IMAGING

Why are there white spots on my image?

This is a result of low lighting. The NetCam's CCD chip is not getting enough light. The NetCam utilizes the existing light and lengthens the exposure. As a result, white spots appear.

Indoor Solution: Open the iris more.
Outdoor Solution: Limit the "maximum exposure" to 2000.


Why does it look like my picture is melting from the top?

This is a result of too much light. The NetCam's CCD chip is reacting to an overwhelming amount of light. This can cause permanent damage to the CCD chip.

Solution: Close the iris down immediately.

Note: Setting the iris for outdoor imaging is a one-time process. Place $e in the NetCam overlay and monitor the exposure. During daylight, the exposure should fall between 100 and 500. If it's under 100, close the iris a little. If it's over 500, open the iris a little.


NETWORKING

I can browse to the NetCam and see the image, but the image is not being sent to my web site.

The NetCam sends images to your server using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Make sure that you have it enabled on the FTP configuration menu. If it is, double check the basics:

If you are certain that these are all correct, check the type of FTP server that you have.

Click the check boxes that apply to your FTP server type/settings.

If you're still experiencing problems, you can telnet into NetCam and run the script manually to see where the problem lies:

From windows, click Start, Run and type: telnet <netcam-ip-address> and click OK. Log into NetCam and type (or copy/paste):

ftpscript ftp.scr

If you immediately get a prompt character (or if your NetCam version number is 1.0.0), try typing:

ftpscript /etc/config/ftp.conf


After I run the setup wizard, I cannot find the NetCam in the StarDot Tools software.

Check that your IP information is correct (IP, Subnet Mask, Gateway). If it's set to DHCP, double-check your cable connections.

In some cases, auto negotiation does not work with certain 10/100 routers. Try putting a hub between the NetCam and the router (If this solves your problem, you may qualify for a NetCam Ethernet upgrade. Please e-mail StarDot for more information).

If you are configuring the NetCam for a dial-up connection, you will not see the NetCam appear after the configuration. It will only detect NetCam's that are on the same network as the PC running StarDot Tools.

I ran the setup wizard and manually assigned it an IP address. StarDot Tools does not find the NetCam and I can't connect to it using my browser.

Check that your IP information is correct (IP, Subnet Mask, Gateway).

In some cases, auto negotiation does not work with certain 10/100 routers. Try putting a hub between the NetCam and the router (If this solves your problem, you may qualify for a NetCam Ethernet upgrade. Please e-mail StarDot for more information).

I can see the NetCam on my local area network, but I can't from another location. How do I set the NetCam up so I can see it from another location?

The NetCam is probably using a non-routable IP address (i.e. 192.168.1.X or 10.0.0.X) because it's behind a router (gateway). In order to connect to it from WAN side, you have to set up port forwarding if your router supports it. Some manufactures call this feature virtual servers. Either way, you need to direct the request from your WAN IP to the camera's LAN IP. Refer to your router's user manual.


How do I make the NetCam wireless?

There are several wireless options for the NetCam. We are working daily to provide turnkey solutions. Until then, here are some options:

Why does StarDot Tools give me a Winsock error in WIN95?

Windows 95 requires a newer version of winsock.dll. To use StarDot with Windows 95, you'll need to upgrade to winsock2.dll, available free here.

INTERNET DIAL-UP (via analog modem)

After I run the setup wizard, I cannot find the NetCam in the StarDot Tools software.

When configuring NetCam for Internet dial-up through an analog modem and phone line, you will not see NetCam listed in the StarDot Tools software. StarDot Tools only finds and lists NetCams found on the LAN (local area network), which is an Ethernet connection, not a serial modem connection.

My NetCam is on a Dial-up connection. How do I find my IP address?

The NetCam is designed to FTP a file named "ip.html" to your FTP server each time it connects. This file contains the NetCam's currently assigned IP address. Make sure that the path for this file is correct. Once the file is uploaded to your server, use your web browser to point to the file to get the NetCam's IP address (i.e. http://yourserver.com/netcam/ip.html).

Can I dial into the NetCam?

No. The NetCam alone does not support dial-in. You can connect it to a LAN Modem that supports dial-in to achieve this.

GENERAL

When I run the setup wizard, it says that it cannot find the NetCam.

Make sure that you are using the null-modem serial cable that was shipped with the NetCam. Make sure that it is plugged into S1 (AUX) on the NetCam. Double check that the serial port the NetCam is plugged into is a working port. Make sure that you don't have software (PDA software, fax software, etc.) running that may use the same serial port.


I have the image uploading to my webpage, but how can I get it to refresh automatically?

Follow this link to download the software and instructions.


How can I make a time-lapse movie with the images I am archiving?

This third party software can compile a directory of images into a time-lapsed video.


I want to archive the images on my server. How do I do this?

NetCam can optionally upload the image with a separate path and/or filename from the Path/File above. This provides a very convenient way to archive images on your server while still maintaining a statically named live image. One way to do this is to include date/time markup characters as part of the filename. The current upload time of the image will become the filename.

For example, the filename %Y-%m%d-%H%M%S.jpg automatically translates to 2002-10-22-153015.jpg if the date and time of the upload is October 22, 2001 at 3:30:15 PM.

I forgot my username and password.

The default username and password is admin/admin. If you changed the password and cannot remember it, your only option is to reset the camera to its default settings. There are two ways to do this. One is to remove the top lid of the camera and press the "Defaults" button on the circuit board (while the camera is powered up and imaging). This works on all camera versions. The other method only works on NetCam Version 1.0.0:

Establishing a serial connection to the camera and launch HyperTerminal to connect to the camera (38400, 8/N/1). Once connected, copy and paste the following command, hitting Enter when done.

/bin/flashw -b 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 /dev/rom5

Then type reboot then hit Enter.

Your NetCam will have been reset to its factory defaults. You will have to re-enter all your information.


How do I connect to the NetCam using HyperTerminal?

Make sure you have the NetCam connected to your PC. Using the provided null modem serial cable, plug it into S1 (AUX) on the NetCam and into an available serial port on your computer.

Click Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> HyperTerminal.

When the program first runs, it'll either prompt you for an area code or name. If it prompts you for an area code, provide one and click OK. It should then prompt you for a name. Any name will do.

On the next screen, for "Connect Using", select the com port that the camera is connected to. Click OK.

On the next screen, change the Bits per second to 38400. Click OK.

The next screen should be a blank window. Hit enter a couple of times and you should see a prompt (/>).


My NetCam is very warm. Is this normal?

Yes. The NetCam can run warm. But there are instances where you can damage the camera by using the wrong voltage adapter. The camera requires 9V DC. Please call technical support to verify your configuration.

What is CDPD?

It's short for Cellular Digital Packet Data, a data transmission technology developed for use on cellular phone frequencies. CDPD uses unused cellular channels (in the 800- to 900-MHz range) to transmit data in packets. This technology offers data transfer rates of up to 19.2 Kbps, quicker call set up, and better error correction than using modems on an analog cellular channel (Source:www.webopedia.com). If you're interested in a remote CDPD imaging solution, contact StarDot for more information.


Can the NetCam store images?

The NetCam has very limited internal storage and is primarily designed to FTP images to your remote server.