The apk based on Gstreamer don’t have an X window output when the machine autostarts

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues with applications based on GStreamer not displaying an X11 window output when set to autostart on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The symptoms include:

• Absence of X11 Display: When users enter the desktop environment after booting, there is no visible X11 display for their applications.
• Context of the Issue: This problem occurs specifically during the autostart process of applications, particularly when using scripts to launch GStreamer-based applications. Users have attempted to include their application commands in autostart scripts or .xsessionrc files.
• Hardware and Software Specifications: The discussions reference the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, with applications utilizing GStreamer APIs in C. Specific commands used include sudo ./play_video rtsp://192.168.31.xxx:554/live/ch0.
• Frequency of the Issue: This appears to be a consistent issue for users attempting to run GStreamer applications at startup.
• Impact on User Experience: The inability to display video streams or other graphical outputs hampers the functionality of applications that rely on visual output, significantly affecting user experience.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes could lead to this issue:

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect configurations in the autostart scripts or .xsessionrc files may prevent proper initialization of the X11 display.

• Driver Issues: Incompatibilities or bugs in the graphics drivers may result in failure to create an X11 context for applications.

• Software Bugs: There may be inherent bugs within the GStreamer framework or related libraries that affect their ability to render displays under certain conditions.

• User Errors: Misconfigurations by users in setting up their environment or scripts could lead to this issue.

• Environmental Factors: Insufficient resources (like memory or processing power) during startup could hinder the application’s ability to initialize properly.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To diagnose and potentially resolve the issue, follow these steps:

1. Check Autostart Configuration:

   • Verify that your application command is correctly placed in your autostart script or .xsessionrc. Ensure there are no syntax errors.
   • Example command to add:

     sudo ./play_video rtsp://192.168.31.xxx:554/live/ch0
     

2. Test Application Manually:

   • Run the application manually from a terminal after logging into the desktop environment to confirm it works outside of autostart.
   • Use:

     ./play_video rtsp://192.168.31.xxx:554/live/ch0
     

3. Check for Error Messages:

   • Look for any error messages in the terminal or logs that might indicate what is going wrong when trying to start the application automatically.

4. Review System Logs:

   • Check system logs for any relevant entries that could provide insight into why the X11 display is not being created.
   • Use:

     journalctl -xe
     

5. Modify Startup Timing:

   • Sometimes, delaying the startup of your application can help. Modify your script to include a sleep command before launching your application:

     sleep 10
     sudo ./play_video rtsp://192.168.31.xxx:554/live/ch0
     

6. Update Drivers and Software:

   • Ensure that all drivers and software packages are up-to-date. Check for updates specific to Nvidia Jetson and GStreamer.

7. Test with Different UI Frameworks:

   • If possible, try using different UI frameworks (like GTK) to see if they behave differently when launched at startup.

8. Consult Documentation and Forums:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation regarding autorun applications and any known issues related to GStreamer on Jetson platforms.

9. Consider Environment Variables:

   • Check if any necessary environment variables need to be set for X11 displays before launching your application.

10. Seek Community Support:

    • If issues persist, consider reaching out on forums or community support channels for further assistance or similar experiences from other users.

By following these troubleshooting steps, users can systematically diagnose and potentially resolve issues related to GStreamer applications not displaying correctly when set to autostart on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.