Avigilon Speaker Problems? Fix Two-Way Audio Issues

Troubleshooting Avigilon Camera Speaker and Two-Way Audio Problems

Avigilon cameras with two-way audio can be a powerful security tool, allowing you to communicate remotely, issue warnings, or listen to what's happening on site. When the speaker on your camera isn't working, it removes a critical layer of interactive security. Problems can range from no sound at all to distorted or low-volume audio.

This professional guide, written in British English, will walk you through the troubleshooting steps within the Avigilon ecosystem to diagnose and resolve speaker-related issues.

## Prerequisite: Confirm Hardware and Permissions

Before diving into complex settings, let's cover the two most fundamental requirements.

### 1. Does Your Camera Have a Speaker?

This may seem basic, but it's a common oversight. Not all Avigilon cameras, even those with microphones, have built-in speakers.

• How to Check: The quickest way is to check the datasheet for your specific camera model. For example, the H5A-PTZ has two-way audio, but a standard H5A dome camera may not. You can find the model number on the camera itself or in the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) device tree. The datasheet will clearly list 'Audio Out' or 'Integrated Speaker' under its specifications.

### 2. Do You Have the Right Permissions?

ACC has a highly detailed permissions system. Just because you can view video from a camera doesn't mean you have the rights to use its speaker.

• How to Check: You need 'Transmit Audio' permissions to use the talk-down feature.
  1. You will likely need to speak to your system administrator.
  2. Ask them to open the ACC Admin Tool, navigate to 'Users and Groups', find your user group, and check the permissions.
  3. Under the 'Devices' permissions tab, they must ensure that the 'Transmit Audio' checkbox is ticked for the relevant cameras or device groups. If it's unticked, you won't be able to speak through the camera.

## Troubleshooting Steps in Avigilon Control Center (ACC)

If you've confirmed hardware and permissions, the next step is to check the software configuration.

### Step 1: Enable Audio in Camera Setup

You need to ensure audio is enabled for the specific camera in the server settings.

1. Log into the ACC Client with an administrator account.
2. In the top-left menu, click 'Site Setup'.
3. Select your server, and then find the camera in question.
4. Click on the camera to open its settings panel.
5. Navigate to the 'Audio' tab.
6. Ensure that the 'Enable Audio' and 'Enable Speaker' (or 'Audio Out') checkboxes are ticked.
7. Adjust the 'Speaker Volume' slider to an appropriate level (start at 75%).
8. Click 'OK' and allow the server to apply the changes.

### Step 2: Using the Talk-Down Feature Correctly

Once enabled, you can test the speaker.

1. In the live view of the camera, you should see a microphone icon.
2. To speak, you typically need to press and hold this icon (it functions like a push-to-talk button).
3. While holding the button, speak clearly into the microphone connected to your client computer.
4. Release the button when you are finished speaking.

### Step 3: Check for Network Issues and Codecs

If you hear audio, but it's distorted, delayed, or crackling, the issue is often related to the network or audio compression.

• Network Latency: High network latency (ping time) between the ACC Client, the ACC Server, and the camera can cause audio delays and dropouts. Run a ping test to the camera's IP address to check for latency or packet loss.
• Audio Codec: Avigilon cameras typically use G.711 or G.726 codecs.
  1. Go back to the camera's 'Audio' settings page within ACC Site Setup.
  2. If you have the option, try switching the codec from one to the other. This can sometimes resolve compatibility or performance issues.
  3. You can also try adjusting the bitrate if that option is available, as a lower bitrate is less demanding on the network.

## Hardware and Firmware Checks

If software settings are correct, it's time to look at the hardware itself.

• Reboot the Camera: A simple reboot can often resolve temporary hardware or software glitches. You can do this from the ACC Site Setup menu or by power cycling the camera (unplugging it or restarting the PoE switch port).
• Update Firmware: Ensure the camera's firmware is up-to-date. Firmware updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve audio issues. Your administrator can manage firmware updates through the ACC Site Setup.
• Physical Inspection: If the camera uses an external speaker, check that the speaker is powered on and that the audio cable is securely connected to the 'Audio Out' port on the camera.

If you have followed all these steps and the speaker still does not work, it may indicate a hardware failure. At this point, you should contact your official Avigilon partner or installer for further technical support and potential repair or replacement.