Transmitter Software Capabilities and Issues (Jessie)

[G8GKQ]

New Software Release

I've just issued a new release 201711271. This adds 2 new MPEG-2 modes: Card MPEG-2 which transmits a static test card F with the user's callsign overlayed (if selected), and Cam HD MPEG-2, which transmits a 1280x720 15fps MPEG-2 Pi Camera picture at SRs of 1000KS or greater. Both are selected from menu 2. The viewfinder is also now correctly sized in all Pi Camera MPEG-2 modes during transmit.

The release also de-activates the menu buttons during transmit and fixes a bug in the PTT switching which affected carrier mode.

Thanks to John G7JTT for finding the bugs that I introduced during development, and to Dave G3ZGZ for highlighting things to fix.

Whilst I would have liked to have made the HD mode transmit using H264, I ran into some software difficulties which meant that I had to go with MPEG-2.

Dave

[g8cpf]

Absolutely brilliant Dave.....!!
Many, Many thanks......
Mike

[f1faq]

Thank you very much Dave for the CAMHDMPEG2 feature
While making some tests, I tested the IP (udp) output to feed my DATV-Express or Pluto
via the Express software (updated by Evariste F5OEO with an IP input now)
This helps a lot to bring a "good" TS stream in the Express software
I found that I can stream CAMH264 from Portsdown IP output, but not HDMPEG2, nor MPEG2
I extend my question : is there a table available that gives possible (working) type of outputs versus type of inputs ?

73 - Christian

[G8GKQ]

Hi Christian

I had not tested udp streaming from the CAMHDMPEG-2 mode, and probably not from CAMMPEG-2 either. I will add those to the list of bugs to fix. I suppose that connecting the DATV Express to the Raspberry Pi by USB might work, but would not enable DVB-S2 encoding, only DVB-S.

I started a capability matrix, but I have not updated it recently. It's the same old problem - I would rather write new features in the software instead of testing and documenting! It is here: https://wiki.batc.tv/Software_Capability_Matrix. I need to add some lines and fill some more data points.

I'll let you know when I have some new working code to test.

73

Dave

[f1faq]

Dave,

With the help of some further tests on 201711271 release

1. Can you explain what we should see with option "static test Card F"
I have nothing displayed at all, just have the "beep" sound
2. I confirm you can drive the Datv Express board via USB port from Portsdown in H264
or mpeg2 encoded (but now also with 1280x720 resolution with CAMHDMPEG2) TS.
But yes you are limited to DVB-S by doing this way
But:
3. If you use the last version V1.26 of the DATV Express software released by Evariste F5OEO,
you now have an Ethernet based (IP - udp) input for the TS.
This means that you provide an external TS (from Portsdown or ffmpeg running on xxxx or....)
and the V1.26 software will enable you to choose DVB-S or DVB-S2 or DVB-T modulation !
My latest tests were :
- Portsdown H264 TS (input the raspi cam / output is IP) from Ethernet port to V1.26 DATV Express software
feeding the DATV board through USB link
- Same with mpeg2 encoding from Portsdown does not work (from where my question above)
- ffmpeg software running on a pc with a modified Vmix2rpi file, streaming H262 or H264 or H265 and finally having
high definition/resolution pictures streamed in 100Khz bandwith ! parameters were : 1255 - 7/8 - SR75000 - DVBS2 - 32APSK
But yes with a delay of 25 sec in case of H265 !

Below the faceplate of the V1.26 release and the result with CAMHDMPEG2 on Minitioune

Faceplate V1.26.JPG (41.81 KiB) Viewed 4434 times

Minitioune CAMHDMPEG2 Datv Express from Portsdown (USB).JPG (218.02 KiB) Viewed 4434 times

73 - Christian

[G8GKQ]

Hi Christian

Nice 720p picture!

The Card MPEG-2 mode should transmit a static test card F in 720x576 5fps in MPEG-2. I'll check it out within DATV Express this weekend.

Dave

[G8EOJ]

Hi Christian - F1FAQ

Where do you get a copy of V1.26 of the DATV Express software released by Evariste F5OEO Please.

Eric - G8EOJ

[f1faq]

Hi Eric,

Just follow Evariste on Twitter....
Link : https://twitter.com/F5OEOEvariste?lang=fr

Check tweets from 16th to 17th of november, there were many ones regarding the software, from first to latest :
- Version for 64 bits
- Version for 32 bits
- Redistribuable Visual C++ in case your 32 bits installation claims missing dlls
- Version specific to LimeSDR support (x86 case)

Just checked the links. Still operational...

73 - Christian

[G4GUO]

https://github.com/F5OEO/DatvExpressTra ... 64/Release

[G8EOJ]

Thanks Christian & Charles

Eric - G8EOJ