USB Camera disabled

Question

Since the MS LifeCam is not listed in the Product list, I had to chose the ESP32 Cam in order to submit the question.

Problem: Can not connect the MS LifeCam again. Steps to reproduce:

Plug in the Cam
Open the ARC
Project->Add->Camera Device
Start
After playing around with the ARC Camera Features, closed the Camera Device without saving the Camera control to a project:
Closed the ARC, switched off the PC.
Later on tried same as from the Step 1 and got the message:

Closed Camera Device and ARC, removed the MS camera. 8. Plugged in the camera again. Opened the ARC and started as from Step 1 and again same message: "Camera Disabled".
Switched off the PC. Switched on and tried again without success (same message).

What I have done wrong to stop camera working?

Note: Did not use any Windows app related to the camera before I run the ARC. Later checked the camera with the Yawcam and VLC applications and camera worked fine. The camera is brand new, just opened from the box.

Nomad 6R · Answer

hi did you try to use a new window ? ( camera control ) .

Gale · Answer

Thanks Nomad for the reply If you mean as bellow, the result is the same

Nomad 6R · Answer

hi did you save your project on your pc and cloud ?

Gale · Answer

No, I did not. I'll try it now. Ta

Nomad 6R · Answer

after saving go out ARC and back in . its always a good idea to delete your browser hystory if you had many try's.

Gale · Answer

Does not work either. Got a different message: Camera Disabled Error Initializing Camera: Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000. Resolution: 640x480. Perhaps an unsupported resolution or unable to connect? System.Collections.Generic.KeyNotFoundException: The given key was not present in the dictionary. at System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2.get_Item(TKey key) at EZ_B.Camera.StartCamera(ValuePair videoCaptureDevice, Int32 captureWidth, Int32 captureHeight, Int32 outputWidth, Int32 outputHeight)

Nomad 6R · Answer

i think you have to use only one window . and if you unplug the camera and plug it back in?

Gale · Answer

All is the same: Camera Disabled. I give up.:(

Nomad 6R · Answer

are you using the latest version ARC ? and is your device up to date? be patients it will come solved . some one will shime in . also reboot after updates .

Gale · Answer

Yes, the latest ARC version and all is up to date.

Nomad 6R · Answer

what happens when you disconnect the camera complete ? remove ports and reinstall back ? does the camera window works with an ez robot camera ?

DJ Sures · Answer

Is the camera connected with a usb hub? This is a strange one hmmm - but we’ll figure it out

Jeremie · Answer

Hello @Gale, It looks like the camera may not support low resolutions like 640x480, try a higher resolution. It looks like it worked initially but maybe that was a fluke.

DJ Sures · Answer

Wondering if that’s it. Hope it is cause those cameras can be a bit weird. The camera skill queries the camera for supported resolutions. Wouldn’t be surprised if it returns false resolutions

Gale · Answer

Hi guys, Thank you very much for the replies. My answer to all is: The camera is LifeCam HD-3000 - Microsoft Webcam capable of 720p video (1280 x 720 resolution) at 30 frames per second. The camera driver is a part of Windows 10 OS and it is up to date. The camera was working with resolution 640x480. Tried all resolutions listed in the Video Device drop list and none worked. The camera is connected to the HP Compaq desktop USB port at PC front panel, not an external hub. The problem is not crucial to my project. Since I am novice with the ARC, I just wanted to play around and learn as much as I can before I start using the EZ-R Humanoid Head.

Nomad 6R · Answer

hi i read ones that front usb are diff then  as the back usb ports . maybe you can try one usb from the back op the pc ? i would remove all info in the device manager from that camera on your pc ,reboot, install back . also pull the usb cable out the pc from the camera before reboot pc and remove all info in device manager .

DJ Sures · Answer

But you say it works with other software, just not arc? It was working with arc and then stopped and hasn’t worked since? Arc uses the same drivers as any other webcam software so I’m confused of why it wouldn’t work.  id like to figure it out but I’m not sure where to begin to debug. I’ll have to think about this one.

DJ Sures · Answer

Is this the camera? We use these for our inmoov and a bunch of other stuff with no problems - that adds to the confusion as well of why it doesn’t work for you hmmmm

Gale · Answer

Yes, it is that camera. I am confused why it stopped. I did not run any other Windows app except VLC and Yawcam afterwards. Tried many things: disconnect/reconnect the camera, close/open the ARC, switch off/on the PC... I suspect that something is in the Windows setup, or because I did not save project when my camera worked. Could it be that some Windows services run at startup lock the camera access which prevent ARC to access it but not VLC and Yawcam. As I said, it is not important for my project, but I am a bit worried it would happen with the Humanoid Head camera when I start using it. I will try it next week for the first time. So, D(R)J do not spend much time to resolve it for me. I wish one day to see the following book in the bookshops:

Nomad 6R · Answer

hi maybe the camera is just broken .

Gale · Answer

The camera works with other apps.

DJ Sures · Answer

Haha I love the book idea! Might have to do that one day.  I ordered one of those cameras to see if we can replicate it. Should get it sometime this week. Stay tuned

Gale · Answer

I have one with ROS instead of ARC in the title. Very practical book, but the ROS is more complex than the ARC. That is why a book about ARC is really desirable.

DJ Sures · Answer

Hey Gale, my Microsoft cam arrived and I tested it with arc. Unfortunately, it works consistently and I can’t get it to crash. Even at low and high resolutions there are no problems. I’m not certain why it’s behaving strangely on your computer.  Are there any programs that could be using the camera in the background? Maybe even a virus?

Gale · Answer

Hi Sures, Thank you for the reply. As I suspected, the problem is in the Windows 10. I've checked briefly all apps running in the background, but could not find any that use the camera. I need time to check the Win services. I'll do it sometimes later. I do not have much apps installed in my Windows 10. It is dedicated to the robotics with ARC, OpenVINO, MS Visual C++, Python and Java. Plus antivirus app and some Win tools for maintenance. Do not surf the Internet for anything but robotics. The ARC works well with EZ-R humanoid head camera and I am spending most of time on it. Regards

Dave Schulpius · Answer

This issue has been gone over by better brains then I. However I have a couple "Shots in the Dark" if your are still up for it. I think it may help to try these in order:  *Try turning off your antivirus protection. See if that helps. Keep it disconnected when testing ARC for now. I know, dont worry. Just don't visit any unknown web sites while you have it turned off.  If you find this to be the issue try using Windows Defender for your antivirus needs. It's free, fast and stays updated. I switched a couple years ago due to DJ's suggestions and have never looked back.  *Make sure your project is saved and in a safe folder, then uninstall and reinstall ARC. *Reboot your computer. *With a new and empty project after the reinstall and reboot, try installing just the camera control in the empty project and try to connect to your camera. *Try different USB port on your computer. *If you are brave enough you can go into Device manager and uninstall and then reinstall the driver for the camera. With the camera plugged in you may be able to find it under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Here's a tutorial that seems knowledgeable on how to easily do this:  https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/uninstall-a-usb-device-windows-10/ *Start at step one again and try everything one more time. Ugh. *Try using ARC and this camera on another computer.  Let us know if you try any of this and it helps. Have fun and happy building!

Nink · Answer

try and plug camera into another computer and install ARC

Gale · Answer

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I already tried with antivirus disabled, did not work. I installed Windows 10 on new HDD. Did not update it. Installed .NET and ARC. The USB camera worked fine.:D Updated the Windows. The camera still working fine.:D Some other app installed on previous Windows is the "culprit". Will find it.

DJ Sures · Answer

Phew - that’s good to know. Thanks for the deep dive to resolve the issue, Gale. We were a little panicked on this end wondering what could be the culprit. I was slightly concerned arc was doing something wrong but none of our tests could replicate the issue.  We are relieved over here

Dave Schulpius · Answer

I vaguely remember years ago in the deep recesses of my bad memory that ARC (then ARC) was having connection issues when VLC was installed also. I may be totally wrong about VLC being the culprit back then. It may have been some other program entirely but it was a video editing program if I remember correctly.  If you are able perhaps you can uninstall VLC and see if that make a difference.

Nomad 6R · Answer

dave i remember that you have to delete averything from that camera . files are in diff places then reboot . folder on C : files in dowloads page . all files in device manager from that cam .

Gale · Answer

The culprit has been found!xD As it is written: the culprit is the list suspicious! It was the KeyScrambler Personal app ( protects everything you type from keyloggers by encrypting your keystrokes at the keyboard driver level, deep within the operating system). Spent a lot of time uninstalling apps and checking the camera until I noticed the KeyScrambler "hiding in the corner" When I removed it, the ARC was happy with my USB camera. I could not select all of you from the "This was resolved by:" because all of you helped me to fix the problem. Thank you very much to all of you. I am very happy to be with you!:D

Gale · Answer

Typing error: not list suspicious but least suspicious.

Nink · Answer

Wow that is interesting. Did you know it doesn’t matter if you have a keyscrambler that anyone with a microphone still knows what you are typing based on the sound of your key strokes. I did some work around this in the 90s even filed a patent to prevent this.

alexa is listening.

Gale · Answer

Didi not know Nink. That is unbelievable and awesome. Big brother Alexa!:)

Gale

USB Camera Disabled

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