lockburner

    Is it set to pic + video?

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  • Chad Wasem

    Yes

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  • John Lockburner
    • Edited

    Then it should be numbered every other number, either all odd or all even except for when you request the video. I would try a settings update and see if that changes anything.

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  • Chad Wasem

    Ok I will try that, maybe a new sd card and an in person format will fix it if that doesn't work. Otherwise I can just make a warranty claim I suppose.

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  • John Lockburner

    When you request the format through the app do you get a picture with an F on the bottom of it when the format happens?

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  • Chad Wasem

    I dont believe so, just the next picture that occurs, but it does post to the command history. Would this picture have an animal in it or just be a black photo with an F?

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  • John Lockburner

    It will be a picture of whatever is in front of the camera when the format competes successfully. You'll see the F where the M for motion normally is. If you aren't getting that F photo then I would say you have an SD card issue. I would keep requesting the format until you can get there too swap the card out, it can't hurt.

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  • Chad Wasem

    I see what you mean now, last format pic isn't viewable so I will have to do another format. I will say I did a settings update like you suggested as well as requested a status report and so far the last 2 video request have been sent from that camera. Thank you for the help!

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  • Elizabeth Swoope

    On your status report, does the SD card info show anything odd, like a very large negative number for space used or a very small number (62.5 MB) for capacity? Those are both signs of a problem with the SD card. Most of the time, remote format works, but I’ve had a few times where I had to request three or even four times before I got the photo with the F on the info strip.

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  • Chad Wasem

    Elizabeth-
    I did notice a very small amount of room available the other day and that's what prompted me to format thru the app but I didn't know to look for the F on the next photo.

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  • John Lockburner

    Chad, do you have overwrite on in the camera settings on the app?

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  • Chad Wasem

    Yes it is on, should I turn it off?

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  • John Lockburner

    Leave it on, that's what allows the camera to delete the oldest pictures and videos to make room for the new ones when the SD card gets full

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