DATV-Express Project - January update report

[MW0LLK]

Looking good - but it forgets the Video Ident checkbox setting.
Is it possible to have an 'advanced' version of the ident which allows those familiar with ffMpeg to insert their own filter strings? Ignore this request if the filter string as used with the command line version simply doesn't exist in the API - I'm not asking you to write an interpreter that would be way OTT

[G4KLB]

I had that problem (crashing when PTT pressed) when I changed the power output level, worked fine again when I put level back to default setting and rebooted every thing.
Well you did ask us to try and break it

[PA1KW]

Thanks Charles, everything is working ok! Thanks for the great work!
73 Koert PA1KW

[G4GUO]

Mike someone else asked that question. I am only using the codecs from FFmpeg I am not using any other part of it
so I have no access to the command line.

The ID is volatile on purpose.

- Charles

[G4GUO]

Interesting Colin,

Changing the power or frequency does not need a restart and should not effect the running of the program.
That is double speak for it shouldn't have crashed.

- Charles

[HB9DUG]

I am pleased to report that Express DVB-S Transmitter works nicely on a Pipo X9 with a Logitech C525 or a C920 webcam. Tests have been done for SR from 4000 to 250 ks/s with a FEC 3/4 with H.264 codec.

For low SR, it will be nice to have camera profile with 15 fps.

73 QRO de michel, hb9dug

[G4GUO]

Hello Michel,

Nice to hear it works with the X9.

Adding extra output formats is not too difficult. I am thinking about how I can make it so people can add their own.
I don't want to make the program too difficult for novices to use though.

- Charles

[G4KLB]

Thanks Charles,
I have changed the power level many times now and it is working perfectly, haven't been able to recreate the crash I had before.
Maybe the PiPo was doing updates or something!

[G4GUO]

Stuff happens Colin,

The power/frequency commands go straight through to the Express hardware so it is likely
it was a USB2 issue. It is only commands that affect the channel bitrate that require a restart
(FEC/Symbol rate changes) as well as codec and capture device changes.

So far I am quite pleased / surprised with the software, it should bring a new lease of life to the Express HW.
I can think of many features to add in later releases like multiple configuration profiles and the ability
to set the quality of the codecs. At the moment I am telling them to use fast encoding (reduces CPU load)
but I could allow the user to up the encoder quality if they have a faster machine.

I will have to box up my 2nd Mini Tuner, download the latest software and try them both together on the Pipo.
When Express is in standby it disables the codecs so the CPU loads drops right down, that should allow
both apps to run together.

- Charles

[HB9DUG]

Charles,
as you said this application should follow the KISS principle (keep it simple and stupid) so new comers to the DATV will have an easy first experience and not scared by to many parameters to setup. For the geeks, the combination of the DATV Express server and ffmpeg will give them the full control of all the parameters.

Other topic... my win7 tower still don't recognize the Device formats (blank list) of my webcam Logitech c525 and c920. I have no issues with a small ACER laptop and Pipo X9... I have removed the Logitech drivers and re-installed them without success. Making a graph with the webcams, it works...
Maybe it is an issue between 32 and 64 drivers ? Any idea where to look for ?

Michel