tecmic

I've bought a Swann ADS-466 Wireless Cam. It's installed with both WiFi and Ethernet connected. Setup can be done on a pc or smartphone app and requires you to select connection mode, if wifi it needs router's wifi encryption but both wifi and hard wired connections require you to show the camera a 'QR' code (which contains network data), this is displayed as an image on your smartphone. You hold the smartphone 4-6 inches from the camera lens and it should flash the IR LED's to confirm it's read the image. You then initiate registration by tapping 'DONE' on your smartphone. This process is far from efficient or accurate and on a second camera, hasn't worked at all! Has anyone had the same experience and know what the problem is, please? (I'm in the UK and Swann's Support is in the US!)

Thanks for that id5, That's too many problems for something that cost me £119 each! Swann don't demonstrate any technical competence and I've had enough.... the second cam is being returned to the retailer!

Had a call from Swann Tech Support! Apart from retracing my setup actions they suspect the registration fails I'm getting on the second camera are due to their server being busy!!!! Oh yeah....how come the first cam registered without problems? How come there's no lag or stuttering when I play back the short videos off the first cam? Their latest call was at 4.30pm today and they suggested I try again around 8pm (UK time), as their server should be less busy then.....it made no difference! I'll try again around 10pm and if that doesn't work, the camera goes back!!!

Some progress I took the second Swann ADS-466 back to retailer and got a replacement! This one, at least, does apparently read the QR code off my iPhone (the IR LED's flash as they should) but after approx. a minute and a half it reports "Problem adding camera". When I first got this cam unpacked I set it up in the house just to prove it was ok....and it was, worked fine, it's after I install it in my garage that the problem starts! Two situations concern me....1) the internet signal is carried to the garage by Devolo powerline adapters, but this is working fine with camera one! 2) I've a sneaky idea that, if you show the cam the QR code on your smartphone, outside, the reflections off your phone screen can stop the cam reading the code accurately? I moved this second cam just inside my garage with the main door open and the IR LEDS now work every time, but it still won't register successfully? Please....does anyone know anything about Swann ADS-466 setup problems?

Have you got a laptop or PC, if yes, is wifi working on those? If not, check and reboot/repower your router.

Ok, I've tried everything I can think of and more and still no success with this second Swann ADS 466 cam, so I've taken it back to the retailer for an exchange unit. This is an exact repeat of what happened with the first unit I bought. If the second replacement unit doesn't work, I'll be after a refund and looking at other manufacturers kit, but I guess that will mean ditching the existing working Swann cam and considering a system with a DVR, linked to my PC, preferably to my iPad.... is there one? I don't like this idea, means yet more wiring and paraphernalia in the house, whereas the Swann Cloud system with ADS466 is working well with the first cam and is accessible on my iPhone and iPad, from anywhere with a signal.

Hi Tomcctv, within the Swann app you click on the cam you want to set up and it asks you if you want to change the cam's network settings, you can't use the QR image on a different cam anyway. What you can do is delete a cam and add it back in as a new one! Perhaps that's what I need to do?....I'll try it. Mike.

As I said...the first cam is working fine, using a power line (Devolo) fed Ethernet connection. The second one doesn't even get to that stage....it won't read the QR image off of my smartphone!!!!!!! Both cams are mounted on my garage. The power to my garage feeds both cams and internet connection via Devolo adapters. The Devolo control software shows all adapters are connected at maximum throughput quality..... IT'S NOT AN INTERNET CONNECTION PROBLEM!!!!!!! The second Swann ADS 466 cam I've installed doesn't read the QR (Network details) image off of my iPhone....that's the problem. Mike.

Mmm....good point, but that means de-installing it (PITA) Also, registration, which requires a network connection with Swann's Cloud server, takes place AFTER the camera has read the QR code off of my smartphone and that's the bit that's not working! (this QR code image contains all the network settings) Mike.

Thanks Boogieman, yeah, sounds obvious doesn't it? but have you tried calling Swann Support in the US? It's painful and they simply cover what's in the setup instructions anyway! No, there's not a manual setup option. The real irony is that I successfully installed the first ADS466 and it works fine. I'm wondering if my Ethernet connection may be a factor? It is carried to the cameras by Devolo power line adapters, although as I said, the first cam works fine with this? The ADS 466 is meant to be a wifi cam but I think I'm on the limit for a strong, reliable signal at around 9-10 metres and through a .5 metre stone house wall, but there is a window in line of site with the camera? (as with the first cam) Mike. ps My phone's wifi signal fluctuates between 2 and 4 bars in the same spot.