New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
G8GKQ
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New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G8GKQ » Sun May 03, 2020 8:22 pm

I have just released a new version of Portsdown Buster 2020 (202004301) which includes significant receiver and video viewing upgrades. The main enhancement is the inclusion of VLC which allows viewing of some H265 signals. Contents:
  • LongMynd LNB voltage control and MiniTiouner Express support
  • VLC Player for limited H265 display in LongMynd
  • Revised Comp Video monitor (display of EasyCap input)
  • Pi Cam and C920 monitor modes
  • Screen capture for LongMynd, Comp Video, Pi Cam
  • Screen capture for C920, TS and Stream Viewers
  • Automatic graphics restart after graphics crash
  • New builds based on 2020-02-13 Version of Buster Lite
Full details are here: https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Portsdown_2020 ... nhancement

Thanks to all the beta testers who have helped me discover most of the bugs that I had included! Please report the other bugs here.

I would encourage all Portsdown Buster 2020 users to upgrade to this new version (Menu 3, Check for Update). If you are still using Portsdown 2019 Stretch, and want these new features, you should build a new Portsdown Buster 2020 SD Card.

Dave, G8GKQ

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keng8vdp
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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by keng8vdp » Tue May 05, 2020 1:06 pm

Hello, Thanks for the Update.
After previous experience of duffing a small amplifier inserted after Limesdr. I had "never calibrate" set in menu(37). This was prior to update.

After updating today 05th May 2020 to software version 202003401 I decided to check menu 37 and found it had changed to "Calibrate Every TX"
In Buster Lime Configuration Menu 37.
I dont know if this occured on my system only or if it will happen on anyones system after updating.

I hope this is useful for you.

Once again, thank you and all concerned for your incredible software.

Ken G8VDP

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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G8GKQ » Tue May 05, 2020 2:25 pm

Ken

Thanks for reporting this problem with the LimeSDR calibration. I can see why it has happened (the relevant file was not preserved during the update) and I will amend the update script to prevent further occurences. I'll post here when it is fixed.

Thanks again - it's only through bugs being reported that they get fixed.

Dave

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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by dc1op » Tue May 05, 2020 7:22 pm

Hi Dave,
thanks once more for the work, super, outrageing the Integration of the VLC Player. That helps. You wrote in your post about "some H265" signals. What do you mean?
I have a VLC Player running on a separate Raspi 4 streaming the Portsdown-LongMynd output via LAN to it. All H265 signals which are coming in from QO10 are shown. Not shown is the beacon, there is sound only. I think this due to the 7" Raspi Touch Screen.

73, Hub

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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G8GKQ » Wed May 06, 2020 1:47 pm

I have just issued a new version, 202004302, that preserves the Lime Calibration Status during updates.

If you have already updated, don't bother with this update, just check that the Lime Calibration behaviour (Menu 3, Lime Config, top right button) is selected to what you want.

Thanks to Ken for reporting the problem.

Dave, G8GKQ

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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G8GKQ » Wed May 06, 2020 1:50 pm

Hub, you asked about H265 signals.

When using VLC player on a normal Raspberry Pi 3 Portsdown, only those H265 signals with a vertical height divisible by 32 (like 576, but not 720) display correctly.

Pleased to hear that all signals display correctly on a Raspberry Pi 4. Promising for the future!

Dave, G8GKQ

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G1LPS Terry
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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G1LPS Terry » Wed May 06, 2020 7:23 pm

Upgraded today testcard and contest numbers show the pi screen on my setup.?
Anyone else have this.

Thanks
Terry

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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G8GKQ » Wed May 06, 2020 7:32 pm

Hi Terry

Sounds like the sort of problem that happens if there is an Internet blip during the update. Suggest that you "force" another update (you'll see the button for it on the update screen) and see if that cures it.

Dave, G8GKQ

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G1LPS Terry
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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by G1LPS Terry » Thu May 07, 2020 11:59 am

Thanks Dave
All sorted rebuilt the sd card
Terry

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Re: New Portsdown Buster 2020 Build with Receiver Upgrades

Post by g3yjr » Sat May 23, 2020 3:16 pm

I am completely new to DATV. I've finally got around to populating the MiniTiouner board which I bought at Finningley RT last year.

I've checked my MiniTiouner using GB3VL 1.31 GHz as a test signal. The repeater generally seems to output a slide show. It works fine into Minitioune software running on Win10. I'm using my usual 23cm Wimo antenna into the trusty Bob Platts pre-amp.

For the first time, I have tried Portsdown as a receiver tuned to GB3VL using the SD card which Dave sent me recently.

I tapped VLC. I was delighted to find an image from the GB3VL slide show appeared! It was so much easier than faffing around with graphics cards and Codecs for Win10. Then I was puzzled when the screen just held that image and did not update to the next in the slideshow.

I was hoping for streaming video reception. Is that available? Am I accidentally choosing a screen capture function?

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Graham - G3YJR

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