Argus PT 2k recordings are jerky & pixelated.

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

I have 5 Argus Pt 2Ks and one started having issues with video playback. At first I thought it was poor hardware and most videos IF played back at lower resolution the video was OK but that is NOT always the case now. I have retrieved the SD card and the videos are pixelated and jerky directly from the SD card.

This first started with one player then the problem has spread to the others.

What kind of SD card are people using? I've had a 4k 100 Mbps camera on my drone and I know how the SD card can make a difference so I may have gone overboard when I purchased my SD cards. I purchased Sandisk 128GB High Endurance Cards (read speed up to 100 write >40), suggested by Reoling is >26Mbps no larger than 128GB and Fat32.

When I got my first Argus PT 2K I used a pretty good card and I had some issues and I purchased one of the Sandisk HEC as above
and that solved the problem. I WAS happy then so I ordered 4 more cameras and 5 more cards.

Reolink sent a replacement Argus and it has the same problem. All batteries are 100% and now all 6 INCLUDING the new replacement cannot record reliably in HiRes consistantly.

Anyone see this issue, what did you do to correct it? Suggestions?

Thanks to all for any input!

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 If I understood you correctly you removed the SD from camera and placed it in SD slot of PC and played the recorded videos. Here you got the issue for both low and high resolution files. Right?

Can you format one of the SD and check recording again? I am using Samsung evolution plus 128G and 256G micro SDXC. Never had any issue.

If, however, this is occurring only when viewing through the client and it is happening on all cameras then you have a bandwidth issue. Check wifi signal level and try to use the 5G Hz band if available. Check upload speeds near the cameras.

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@joseph-chircop_497308027822318

Not signal issue....ruled that out.....thinking SD card so far....

I use a Samsung Extreme Pro for my DJI Phantom 4 Pro and my 4k @100Mbps and videos are perfect...

Shoulld have stuck with samsung.... I did replace the SD card in one cam and waiting for results but yes.....Corruption on the SD card after transferiig/viewing from PC, so I'm focusing on the SD card....

At one point everything was OK then one by one I started having problems....All cams the same all SD cards the same....ruling out now.

Running Mesh and nothing less than 200Mbps at each cam...

Thanks for the suggestions and reply!

I'll reply back, in the mean time have a great weekend and stay well and safe!

[Jedi2020_32727772450952]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262

Counterfeit SD cards are very common these days. They will cause problems. I always run a speed test (both read and write) whenever I get a new SD card or experienced these sort of issues. Highly recommend Samsung Pro Endurance SD card over others.

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@jedi2020_32727772450952

Will do Speed test on the 6 of the Sandisk High Endurance Cards and I do have some Sandisk Ultras that I use in my 4k Amcrest Cams with no problem. It didn't even occur that these could be counterfeit or even maybe just a bad batch.

Should have stuck with Samsung....been using that drone for almost 6 years with the same SD card and never a glitch.

I went with these Sandisk High Endurance cards since I live on the coast with a lot of salt air and wind/heat....so much for that! How long have you been using your current SD cards?

It's been years since I've used a speed test for SD cards (Speedout) and it old and not updated. What test do you use and will it work on Win11 Pro?

Thanks again!

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262

I've got another question for you....

On the first Argus PT 2k (with the same type card 128GB Sandisk HE card) I've stopped getting as many notifications and recordings.

On the Android app (v 4.33.0.5) I constantly have "Failed to load video Info" and have to hit retry several times. Do you have this error? On my router I'm using it shows 3 recordings from Oct 28, the last one has 0 time and says "recording failed". On Windows 11 Pro I'm using v8.8.1 and it only shows 1 recording for the day. I know there should be more because it monitors my driveway and my wife and I have been in and out all day. Do you think this could be due to the SD card as well?

Viewing has always been fine, I'm only having problems with playback and throughout time each cam has been showing less and less recordings. I have new routers (been using the main one for over a year (Asus RT-AX82U) with AImesh to an Asus AX1800 RT-AX55) and I'm using Wifi6. Years ago I did have issues with Wifi6 so I disabled it....any thoughts on this?

So many different problems on the same Cams running the same firmware (v.3.0.0.715_21112344).....

Thanks again for all of your help/suggestions!

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

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[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

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[Jedi2020_32727772450952]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262

I've used H2testw on Windows. I have migrated to Mac so I now use BlackMagic which is available on both Mac and PC. You can do a google search for other test apps as well. The last counterfeit SD card I got was Sandisk Endurance. Write test failed and I had to return for refund. You want the Samsung Pro Endurance over their faster SD card. Faster isn't necessary good for recording. The Pro Endurance can handle many more write cycles than the faster card which usually has much shorter lifespan. Good luck.

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 Get one of the microSDXC and format it on your PC to FAT32. Then do search for 'SD card speed test' and install one of the applications and check the write/read speed and for any eventual errors. If the outcome is fine then re-insert it in camera and do some recordings and check them out.

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@joseph-chircop_497308027822318
Yup.....done that.
Ran into a few problems until I realized it was my SD card reader that was causing the speed test poor results. So Far SD cards seem to be fine >80Mbps
My problems are worsening, now some cams ARE NOT RECORDING and PIR is ON!

So I have several questions:

1. What or why do some of my cams record at Low & Hi Resolution at the same time??
2. If you do a restore, why doesn't this revert back to the old firmware?

At this point it is looking like all of my cams have started having problems within the last several weeks and I've noticed that the firmware has been upgraded.

I just did a restore from the windows app V8 but the firmware didn't change.

I just checked the replacement camera that Reolink sent me and it is not recording either....

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@jedi2020_32727772450952
Yes I like h2testw (except it takes a lot of time Speedout is pretty good for a quick test) and all cards are formatted FAT32....I was hoping I would find they wern't and the problems would be solved but they've been working for 3-4 months and not near half full and it appears hardware/software at this point.....

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 Yes, the camera will generate two mp3 files, one for high resolution and one for low resolution. So when you playback in high resolution it will use the high resolution file.

What is restore? Restore simply resets all settings to the default value with the exception of wifi settings.

Do this.

Get one of the cameras which is not recording. Remove the microsdxc and format it on PC. Do a test to verify the write/read speeds. Delete any files left during testing. Insert it in camera and log on camera and take note of your settings except wifi. Then do a restore and apply the new settings. Then trigger the camera and check that you have recording and push notification.

And how do you know that the firmware has been updated? Did you ask Reolink support to push you the update or you have updated them manually?

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 Yes, the camera will generate two mp3 files, one for high resolution and one for low resolution. So when you playback in high resolution it will use the high resolution file.

What is restore? Restore simply resets all settings to the default value with the exception of wifi settings.

Do this.

Get one of the cameras which is not recording. Remove the microsdxc and format it on PC. Do a test to verify the write/read speeds. Delete any files left during testing. Insert it in camera and log on camera and take note of your settings except wifi. Then do a restore and apply the new settings. Then trigger the camera and check that you have recording and push notification.

And how do you know that the firmware has been updated? Did you ask Reolink support to push you the update or you have updated them manually?

Yes had all cams set to not allow update (I also have a log of build and firmware for each) then I got another cam and forgot to change the setting. Then I started having problems with two cams and thought it was the SD issue. Reolink asked to set to allow update and I did it for all cams, now they have been updated and all having problems now.

As far as the reset I thought it would "set to factory defaults" like most of my older cams that will revert the firmware as well.

The suggestion regarding the SD cards.....yes, did that to 3 cams 2 days ago. That's when I posted that I had found my SD adapter was causing a slow test speed result (it came with some old cards). I NOW use a good reader and all 3 of my SD cards (FAT32) have been tested with the h2testw & speedout5 and I have constant >80Mbps on my cards.

I really don't know what to do but since I started this I have moved the videos from the 3 cams and it appears that they all started having problems around the same time.....some were 2-3 months old and WERE working perfectly....

My newest cam (not the replacment that has the same issue as the rest) did not start having problems until this month (3 months after the others....pretty sure that's when I allowed the update.

Thanks for the quick replys! I'm still looking for a correlation......

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@joseph-chircop_497308027822318

BTW....ordered 2 EVO Plus should be here hopefully Tuesday......Don't think it's the SD cards but weirder things have happened.

I did use a sub class 10 card and had not issues other some hi def studder on ocacosion but now I have viewing issues (pixelation, greenscreen for a few seconds then video and files that just don't play).

Really appreciate everyone's help!

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 you didn't reply to my firmware question.

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@joseph-chircop_497308027822318

Sorry.....I talk too much and I thought I did answer it. YES, they suggested that I turn ON the auto updates.

We so little other replies....it may not be the updates or the cameras.

Still waiting for replacement cards to test. I used the Sandisk High Endurance cards due to the amount of usage that they will go through.....it may just be the case that the cards are failing after x about of usage. The oldest card is 4 months old and that was actually the LAST cam to start showing the issues.

I'm currently removing some files from a 4k cam that I use inside and then I will be putting that one in one of the cams to see what happens.

The only other one I have is for my Drone and that one will stay with the drone

What would be good is if someone would start a thread for users to list their experiences with SD cards and durability....

Thanks again Joseph!

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 Four months usage is rather too short unless they were all defective. One more question.....you stated that cams firmware was upgraded. Did this occur before or after you were experiencing the issue?

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 Four months usage is rather too short unless they were all defective. One more question.....you stated that cams firmware was upgraded. Did this occur before or after you were experiencing the issue?

To be honest, I wasn't paying attention to the firmware (other that noticing you can't download you can set it to auto or just check for an update).

WHEN I started to have problems it was just with one camera and I thought it was due to the camera since I had a spare SD card and replacing the SD card didn't resolve the issue. I got a replacement cam and it had the same problem right out of the box and it's firmware matched the "defective" cam. That is when I contacted Reolink and they asked that I enable them to push updates. All were updated but one and they all had problems EXCEPT for the one that WAS NOT updated. I allowed the update THEN it started having problems. I can't answer the when problem on the one cam that was always working started. I had set it to auto and I clicked "check for latest version" and at that time it didn't update. Several days went by and I noticed the problem and the firmware had been updated (same version as the others)......if it's not the firmware it sure was a good coincidence!

I then started asking questions and since there were no other people complaining, I am thinking it was just coincidence and MAYBE it wasn't the firmware. I then ordered some of the suggested Samsung EVO Plus and I'm hoping they will be here today but Amazon's deal was Nov 1-3. I ordered them Sunday and it looks like they still haven't shipped yet.

I'll take any suggestions but if I don't hear anything I will reply back after installing the new SD cards.........TBC

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 the way you described the facts it seems to me a firmware issue. It's hard to believe that all SDs became faulty within days apart and which have been in use for a few months. The common task done on all cams is the firmware upgrade. Check with the new SDXC and if it doesn't work then ask Reolink to push you the previous firmware.

[user_585783633887262_585783633887262]

@joseph-chircop_497308027822318
The SD cards should be delivered today.....finally thanks Amazoo

SO, you think they could revert me back to a previous firmware? Kind of hope I need that because I've wasted money on 6 SD cards. That would be great.

Either way sounds like this could be the beginning of the end of my problems.

Wish 20 years ago I had thought about possibility of running CAT5e (POE) to outside locations but eventhough these cams are only 2K they are not bad (Reolink is far ahead of anyone else at the time of purchase especially with the ability of remote controlling the viewing area). Reolink told me that it wasn't possible to have 4k on a battery camera .....I bet it's not long before they release them though.....battery capacity and size has come a long way. But if this issue can be resolved they will work fine for a few years.

I almost pulled the trigger on the doorbell camera Reolink was releasing but then my cameras started with this problem and I held off.

Can't wait to get the SD cards eventhough I had to restain the front porch yesterday.....reminds me of someone saying getting old is not for Pxxxxxx.....waiting for OK on MRI for shoulder......

Thank for the reply....hopping for a great day!

[joseph_1979]

@user_585783633887262_585783633887262 If trunking has not been prepared before finishing the house then the only option is WIFI. But should not pose an issue at all as there is adequate bandwidth. Let's see the outcome after the arrival of Samsung EVO SDXC.