Failed to initialize camera

[Alexey Pechnikov]

When default resolution increased to 800x600 the firmware cannot init camera:

10:00:32.260 > [   432][V][main.cpp:289] initialize_camera(): initialize_camera
10:00:32.266 > [   432][I][main.cpp:290] initialize_camera(): Camera config: ESP32CAM
10:00:32.274 > [   439][I][main.cpp:296] initialize_camera(): Frame size: SVGA (800x600)
10:00:32.280 > [   445][I][main.cpp:298] initialize_camera(): JPEG quality: 14
10:00:32.285 > [   451][I][main.cpp:299] initialize_camera(): Frame duration: 200 ms
10:00:32.291 > [   457][I][main.cpp:303] initialize_camera(): Enable PSRAM: 0
10:00:32.296 > [   463][I][main.cpp:304] initialize_camera(): Frame buffers: 1
10:00:32.302 > [   468][I][main.cpp:315] initialize_camera(): PSRAM disabled
10:00:32.332 > E (476) camera: Camera probe failed with error 0x105(ESP_ERR_NOT_FOUND)
10:00:32.338 > [   508][E][main.cpp:459] setup(): Failed to initialize camera: 0x105. Type: ESP32CAM, frame size: SVGA (800x600), frame rate: 200 ms, jpeg quality: 14

There is no way to change the resolution because web interface is not accessible.

[Rene]

Hi Mobigroup,

This should not be the case. The web interface is independent of the camera initialization.
If this persists, try to erase the flash and reflash the firmware to have a clean configuration.

Good luck!

[Alexey Pechnikov]

The ticket is not resolved and it’s still actual. Only when we select “AI THINKERl” as the board the firmware works with ESP32-CAM board. Probably, web interface applies the board type incorrect.

[Rene]

Hi Mobigroup,

I will take a look at it...

[Rene]

I checked it and there are different versions of the ESP32_CAM, each model is different.

See http://www.ai-thinker.com/pro_view-24.html. This is an ESP32 cam module from AI-Thinker.

This explains why you need to select this option: AI-Thinker.

Is your module identical to the image above?

[Alexey Pechnikov]

That’s hard to find the actual difference in the boards from multiple manufacturers. I use this board: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002066523822.html

[Rene]

I also have one of those and it matched with the settings for the AI-Thinker. So I assume this is an AI-Thinker.
See also: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-cam-ai-thinker-pinout/

[Alexey Pechnikov]

Original AI-Thinker boards or those labeled as 'original' are approximately three times more expensive, from my understanding. It's surprising that we can purchase the clone of the set (ESP32-CAM MB) for less than $5. This situation has led to misleading board names on the web app. Although not a technical issue, I see two potential solutions: incorporating an auto-detect feature to cycle through all possible camera module settings, and adding a descriptive text message to the board selector, explaining the complexity of identifying the board. This message could recommend users to try all available board types. These approaches could also be combined, of course.

[Rene]

Maybe the best thing is to document the boards, a picture and how they look, and provide multiple build settings.

This because there are also boards (like the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Sense) that uses a different processor.
Cycling might help for a few types but some boards seem to hang if using the wrong configuration and the flash needs to be erased.