FAQ
TL;DR: 1 camera out of 4 is detected but shows a login error; “The recorder sees the camera but there is an error.” [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17049145]
Why it matters:** This FAQ helps Camspot 2.1 users fix Wi‑Fi IP cameras that appear in the NVR list but won’t show video.
Quick Facts
- Setup described: Camspot 2.1 NVR with four Wi‑Fi IP cameras (Overmax 4.5, 3.2, and two clones). [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #16886094]
- Symptom: NVR discovers the camera, but preview fails with “password/login error.” [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17049145]
- The faulty stream can reappear, then drop again (e.g., vanished around 19:00). [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17054894]
- Router swap (Funbox 2.0 → TP‑Link VR600) did not resolve NVR preview failure. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17103981]
- Community tips include updating firmware, adjusting FPS/resolution, and considering NVR/HDD suitability. [Elektroda, dawidedziu, post #17048620]
Why does my Camspot 2.1 show IP but no image for one camera?
The recorder discovers the camera but rejects authentication. The NVR then flags a login/password error and blocks the preview. This can happen even if the same camera streams fine to your phone or PC. In the thread, three streams worked and one failed on the NVR only. That indicates an NVR–camera auth or compatibility issue rather than basic connectivity. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17049145]
How do I fix the “password or login error” on Camspot 2.1?
Standardize credentials and retry. Use a short alphanumeric password (no special characters), then re‑add the camera. If it succeeds, lengthen gradually. If it fails, update firmware on both NVR and camera, then test again. A helper advises: “Try to upload the newer firmware … change … resolution, number of frames per second.” [Elektroda, dawidedziu, post #17048620]
Does Wi‑Fi vs Ethernet change this symptom?
The issue persisted over Wi‑Fi, and the camera still streamed perfectly to phone and PC. That points away from RF coverage and toward NVR‑side auth/protocol handling. You can still test by wiring the camera or relocating the AP, but the thread’s failure remained NVR‑specific. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17079326]
Could a router upgrade fix the no‑image problem?
A faster router can help stability, but it’s not a guaranteed cure. In the case discussed, replacing Funbox 2.0 with a TP‑Link VR600 changed nothing for NVR preview, while mobile/PC streams stayed smooth. That isolates the fault to NVR‑camera interaction. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17103981]
How do I add a Camspot camera to the 2.1 recorder?
- Run camera search on the NVR and wait for devices with a blue plus.
- Tap the blue plus; a white key appears to enter the camera password.
- Enter credentials; a green circle confirms success. If you see a red circle, auth failed. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17080370]
Why did the camera come back for a day and then vanish again?
Intermittent auth or session handling can pass once and fail later. In the thread, the camera returned after days, worked smoothly, then disappeared again around 19:00. No auto‑restarts were set on camera or NVR. That behavior flags unstable NVR authentication or firmware bugs. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17054894]
Do mismatched firmware versions between cameras and NVR matter?
Yes. Different models and firmware builds can negotiate ONVIF/RTSP differently, producing discovery without video. Update the NVR and the affected camera first. As one helper put it, “Try to upload the newer firmware.” Then retest with simple credentials. [Elektroda, dawidedziu, post #17048620]
What recording settings should I change first?
Lower the camera’s resolution and frames per second from the NVR profile, then re‑add the camera. This reduces stream bandwidth and decoder load during auth/handshake. The helper specifically named resolution and FPS as knobs worth adjusting during troubleshooting. [Elektroda, dawidedziu, post #17048620]
Could the hard drive cause a missing live preview?
A marginal drive can disrupt recording and sometimes UI responsiveness. One member suggested using surveillance‑class disks such as Seagate SkyHawk. While storage issues usually affect recording, ruling them out removes a variable during live‑view debugging. [Elektroda, wppk, post #17079483]
I reset the camera, NVR, and router—still no preview. What next?
Confirm the camera works on phone/PC, then focus on the NVR. Recreate the device on the NVR with a simple password and reduced FPS. If that fails, update firmware and test with the problematic camera as the only device. This isolated test reproduced the failure in the thread. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17080370]
Is this an Overmax‑only issue? My no‑name clones work.
In the report, two no‑name 4.5‑like cameras worked, while an Overmax unit failed on the NVR. That points to per‑model firmware differences, not brand quality overall. Treat it as a compatibility edge case between that camera build and Camspot 2.1. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #16886500]
What password rules avoid NVR compatibility pitfalls?
Use 8–12 characters with only letters and numbers to start. Avoid spaces and symbols until the camera authenticates reliably. If it works, extend length incrementally. A helper specifically advised experimenting with different login/password lengths and characters. [Elektroda, dawidedziu, post #17049729]
Any quick benchmark from this case to gauge severity?
Failure affected 1 of 4 streams (25%), while all four streamed to phone and PC. That contrast indicates NVR‑specific failure rather than network collapse. Treat it as an authentication/firmware compatibility defect first. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #16886094]
Expert checklist: what should I try in order?
Quote: “Try to upload the newer firmware… change … resolution, number of frames per second.” Then simplify password, re‑add the camera, and isolate the test with only the failing unit connected. This sequence matched the most actionable advice in the thread. [Elektroda, dawidedziu, post #17048620]
What’s an edge case to watch for during testing?
Live view can return randomly and vanish again hours later, even with smooth video when present. In the case, the image reappeared, worked flawlessly, then disappeared by itself the same evening. Document timestamps to correlate with changes. [Elektroda, 16czarny16, post #17054894]
