Yawcam Functionality: Does It Work When Your Pc Sleeps?

will yawcam work when computer sleeps

Yawcam is a free Java webcam app that allows users to capture and publish live video feeds from any of the cameras attached to their PCs. The app also has a motion-detection feature that can be configured to email snapshots whenever the motion detector is triggered. However, some users have reported issues with Yawcam, where the app stops capturing new images after a few hours and instead saves and uploads the last captured image with a current date and time overlay. This issue has been observed to occur when the computer goes into sleep or power-saving mode. While there are manual workarounds to resolve this problem, it is unclear whether there is a permanent solution.

Characteristics Values
Will Yawcam work when the computer sleeps? No, Yawcam stops capturing new images and instead saves the last image it captured.
Workaround Restart the Yawcam app or choose the video input source again.

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Yawcam's motion detection feature

Yawcam is a free Java webcam app that lets you use any of the cameras attached to your PC to capture a live feed and then publish the live video from your Web-connected PC. It has a motion detection feature that can be accessed by clicking "Window -> Motion detection" in the text menu. When you open the motion detection window, you will see a preview of the motion your camera is detecting on the left side of the window. This preview area also holds a control button to enable and disable the actions when motion occurs.

The Settings tab allows you to fine-tune how Yawcam will detect motion. You can decide whether you want motion detection to take place over the entire image area or specify a smaller area of the image for Yawcam to focus on. The Settings tab also allows you to adjust the sensitivity and tolerance of the motion detection.

The Actions tab lets you specify what actions Yawcam should take when motion is detected. One option is to configure Yawcam to email you snapshots whenever the motion detector is triggered. To do this, you will need the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) settings from your email provider or ISP.

The Frame-by-frame algorithm compares two following image frames separated by the time specified with the detection interval. It is good for fast changes and works with a noise filter that reduces the level of noise in the image, making it suitable for low light conditions. The Max filter ensures that motion events are not triggered if the amount of motion exceeds a certain percentage, which is useful for avoiding false positives due to changes in lighting conditions or camera exposure.

While Yawcam's motion detection feature offers many customization options, it is important to note that there are no one-size-fits-all settings. You may need to experiment with different configurations to find what works best for your specific conditions and requirements.

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Configuring email alerts

To configure email alerts in Yawcam, you must first ensure that your webcam is properly set up and detected by the software. Once you have a live video feed, you can start configuring the motion-detection feature.

From the main Yawcam window, access the Window menu and select Motion Detection. This will open a preview window that displays the motion your camera is detecting. Fine-tune the motion-detection settings to your preferences, such as confining the motion detection to a specific area of the camera image or adjusting the sensitivity level.

After setting up motion detection, you can configure Yawcam to send you email alerts when motion is detected. Here are the steps to follow:

  • From the Motion Detection window, click on the Actions tab and check the box for Send E-Mail.
  • Click on the Settings menu button.
  • Obtain the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) settings from your email provider. If you use Gmail, you can find Google's SMTP settings online. Otherwise, consult your email provider or ISP for the necessary SMTP settings.
  • In the Email Settings menu, check the box for Attach Image if you want to include a snapshot with the email alert.
  • Specify the email address you want Yawcam to send the alerts to.
  • Adjust the flood control settings to prevent receiving too many emails.
  • Provide additional SMTP server information if required. This includes the SMTP server address, port number (typically 25), whether an encrypted connection (SSL) is needed, and any required authentication credentials such as a username and password.

By following these steps, you can set up Yawcam to send you email alerts with attached snapshots whenever the motion detector is triggered, even when your computer is asleep or in power-saving mode.

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Setting up the correct webcam

To set up your webcam with Yawcam, start by downloading and installing the software. Once installed, launch Yawcam and go to the Settings menu. Here, you can select your preferred webcam device. If you are using a built-in webcam, choose the Integrated Camera option. For external webcams connected via USB, select the Change to option and choose your USB camera from the list. Ensure that your webcam drivers are up to date and that your video formats are current.

If your camera doesn't appear, you can try selecting "Detect Webcam" from the Settings menu. If Yawcam detects your camera, it will add it to the list and open a Preview window displaying your camera's video feed. You can fine-tune the motion detection settings to suit your preferences, such as adjusting sensitivity and confining motion detection to specific areas of the camera image.

Additionally, you can configure Yawcam to send you email notifications when it detects motion. To do this, navigate to the Motion Detection window and select the Actions tab. Check the "Send E-Mail" option and provide the necessary SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) settings from your email provider. You can also choose to attach an image to the email notification to receive snapshots of any detected motion.

It's important to note that some users have reported issues with Yawcam where it stops capturing new images after a few hours and instead saves or FTPs the last captured image with a current date and time overlay. This issue may be related to the computer's power settings, such as sleep mode or power-saving modes, but it is not always the case. A temporary workaround is to manually change the video input source in the settings or restart the application.

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Troubleshooting a stale image

Several users have reported an issue with Yawcam where the image becomes stale after a few hours. The problem is characterised by the software ceasing to capture new images and instead saving/FTPing the last image it captured, with a current date and time overlay. This issue has been observed to occur when the computer goes to sleep or enters power-saving mode, but it has also been reported on machines that are not set to sleep or take any power-saving actions.

There are a few potential workarounds for this issue:

  • Restart the Yawcam application: Closing and reopening Yawcam may resolve the issue temporarily. However, the problem may reoccur after a few hours, requiring another restart.
  • Re-select the video input source: Go to Settings > Device > Change to > select your device. This has been reported to resolve the issue for some users, but it may need to be done repeatedly as the image may freeze again every 2-3 hours.
  • Disable the device monitor: You can try disabling the device monitor in the settings to see if it makes a difference. Go to Settings > Startup and uncheck "Enable Device Error Monitor". This will stop Yawcam from continually checking the camera, but the camera will still function.
  • Use the Stream and HTTP feature: Enabling the Stream and HTTP feature may help resolve the issue. This will provide a more continuous video stream rather than a series of static images.
  • Update Yawcam: The issue may be caused by a bug in the Yawcam software. Updating to the latest version or trying a beta version may resolve the problem.

It is important to note that these workarounds may not permanently fix the issue, and some users may need to try multiple methods to find a solution that works for their specific setup.

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Yawcam's compatibility with Windows 8

Yawcam is a free, simple and easy-to-use webcam program for Windows, with many features, including video streaming, image snapshots, motion detection, and multiple language support. It is compatible with all versions of Windows starting from Windows 2000 and requires DirectX 9, Windows Media Player 9, and Java Runtime Environment 6 to run.

While there have been reports of compatibility issues with Windows 10 on high-definition screens, this is not a Windows 10-specific problem. Instead, it is an issue with Java applications not scaling when Windows changes DPI on high-definition screens. This issue may be fixed in a future Java update.

Yawcam is also compatible with Windows 8 and can be downloaded and installed in the same way as for other Windows operating systems. Once the installer has been downloaded, click through the wizard to install Yawcam. After installation, ensure that any webcams you want to use are plugged in and have the correct drivers installed. Launch Yawcam and select the correct webcam from the Settings menu under Device.

It is worth noting that some users have reported issues with Yawcam where, several hours after starting, it stops capturing new images and instead saves and FTPs the last image it captured. This issue has been observed on Windows 7 and may be related to the computer going to sleep or entering a power-saving mode. A manual workaround for this issue has been suggested, which involves reopening the preview window or re-selecting the video input source in the Settings menu.

Frequently asked questions

No, Yawcam will not work when the computer sleeps. However, you can set up Yawcam to email you when it detects motion.

From the main Yawcam window, click on the Window menu and select Motion Detection. You can fine-tune the motion-detection features in the Settings menu.

Some users have reported that Yawcam stops capturing new images after a few hours and instead saves the last image it captured. This can be fixed by choosing the video input source again or restarting the app.

First, make sure you have the latest drivers from your computer manufacturer. If that doesn't work, go to Control Panel > Device Manager, find your Webcam, right-click, select Properties > Settings > Power Management, and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device."

Yes, Yawcam lets you use any of the cameras attached to your PC to capture a live feed.

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