Troubleshooting your document camera

This page provides troubleshooting information for your document camera.

Notes 

  • These procedures vary depending on your Windows operating system and your system preferences.

  • SMART recommends that you update or re-flash the firmware in your document camera to the latest version when there is a new release or if you encounter operational issues, such as lack of WiFi connectivity, difficulty starting, or other issues. For more information, see Updating or re-flashing the SMART Document Camera 550.

Issue

Solutions

The presentation screen is dark and unreadable

  • Turn on Auto Image in your document camera’s OSD menu (Menu > IMAGE > Advanced > Auto Image) to adjust the image brightness.

  • Reset your document camera to its default settings (Menu > SYSTEM > Default > Yes > Enter).

  • Make sure there’s enough light in the room, or turn on the overhead light on your document camera.

  • Adjust the brightness and contrast levels manually in the document camera’s OSD menu, or use the buttons on the control panel or remote control.

    Note 

    Ensure the display settings are not adjusted from the default settings.

  • If you are using a projector, check the bulb.

The SD/SDHC card does not play videos properly.

  • Format the SD/SDHC card using the document camera’s OSD menu (Menu > SETTING > Format > SD CARD).

    Caution 

    This erases all the data on the SD/SDHC.

Your document camera has an issue not described above.

  • Restart the document camera using the power button on the control panel or remote control.

Issue

Solutions

No camera image displays while in Camera mode.

  • Ensure your document camera is turned on.

  • Check all cable connections.

  • Check the TV/RGB switch on the right-side connection panel of your document camera and set it to the type of display device you have.

  • Reset the output resolution by using a pen tip or other small object to press the resolution reset button on the left panel of the document camera.

No computer image displays while in Computer Pass-Through mode.

  • Ensure your document camera is turned on.

  • Ensure the your computer is working by plugging it directly into the display.

  • Check all cable connections.

  • Check the cable connections from the computer HDMI output to the HDMI input of your document camera.

  • Ensure your document camera is in Computer Pass-Through mode.

  • On some computers, you can press FN+F5 repeatedly to toggle between display modes and the computer images on the presentation screen.

No image appears when you press the PLAYBACK button.

  • Insert an SD/SDHC card with stored images or capture an image to the internal memory.

  • Disconnect the USB cable.

    Note 

    Images need to be stored in the available memory location in order to enter Playback mode.

The image on the presentation screen is distorted or blurry.

  • Reset your document camera to its default settings (Menu > SYSTEMS > Default > Yes).

  • Adjust the brightness and contrast manually to reduce the distortion.

  • Press the auto focus button on the control panel or remote control to adjust the image.

Issue

Solutions

SMART Notebook software or SMART Document Camera software doesn’t detect your document camera.

  • Ensure your USB cable is connected.

    Note 

    If you are not directly connected through a single USB cable, use a shorter direct connection.

  • Ensure your software is up-to-date.

  • Ensure the USB cable and the computer USB receptacle are working properly.

  • Ensure the USB to PC setting is set to CAMERA in the document camera’s OSD menu.

Issue

Solutions

You’re unable to record a video (the red recording light doesn’t turn on).

  • Ensure the SD/SDHC card is installed.

  • Disconnect the USB cable (the document camera doesn’t record video while being used as a USB camera).

The document camera stops responding during video recording.

  • Format the SD/SDHC card or USB drive using the document camera’s OSD menu (Menu > SETTING > Format > SD CARD).

    Caution 

    This erases all the data on the SD/SDHC.

Issue

Solutions

The WiFi connection shows None on the OSD menu.

  • Ensure the WiFi dongle is inserted into the document camera.

  • Ensure the WiFi router is operating.

  • Rescan for the WiFi signal (Menu > WiFi > Advanced > Rescan).

The document camera is connected to my computer but I cannot see the live image in the SMART Document Camera Viewer window.

  • Ensure the WiFi LED indicator on the document camera control panel is off.

  • If the WiFi LED indicator is on, press theWiFi button on the control panel to turn it off. Then reopen the document camera software.

The SMART Document Camera software detects and displays the IP address but is unable to detect your document camera on the Options page.

  • Ensure your computer is connected to the same WiFi network (SSID) as the document camera.

  • If your computer and document camera are not connected to the same network rescan and connect the document camera. (SMART > Options > Camera Setting > IP).

SMART Document Camera 550 software doesn’t detect the document camera.

OR

The software doesn’t show the document camera’s image.

  • Confirm the document camera is on.

  • Make sure the document camera is in Camera mode. Press Camera/PC on the document camera’s control panel or remote control.

  • Make sure WiFi is turned off by checking that the WiFi connection indicator light on the document camera’s control panel is not lit. Press the button on the control panel or remote control to turn WiFi on or off.

  • Check that the latest version of SMART Document Camera software and SMART Product Drivers are installed on the computer.

  • Ensure the document camera is directly connected to the computer with a known-working USB cable.

    Note 

    To test the connection, use a single, standard length cable, not longer than 6', to connect to the camera.

  • Check for any physical defects in the USB port or cables.

Models

  • SMART Document Camera 550

Keywords

  • general troubleshooting
  • image troubleshooting
  • software troubleshooting
  • recording troubleshooting
  • connection troubleshooting

Related documents