Orin Nano Video Encoding Capabilities and Performance

Issue Overview

The Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Board is facing scrutiny regarding its video encoding capabilities, particularly for H.264/H.265 formats. Users are concerned about the board’s ability to handle multiple high-definition video streams efficiently without dedicated hardware encoders. The main points of concern include:

• The need for dual 1080p 30FPS H.264/H.265 encoding
• A requirement for minimal CPU utilization (less than 10% for two streams)
• The absence of hardware-accelerated H.264/H.265 encoders on the Orin Nano
• Questions about performance for higher resolution encoding (5MP at 20 FPS)

This issue is critical for developers and users who rely on the Orin Nano for video processing applications, as it directly impacts the board’s suitability for projects requiring efficient multi-stream video encoding.

Possible Causes

1. Hardware Limitations: The Orin Nano lacks dedicated H.264/H.265 hardware encoders, which are typically used for efficient video encoding.

2. Software Optimization: The efficiency of software-based encoding solutions may not meet the stringent CPU utilization requirements set by some users.

3. Mismatched Expectations: There might be a discrepancy between user expectations and the actual capabilities of the Orin Nano, especially when compared to other Jetson models with hardware encoders.

4. Insufficient Documentation: Lack of clear, Orin Nano-specific performance data for video encoding tasks may lead to confusion about the board’s capabilities.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Assess Software-Based Encoding Performance

   • Use FFMPEG for CPU-based encoding of 1080p30 streams.
   • Refer to the NVIDIA Technical Blog for performance measurements specific to the Orin Nano.
   • Command example:

     ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -c:a copy output.mp4
     

   • Monitor CPU usage during encoding to determine if it meets your requirements.

2. Optimize Encoding Settings

   • Experiment with different FFMPEG presets (e.g., ultrafast, superfast) to balance quality and CPU usage.
   • Adjust the Constant Rate Factor (CRF) to find the optimal balance between quality and performance.

3. Consider Alternative Encoding Formats

   • Investigate the performance of other codecs that might be more efficient on the Orin Nano’s CPU.
   • Test VP9 or AV1 encoding if your application allows for different formats.

4. Explore GPU-Accelerated Encoding

   • While the Orin Nano lacks dedicated H.264/H.265 encoders, it may support GPU-accelerated encoding for other formats.
   • Research NVIDIA’s NVENC capabilities on the Orin Nano for potential GPU utilization.

5. Evaluate Multi-Core Performance

   • Utilize multi-threading in your encoding software to distribute the workload across the Orin Nano’s CPU cores.
   • Example FFMPEG command for multi-threading:

     ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -preset medium -crf 23 -c:a copy -threads 0 output.mp4
     

6. Monitor Thermal Performance

   • Ensure proper cooling for the Orin Nano, as thermal throttling could impact encoding performance.
   • Use the following command to monitor temperatures:

     tegrastats
     

7. Consider Hardware Alternatives

   • If the Orin Nano cannot meet your specific requirements, consider other Jetson models with dedicated hardware encoders.
   • Evaluate the trade-offs between cost, power consumption, and encoding performance across the Jetson lineup.

8. Stay Updated

   • Regularly check for NVIDIA software updates that might improve encoding performance.
   • Monitor the NVIDIA Developer forums for community-driven solutions and optimizations.

9. Higher Resolution Encoding

   • For 5MP @20 FPS encoding, start with the same FFMPEG-based approach and monitor performance.
   • You may need to adjust encoding parameters or consider downscaling to achieve acceptable performance.

10. Consult Official Documentation

    • Refer to the official Jetson Orin Nano documentation for the most up-to-date information on video encoding capabilities and best practices.
    • Visit: https://developer.nvidia.com/embedded/jetson-orin-nano-developer-kit

Remember that while the Orin Nano may not have dedicated H.264/H.265 encoders, it can still perform software-based encoding. The key is to find the right balance between encoding quality, performance, and CPU utilization for your specific use case.