Video Capture and Output to Matrix

[Kensington Graves]

A few years ago I know that there was experimentation with Video4Linux and outputting the capture to the pixel overlay (e.g. "FPP Infinity Matrix").  From a 2016 post, it appears that some form of the capability was available on v1.5 master branch.  Is the V4L to pixel overlay ability still in the current master branch?  I'm working on some interactivity for my show this year and thought running live video to a matrix would be a cool addition.

[CaptainMurdoch]

I never really took this anywhere other than the demo video and code I showed at one of the conventions.  If I were to revisit this, I would probably just create a plugin that captured the video and fed it to FPP via DDP or possibly E1.31 so it could be fed to any remote controller.  My P10 matrix isn't really big enough for video, but I have toyed around with the idea of making the plugin even though I couldn't use it.

[Kensington Graves]

I got this crazy idea about building a garage-door sized matrix from P-10 panels.  So now I need functionality to convince myself it's a good idea.

[JonB256]

I got this crazy idea about building a garage-door sized matrix from P-10 panels.  So now I need functionality to convince myself it's a good idea.

I'm not going "garage-door" size, but 6 panels wide (75 inches) and 8 panels tall (50 inches) of P5 panels. My previous matrix suffered from UV induced cracking of the grid. While this won't be quite as large (it was 80 inches by 60 inches), so pretty close.

I could have gone P10 but the price difference was minimal. The resolution jump is dramatic, though.
While I could have gone even larger, it just wasn't needed. Plus, using an BBB/Octoscroller to drive it, using 8 rows of 6 panels per row, is super easy for wiring.

[k6ccc]

I could have gone P10 but the price difference was minimal. The resolution jump is dramatic, though.
While I could have gone even larger, it just wasn't needed.

No kidding!  This photo is from about 10 feet away from the panels.  But even at longer distances, the difference is remarkable. 

[Kensington Graves]

I'm trying hard to talk myself into P5 panels, although I'd need 220 of them and sourcing that many in-country has proven difficult thus far.  Controllers are also the issue.  I figure I could get away with 4 pocketscrollers with P10s, and that would have to double with P5s, if I'm not mistaken, which could make for some interesting wiring.

I managed to get a few P5s from diyledexpress before they sold out, but no joy since.  Who are you guys using for panels?

[k6ccc]

I think I would be looking at using ColorLight cards for something that big - but I am not the expert!  Are you thinking of sending video to it or "sequencing" it?  If straight video, a ColorLight Sender card may be the way to handle it - but again, I am not the expert...

Damn, that would be 450,560 pixels, or 1,351,680 channels, or 2,640 universes!

[Kensington Graves]

Yeah, I really want to beat Jon's channel count  That's one reason I said it's a crazy idea.

I haven't really plumbed the depths of whether I should go with a colorlight card.  I was going to PM Dan for his opinion if I got to the point of actually pulling the trigger.

I have access to an importer's license and bond, and have a number of freight forwarders with presences in China, so I had even thought of ordering from the factory.  I'd prefer not to hassle with that, but I may not have a choice for the quantity I need.

[JonB256]

220 panels? I'd definitely be considering Colorlight or Linsn boards, driven by a Pi4.

Just assembling that gives me the willies.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Kensington Graves]

Ray Wu just got back to me with a stupid cheap quote for P5's with "fast boat" freight instead of DHL.  This thing may be happening, assuming I can get spousal consent or launder enough money to hide the purchase

[k6ccc]

Ray Wu just got back to me with a stupid cheap quote for P5's with "fast boat" freight instead of DHL.  This thing may be happening, assuming I can get spousal consent or launder enough money to hide the purchase

We ALL will want to hear how this project goes and see the results.
I don't remember, where are you?  Might be worth a trip somewhere...

[Kensington Graves]

I'm in Phoenix.  Bring some stuff from Porto's if you decide to come over.  I'll reimburse.

I'd need to design a cabinet for it.  I'm thinking a metal frame so I can use the magnetic screws.  If you have the screws, can you tell me whether two of them on side by side panels would fit on a 1-inch piece of metal?  I'm thinking of steel flat stock along the joints.

[CaptainMurdoch]

I decided to take a look at this again and was able to put together a simple C++ FPP plugin which captures video using the Video4Linux2 interface and overlays that video onto the FPP Channel Data.  The video can then be displayed locally on a matrix or sent out over the network to another system or controller.

I still need to create a setup UI to select resolution and capture frame rate and also decide if I want to add any other features such as cropping in an initial version, but the plugin is already working to capture video and display on a matrix so you can expect to see an initial version sometime soon.

[k6ccc]

I'm in Phoenix.  Bring some stuff from Porto's if you decide to come over.  I'll reimburse.

Hmmm, Phoenix is not that much farther than Sacramento, and I have planned a Sacramento trip for light show viewing.  Maybe have to make a far east trip.  As for Porto's, although I live in Glendora, I work in Glendale (less than a mile from Porto's), so that one is pretty easy...  For those that don't know, Porto's is a Cuban bakery here in Glendale that is very well know...

[Kensington Graves]

My wife was over that way at Thanksgiving and said there is now a Porto's in West Covina.  She was really mad it was closed the day after T-day.