[HOW-TO]Run capture_circular_stream.py

[micksulley]

I am trying to use the capture_circular_stream.py from examples, to record video and to stream output to my desktop.
It appears to run and capture video but on my desktop I see a series of strange characters like this
����gBÀ�Ú�@�è@����@�¡ �Æ¨����hÎ<€���eˆ„t‚˜ �!¡oÿøà�B8��ˆÇVð
My desktop is running Firefox in Linux Mint.
If I run the mjpeg_server.py example it works fine.

Thanks
Mick

[davidplowman]

Could you please include a short script that demonstrates what you're trying to do and shows the problem? If possible, please keep the script down to no more that a dozen or so line. Thanks.

[micksulley]

I've just discovered a problem with my SD card. I don't know if it's related but I will create a new one and try again. I'll get back to you.

[micksulley]

OK new SD card which passes the test.
I am running "capture_circular_stream.py" from the examples on GITHUB. The terminal output looks OK and it records h264 clips when movement is detected, but the video stream is not working, I see a long long string of characters e.g. ����gBÀ�Ú�@�è@����@�¡ �Æ¨����hÎ<€���eˆ„�H)ƒ �"i�ÿéöÇ1Àaä~•?ð†×ÛÿÂ��¿ÿn�ÇWþß÷„1Û�¢§§Þ6È'�€ƒý�—eê�Î��­¿þð¾�U�–�Ãå„vá¥÷ê�Î$�Ëÿ��!ª�‰þËÿÂ{߯ÿøŒ.�ô!´ßÿÞ�Úú/K¥èŒ�ì

My desktop browser (Firefox) is pointed to http://pi-5-wi:10001/index.html

If I run "mjpeg_server.py", again from the examples, it works fine with browser pointed to http://pi-5-wi:8000/index.html
Just looking at the code it seems that "mjpeg_server.py" uses port 8000 and "capture_circular_stream.py" uses port 10001. Is that correct?
Thanks
Mick

[davidplowman]

You're right with the port numbers. But bear in mind that the circular example is just streaming a vanilla h.264 stream to a web socket, and browsers don't know how to interpret this. I would recommend a tool like ffplay, try pointing that at the address instead. (Even vlc won't play a basic h.264 stream.)

[micksulley]

Thanks for your help David, I now have it working. In case anyone else needs to know how -
My pi is "pi-5-wi" running "capture_circular_stream.py" from the examples on GITHUB
On my desktop (Linux Mint) terminal I run
ffplay -i tcp://pi-5-wi:10001
and it shows me the live stream.
Lots more to sort out but that is now working:)
Mick

[Andrew Scheller]

I guess this issue can be closed then?

[micksulley]

Still got lots to sort out but this issue can be closed.