Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
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G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:44 am

Thanks Richard

Keeping all these sites up to date is a major task - sorry we missed that one. I have amended the link on the Wiki and will amend the old GitHub page in the next day or 2.

Due to a firmware issue, to restore full functionality (H264 with the Pi Cam specifically) to your Portsdown you need to follow this procedure: viewtopic.php?f=103&t=5604#p16549

I am looking for a way to cure this permanently and will amend the build script asap.

Dave

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Wed Sep 05, 2018 8:48 pm

New Portsdown Stretch Software Release 201809050

This release fixes a number of system issues:
  • It forces the software to shut-down or reboot properly when commanded, rather than hang as it used to.
  • It eliminates the long delay that sometimes occurred when checking for an update.
  • It allows the system to be upgraded without importing the buggy/changed Raspberry Pi system software.
  • The bug that prevented display of streams after looking at the system info has been corrected.
Dave, G8GKQ

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Fri Sep 21, 2018 9:18 am

New Portsdown Stretch Software Release 201809152

This issue adds the capability to set up and select stream outputs from the "Set Stream Outputs" Menu (accessed from Menu 3). Details here https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Streaming_to_b ... our_Stream. It also fixes 3 issues:
  • It stores and sets the rtl-sdr gain when using the rtl-fm receiver
  • It allows the setting of rtl-fm receive frequencies of more than 7 characters length
  • It repairs the factory reset capability for the transmitter configuration and presets
Thanks to G4CPE, M5TXJ and G0MJW for reporting these bugs and to G7JTT for suggesting the new capability.

Dave, G8GKQ

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G3UEQ » Sat Sep 22, 2018 11:02 pm

Hi Dave
Just noticed after upgrade that if I select C920, H264, 1080p 7/8 SR2000 and try to stream to BATC, the camera fires up for a few seconds on going to transmit and then switches off, TX stays on. If I select C920, it brings up Webcam selected, Mpeg2, 720p it works OK.
Any ideas?
73
Andy

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:36 am

Hi Andy

Quite simply, streaming in C920 mode is not supported. To my surprise, I had even documented it here https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Software_Capability_Matrix back in March.

To stream in C920 mode would need a 2Mb/s internet uplink and I am limited to about 1.5 Mb/s by my basic BT ADSL (in a new house on a new estate, but don't get me started...). Hence the best that is configured is 720p in webcam mode at 576 Kb/s.

A more powerful processor would be able to encode the 1080p at a lower bitrate, but it is beyond the capabilities of the RPi 3B or 3B+.

Dave

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G3UEQ » Sun Sep 23, 2018 3:02 pm

Hi Dave

My apologies for not thinking that through and seeing the obvious!
Cheers
Andy

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by g8bxh » Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:04 pm

Hi Dave
First off a big thank you to you and the team for all the work making this happen. I have assembled most of the portsdown hardware from the start and learnt a lot on the way. I have a pi 3b+ and recently added a lime mini. All works very well. I have just added a c920 and have a boot issue. If I power on with the c920 not plugged in (usb) and plug in the c920 after the portsdown is running all works great. If I re-boot, soft or hard with the c920 connected it is not recognised and on soft reboot the system freezes with blank screen. Not sure if this is a problem with my equipment or a bug. The screen is Farnell 7" and running latest portsdown ver. Sorry for long post.
Many thank again John G8BXH

G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by G8GKQ » Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:33 pm

Hi John

Unless you are using a powered USB Hub, I suspect that this is a power issue. I was surprised that the RPi would supply enough supply current for the Lime Mini, but I would be very surprised if it can supply enough for reliable operation of a Lime Mini AND a C920 WebCam.

The most likely solution is to use a powered USB hub, so that the RPi does not have to supply both peripherals. Please let me know if the problem persists after this.

73

Dave, G8GKQ

g8bxh
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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by g8bxh » Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:22 pm

Hi Dave
I am using a beefy 5v psu with good short cable and checked the voltage at the pi as 5.2v. I will investigate with a scope to see if this drops at boot and try a hub as you suggest.
Many thanks
John

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Re: Portsdown 2018 Stretch Software News

Post by VK5YYY » Tue Oct 16, 2018 12:22 pm

Hi Chaps

Get an extension USB cable and make a short slit length ways
Dig out the positive, severe it back to the Pi and hook your beefy 5V to the Lime end positive
Common up the negative of beefy to the USB negative
You may consider a fuse and on the positive if you want to be fancy
Try and leave the shield intact as best as possible
That might save buying a powered hub

Cheers Roger VK5YYY

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