Camera issues with Surface 2

Question

Hello everyone, we've been developing an application for windows 8 and have migrated our application to 8.1. The app uses the camera to scan bar codes. We haven't had any issues with the original Surface RT, but once we got our hands on the Surface 2, the app has a very difficult time picking up bar codes.  We've upgraded our RT to 8.1 so it's not a software issue... Is there any indication that something like this can be fixed through firmware? The barcode scanning is a major component of our application so not being able to use a Surface 2 with it will be very detrimental for us.

Answer 1

For hardware or firmware problems with specific devices you'll have to ask in forums for that device. I believe there are Surface forums on http://answers.microsoft.com

In what way is the image you are getting bad? You can get more control over the camera focus, etc. in Windows 8.1 than in Windows 8 and may be able to fine tune it to get an image that you can recognize.

--Rob

Answer 2

For hardware or firmware problems with specific devices you'll have to ask in forums for that device. I believe there are Surface forums on http://answers.microsoft.com

In what way is the image you are getting bad? You can get more control over the camera focus, etc. in Windows 8.1 than in Windows 8 and may be able to fine tune it to get an image that you can recognize.

--Rob

The issue we're having is that a bar code is not being read when the image isn't blurry due to the camera's focal length.  When we move the barcode out however, it becomes too small for our barcode implementation to pick up.  We just got a new 8" dell device and the camera auto focuses, so we may have to just use that... Thanks for the reply, Rob.

Answer 3

For hardware or firmware problems with specific devices you'll have to ask in forums for that device. I believe there are Surface forums on http://answers.microsoft.com

In what way is the image you are getting bad? You can get more control over the camera focus, etc. in Windows 8.1 than in Windows 8 and may be able to fine tune it to get an image that you can recognize.

--Rob

The issue we're having is that a bar code is not being read when the image isn't blurry due to the camera's focal length.  When we move the barcode out however, it becomes too small for our barcode implementation to pick up.  We just got a new 8" dell device and the camera auto focuses, so we may have to just use that... Thanks for the reply, Rob.

I found the following description in the Microsoft Support section:

> Surface cameras

> Both cameras have a fixed focus, so you don’t need to worry about focusing the cameras.

from:

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/hardware-and-drivers/surface-cameras

So, indeed, all the Microsoft Surface camera devices are unusable for document scanning, barcode recognition etc. Obviously designed as consumer devices for kids to record some YouTube videos...

But, as you've written, there are competitors offering pro Hardware