Incorrect Image Output from nvv4l2camerasrc on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing incorrect image output when utilizing the nvv4l2camerasrc plugin on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The issue arises specifically during the execution of GStreamer commands intended to capture video from a camera device.

Symptoms

• The output image produced by nvv4l2camerasrc appears distorted or incorrect.
• In contrast, the v4l2src plugin successfully generates a correct image output.

Context

• The problem occurs when running the following command:

  gst-launch-1.0 -v nvv4l2camerasrc device=/dev/video0 ! "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),width=1280,height=720" ! nvvidconv ! video/x-raw,format=RGBA ! fpsdisplaysink video-sink=autovideosink sync=false
  

• The hardware specifications noted include:

  • Device: NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit
  • L4T Version: 36.3.0 (JetPack 6.0)
  • Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS
  • Kernel Version: 5.15.136-tegra
  • CUDA Version: 12.2.140

Frequency and Impact

The issue seems consistent across multiple attempts to use the nvv4l2camerasrc plugin, significantly impacting user experience by rendering the camera feed unusable for applications requiring accurate image representation.

Possible Causes

• Format Compatibility: The nvv4l2camerasrc plugin may only support the UYVY pixel format, while the v4l2src is perceived as YUY2, leading to color discrepancies in the output.

• GStreamer Pipeline Configuration: Incorrect configuration of the GStreamer pipeline can lead to mismatched capabilities between elements, causing failures in linking and processing.

• Driver Issues: Potential bugs or limitations in the driver implementation for the nvv4l2camerasrc could be causing it to misinterpret pixel formats.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could potentially affect performance, although this seems less likely given the context.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Check Supported Formats:

   • Inspect the supported formats of nvv4l2camerasrc:

     gst-inspect-1.0 nvv4l2camerasrc
     

   • Confirm that only UYVY is supported, which aligns with user findings.

2. Modify GStreamer Command:

   • Test using a different format in your pipeline:

     gst-launch-1.0 -v nvv4l2camerasrc device=/dev/video0 ! "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),width=1280,height=720" ! nvvidconv ! "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM), format=I420" ! autovideosink sync=false
     

   • This may yield a correct color output if UYVY is indeed causing issues.

3. Inspect Caps Negotiation:

   • Add verbosity to your command to check caps negotiated by elements:

     gst-launch-1.0 -v nvv4l2camerasrc device=/dev/video0 ! "video/x-raw(memory:NVMM),width=1280,height=720" ! nvvidconv ! fpsdisplaysink video-sink=autovideosink sync=false -v
     

4. Use v4l2src as an Alternative:

   • If issues persist with nvv4l2camerasrc, consider using v4l2src, which has been confirmed to work correctly:

     gst-launch-1.0 -v v4l2src device=/dev/video0 ! "video/x-raw,width=1280,height=720" ! videoconvert ! fpsdisplaysink video-sink=autovideosink sync=false
     

5. Driver and Firmware Updates:

   • Ensure that your system is running the latest drivers and firmware updates for optimal compatibility and performance.

6. Report Bugs:

   • If you suspect a bug in the nvv4l2camerasrc, consider reporting it to Nvidia’s support channels along with detailed logs and findings.

Unresolved Issues

While several troubleshooting steps have been suggested, some aspects remain unclear:

• The root cause of why nvv4l2camerasrc interprets UYVY instead of YUYV remains unresolved.

• Further investigation into potential driver bugs or limitations may be necessary for a permanent fix.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to incorrect image outputs from the nvv4l2camerasrc plugin on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.