CSI Camera Not Working with Python on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users have reported issues with the CSI camera on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, specifically when trying to access the camera through Python scripts using OpenCV. The camera functions correctly when accessed via terminal commands but fails to operate in Python, leading to error messages indicating that the camera cannot be opened.

Symptoms and Errors

• The terminal command for accessing the camera works without issues:

  gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1280, height=720, framerate=30/1' ! nvvidconv ! nvegltransform ! nveglglessink -e
  

• The Python script results in the following error:

  Error: Unable to open camera
  

• Additional output when running diagnostic commands indicates that GStreamer is not being recognized:

  GStreamer: NO
  

Context

The issue arises during attempts to run a Python script that utilizes OpenCV for video capture. The problem occurs consistently across various attempts, despite successful execution in the terminal.

Hardware and Software Specifications

• Hardware: Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board
• Software: OpenCV (version not specified), GStreamer (not detected in Python)

Impact on User Experience

The inability to access the camera through Python significantly hampers development efforts, particularly for applications requiring real-time video processing or computer vision tasks.

Possible Causes

• GStreamer Not Installed or Configured: The absence of GStreamer support in OpenCV indicates that the library may not be properly installed or configured.

• Camera Detection Issues: The error message "No cameras available" suggests potential issues with the Argus daemon or hardware recognition.

• Driver Issues: Conflicts or bugs in the drivers associated with the CSI camera could prevent proper functionality within Python.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect pipeline configuration in the OpenCV script may lead to failures in capturing video streams.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations in the Python script or environment settings could also contribute to the problem.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Verify Camera Detection:
   Run the following command to check if video devices are recognized:

   ls /dev/video*
   

2. Restart Argus Daemon:
   If video devices are present but still not functioning, restart the Argus daemon:

   sudo service nvargus-daemon restart
   

3. Check OpenCV Build Information:
   Run this code snippet to verify if GStreamer support is enabled:

   import cv2
   print(cv2.getBuildInformation())
   

4. Reinstall OpenCV with GStreamer Support:
   If GStreamer is not enabled (GStreamer: NO), reinstall OpenCV ensuring that GStreamer support is included. Follow installation instructions specific to your environment.

5. Test Terminal Commands:
   Before running Python scripts, ensure that terminal commands for accessing the camera work as expected. Use:

   gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1280, height=720, framerate=30/1' ! nvvidconv ! video/x-raw, format=BGRx ! videoconvert ! video/x-raw, format=BGR ! fakesink
   

6. Modify Python Script Pipeline:
   Ensure that the pipeline string in your Python script matches a working terminal command format. Example modification:

   cap = cv2.VideoCapture("nvarguscamerasrc ! video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1280, height=720, framerate=30/1 ! nvvidconv ! video/x-raw, format=BGRx ! videoconvert ! video/x-raw, format=BGR ! appsink")
   

7. Check for Multiple Instances:
   Ensure no other applications are using the camera simultaneously which may prevent access.

Additional Recommendations

• System Restart: If issues persist after attempting all troubleshooting steps, try restarting the Jetson Orin Nano board.

• Documentation and Updates: Regularly check for driver updates or patches related to Nvidia Jetson and OpenCV installations.

Unresolved Aspects

While several users have reported success after reinstalling OpenCV with GStreamer support, some inconsistencies remain regarding camera detection after reboots or changes in environment settings. Further investigation into driver compatibility and system logs may be required for a comprehensive resolution.