USB cam directly on RPI

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
F1SSF
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Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:14 pm

USB cam directly on RPI

Post by F1SSF » Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:18 pm

Hi all’s,
Is possible to connect directly HD CAM on rpi to send video flux to Portsdown?
Why this question:
I have a demotic box on rpi, and I can stream directly my cam on lan, across Motion software.
Motion can code ffmpeg with différents codec.
I have not an Linux expert, but peharps one possibility......?????
73 Franck
F1SSF

G8GKQ
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Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by G8GKQ » Sun Feb 18, 2018 9:25 pm

Franck

Yes - I have a Logitech C920 WebCam working with a development version of the software. This will be released in 2-3 days.

It gives 800x600 pictures at the moment, but HD might be possible in future.

Dave

F1SSF
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Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:14 pm

Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by F1SSF » Mon Feb 19, 2018 6:02 am

Gook luck and many thank's for your job.
Franck

F1SSF
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:14 pm

Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by F1SSF » Wed Aug 22, 2018 5:15 pm

Hi Dave,
One question please, I have tested my generic webcam, it run very well in H264 mode only, but I have a
smalls problems.

1> When I press TX the first time after boot, I have a green screen on minitioun receiver, i must swithed on TX RPPI in MPEG mode, return on H264, and it's OK.
Do you have an idéas?

2> Can you explain me the audio mode? only in MPEG2 mode audio button is activate.
Is it possible to have sound with camera, or need to use an external usb sound card ?

Many thank's, best 73
Franck F1SSF

G8GKQ
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Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by G8GKQ » Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:30 pm

Hi Franck

1. Webcams are difficult because they all have different drivers. I have to modify the software for each one, and I can only do that if I have the webcam here to investigate and test with. The H264 encoder is more tolerant of different webcams than the MPEG-2 encoder, but it sounds as though for your camera to work with the H264 encoder, it needs some of the initialisation commands that are there for the MPEG-2 encoder.

2. The H264 encoder does not have an audio facility. The MPEG-2 encoder does, but needs to be configured for the correct audio source with the correct number of channels and appropriate bitrate. The audio switching is complex, but I have tried to explain it here: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Audio_Switching. Basically it is designed to take audio from a cheap USB sound dongle or the EasyCap video capture device.

Hope that helps

Dave

F1SSF
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:14 pm

Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by F1SSF » Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:12 am

Hi Dave,
Thank you fou repply.
So for your information, see characteristics of my cam.

L'appareil USB\VID_0BDA&PID_58B0&MI_00\7&25249c4a&0&0000 a été configuré.
Nom du pilote : usbvideo.inf
GUID de classe : {CA3E7AB9-B4C3-4AE6-8251-579EF933890F}
Date du pilote : 06/21/2006
Version du pilote : 10.0.17134.1
Fournisseur du pilote : Microsoft
Section du pilote : USBVideo.NT
Classement du pilote : 0xFF2002
Numéro d'identification d'appareil correspondant : USB\Class_0e
Pilotes surclassés :
Appareil mis à jour : false
Appareil parent : USB\VID_0BDA&PID_58B0\200901010001

Le périphérique USB\VID_0BDA&PID_58B0&MI_00\7&25249c4a&0&0000 a été démarré.
Nom du pilote : usbvideo.inf
GUID de classe : {CA3E7AB9-B4C3-4AE6-8251-579EF933890F}
Service : usbvideo
Filtres inférieurs : WdmCompanionFilter
Filtres supérieurs :

Best 73 Franck

G3UEQ
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Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 10:28 am

Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by G3UEQ » Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:55 pm

G8GKQ wrote:
Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:30 pm
Hi Franck

1. Webcams are difficult because they all have different drivers. I have to modify the software for each one, and I can only do that if I have the webcam here to investigate and test with. The H264 encoder is more tolerant of different webcams than the MPEG-2 encoder, but it sounds as though for your camera to work with the H264 encoder, it needs some of the initialisation commands that are there for the MPEG-2 encoder.

2. The H264 encoder does not have an audio facility. The MPEG-2 encoder does, but needs to be configured for the correct audio source with the correct number of channels and appropriate bitrate. The audio switching is complex, but I have tried to explain it here: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Audio_Switching. Basically it is designed to take audio from a cheap USB sound dongle or the EasyCap video capture device.

Hope that helps

Dave
Hi Dave
The C920 works well with sound and vision on the latest software, BTW, it also works well with an LG Electronics TV one.
73
Andy

G8GKQ
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Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by G8GKQ » Fri Aug 24, 2018 8:48 am

Yes, I was lent a C920 and specifically made sure that it worked. That camera is unusual because it has its own H264 encoder and works really well. 2MS Full HD H264 with audio. Supported webcams are listed here: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Webcam_Support.

Dave

VK5YYY
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2015 1:47 am

Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by VK5YYY » Fri Aug 24, 2018 2:40 pm

Hi Dave,

VK5BD and I tried the 920 webcam in the workshop tonight
Using 5 msym it worked great across the room, with the Portsdownunder
Picture nice and sharp, although the dog got a little confused with the delay of his bark
Next step, send some pictures to the repeater
Well done, the whole Portsdown is a great package of goodies and the 920 the cream on the cake
Is Portsdown Express on the horizon?

Cheers Roger VK5YYY

G8GKQ
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Re: USB cam directly on RPI

Post by G8GKQ » Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:17 pm

Hi Roger

Not sure what you mean by Portsdown Express? It will already drive a DATV Express Board: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Controlling_a_DATVExpress

Dave

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