Live Streaming Webcams Help
If you are having problems viewing the Webcams, here are a few things you can try.

  • System Requirements and Settings.
  • First Time ActiveX Control Installation or Re-Installation.
  • Enabling ActiveX In Internet Explorer
  • Removing ActiveX Control.
  • Troubleshooting ActiveX Control.



  •       System Requirements:
  • MS Windows XP Home or Professional
  • MS Windows Vista - Any Version
  • MS Windows 7 - Any Version
  • MS Internet Explorer v6.0 or Newer (The web browser that is included with MS Windows.)
  • Cookies Enabled (cookies do not effect the webcams, but are used for video sizing.)
  • ActiveX Controls Enabled (used by the webcams to stream the video live.)


  • First Time Viewing The Webcams
    and ActiveX Control Installation or Re-Installation

    The first time you view the webcams, you will have to load an ActiveX Control in order to view the Live Streaming Webcams. This process only takes a moment and you should only have to do this once.

    1. Login using your Login Name and Password you were supplied with. (may not be required on all websites)
    2. After you login, you will be re-directed to the camera viewing web page. An Information Bar will display at the top of your web browser window as shown in figure #1a.
    figure #1

    2a. New Computers may display a pop up Information window titled Information Bar (figure #2). This info box is informing you of the Information Bar at he top of the browser window. Click Close or you can check the box and click Close.
    figure #2


    3. Click on the Information Bar at the top of he browser window and a menu will appear as shown if figure #3.
    4. Click on Install ActiveX Control... (figure #3) and wait for the ActiveX Control to load.
    figure #3


    5. When it is finished downloading, a security warning box will appear as in figure #4.
    figure #4

    5a. Optionally, You can select the More Options button and select Always install software from "VIVOTEK INC." as shown in figure #5. This will allow the ActiveX Control to load for any Camera of the same make and model. If you have to load the control every time you visit the webcams, then select this option.
       Note: Windows Vista users should select this option.
    figure #5

    You should now be viewing the Live Streaming Video. Click the Video or press the space bar to remove the message about activating the control.

    Please allow a moment when switching between cameras. It takes a moment to disconnect from one camera and connect to the new camera you are going to view.

    If you are not able to see the live video, try removing and re-installing the ActiveX Control.
    Click Here for instructions on how to remove an ActiveX Control. Once that is complete go through the First time login and ActiveX Control Plug-In Installation again.

    If you still cannot view the video, see our troubleshooting list. Click here for the troubleshooting list.


    How to enable Active-X in Internet Explorer.

    Security settings vary from PC to PC. If your ActiveX has been disabled or is not setup properly, you may receive the following error message:

    This is an ActiveX plug-in. If you see this text, your browser does not support ActiveX or it has been Disabled.

    To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

       1. In Internet Explorer, Click the Tools button on the toolbar.
       2. Click Internet Options.
       3. Click the Security tab at the top.
       4. The Internet Icon should be highlight, if not click it, then click Custom Level.
       5. Scroll down the list until you see ActiveX controls and plug-ins.
       6. Change the settings to the following:

       - Allow previously unused ActiveX controls to run without prompt: Enable
       - Allow Scriptlets: Prompt
       - Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls: Enable
       - Binary and script behaviors: Enable
       - Display video animation on a webpage that does not use external media player: Disable
       - Download signed ActiveX controls: Enable
       - Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Enable
       - Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe for scripting: Prompt
       - Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Enable
       - Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting: Enable


    Once you have made changes, you may have to shutdown and restart your Internet Explorer Browser.
    If you continue to have problems, you may need a qualified computer service technician to inspect your computer for viruses, malware or some other type of problem with your browser.


    Removing the ActiveX Control

    If a problem occurs and the video will now display, you can try removing the ActiveX Control and reinstall it.

    To remove the ActiveX Control, do the following:

       1. Close all Internet Explorer windows.
       2. Click the Start Button
       3. Click the Control Panel Icon or Title bar
       4. Double Click the Internet Explorer Icon
       5. Click the Programs Tabs at the top
       6. Click on the Manage add-ons button
       7. Click the Show drop down list and select Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer
       8. Scroll the list main list down til you see the RtspVaPgCtrl Class entry. Click on it to highlight it.
       9. Click the Delete Button at the lower right hand corner of the window. Wait a moment and the list will refresh.
       10. Verify that the control has been removed.

    The ActiveX Control has been removed from your computer.

    Click Here to go through the First time login and ActiveX Control Plug-In Installation to re-install the ActiveX Control. .


    Troubleshooting Webcam Live Streaming Video

    Several common problems can prevent a computer from loading the required ActiveX control. Here is a list of most common problems and resolutions:

  • Security Permissions set to high in Internet Explorer.
    • Try lowering the permissions and see if the control will load.
    • Reset Internet Explorers Internet Security Zone to the Default Level.

  • Information Bar does show "Install ActiveX Control..." just "More Information..."
    • Your security setting is set to disable all ActiveX controls or your administrator has disabled it. Enable this setting within Internet Explorer or reset your Internet Security Zone settings to Default then try loading the control again.

  • Windows Vista User Account Control
    • Windows Vista Users: The User Account Control can restrict the ActiveX Control from loading at all. Try disabling the User Account Control and try loading it again. This is listed in the User Accounts in the Control Panel.

  • ActiveX Control does not load and receive another error message not covered here.
    • For Guests viewing at their place of business - Some companies block certain network ports. These ports are required to view the live streaming webcam video. Check with your Network Administrator and see if this is the case. If it is the case, we can give you the port that are used and your Network administrator can open these ports to allow you to view the webcam video.
    • Some security and firewall software can block ports. If you see a message pop up from such a program installed on your computer, Allow the port to be opened.

    If your still having problems, contact the camera owner with DETAILED information on exactly what the problem is and any error messages you receive. Please be sure to have your login name and password available when you call or include it in your email.