FRC Video Streaming

Live camera streaming project based on GStreamer.

YOU'RE HERE: Master branch: Stable. Framerate can be controlled in real-time through SmartDashboard. hardwareencoding branch: experimental branch -- currently NOT working. attempting to have framerate AND resolution controllable through SmartDashboard and use H.264 hardware encoding on the C920 Pro webcam to reduce system overhead.

Based on Guide to H264 Streaming in FRC.

"GStreamer is a pipeline-based multimedia framework and software that links together a wide variety of media processing systems to complete complex workflows. It contains enormous useful commends to decode, encode, and transport your live video."

Short-term Goals

• Minimum 360p and 30 fps live streaming from 1 or 2 cameras using 1 Raspberry Pi (done!)
• Ability to control the resolution and frame-rate in real time through SmartDashboard (WIP)

Long-term Goals

• Implement alternative streaming protocols (ex. SRT) to try to reduce latency / interference & increase resolution

Hardware

• 1 Raspberry Pi 4
• 2 Logitech C920 webcams (or equivalent)
• 1 Micro-SD card to install Raspbian or Ubuntu Server (>= 16 GB)
• Power cable and connection that can supply sufficient power to the Pi (IMPORTANT! if enough power is not provided, it can shut down w/out warning in the middle of camera operation)

Documentation

1. Installing & setting up GStreamer -- install.md
2. Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) -- RTSP.md
3. Automating everything (systemd) -- systemd.md
4. Making it interactive (in progress) -- interactive.md
5. SRT alternative protocol (on hold) -- SRT.md