Re: [Motion-user] Gray glitching but only one of of two identical cameras

[Barry M. <bar...@gm...>]

Hi Roger!


Sorry about the delay in responding: my 90+ y.o. Mother “went missing” 
yesterday: got a call from Meals on Wheels saying she didn’t answer the 
door. She’s in New Hampshire, I’m in Iowa – great! ...After a few phone 
calls I found out she was out with a friend getting her COVID-19 
vaccination; she said she called M.o.W. but then also didn’t mention 
anything to me.


Heat can affect 2 "identical" chips differently.


Yes, agree: they’re the same but not the same. Play with electronics as 
a hobbyist; add up all those variances (1KΩ resistor ± 5% = 950-1050Ω – 
100Ω variance but within spec.).


As for the non-contact thermometer. it’s a decent over-the-counter 
brand; had forgotten about the beam spread. As you indicated, even the 
lab-quality version would probbaly be measuring more the temperature of 
the window rather than the desired camera unit – which of course is black!


As for the cooling fan and white tape – considerations. White tape may 
backfire as creates a layer of thermal insulation!


This morning I did swap out the wall wart. Originally a Vilros, 5.1v, 
3,000mA; replacement is a Raspberry Pi, 5.1v, 3.0A, so by looking are 
the same. As I understand it Vilros is an authorized reseller. “Poop 
occurs”: I may have gotten a faulty supply. What had happened is 
yesterday afternoon the RPi/Motion unit in question started loosing the 
cameras (both) ==> the Apache2 link dropped so loss of video to my 
monitor but the Pi was still up as could be reached via VNC. /sudo 
service motion reset/ was all that was needed (which reminds me: 
watchdog was configured on the original SD card but I swapped that the 
other day).


Anyway, one two many video feed losses – may as well power boot and 
while I’m at it let’s try swapping power supplies. So far, so good. I 
haven’t noticed any glitching; check the recordings: some minor gray 
glitches but not like before. Of course currently a lot cooler, 
generally overcast so no bright sun (I was thinking a very bright view 
was possibly causing issues)…. Side-problem which I had before is the 
vidoe feed to the monitor and the recordings will sometimes freeze for a 
two-to-four seconds. I have framerate set to 10 in motion.conf, nothing 
set in the camera*.conf. “For fun” put %fps in the camera text field – 
that varies from 3 to 15 and not always the same between the two. FPS 
not display the value I think it should (specifically framerate)?


I looked up your cam, how are those in general, and how hard to focus, 
and which lenses do you have?


Overall I’m happy with the camera (SV-USBFHD06H-BL36 – from Amazon). 
Lens is 3.6 mm, which from the top of a second-story window in the 
Storage Area (first floor in the EU) gives a probably 60’ view width at 
the street – which is why two cameras.


Like the 0.01 Lux capabilities – was the reason I switched cameras as 
the original pair was rated something like 1 Lux – no street lights so 
gets very dark out there at night! Not going to be able to identify 
anyone lurking out there though. Old cameras basically recorded black 
with red taillights when a car went by.


The camera offers various lenses, some fixed, some variable. There are 
also versions without a case.


>From some notes I have:

Camera Field of View


2.8 mm 90° view

Can cover a wide area

180° views available



(Examples)

4 mm 60° give closer up view, more detailed view of distant objects


6 mm 45° gives even more of a close-up view (and so less width)









(March 2021: Looked for comparison of the two sensors on the Motion 
cameras I have currently


*Sony OV9712 vs. IMX322*

Image sensors listed in order of image quality

Sony IMX: IMX322, IMX 323, IMX291 (starlight sensor)

Aptina has very good nightvision sensors

Omnivision: good value

SmartSens: low cost


Size of image sensor relates to resolution and view angle.

Usually 1/4” or 1/3” . 1/3” ==> wider angle.


Nightvision: better LEDs 10µ each (cheaper/less powerful = 8µ)



Barry