Question CCTV DVR and it's software program stops communicating

[videobruce]

I have a CCTV DVR (Speco Tech if that matters) that uses a software program to connect to a PC. There are two basic modes; Live TV and Playback. Both functions are pretty much self explanatory.
I was having issues with the 1st unit I received (new) but that one did NOT have this issue. The 2nd one did. No changes on my end, thou I did update the F/W in my Router (running DD-WRT). I reverted back to the F/W version that was in the Router, but NO change. Problem remained.
I uninstalled the software and re-installed it, but no change. Rebooting the DVR makes no difference. I contacted the manufacture (US based support for a change), but they claim none of their units do this (of course), but they did point a finger to the PC (of course, it couldn't possibly be their fault) which I was waiting for them to do that. Except for the fact the 1st unit did NOT have this issue, it had numerous others not related.

If I just open and run the program without changing the 4 camera view, all is fine, data continues to be sent, but when I choose any specific camera, then return to the 2x2 (Quad) view the data stream just dies out and the images are frozen. If I click back to any single camera the data may return, but it usually dies out after a minute or so. Closing the program and re-opening it brings it back to square one.

I use a program called 'Bit Meter' (similar to DU Meter) to continuously monitor LAN & WAN status as to data flow in and out. This is how I determined it was a data flow issue. (I have used one or the other of these for well over a decade, great troubleshooting tool !!). The max data xfer rate is 10Mb/sec. thou it's usually around 5-6 Mb/sec.

Now, to add to the mystery; if I change to 'Playback', the problem seems to go away (AFAIK). Data flow is back and it doesn't seem to be affected my any actions I do.
I don't know if the software used a different port between Live View and Playback, I believe it's the same. That was the only area that may explain this that I could think of.

Details;
Static IP addresses !!
Win 7 Pro x64,
AMD based Gigabyte MB, FX8350 processor, 8GB of memory, wired Ethernet,
NO A/V or local Firewall programs running, no suspicious processes or services running. I use ProcessHacker (poor name choice), it's a superior substitute for Task Manager).
The program does install MS C++ 2010

Any ideas out there??

 

[JackMDS]

This free portable will give you info concerning Network Ports.

CurrPorts: Monitoring TCP/IP network connections on Windows

CurrPorts displays the list of all currently opened TCP/IP and UDP ports on your local computer.

www.nirsoft.net

 

[videobruce]

FYI;
Here is the DVR;
https://www.specotech.com/product/d4vx3tb-2/

The software is here (but you have to register to d/l);
https://www.specotech.com/secureguard-cms-digital-download/

 

[aigomorla]

I don't know if the software used a different port between Live View and Playback, I believe it's the same. That was the only area that may explain this that I could think of.

the unit could be dying hence the onboard decode / trascode has been greatly diminished, which is used in playback.
Or the HDD on the unit is about to kick the bucket.
Does the unit have a option to display SMART info on the storage drive?

 

[videobruce]

Thanks for the reply.
This is a brand new unit w/ a brand new HDD. Yes to your question, but that isn't the issue. But it's the Live View that has the problem, not PB.

 

[aigomorla]

Oh i got it confused....
I am lost then.
If it plays back fine, that means transcoding is ok.
If its live view which should be streaming, that has to be something with either the device or network, or client machine.

I assume you tried other clients, and if it has a phone app, even your phone?

 

[videobruce]

Same Network as the 1st unit,
I do have a Laptop, but that unit has been sent back for another exchange (it came from B&H Photo in NYC, great to do business with !!!)
I don't have a cell phone (that's a 4 letter word here).
Yes, I'm lost too, one would think streaming is streaming if it is 'live' or recorded.

If it happens again w/ the 3rd, I will try the Laptop (same W7 build image)

 

[videobruce]

The 3rd unit arrived and now what is happening is the Router (or the DVR) is dropping out after 20-30 seconds after a reboot. It never comes back, so now the question is can a Router kick off a device? Or can a device 'drop' it's connection with a router?? This surely isn't a O/S issue.

 

[aigomorla]

can a Router kick off a device? Or can a device 'drop' it's connection with a router?

Yes....
Or you can have a port forwarding error somewhere.

 

[mxnerd]

Why not showing some configuration screen shots? No one here has your device and software. Does the software have error logging capability that you can check?

And are you viewing the video from a remote location?

Did the Windows Event Viewer reveal anything?

 

[videobruce]

aigomorla;​

Why or how??
I don't use or configure port forwarding, or at least no changes made there.

 

[videobruce]

As to the software, that unit with that problem went back. Software isn't a issue with this situation, it's not even running (it doesn't run at startup).
As to your questions; no, I never looked at Event Viewer (never thought about it and don't remember when I used it last.) And no, I'm not viewing from a remote location.
Exactly, what 'configurating shots' would you be talking about?

 

[mxnerd]

"configurating shots" means what have you done or enter in the software to make it work.

Have you tried older version of the software? Latest version might have bugs.

And you still don't have a second machine to try? The software doesn't even run this time?

Can you view the streaming video with Chrome browser? It comes with dev tools that can show network streaming activity.

 

[videobruce]

I do have a Laptop but it uses the same base image of the O/S as the tower I'm using now. But, none of that answers the current issue of dropped active clients in the Router.
As to the software, I don't think there are older versions on their website, but right now, again that isn't the issue I'm concerned about.

As far as settings, there really isn't any software settings other then the login username & password to the DVR in the software.

 

[mxnerd]

What if you use direct port to port between PC/laptop and the DVR and bypass the router to rule out it's router's issue? You have to enter static IP though

 

[videobruce]

You need a x-over cable to do that, correct, which I don't think I have?

 

[mxnerd]

You need a x-over cable to do that, correct, which I don't think I have?

No. That requirement probably is 20 years ago. Automatic crossover has been in almost all ethernet products ever since.

 

[mxnerd]

Yet another way is install VMware Player Free / Pro (30day trial) or VirtualBox on Win7. Then create a Win10 VM to see if it works.

 

[videobruce]

Well, to keep thing more interesting, I opened up the software to check on settings as I was asked about and out of the blue the Quad View came up with the 4 cameras, but the image then started to break up. I clicked on a single camera and it produced decent live video. I immediately went to the Web interface of the Router and looked for that static IP address, but that address was NOT in the active clients!

Ok, I give up, explain that one? I'm going to have to reset the Routers defaults which I was trying to avoid doing and re-load that more recent F/W I tried earlier.

 

[mxnerd]

Depend on how the vendor designed its routers, not every vendor's router model will include static ip clients in it's active clients, don't think you need to worry about that.

Some will only show dhcp clients. By the way, contact the software vendor to send you the link to older version of software.