how to setup raspcam

[Toogo]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe

Setup / config raspcam

Describe the solution you'd like

Nowhere is told/steps how to activate the raspcam

Describe alternatives you've considered

No response

Additional information

No response

[KwadFan]

Hey @Toogo ,

I have to apologize, my skills in documentation are lacking, yes.

But in terms of raspicam setup some good news for you!

How to setup? Simply do nothing... Use /dev/video0 in your crowsnest.conf ... done!

It is a bit strange to setup everything that is needed to work properly there for I do everything in the installer for you. It sets bcm2835-v4l2 in /etc/modules to ensure the module will be laoded, also it copies the bcm2835-v4l2.conf to modprobe.d to ensure it has at least till 2k Video, video capabilitys instead of its fallback using snapshots ( should improve video latency and performance). Also in /boot/config.txt start_x=1 and gpu_mem should be set, to enable the legacy camera stack that is needed for ustreamer to support raspicams ( bullseye and buster )

So, you see, how to setup? it is... If it isnt working for you please ensure that the steps are made and provide a log. (Unless you hit "N" when it asks for Raspicamfix in make config)

Regards Kwad

[HinataKato]

Hey @Toogo ,

I have to apologize, my skills in documentation are lacking, yes.

But in terms of raspicam setup some good news for you!

How to setup? Simply do nothing... Use /dev/video0 in your crowsnest.conf ... done!

It is a bit strange to setup everything that is needed to work properly there for I do everything in the installer for you. It sets bcm2835-v4l2 in /etc/modules to ensure the module will be laoded, also it copies the bcm2835-v4l2.conf to modprobe.d to ensure it has at least till 2k Video, video capabilitys instead of its fallback using snapshots ( should improve video latency and performance). Also in /boot/config.txt start_x=1 and gpu_mem should be set, to enable the legacy camera stack that is needed for ustreamer to support raspicams ( bullseye and buster )

So, you see, how to setup? it is... If it isnt working for you please ensure that the steps are made and provide a log. (Unless you hit "N" when it asks for Raspicamfix in make config)

Regards Kwad

The script doesn't work in Ubuntu (because the config.txt in Ubuntu is at /boot/firmware/config.txt).

Edit : Looks like modules fix didn't work either, I didn't see bcm2835-v4l2 in modules or modprobe

[KwadFan]

Hey @Toogo , I have to apologize, my skills in documentation are lacking, yes. But in terms of raspicam setup some good news for you! How to setup? Simply do nothing... Use /dev/video0 in your crowsnest.conf ... done! It is a bit strange to setup everything that is needed to work properly there for I do everything in the installer for you. It sets bcm2835-v4l2 in /etc/modules to ensure the module will be laoded, also it copies the bcm2835-v4l2.conf to modprobe.d to ensure it has at least till 2k Video, video capabilitys instead of its fallback using snapshots ( should improve video latency and performance). Also in /boot/config.txt start_x=1 and gpu_mem should be set, to enable the legacy camera stack that is needed for ustreamer to support raspicams ( bullseye and buster ) So, you see, how to setup? it is... If it isnt working for you please ensure that the steps are made and provide a log. (Unless you hit "N" when it asks for Raspicamfix in make config) Regards Kwad

The script doesn't work in Ubuntu (because the config.txt in Ubuntu is at /boot/firmware/config.txt).

Edit : Looks like modules fix didn't work either, I didn't see bcm2835-v4l2 in modules or modprobe

Well, if I have some spare time I will do some tests on that. But in general it doesnt make sense to me using Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi. As far as I know, Ubuntu doesnt provide any of the userland scripts or binarys that are shipped with Raspberry Pi OS. So, its unlikely that things not working as expected, especcialy with things like firmware blobs or kernel modules.

The way easier route for you should be using MainsailOS or a Raspberry Pi OS ( legacy or latest, does'nt matter). Regards Kwad

[HinataKato]

Well, if I have some spare time I will do some tests on that. But in general it doesnt make sense to me using Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi. As far as I know, Ubuntu doesnt provide any of the userland scripts or binarys that are shipped with Raspberry Pi OS. So, its unlikely that things not working as expected, especcialy with things like firmware blobs or kernel modules.

The way easier route for you should be using MainsailOS or a Raspberry Pi OS ( legacy or latest, does'nt matter). Regards Kwad

Me personally, I didn't like Raspberry pi OS very much (it's lack of an AArch64 system before, and the random scripts just sit there).

If you didn't want to fix it, that's fine (maybe add a reminder for rpi users that aren't on rpi OS? ); all I had to manually do was copy the modprobe files, add the module (the rpi modules fix isn't working, which is kind of strange), and edit the boot configuration. Anyway, keep up your great work 😊

[KwadFan]

I want a broad range of supported Os'es but takes time. Will see what I can do based on your input :)

[HinataKato]

I want a broad range of supported Os'es but takes time. Will see what I can do based on your input :)

Glad to hear that :D

[KwadFan]

@HinataKato

Could you tell me which version you'd used? I flashed an ubuntu server 22.04 LTS today and its config.txt is located in "system-boot"

[HinataKato]

@HinataKato

Could you tell me which version you'd used? I flashed an ubuntu server 22.04 LTS today and its config.txt is located in "system-boot"

im using Ubuntu server from the official site That's weird, mines are in the /boot/firmware

[KwadFan]

Well, I have a trace.

I flashed the Image using rpi-imager ( which should use official repos ). But, the Image has kernel 5.10 and after running apt upgrade they installed kernel 5.15 ...

And thats the issue here. They changed the locatation to /boot/firmware :facepalm:

Ubuntu is doing Ubuntu things... Again.. :rofl:

So, yeah, I'll try to fix that.

[KwadFan]

@HinataKato

Just to confirm. Used Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 64bit with an Raspicam V2 (screenshot) and V1

[HinataKato]

@HinataKato

Just to confirm. Used Ubuntu 22.04 LTS 64bit with an Raspicam V2 (screenshot) and V1

Yep, the install script’s edit config.txt is working, but the Raspicam Fix isn't; it doesn't echo "Device is Raspberry Pi," and the modules file is empty Edit: The space between = and the value will not work.

[KwadFan]

@HinataKato

Edit: The space between = and the value will not work.

Doesnt matter they get ignored. Otherwise you wont have a picture with a raspi cam.

So, yes, because the fix will only work with Raspberry PiOS since Ubuntu has no bcm2835-v4l2 module. If it isnt there I cant force it to use.

Use v4l2-ctl --list-device to see cam "path"

[HinataKato]

@HinataKato

Edit: The space between = and the value will not work.

Doesnt matter they get ignored. Otherwise you wont have a picture with a raspi cam.

So, yes, because the fix will only work with Raspberry PiOS since Ubuntu has no bcm2835-v4l2 module. If it isnt there I cant force it to use.

Use v4l2-ctl --list-device to see cam "path"

I guess you're talking about modules? in Ubuntu it had those modules, I tested the fix, and it fixed my crappy frame rate.

Edit: And btw, idk about in rpi os, but in Ubuntu, it will be ignored with the space between value and =, I can't open camera without the legacy stack

This drives me bonkers ....

I did the tests with spaces and mine doesnt get ignored^^

But why the heck do you have that module while I have not ^^

Ok give it another shot at weekend

[KwadFan]

@HinataKato

Only to be sure I tested your theory about the blanks... Nope, as said doesnt matter.

Only to be sure what kind of Raspicam do you own? Is that an Arducam?

[HinataKato]

This drives me bonkers ....

Same here lol

Only to be sure what kind of Raspicam do you own? Is that an Arducam?

An rpi official v1. 2 cam

Only to be sure I tested your theory about the blanks... Nope, as said doesnt matter. !>

Here's my test

But why the heck do you have that module while I have not ^^

Maybe it's device limited issue? Mine's are 3B,I will test it someday with blank system to see if I can reproduce this situation 😫 (or maybe just wait the upstream to release a version that use Linux's camera stack xD)

[KwadFan]

I think our best bet will be v4l2m2m ... But time will tell.

I think about a solution to get rid of the blanks meanwhile. Also thinking about for "live" installs grepping the module name as Indicator for the Raspicam fix

We'll see how well this turns out.

[HinataKato]

I will test it someday with blank system to see if I can reproduce this situation

I just thought about it these days, and then today I burned the power supply port; have to wait for the repair, lol

[KwadFan]

@HinataKato

I'll hope that will fix your issue too. If there is a need for further fixes, please open a new issue

Regards Kwad