Jetson Orin Nano: Missing Hardware Encoder for ZED SDK

Issue Overview

Users of the Jetson Orin Nano are encountering an error when attempting to run samples from the ZED SDK, specifically related to video encoding. The issue manifests as a "No such file or directory" error for the device file ‘/dev/nvhost-msenc’ when executing Python scripts that utilize the ZED SDK. This error leads to a segmentation fault, preventing the successful execution of the sample applications.

The problem occurs during the initialization of the video encoding process, which is a critical component for applications using the ZED camera, particularly for tasks such as recording or streaming.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Limitation: The Jetson Orin Nano lacks a dedicated hardware encoder, which is expected to be present by the ZED SDK.

2. Software Incompatibility: The ZED SDK may not be fully compatible with the Jetson Orin Nano’s hardware configuration, expecting hardware components that are not present.

3. Incorrect Platform Configuration: The ZED SDK or the sample applications might be configured for a different Jetson model (e.g., Jetson Nano) rather than the Orin Nano.

4. Outdated Software: The version of the ZED SDK being used may not be updated to support the Jetson Orin Nano’s specific hardware configuration.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Confirm Device Model:

   • Verify that you are indeed using a Jetson Orin Nano, as the error is specific to this model’s lack of hardware encoder.

2. Update ZED SDK:

   • Check for and install the latest version of the ZED SDK that might include support for the Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Visit the official Stereolabs website for the most recent SDK release.

3. Modify Application for Software Encoding:

   • As the Jetson Orin Nano lacks a hardware encoder, you need to modify the application to use a software encoder instead.
   • Look for configuration options within the ZED SDK that allow switching to software encoding.
   • Example modification (pseudo-code):

     # Replace hardware encoding initialization with software encoding
     zed_params.codec = sl.CODEC.H264  # or another software codec
     zed_params.use_hardware_encoding = False
     

4. Check ZED SDK Documentation:

   • Review the ZED SDK documentation for Jetson-specific instructions or limitations.
   • Look for any mentions of the Jetson Orin Nano and recommended configurations.

5. Use Alternative Recording Methods:

   • If the ZED SDK doesn’t support software encoding on the Orin Nano, consider using OpenCV or GStreamer for video capture and encoding.
   • Example using OpenCV:

     import cv2
     
     cap = cv2.VideoCapture(0)  # Adjust camera index if needed
     fourcc = cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*'XVID')
     out = cv2.VideoWriter('output.avi', fourcc, 20.0, (640, 480))
     
     while True:
         ret, frame = cap.read()
         if ret:
             out.write(frame)
         else:
             break
     
     cap.release()
     out.release()
     

6. Contact Stereolabs Support:

   • If the issue persists, reach out to Stereolabs support for Jetson Orin Nano-specific guidance.
   • Provide them with detailed information about your setup, including the exact error message and steps to reproduce the issue.

7. Community Forums:

   • Check NVIDIA Developer Forums and Stereolabs community forums for similar issues and potential community-driven solutions.

8. Consider Hardware Alternatives:

   • If video encoding is crucial for your project and software encoding is not sufficient, you may need to consider using a different Jetson model that includes hardware encoding capabilities.

Remember to test any modifications thoroughly, as changes to the encoding method may affect performance or compatibility with other parts of your application.