New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Discussion about this major DATV Project. See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/The_Portsdown_Transmitter
G8GKQ
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New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by G8GKQ » Fri Sep 11, 2020 5:04 pm

I have just released a new software update for the Portsdown 4. The main features of this update are:
  • Add LKV373A HDMI input for Pluto and streaming outputs
  • Add LKV373A HDMI monitor
  • Enable 16:9 and 720p H264 modes
  • Change IPTS monitor to use VLC
There are also a number of minor bug fixes and graphics improvements.

The LKV373A IP address needs to be entered on the Jetson/LKV Config menu, and then it is available as a video source for the Pluto. You will probably need to set the LKV373A to output 720p (HD from FHD when you set up the LKV373A) to achieve resonable results at low SRs. This HDMI input can also be used as a source for the BATC Streamer. You can display the incoming HDMI on the "HDMI Monitor" selectable from Menu 2. You cannot use the HDMI input for LimeSDR or DATV EXpress.

I have enabled some 16:9 and 720p video formats for H264 modes. Again, you need to be sensible about what can be transmitted at low SRs.

The IPTS monitor now uses VLC (rather than omxplayer) and appears to be more reliable.

Please report any bugs here.

Dave, G8GKQ

G3MCD
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by G3MCD » Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:49 am

Hi Dave
I have just loaded Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130 using an RPi 4, Lime and 7" Touch screen.
I have been testing and checking operation with a local DATV enthusiast Bill, G4GPD who runs Software Release 202008231.
When we tested our streaming to BATC, Bill was able send images in 4:3 and 16:9 and they relayed correctly via BATC using the earlier release.

If I set "Output to" BATC Stream and then "Format" to 16:9 with the new software, when I return to the main Tx/Rx screen, the Format changes back to 4x3 and that is what appears on the BATC stream.

The way I have found to get around it is to select "Output to" to the Lime Mini first, then change the Format for Lime Mini to 16x9.
Then go back to the main screen and change the output to "BATC Stream" and the Format remains at 16:9 and it relays via BATC as 16:9

Thanks for all your good work on DATV - it is giving a few oldies in Cornwall a new lease of life !

Kind Regards

Keith - G3MCD

G8GKQ
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by G8GKQ » Wed Sep 16, 2020 11:46 am

Thanks for reporting the problem Keith

I had done a lot of work in that area of the software and clearly not quite sorted it out. I'll try to fix it in the next release.

73

Dave

G3MCD
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by G3MCD » Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:15 pm

Thanks Dave,
The RF side of the Rpi 4 and new software is much better than my old Rpi 3,
especially on 23cms.
Great Work
Keith G3MCD

F1CJN_alain
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by F1CJN_alain » Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:36 am

1) I get a very short encoding delay with the C920 with integrated H264 encoder.
I measure at SR333 less than 2 seconds for encoding + decoding with a Minitiouner. Thanks

2) Do you project to add an USB option using a low cost (15 Euros)chinese HDMI to USB encoder? It will help to include OBS contents.

3) I used the Portsdown 4 in H265 at SR 333 with IPTSIN. I am using OBS as a virtual cam, then a short script modified from an Yves F4HSL and Evariste script and it runs well.

Thanks again for all your work

Alain F1CJN

G8GKQ
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by G8GKQ » Thu Sep 17, 2020 5:18 pm

Hi Alain

1. Yes, the C920 is very impressive. It's a shame the latest models do not have the internal H264 encoder.

2. Not at the moment. The only HDMI option that I am currently working with is the LKV373A which works well with the Pluto on the Portsdown 4.

3. Please could you publish the scripts that you are using here to help other users? I know some are having difficulties.

Thanks for the update. I am pleased to see so many Portsdown users.

Dave

F1CJN_alain
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by F1CJN_alain » Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:36 am

Hi Dave and all

Here are two exemples scripts for H265 using NVidia card, modified from F5OEO and F4HSL

1) Script H265 SR333 QPSK FEC 3/4 to save in a file.bat

@echo off
c:\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -f dshow -rtbufsize 32M -i video="OBS-Camera" -thread_queue_size 512 -f dshow -i audio="OBS-Audio" -vcodec hevc_nvenc -s 852x480 -bf 0 -r 25 -pix_fmt yuv420p -b:v 220k -preset slow -profile:v main10 -tier:v high -level:v 6.2 -rc cbr_hq -rc-lookahead 25 -acodec aac -aac_coder twoloop -ar 44100 -ac 1 -b:a 32k -f mpegts -muxrate 310k -streamid 0:256 -streamid 1:257 -max_delay 2000000 -pcr_period 40 -pat_period 0.4 "udp://192.168.1.65:10000?pkt_size=1316&bitrate=309276"

2) Script H265 SR333 8PSK 3/4 to save in a file.bat

@echo off
c:\ffmpeg\bin\ffmpeg -f dshow -rtbufsize 32M -i video="OBS-Camera" -thread_queue_size 512 -f dshow -i audio="OBS-Audio" -vcodec hevc_nvenc -s 1280x720 -bf 0 -r 25 -pix_fmt yuv420p -b:v 220k -preset slow -profile:v main10 -tier:v high -level:v 6.2 -rc cbr_hq -rc-lookahead 25 -acodec aac -aac_coder twoloop -ar 44100 -ac 1 -b:a 32k -f mpegts -muxrate 600k -streamid 0:256 -streamid 1:257 -max_delay 2000000 -pcr_period 40 -pat_period 0.4 "udp://192.168.1.65:10000?pkt_size=1316&bitrate=609276"

How to process:
0) Use Portsdown 4 and program SR Frequency IPTSin and FEC
1) Download and install Virtual Cam in OBS
https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/ ... 9/download
2) Select Virtual Cam in the OBS Menu : Tools
3) Start your file.bat (Don'f forget to modify the script for your RPI IP address)
4) TX on

Hope this help

73's and happy tests !

VK3BVR
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by VK3BVR » Fri Sep 18, 2020 10:48 am

Dave, I'm enjoying your work on the Portsdown 4.
I have a Pi Cam connected (have a C920 on order) and when I select it on the M2 screen it monitors well.
However if I select Video Monitor the Pi Cam still shows and not the video from the EasyCap.
In the transmit mode the video is transmitted correctly but not monitored. The camera transmits correctly and is monitored if it is selected as the source.
Not sure if this is what you intended and am just pointing it out.
Not meant as criticism of your excellent work.
Bob, VK3BVR.

F1CJN_alain
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:50 am

Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by F1CJN_alain » Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:22 pm

I am just doing some tests with either Lime mini or Pluto and I note
a difference in the decoded videos qualities using the same parameters.(using "old" C920 with integrated H264).
The video from the Lime seems much better.
Is there any difference in the software affecting the video with different RF keys ?
(Or is it the Minitiouner ?)

Best 73's
Alain F1CJN

G8GKQ
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Re: New Portsdown 4 Software Release 202009130

Post by G8GKQ » Fri Oct 02, 2020 4:35 pm

Hi Alain

Yes, the 2 software chains are totally different.

For the Pluto, ffmpeg is used to generate H264 encoded video which is sent to the Pluto by rtmp. The custom software on the Pluto then DVB-S2 encodes this and converts it to IQ. I have not optimised the ffmpeg bit yet.

For the LimeSDR, Evariste's avc2ts is used to encode an H264 TS which is then DVB-S2 encoded and converted to IQ by Evariste's limesdr_dvb. The IQ is then passed to the LimeSDR.

Dave

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