Probably the Weirdest Webcam Issue

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1

Camera: Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF

Problem:
The webcam through OctoPrint works perfectly in a different area of my house.

When I plug in my Pi where I need it by my printer the webcam light does not illuminate and Octoprint cannot access the webcam stream or snapshot. Sometimes the webcam light illuminates for about a second before turning off and never turns on again until Pi is rebooted and the cycle repeats.

Note: I have my 5v pin taped and the issue persists even when my printer is not plugged into the Pi (as long as the Pi is in the area).

I believe it is an interference issue but am not sure how to debug it or find the source. My webcam is plugged in via USB so I am confused as to why interference seems to be occurring.

What did you already try to solve it?
Tried multiple outlets to no avail. Am using the same power supply as when it works.

Logs (/var/log/webcamd.log, syslog, dmesg, ... no logs, no support)
SystemInfo Bundle:
octoprint-systeminfo-20230625180930.zip (120.3 KB)

Webcamd.log:

Starting up webcamDaemon...

--- Configuration: ----------------------------
cfg_file:      /boot/octopi.txt
camera:        auto
usb options:   -r 960x720
raspi options: -fps 10
http options:  -w ./www-octopi -n --listen 127.0.0.1

Explicitly set USB device: 
-----------------------------------------------

Found video devices:
/dev/video0
/dev/video1
/dev/video10
/dev/video11
/dev/video12
/dev/video13
/dev/video14
/dev/video15
/dev/video16
/dev/video18
/dev/video19
/dev/video20
/dev/video21
/dev/video22
/dev/video23
/dev/video31
config file='/boot/octopi.txt':USB device was not set in options, starting MJPG-streamer with the first found video device: /dev/video0

Camera model 046d:0994 is known to not work with -f parameter, stripping it out


Camera model 046d:0994 is known to not work with -f parameter, stripping it out

<13>Jun 25 09:43:58 root: Starting USB webcam
Checking for VL805 (Raspberry Pi 4)...
  - It seems that you don't have VL805 (Raspberry Pi 4).
    There should be no problems with USB (a.k.a. select() timeout)
Running ./mjpg_streamer -o output_http.so -w ./www-octopi -n --listen 127.0.0.1 -i input_uvc.so -r 960x720 -d /dev/video0
MJPG Streamer Version.: 2.0
 i: Using V4L2 device.: /dev/video0
 i: Desired Resolution: 960 x 720
 i: Frames Per Second.: -1
 i: Format............: JPEG
 i: TV-Norm...........: DEFAULT
UVCIOC_CTRL_ADD - Error at Pan (relative): Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_ADD - Error at Tilt (relative): Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_ADD - Error at Pan Reset: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_ADD - Error at Tilt Reset: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_ADD - Error at Pan/tilt Reset: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_ADD - Error at Focus (absolute): Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Pan (relative): Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Tilt (relative): Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Pan Reset: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Tilt Reset: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Pan/tilt Reset: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Focus (absolute): Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at LED1 Mode: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at LED1 Frequency: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Disable video processing: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
UVCIOC_CTRL_MAP - Error at Raw bits per pixel: Inappropriate ioctl for device (25)
 o: www-folder-path......: ./www-octopi/
 o: HTTP TCP port........: 8080
 o: HTTP Listen Address..: 127.0.0.1
 o: username:password....: disabled
 o: commands.............: disabled
Done bringing up all configured video devices
 i: select() timeout
 i: cleaning up resources allocated by input thread

Goodbye...

Additional information about your setup (OctoPrint version, OctoPi version, ...)
Pi 4B
OctoPi 1.0.0
OctoPrint 1.9.0

Any and all help is appreciated.

2

Could be a power issue.
Any undervoltage warnings in OctoPrint or in the logs?

3

No, I am not getting any voltage warnings in OctoPrint and I Ctrl+F'd in octoprint.log and that came up empty too.

Thanks for the help.

4

Edit: Added system info bundle into the main post

5

WiFi can have numerous dead spots around a house, however given you have not described where the unit is when it is working then not working, I cannot say with certainty what is wrong in your case.

As far as Octopi itself is concerned, it does not need a high data rate connection to work, where as the camera needs to be able to stream consistently higher data rates.

All I need to do is to move the RaspberryPi from one side of the printer to the other to get this effect. The printer acts as a partial screen of the WiFi signal to the router.

Going through walls at an angle from the router to the Pi also reduces the signal bandwidth and yet if the signal is perpendicular to the wall it can be fine.

Basically describe where you are situating the Pi in each case

6

I've seen some odd wifi issues (especially 2.4gHz) in new construction and remodels due to high moisture content in the building materials - 2.4gHz wifi is effectively absorbed by water.