Portsdown 4 Update with "Invert Pi Cam" Option

[G8GKQ]

The latest update to the Portsdown 4 (202109010) introduces an option to invert the transmitted image from the Raspberry Pi Camera for H264 transmissions using a LimeSDR or DATV Express.

This option can be used with cases such as the SmartiPi Touch Pro https://smarticase.com/collections/smar ... -touch-pro where the camera is internal, but is mounted upside down. To select the inversion, go to Menu 3, System Config, Invert Pi Cam.

Note that this inversion only works with Lime and Express H264 transmissions, and does not work for the Pluto (except for DVB-T). 90 degree rotations (as would be useful for the other SmartiPi cases) are NOT possible. Other Pi camera functions (streaming, monitor etc) are not currently inverted by this setting.

Thanks to Colin G4KLB for the idea and for testing.

Dave, G8GKQ

[mccla5214]

Dave any idea if the Invert Pi Cam will be fixed to operate in S Mode. Trying to resist the urge to chop a hole in my new case to mount the camera the other way.

Thanks,
Mike/KA5TDA

[G8GKQ]

Mike

Not sure what you mean. The Invert Pi Cam does work for H264 encoded DVB-S, but not for MPEG-2 encoded DVB-S.

Does that answer your question?

Dave

[mccla5214]

Sorry, I'm running the Pluto. Can't find a Lime mini SDR anywhere, they are all out of stock with no word on when they will be available again.
Put the system in DVB-T and invert works but not in -S on the Pluto.

Thanks,

Mike

[G8GKQ]

Hi Mike

Invert Pi Cam for Pluto should be in the next release (a week or so?). I have just got it working.

Note that there seems to be some issue with DVB-S FEC 5/6 and FEC 7/8 with the Pluto. Haven't noticed it before, as lower FECs all work.

In the interim, if you add the line

Code: Select all

v4l2-ctl --set-ctrl=rotate=180

at line 591 of rpidatv/scripts/a.sh, it will do the trick for you. You'll need to manually remove for normal operation.

The LimeSDR Mini has been hit by the global semiconductor supply shortage. Current estimate for the next batch is Feb 2022

73

Dave

[mccla5214]

Thank you Dave,

Glad to hear it about the camera. In the meantime I found this and it inverted the picture (posted in attachment) if someone needs to invert the video with Pluto

Mike

[mccla5214]

I understand on the chip shortage, kill me and get it over with.