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Troubleshooting: No Camera Video

Use this page when a camera shows no picture — for example the RodeCaster shows black where a camera should be, or the livestream picture is black or frozen.

Most common cause

A camera is switched off / not finished starting up, or the wrong source is selected on the RodeCaster.

Which camera?

Camera Model Usual shot
Camera 1 RoboShot HDMI 12 Wide
Camera 2 AVKANS 20X PTZ Camera Pro Close-up

Step-by-step checks

flowchart TD
    A[Camera shows no picture] --> B{Is the camera powered on?}
    B -- No --> B1[Turn the camera on, wait for it to start]
    B -- Yes --> C{Does the RodeCaster preview show that camera?}
    C -- No --> C1[Check HDMI cable / camera input on RodeCaster]
    C -- Yes --> D{Is that camera selected as the live source?}
    D -- No --> D1[Press the Camera 1 or Camera 2 button]
    D -- Yes --> E[Restart the camera; if still black, note for Mills IT]
  1. Is the camera on? Check the camera has power and its indicator is lit. Cameras take a little time to start — wait ~30 seconds after power on.
  2. Does the RodeCaster preview show it? Look at the RodeCaster Video screen. If that camera's preview is black:
    • The HDMI cable from the camera may be loose — check both ends if safe to do so.
    • The camera may still be starting up — wait, then try again.
  3. Is it selected as the live source? If the preview is fine but the livestream is black, you may simply be showing a different/blank source. Press the Camera 1 or Camera 2 button to select it. See Camera Operation.
  4. Still black? Restart that camera (power off, wait, power on). If it still has no picture, switch the livestream to the other camera and note the fault for Mills IT.

Picture is frozen (not black)

  • The camera or its connection may have glitched. Switch to the other camera, then power-cycle the frozen one (off, wait, on).
  • If the whole livestream picture froze, the issue may be the internet — see Network Overview.

Keep the service going

One camera is enough

If one camera fails, run the whole livestream on the other camera — usually Camera 1 (wide). A single steady wide shot is perfectly acceptable. Do not let a camera fault stop the stream.

Quick reference

Symptom Likely cause Fix
Black where a camera should be Camera off / starting / HDMI loose Power on, wait, check cable
Livestream black but preview fine No live source selected Press Camera 1 / Camera 2
Picture frozen Camera glitch or internet Switch cameras; power-cycle; check network
Both cameras black Power or RodeCaster issue Check power; restart RodeCaster