Resolution keeps lowering itself

[jacisme]

One of my Amcrest IP3m-943W cameras keep changing resolution from 2304x1296 to 1280x720. I've tried setting the frame rate lower and bit rate max higher, but it keeps doing it every few days. I've tried power cycling it and recently tried importing the configuration from another camera but the problem persists.

I've already got it set to a fixed IP and signal strength isn't an issue. It's changing the setting inside the admin settings page, it's not a temporary adjustment with the fluctuation in available bandwidth.

The resolution being broadcasted over my network via the camera's static IP address is what is changing. I'm viewing it on third party IP camera software and that's when I first notice it has been lowered. Then I go into the Amcrest Web View chrome extension and log into the camera, and that's where I see the setting has been lowered to 1280.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Revo2Maxx]

I would make a Guess that maybe at one point you set up Cloud for your Cameras?

[jacisme]

To the best of my knowledge, I never did. When I click on "cloud storage" in the chrome web app, nothing happens. When I try to log in to amcrest.com/cloud, it doesn't have a record of my email address.

If I reset the device to factory settings, can I set it up again without having to take my device down from its high perch outside?

[longedge]

I'm probably way off here but another possibility that crossed my mind is something similar that happens with one of the cameras on my NVR. The web interface for the NVR constantly switches to the camera sub-stream. Do you have the option to select which video stream to display in the app that you're using?

I know you say that the camera settings are being changed, but is that the main stream settings that you're talking about? In my case it's not the camera settings that change simply the stream that is being displayed.

[Revo2Maxx]

Good Point longedge brings up. However if it is changing the Display Encoding then it might be changing over being use say on Blue Iris, or an NVR or DVR that you may have it connected to? Cloud was first thought seeing I had that issue before I turned off the Cloud...

So then it might be that the 3rd party that it is connected to has the ability to make the Changes. With that ability if there was an issue with say Lag, cable issue, or maybe load that needs to lower setting or might be that it would only work in the lower settings...

So here is what I would do to see if you can find something there.... Log into the Camera WebUI... Go to the Logs and download the current laod of Logs. If your camera sadly not all mine do. But if your on older FW might still have Clear log button. If so. Clear the logs. then go back and make the changes to your Encoding... This is where you know your start point would be... Once all settings are way you want them... Log out. That will show in logs as well. Then log into your 3rd party software, do what you do normally. After some time if going to be around or want to tweak things little to use up the time... Hour later log out of that software, Bring back up the WebUI and check encoding... Then look in Logs again, Doing a back up from say midnight last night to current time even though you only have an hour or so... This way you get from when you last cleared.... Back them up and look over the logs... Here is some logs off one of my cameras with use of multi items.... Time was messed up going between my systems lol However the time of them are on the right time it is very strange issue I have lol... Also next to the Line number it says Admin another type I guess I didn't get one in this is System... However if your Logs don't have admin or system and is just blank that was when I knew it was Cloud making changes... Since that has been turned off Always admin or system for changes. All user accounts don't have access to make any changes lol...

9 admin 2019-11-18 20:47:39 Login {"Address":"10.0.0.145","Type":"DVRIP"}
10 admin 2019-11-18 20:44:52 Login {"Address":"10.0.0.145","Type":"DVRIP"}
11 admin 2019-11-18 20:34:09 Save Configuration {"Address":"10.0.0.145","Name":"StorageGroup"}
12 admin 2019-11-18 20:34:09 Save Configuration {"Address":"10.0.0.145","Name":"StorageGroup"}
13 admin 2019-11-18 20:34:09 Save Configuration {"Address":"10.0.0.145","Name":"General Setup"}
14 admin 2019-11-18 20:34:09 Set Time {"Address":"10.0.0.145","Before":"11-18-2019 08:47:42","Type":"Protocal Configuration"}
15 admin 2019-11-18 20:17:23 Logout {"Address":"127.0.0.1"}
16 admin 2019-11-18 19:45:43 Logout {"Address":"127.0.0.1"}
17 admin 2019-11-18 19:41:52 Logout {"Address":"127.0.0.1"}
18 admin 2019-11-18 19:31:54 Set Time {"Address":"10.0.0.195","Before":"11-18-2019 07:31:09","Type":"Protocal Configuration"}
19 admin 2019-11-18 19:31:08 Login {"Address":"10.0.0.195","Type":"DVRIP"}
20 admin 2019-11-18 19:31:04 Logout {"Address":"10.0.0.195"}

[jacisme]

Yea it's the main stream setting that is being changed (sub stream isn't even enabled). I just noticed the streamLimit is also being changed from 10240 to 4096.

I just cleared the logs and tweaked the settings back and forth to set the start point (it's time stamped regardless). It should mess up in the next 24 hours, so I'll report back what I find at that time. I'm guessing it'll show system/admin changed it, but I've got 4 cams and this is the only one having the problem, so I doubt it's my SecuritySpy software causing it, but who knows.

Thank you all for your active responses thus far. Amcrest tapped out last night and literally said: "As for the resolution thing other that what we discussed I am lost for any other reason why." - many thanks "Escalation Team Member!"

Will report back once it switches again. Feel free to leave any additional tips in the meantime if you have them. Thank you all.

Pic attached below.

[jacisme]

Here is my log showing my system changing just a few minutes after I set it at 10:49 last night, and then me switching it back at 4:12 this morning. I continue to believe this isn't setup with Amcrest Cloud, but the lack of "admin" in this screenshot suggest it somehow is, correct? Any other options?

[longedge]

That's very strange. I haven't seen a log entry like that before where the user name is blank. If it was something happening at system level I would expect "System" to be shown.

What frame rate (for instance) did you set before it got changed back? I would try improving the settings a little at a time and see if there's a point at which this happens again.

[longedge]

Just another thought, have you tried enabling the sub stream. If there is a bandwidth problem somewhere, then having it available might prevent the main stream from being changed.

[jack7]

jacisme wrote:

... I've got 4 cams and this is the only one having the problem, so I doubt it's my SecuritySpy software causing it, but who knows.

Have you ever asked SecuritySpy support or forum if their software/add-ons can ever change the resolution or bitrate in a connected camera?

Typically your problem would caused by external hardware/software that has access to your camera. Any Home Automation, phone apps,etc.? Cloud, of course, is another one.

I assume your camera is WIFI which can cause bandwidth problems even when you think everything is OK. Try connecting with an ethernet cable instead of wireless and see if that fixes it.