Sighthound will not shut down... :(

[cc_rider]

Hi All,
I'm running SH v2.3b14652 on a windows 8.1 machine 64 bit, and it has been running ok up to a few weeks ago. When I returned from vacation, I discovered a few things...

1. When I shut down SH by clicking file/exit or clicking on the red X, it shuts down immediately,,, or so one would think. When I launch the task manager, and scroll down to 's', I see 5 (yes, five) instances of SH running. Some are using cpu cycles, usually about 1-5%. Sometimes one will go up to 27%... I am forced to close each instance before I can launch SH again. While trying to end these tasks, others are launched... Any ideas?

2. There seems to be no way to run SH in unattended mode. When my system reboots, I'd like SH to start recording as if nothing has happened. Is this possible?

[ryan]

Hi cc_rider,

Sorry you're experiencing issues, happy to help.

1) When you see processes remaining did you turn off your camera(s) before exiting the user interface? If cameras are still on they continue recording when the user interface is closed, as Sighthound Video is typically intended by users to be on at all times. This would explain why you still see processes running. Are you experiencing any trouble with the application? Is it not starting correctly later in the cases where you haven't manually tried terminating processes?

2) The answer to the first question might play into this - once Sighthound Video has been launched it will continue to run in the background as long as cameras are on/enabled in the application even if you close the user interface. We would like to add the ability to run Sighthound Video as a service in the future, though this is not currently built in to the software. You can add the application to your startup folder, but your user account still needs to log in before the application will be launched.

Best,
- ryan

[cc_rider]

Hello Ryan,
Thanks for the quick reply. Your response is well noted. I was unaware that the cameras need to be turned off to exit the application. My tests just now concluded this. I will keep this in mind for when I need to restart or close the application.

As for running unattended, what would really be nice would be some sort of command line parameters to start camera-1, camera-2 etc. Am very familiar with placing links into the start menu,, have been doing this since the days of windows 95.. What a beast windows 8.1 is.. LOL. I presume you are one of the developers...? Would appreciate your giving this some thought..

Otherwise, quite satisfied with the product. Keep up the good work!

CC

[ryan]

Hi cc_rider,

We'd certainly like to support running as a service natively in the application. If you want to try a home grown solution in the meantime and aren't afraid of some somewhat complicated techie setup a user in the past did create his own solution here. Note that I personally haven't tried to follow the instructions therein and can't verify their stability or help out with troubleshooting.

Best,
- ryan