Second Camera Not Detected on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users have reported difficulties in accessing a second camera on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board after transitioning from the original Jetson Nano. The primary symptoms include failure to initialize the second camera, with error messages indicating that the device is not recognized as a capture device. This issue occurs while running a C++ program designed to read from two cameras simultaneously. The program works correctly on the original Nano but fails on the Orin model, producing warnings related to GStreamer and video capture.

The specific context of the problem includes:

• Hardware: Two See3CAM_20CUG cameras connected via USB.
• Software: A simple C++ application using OpenCV for camera access.
• Error Messages: Warnings indicate issues with querying video positions and initializing pipelines, culminating in a failure to open the second camera.
• Frequency: This issue appears consistently when attempting to access both cameras simultaneously on the Orin board.
• Impact: The inability to access the second camera significantly hampers functionality for applications relying on dual-camera input, affecting user experience.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The Jetson Orin Nano may have different USB handling capabilities compared to the original Nano, affecting camera recognition.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: There may be bugs in the OpenCV version or GStreamer libraries used, particularly regarding compatibility with the Orin architecture.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the software or operating system could prevent proper initialization of the second camera.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for USB or video capture devices may lead to failures in device recognition.

• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or temperature constraints could impact device performance and recognition.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrectly identifying camera indices or failing to configure the cameras properly can lead to initialization failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address this issue, users can follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Camera Recognition:

   • Use terminal commands to check connected devices:

     ls /dev/video*
     

   • Check dmesg logs for any messages related to camera initialization:

     dmesg | grep video
     

2. Test Camera Functionality with V4L2:

   • Utilize V4L2 IOCTL commands to verify basic functionality of each camera:

     v4l2-ctl --list-devices
     

3. Update Software and Drivers:

   • Ensure that OpenCV and GStreamer libraries are up-to-date. Install updates using:

     sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
     

   • If necessary, reinstall OpenCV and GStreamer.

4. Modify Code for Error Handling:

   • Enhance error handling in your C++ code to provide more detailed output regarding device status.

5. Check Camera Indices:

   • Verify that you are using the correct indices (0 for the first camera and 1 for the second). If additional devices are present (e.g., /dev/video2, /dev/video3), adjust indices accordingly.

6. Isolate Hardware Issues:

   • Test each camera individually by modifying your code to only open one camera at a time. This can help identify if one specific camera is causing issues.

7. Contact Manufacturer Support:

   • If problems persist, consider reaching out to E-Con Systems for support regarding compatibility with their See3CAM_20CUG cameras.

8. Review Documentation:

   • Consult Nvidia’s official documentation and forums for any updates or known issues related to dual-camera setups on the Orin Nano.

9. Best Practices for Future Use:

   • Regularly check for firmware updates for both the Jetson board and connected peripherals.
   • Maintain a clean power supply and ensure proper ventilation during operation.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to accessing multiple cameras on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.