**Gstreamer gst-launch Quits Abnormally After Running for a While**

Issue Overview

Users have reported that the Gstreamer command gst-launch-1.0 quits unexpectedly after running for a period. This issue typically occurs when using the nvarguscamerasrc source to capture video streams, specifically when executing commands that involve high-resolution settings.

Symptoms:

• The Gstreamer pipeline stops functioning, requiring users to restart the service with the command:

  systemctl restart nvargus-daemon.service
  

• After restarting, the pipeline operates normally for a while before failing again.

Context:

• The problem arises during video capture operations, particularly when using high-definition settings (1920×1080) and processing the stream to lower resolutions (768×432).
• The issue has been observed with specific software versions, such as Gstreamer 1.0 on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.

Hardware/Software Specifications:

• Affected hardware includes the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano.
• The BSP version reported is R35 (release), REVISION: 3.1.

Frequency:

• The issue appears to be intermittent, happening after varying lengths of operation.

Impact:

• Users experience disruptions in their video processing tasks, leading to potential delays in applications relying on continuous video streams.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: There may be issues with the camera hardware or connections that could lead to failures in streaming.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Bugs within Gstreamer or conflicts with other installed packages could result in abnormal terminations.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the Gstreamer pipeline or system configuration may lead to instability.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for video capture hardware could cause crashes.

• Environmental Factors: High temperatures or insufficient power supply can affect performance and stability.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect command usage or parameters may lead to unexpected behavior.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Check BSP Version:

   • Verify your BSP version by running:

     cat /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

   • Ensure you are using a supported version.

2. Boost Clock Speeds:

   • To enhance performance and potentially prevent crashes, boost the clock speeds by executing:

     sudo jetson_clocks
     sudo su
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/bpmp/debug/clk/vi/mrq_rate_locked
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/bpmp/debug/clk/isp/mrq_rate_locked
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/bpmp/debug/clk/nvcsi/mrq_rate_locked
     echo 1 > /sys/kernel/debug/bpmp/debug/clk/emc/mrq_rate_locked
     

   • Check current maximum rates with:

     cat /sys/kernel/debug/bpmp/debug/clk/vi/max_rate | tee /sys/kernel/debug/bpmp/debug/clk/vi/rate
     

3. Test Different Configurations:

   • Experiment with different resolution settings and framerates to see if lower settings stabilize the stream.
   • Example command for testing:

     gst-launch-1.0 nvarguscamerasrc sensor-id=0 ! 'video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), width=1280, height=720, format=(string)NV12, framerate=(fraction)15/1' ! nvvidconv ! 'video/x-raw,width=640, height=360' ! fpsdisplaysink text-overlay=1 video-sink=xvimagesink sync=0 -v
     

4. Monitor System Resources:

   • Use tools like top or htop to monitor CPU and memory usage during operation to identify resource bottlenecks.

5. Review Logs for Errors:

   • Check system logs for any errors related to nvargus-daemon or Gstreamer that could provide insight into crashes.
   • Logs can be viewed using:

     journalctl -xe
     

6. Update Drivers and Firmware:

   • Ensure that all drivers and firmware are up-to-date. Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for instructions on updates.

7. Best Practices:

   • Regularly restart services and monitor system performance during prolonged use.
   • Avoid running multiple intensive applications simultaneously on the Jetson board.

Recommended Approach:

Users have noted success after boosting clock speeds and adjusting resolution settings, making these steps highly recommended for resolving the issue.

Unresolved Aspects:

Further investigation may be needed into specific software bugs within Gstreamer that could lead to these abnormal terminations, as well as potential updates from Nvidia addressing these issues in future releases.