Having a weird issue with several B0497C cameras — running 6 of them and at least 4 keep dropping the USB connection randomly. They’ll work for a bit and then just disconnect. Tried different cables, different ports, same thing. Is there a known firmware issue around USB stability on these? Anyone else run into this?
Yeah, this is actually a known issue with the B0497C specifically — there’s a firmware-level problem affecting USB connection stability. Good news is there’s a firmware update that directly addresses it. I’ve sent you the firmware package and step-by-step instructions via private message. Check your inbox and follow the update process carefully. Let us know how it goes after the flash.
Alright, firmware update went through smoothly and the USB connections have been stable for a couple of days now — so that part is fixed, thanks. But I’m noticing something new: the image is noticeably darker than what I was getting before. These cameras are installed in video conferencing rooms with good lighting (not dim at all), and other PTZ cameras we have in the same rooms look way brighter and more natural. I’ve tried adjusting things in PotPlayer — brightness, contrast, gamma, saturation — and nothing really gets me to the image quality I’d expect from the Sony sensor on these. Is the auto-exposure locked on the B0497? Is there separate firmware that enables manual exposure control, or am I missing something?
Good to hear the USB side is sorted. On the darker image — just to confirm, you’re now on the B0497 model (the firmware update would have moved things over to that baseline). Auto-exposure is definitely not locked on this module. The Sony sensor fully supports manual exposure control, so you’re not stuck with auto-only.
Okay, that’s good to know. So if it’s not locked, what’s making it underexpose so much? I’d rather not have to manually dial in exposure settings for every single room if there’s a better way to handle this at the camera level.
The root cause is likely the default metering algorithm — it tends to be on the conservative side and doesn’t fully utilize the Sony sensor’s sensitivity, especially in indoor environments that are well-lit to the eye but not blazing bright from a sensor standpoint. The most effective fix is enabling ‘Ultra Low Light Mode,’ which significantly boosts the sensor’s sensitivity and brightness handling. It’s basically designed for exactly this scenario — where the default metering leaves the image darker than expected. Alternatively, you can use the standard manual exposure controls if you prefer to dial things in per room. I’ve sent you the setup guide via private message — it covers enabling Ultra Low Light Mode on Windows and also shows where the standard exposure controls are located if you want to go manual.