Arecont network activity lights - how to disable them?

[akelley 0]

I just started experimenting with Arecont Vision cameras - nice cameras once you get focus dialed in. Anyway, I can't figure out how to disable the network activity lights on the back (ethernet jack). Those lights are very bright, so if you have the cameras in a dark room, they pretty much light up the whole room. You can certainly forget about using them for any "concealed" application. I have read the published API and there is no commands to do it, nor anything in the web interface. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this and any tips for either covering up the lights, or figured out how to disable them. I'm a little surprised because all other major manufacturers provide this feature either in the web interface or through an API.

[thewireguys 3]

Which camera do you have?

 

 

Wait till you have to deal with there support

 

 

[hardwired 0]

Use the good stuff. Or better yet, use the Arecont cameras for doorstops. That's what I use them for, now.

 

The combination of arrogant and pushy support, low reliability, and now, having to pay for a camera you send in for service, even if you have them throw it away, have combined to ensure that I'll never use them again.

[thewireguys 3]

I just had to deal with there support for a camera that was out of warranty. They charged me $500 for the replacement camera (refurbished) which I was fine with. What I didn't understand is they would NOT send the new camera until the broken camera was returned which makes no sense since they already had my CC and I told them if they did not receive the broken camera they could charge me for it. I had to beg and plead with a manger for approval but they finally gave in.

Oh and did I mention that they whole process from the time I first contacted support took about 2 months

[voip-ninja 0]

That sounds a lot like Vivotek's excuse for technical support. I had a camera where I installed it but the screws on the body were not tapped out fully. I complained to them of both that problem as well as really bad IR performance because at the angle I had the camera there was a ton of IR bleed.

 

They insisted that the only way they could do anything for me was to box the camera up, send it back to them, and then 4-6 weeks later, IF they agreed it was defective they would send me another one.

 

Unfortunately that appears to be the norm as I think Samsung, Axis, etc, do the same thing.

[buellwinkle 0]

The only company I get quick turnaround on is ACTi. Sent them a camera and they fix them the same or next day and ship them out. Sometimes if it's a problem they haven't encountered, it's taken maybe a week.

 

I was not happy with Arecont so I sold mine on eBay a few weeks after I bought it. They did call me back but after I sold it. I had high hopes for a camera manufactured an hour's drive from me. They also have such nice booths at trade shows.

[akelley 0]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions

 

I am using their older AV3130M, AV5115, and AV2146 models. No real complaints in terms of performance so far, except with those stupid network lights. And yes, I've used duct tape on them already and it helps, but it's not an ideal situation.

 

They may in fact end up as doorstops at some point...

[dvarapala 0]

Wait till you have to deal with there support

 

I guess I'm lucky. My AV1310DN is ~3 years old and still working fine .

 

If it ever fails, I'll just replace it rather than try to get it repaired.

 

As far as the LEDs go, mine is inside of an outdoor enclosure, so the LEDs have never been a problem. But the electrical tape should work just fine.

[MaxIcon 0]

I've got a pair of Areconts - an AV5105DN and an AV5100. The software and user interface are primitive, the frame rate struggles to meet half the spec, and the AV5100 has died recently.

 

I'm not an Arecont fan either.