A camera will not connect or keeps dropping

The camera is not in the discovered list

• It is on a different network or subnet from the PC. Discovery only sees the local network.
• ONVIF discovery is switched off in the camera’s web settings (usually under ONVIF, Network or Security). Switch it on and add an ONVIF user if the camera asks for one.
• It does not support ONVIF. Add it with the wizard or its stream address instead: see Add a camera.

“Network error” or no picture

The app could not open the stream. Work through these in order:

1. 1

   Test the address outside the app

   Open the same RTSP address in VLC (Media › Open Network Stream) on the same PC. If VLC cannot play it either, the address, login or network is the problem, not the app.

2. 2

   Check the login

   A wrong user name or password often shows as a network error. Special characters in a password may need to be URL-encoded in the address.

3. 3

   Try another stream or model

   Pick a different stream profile, or in the wizard another model from the same maker.

4. 4

   Change the transport

   In the camera’s settings in the app, switch the stream type between TCP, UDP and HTTP.

5. 5

   Change it at the camera

   If nothing works, set the camera’s stream to H.264 at a lower resolution in its own web settings.

The camera keeps reconnecting, or the picture is smeared or blocky

• Switch the stream type to TCP: UDP loses packets on busy or wireless networks.
• Lower the camera’s resolution, frame rate or bit rate. Counting does not need a 4K stream.
• Check the cable, the PoE switch and any wireless bridge between the camera and the PC.
• Turn on email alerts for camera disconnects in Settings so you hear about drops straight away.

Still stuck

Send support@crowdsense.events the camera make and model, the stream address with the password removed, and a screenshot of the error.