NFC read error when using mulitcam feature

[cravinmild]

I own a Sony Z2 Tablet (data/wifi version) I purchased a few months back from a Bell Store In Canada.  I have just purchased a Sony Z5 phone a few days ago.  I am trying to get the two devices to work together.  I am starting to think one or both devices may be defective.

Both Devices are running the latest operating systems/latest updates.  I have tried powering on and off both devices, turning on and off Android beam, NFC, bluetooth, Wifi in every order and combination on both devices.  Both Devices are fully charged.  The Z2 tablet has a MicroSD card (32gb) the Z5 has no MicroSD card.

When ever I try to use Multicam I get Read Error Try Again.   I can also get an error icon (not all the time) in the top corner of both devices or at times just on one device.    Both devices are out of their protective cases.   Both Devices buzz, chirp and begin the process but the spinning circle just spins and spins and spins then I get an error message saying it could not communitcate or it timed out.   There are times when touching both devices they will buzz and buzz and buzz along with audio cues like the devices keep losing connection an connecting quicly over and over again.

The devices in settings are pair to each other or so it says.

How can test both devices to see if one or both are defective.  How do I see if its a software issue.

I have noticed the z5 can get hot.   The Z5 can reach 115f while playing GTA SA using MHL.   I have measured the temp at 121f while shooting 4k video.   Those temps are taken with a laser temps and Thermal imaging cams with temp readouts

Could the z5 have cooked my NFC chip?   The Tablet can get warm but ive not noticed it ever getting roasty hot.

Thanks for reading my wall of text.   Sure would be nice to get this worked out.

[Uliwooly]

@cravinmild

boot on safe mode and try again (both devices) 

as for the phone to get hot, that's normal the phone wont overheat, if it gets too hot it will shutdown. 

[cravinmild]

Both devices have been booted into safe mode.   No settings were changed but after booting the tablet into safemode the NFC was locked and I needed to turn NFC back on.   The z5 booted into safemode with no changes to nfc.

I repeated the steps to starting multicam and same thing.  Endless spinning and then a message saying it fails to connect.

I use the sony style cover with the Z5 and it NFC to the case no problems.  The tablet also seems to buzz and chirps when its near a nfc chip, pairs with my z5 and my wifes z3 phone as well.  I have sony MDR 10RBT headset that works with my tablet, z5 and playstation 4.   The tablet is hooked to the PS4 and is able to remote play.  I have not tried the z5 yet for that feature.

What can I try now to test the NFC,  any test which could indicate a hardware or software problem.

Thanks for posting back btw

[Uliwooly]

@cravinmild

The NFC seems to be working fine, I wonder if it's the WiFi that's acting up, could you test it with a different router?

[cravinmild]

Its a pain but yes.  The ISP supplied a wifi modem but I perfer to use my own (Netgear Blackhawk R7000) as its a better router .... in all ways lol.   I would need to call the ISP to turn wifi on before trying the test.

I am in the process of clearing camera cached data on both devices again.   I will look in to my R7000 router settings and see if there is something in there or if a google search shows someone else has had issues with device communitations.

ISP will be last as its an afternoon of time dealing with those people.

Thanks again for your great input.

[Uliwooly]

@cravinmild

wait, you don't have wifi turned on ? 

http://blogs.sonymobile.com/2014/09/26/introducing-our-latest-sony-camera-apps-for-xperia-z3-and-z3-...

Multi-camera

For when one angle just doesn’t tell the whole story, we’ve created Multi-camera. The app allows users to take photos and videos from various viewing angles simultaneously using other Wi-Fi-connected devices. Connect your Xperia to a QX lens, Sony Action Cam or up to two other Xperia smartphones and shoot / snap away with the original phone acting as a hub for all the connected devices.

[cravinmild]

Wifi is turned on.  Its my own router which puts out the wifi signal.  The ISP supplied modem also has wifi ability but for conflicting signals it is shut off in the ISP supplied modem settings.  That wifi shutoff has to be done on ISP end,  it is not a feature which can be adjusted by the end user.

I am able to get a wifi signal up to 2 blocks away from my house using my own Router,  the ISP modem has a wifi signal that struggles to serve all areas of our house let alone outside the front door and into the yard (not that that is what im trying to do, just an example of quality vs the two routers)

I have cleared the data as suggested and I have gotten the two to work in multicam.   It sometimes still will not work for whatever reason,  there can be a 1 second lag but it works ... sometimes WHOOT.  That is a start and above all else makes me happy knowing the NFC chips/function is not defective hardware ... or so it seems

*clear camera data in settings on both devices first

*To connect I need to have both devices in multicam mode.  

*I then place both devices close (z5 on top of Z2) where they will buzz and chirp.

*Message on BOTH screens come up  "TAP THE SCREEN".   note:  The defalt instructions are to tap a "+" sign on ONE device and proceed to another screen where I assume the "pairing" will happen.  DO NOT FOLLOW THOSE INSTRUCTIONS.   The pairing never completes

*  Tap the screen of both devices at exactly the same time when asked to do so (images on the screens of both devices will shrink indicating that the pairing is starting.  A swirling circle will appear on on half of both device screens)

If its going to happen it will be near instant.  Near instant pairing had lag free video.   If pairing takes time the amount of time it takes is indicitave to the amount of lag you will experience.

  Touching the screen of one device slightly before the other does not make that device the primary device.  Both devices have the image of both cameras on them, there seems there is no primary device.  

At this time I am unsure of how recording is done or looks afterwards.  I have no idea how to adjust the area of your screen to how much image from the other device takes up.  

I do not know if screen recording will work while using multicam but It would be a great feature to have your face overlayed into the screen recording like how it works normally.   Youtube vids,  gaming videos, howtos are all great examples of the features working together

Also not that the pairing did not always work.   More like 70% of my attempts worked.  Of those successfull attempts 50% were not usable do to extreme lag input.   

 I will continue to try for 100% connections but thats it for today.  Enough time spent.

Thank you @uliwooly

Very helpful and quick with responses