Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
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G8GKQ
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Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by G8GKQ » Wed Aug 25, 2021 9:22 am

I have recently released a Portsdown 4 update (202108162) that introduces support for all 3 versions of the Logitech C920 webcam and provides partial support for the C525 and C930e. It also re-introduces the ability to send a stream from a C920 webcam.

More detail about webcam support and limitations on this Wiki page: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Portsdown_Webcams

I have also fixed the Pluto EasyCap 16:9 capability that I broke in the last release.

Thanks to G4BVK for loan of yet another C920 example, and to G4KLB and HB9DUG for testing the C930e and the C525.

Please report any new bugs here.

Dave, G8GKQ

KA5BBC
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Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2018 6:59 pm

Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by KA5BBC » Fri Sep 10, 2021 2:25 pm

Are we still able to use unsupported device such as the hdmi-CSI interface, USB HDMI capture, or the like? (Blackmagic Designs Web Presenter would be a perfect solution but I know implementation may not be simple)

My setup necessitates an HDMI input to the streamer and/or Portsdown 4 but I have found converters or the LKV device to be flaky at best. I could use SDI but that just adds issues.
Andy, KA5BBC/MM0BQV

G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by G8GKQ » Fri Sep 10, 2021 2:50 pm

Andy

The problem is that each new device needs configuring for each output mode.

The LKV373 will stream perfectly to the BATC Streamer if you set it to output 720p. It downconverts from 1080p very nicely. I then use this script on the RPi 4, which you will need to customise for your stream:

Code: Select all

#! /bin/bash
LKVUDP=239.255.42.42
LKVPORT=5004
STREAM_URL=rtmp://rtmp.batc.org.uk/live
STREAM_KEY=callsign-keykey

/home/pi/hdmi/ffmpeg -thread_queue_size 2048 -fifo_size 229376 \
          -i udp://"$LKVUDP":"$LKVPORT" \
          -c:v h264_omx -b:v 1024k -r 25 \
          -codec:a aac -b:a 128k \
          -f flv $STREAM_URL/$STREAM_KEY
          
Just copy this text into a file called hdmi.sh in the /home/pi folder of your Portsdown, make it executable, and run it with ./hdmi.sh

This is the script that I use to stream the BATC QO-100 net every Thursday night and it has been very reliable.

Hope that helps

Dave

KA5BBC
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Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by KA5BBC » Sun Sep 12, 2021 12:39 am

Thank you Dave.

I will give it a go after as soon as I get a free moment, I have to repair both my analogue and digital equipment as it fell while being stored ahead of a demonstration.

Andy
Andy, KA5BBC/MM0BQV

M0LIH
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Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by M0LIH » Tue Sep 14, 2021 3:01 pm

Good afternoon,

I am still having a few issues with my C920.

I can see it in the preview but when I go to transmit, I get a very short flash from it, but no picture.

I know the Portsdown can see it because it is there in preview and in info screen (with H264 coding from Webcam).

Please help!

Regards and 73s
Ian
M0LIH

G8GKQ
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Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by G8GKQ » Tue Sep 14, 2021 3:05 pm

Hi Ian

What Portsdown version (4 or 2020) and software version (2021xxxxx) are you using? All on the info screen.

Dave

g3yjr
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Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by g3yjr » Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:09 pm

I've found a Logitech webcam. It says 720p on the front and a sticky label on the mount says C270.

I just tried it on Portsdown4.

M2's C920 Monitor option shows a picture.

On M1 with Source=Webcam, the green LED lights on the webcam, but the display does not move to a picture. Testcard works fine.

I'm using version 202109051.

Is a C270 supported?

73 Graham

radiogareth
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Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by radiogareth » Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:19 pm

Graham, see here....https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Webcam_Support
Looks like in might, in part. Some mode/SR checking to try by the looks of things....
Gareth

g3yjr
Posts: 82
Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 1:37 pm

Re: Portsdown 4 Update with WebCam Support Improvements

Post by g3yjr » Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:31 pm

Gareth,

yes it was the "should work with the Logitech C270" which got me excited! I'm guessing it is an older model of camera.

I've tried different combinations of Format and SR, but no joy yet.

The receiver side of the project works very well. One day I will get this project on the air!

73 Graham

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