White Pixel Artifacts When using Raspberry Pi HQ Camera

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing white pixel artifacts when utilizing the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera connected via a CSI interface. The issue manifests when executing the command:

gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc num-buffers=1 ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1920, height=1080, format=(string)NV12' ! nvvidconv ! 'video/x-raw, format=(string)I420' ! jpegenc ! filesink location=frame.jpg

The artifacts appear as white pixels in captured images, and during video recording, additional anomalies such as pink areas become evident. Users report that restarting the video stream temporarily alleviates the issue, but the artifacts reappear over time. The problem occurs consistently regardless of the scene being captured.

The hardware specifications include the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera and a Jetson Orin Nano Dev board with BSP version R36 (release), REVISION: 2.0. The issue impacts the user experience significantly by degrading image quality and making video recordings unreliable.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The camera or cable may not be fully compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano, leading to data transmission errors that result in visual artifacts.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in the GStreamer pipeline or conflicts with other software components that handle video processing.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the GStreamer command or camera configuration could lead to improper handling of video data.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for the camera or the Jetson Orin Nano could cause instability in image processing.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance and lead to visual artifacts.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently configure settings that lead to these artifacts without realizing it.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Connections:

   • Ensure that all cables are securely connected and not damaged.
   • Test with a different cable if possible to rule out cable issues.

2. Check Software Versions:

   • Confirm that you are using the latest version of GStreamer and relevant libraries.
   • Use the command to check your BSP version:

     head -1 /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

3. Test Alternative Commands:

   • Run the argus_camera preview from the MMAPI sample code to see if artifacts persist:

     argus_camera
     

   • Compare results to identify if the issue is specific to the GStreamer pipeline.

4. Adjust GStreamer Pipeline Settings:

   • Experiment with different formats and resolutions in your GStreamer command to see if it mitigates the artifacts.
   • For example, try changing format=(string)NV12 to a different format supported by your camera.

5. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Check for any available updates for your Jetson Orin Nano drivers and firmware.
   • Follow NVIDIA’s documentation for updating drivers specific to your hardware.

6. Monitor System Performance:

   • Use system monitoring tools to check for CPU/GPU usage and temperature during operation.
   • Ensure that power supply is stable and meets requirements for both the Jetson board and camera.

7. Isolate Environmental Factors:

   • Test in different environments (e.g., temperature variations) to see if issues persist under varying conditions.

8. Document Findings:

   • Keep a log of any changes made and their effects on artifact occurrence, which can help identify a pattern or solution.

9. Seek Community Support:

   • If issues persist after trying these solutions, consider posting detailed findings on forums for additional insights from other users who may have faced similar problems.

By following these steps, users can diagnose and potentially resolve the white pixel artifacts issue when using the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.