Unable to record the video using argus_camera in Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to record video using the argus_camera application on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano. The primary symptoms include:

• Successful preview of the camera feed and image capture, but video files created during recording are consistently zero bytes in size.
• The issue occurs specifically during the recording process, with users reporting the problem while using various supported cameras, including the default IMX219.
• Relevant software specifications include JetPack version 5.1.1, which is the only supported version for the Orin Nano, and various GStreamer warnings indicating plugin loading failures.

The frequency of this issue seems to be consistent among multiple users, suggesting a potential systemic problem rather than isolated incidents. The impact on user experience is significant as it limits functionality for applications requiring video recording capabilities.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: Users with different camera models (e.g., IMX477) have reported failures, indicating possible compatibility issues with certain hardware setups.
• Software Bugs: The GStreamer warnings about failing to load plugins suggest there may be underlying software bugs or conflicts affecting video recording.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings in the argus_camera application or misconfigured camera parameters could lead to failed recordings.
• Driver Issues: Missing or outdated drivers for GStreamer plugins may prevent proper functionality during video recording.
• Environmental Factors: Insufficient memory allocation errors have been noted, particularly related to static TLS blocks, which could impact performance.
• User Errors: Running commands with elevated permissions (sudo) may lead to path issues that hinder application functionality.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the issue of zero-byte video recordings in argus_camera, users can follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Camera Compatibility:

   • Use the command:

     v4l2-ctl --list-formats-ext
     

   • Ensure that your camera is supported and properly recognized by the system.

2. Examine GStreamer Plugin Errors:

   • Review GStreamer warnings for any missing libraries or plugins. For example:

     Failed to load plugin '/usr/lib/aarch64-linux-gnu/gstreamer-1.0/libgstlibav.so'
     

   • Install any missing dependencies or plugins.

3. Run Without Sudo:

   • Copy the argus_camera binary to your home directory and run it without sudo to avoid path issues:

     cp /usr/src/jetson_multimedia_api/argus/apps/camera/ui/camera/argus_camera ~/
     ./argus_camera -d 0 -v 20 --outputpath=~/output_video
     

4. Test with Alternative Commands:

   • Try using nvargus_nvraw or MMAPI sample code (10_argus_camera_recording) as alternatives to see if they yield different results.

5. Reflash JetPack:

   • If issues persist, consider reflashing your Jetson Orin Nano with JetPack 5.1.1 using the SDK Manager to ensure all components are correctly installed and updated.

6. Memory Management:

   • Investigate memory allocation settings and ensure that your system has adequate resources available for video processing tasks.

7. Consult Documentation and Forums:

   • Review Nvidia’s official documentation for argus_camera and related troubleshooting guides.
   • Engage with community forums for additional insights or similar experiences from other users.

8. Best Practices:

   • Always keep your JetPack and drivers updated.
   • Regularly check compatibility lists for supported hardware configurations.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue of zero-byte recordings in the argus_camera application on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano. If problems persist despite these efforts, further investigation into specific error messages or community support may be required.