Documentation:Modules/dc1394

dc1394

VLC uses this protocol (or access module) to read data from a device or network. The module name to use at the command line is dc1394.

Module: dc1394
Type	Access Demux
First VLC version	0.9.0
Last VLC version	-
Operating system(s)	Linux
Description	IIDC (DCAM) FireWire input module

Introduction

This is an access module for IIDC (firewire) cameras. It uses libdc1394 version 1 libraries. Seems to have been written for an Apple iSight, as there is support for 320x240 and 640x480, but no other sizes. Only supported on Linux.

Installation

• Before installation ensure that raw1394, dc1394, and all other necessary libraries for these. libdc1394_control.so.13 is needed either in /usr/lib or /usr/local/lib.
• Ensure that the modules are loaded. (should happen automatically)
• During the configure stage add: --enable-dc1394

Usage

Various examples of how to use the dc1394 module are shown below. You can try some new options yourself, but many have defaults and will work without.

vlc dc1394:cameraindex=3:size=640x480:fps=30:brightness=100
vlc dc1394:/dev/video1394/0:capture=raw1394
vlc dc1394:/dev/video1394/0:adev=/dev/audio
vlc dc1394:/dev/video1394/0:size=640x480:fps=30:brightness=200:adev=/dev/dsp:channel=2
vlc dc1394:/dev/video1394/0:size=320x240:fps=15:brightness=200 \
   --sout='#transcode{vcodec=mp4v,vb=3000,keyint=30}:std{access=udp,mux=ts,url=192.168.150.79}'

Future Modifications

Unsure of plans to support the upcoming libdc1394 v2 library. As the library is designed to be configurable it would be ideal that the user can input any sizes, formats, and framerates (and other features) supported by the camera. Most cameras with larger frame sizes are more expensive cameras thus demand is likely not high, however, may be useful for some. Will create problems as it requires the user to be sure of the cameras supported features (however almost all support 640x480 and 320x240, so we will never exit poorly).

Source code

• modules/access/dc1394.c (access module)