PART NUMBER: EAN-FileRecording PUBLICATION DATE: 23. October 2015
Summary
In addition to performing digital video stabilization, object tracking, and other real-time image processing, the SLA-1500 can be used to record compressed video and high resolution snap shots. These can be used for archiving, additional image analytics by GIS software, or numerous other applications in a post-operating environment.
Both snap shots and video can record additional metadata such as latitude and longitude, aircraft position and other related fields in their MISB defined Key-Length-Value (KLV) formats by feeding in the associated data using the SightLine Command and Control protocol.
Image quality and compression rates are adjustable fields that can be used to balance recording performance with data preservation..
This document describes configuring the SLA-HARDWARE to record video or snap shots to either the board MicroSD card or to an external FTP drive. It also covers additional features related to on-board storage.
Background
Assumes that a MicroSD card has been inserted into the S1 MicroSD slot on the SLA-1500-OEM. Alternately assumes FileZilla FTP Server (or similar FTP server) is running on a host machine at IP address (192.168.1.10) and that there is a user called “snapshot” with a password of “snapshot”.
Required Features (App Bits)
IMPORTANT: Your system must include the Recording feature. This application bit (app bit) is enabled and unlocked by SightLine. Please contact your SightLine Sales Engineer if you have any question regarding this capability.
Camera Order
The system can be configured to record either the original unprocessed (CAPTURE) image or the processed (DISPLAY) image. Although the SLA-1500 can be connected to multiple cameras
simultaneously, only the Primary Camera is used when recording. The Primary Camera is set using SLA-PANEL → Video tab → Video Mode (0x1F) → Camera Order → Camera Index 0.
File Naming
NOTE: Extreme care should be observed whenever files are being recorded to prevent the accidental erasure of important data.
For both Snap Shots and Video recording, a unique file name and extension can be supplied. Based on the syntax of the file name, the software can create new files with a unique suffix, making it easier to
identify files or reduce the risk over-writing existing files. For example:
If a file name ends with non-numeric characters, files will be created as <FileName>_NNNN.ts where
NNNN is an incrementing count, starting at 0. If file name ends with a numeric character (0-9), file will save to <FileName>.ts
If you use FileName...
And then Do Snap (0x60)...
You should see... Note
Hello Hello_0000.jpg Count starts at 0
Hello Hello_0001.jpg Count increments
World World_0000.jpg Count restarts when FileName changes
Hello42 Hello42.jpg Count is not appended for FileName
Snap Shot Recording (0x5E):
SLA-PANEL → Menu → Device → Snap Shot...
Record Snap Shots to MicroSD Record Snap Shots to External FTP Server
When Source is set to Capture, the original unprocessed image will be saved.
Video Camera Order is... Image Size will be..
Analog 0 640x480
Analog 1 640x480
Digital 2 Defined by Camera
NOTE: JPEG “Capture” mode not supported for 14-bit Digital Cameras. Use PNG Capture, or set Source to “Display”.
REMEMBER: You must click Apply when switching from Source Capture to Source Display or any other Set SnapShot (0x5E) settings change.
When Source is set to Display, the processed video including all stabilization, digital zoom, overlay graphics, false coloring, image enhancement, etc. will be saved to a 640x480 image.
When recording Snap Shots to an FTP server...
• Destination = FTP
• IP Address = IP address of the remote SERVER machine
• PORT = network port the FTP
Server listens for connections
• User = user name required for login
Image Format
Set Snap Shot allows for two image file formats:
File Extension Name Notes
JPG Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) Lossy compression PNG Portable Network Graphics Loss-less compression
Illustration 1: False color was added to differentiate between RAW CAPTURE and PROCESSED DISPLAY images.
Both files types can also contain metadata. For JPEG and EXIF header is added. For PNG, a custom EXIF-like header is added.
Do SnapShot (0x60)
Execute an image snapshot to an external FTP server or the MicroSD Card.
File Name Base file name of saved files (above)
Frame Step step between frames (e.g. 2 = every other). (default 1)
Num Frames Number of frame snapshots to take. (default 1)
Snap Sends the Do SnapShot (0x60) command, which primes the hardware to take
snap shots using the parameters provided.
Set SD Card Recording Parameters (0x1E)
Get Directory Information
You can view a list of files on the MicroSD Card. SLA-PANEL → Ethernet Video tab
Click the Dir Contents button
Get Directory Statistics
The SLA-HARDWARE can be queried for disk usage. In this way, the system can be periodically polled to see that files are being recorded and that the MicroSD card capacity has not been exceeded.
Total Size of the MicroSD Card (bytes)
Used Space being consumed by files (bytes)
Video Recording (0x1E):
IMPORTANT:The video recording is limited to MPEG2-TS video. It is only possible to record the same encoding format that is being transmitted over Ethernet. For example, you can stream H.264 video while recording H.264 video. It is not possible to stream MJPEG and record H.264 at the same time. After you switch to H.264 encoding (and hit “Apply”) the SD Card Recording group of buttons will become enabled.
SLA-PANEL → Ethernet Video tab Set the encoding format using Set Ethernet Display Params (0x29)
Start recoding, by first entering a File Name
Click the Start button
Similar to Snap Shot files, file names that do not end with a number are automatically appended with a suffix with consecutive numbers every time you start and stop the recording.
Video files are recorded with the .ts suffix (for transport stream) and can be played back with Windows Media Player, VLC, or others.
TROUBLE SHOOTING:
SLA-1500 does not appear to save JPEGs
Make sure you are not trying to capture a 14-bit digital source image. Snap shot of the 640x480 Display image should work.
My PNG appears black in Microsoft Window Paint.
Microsoft Window Paint only shows the lower 8-bits of a 16-bit PNG. Use a program other than Paint.
Snap Shot feature does not appear to be working. Make sure Recording has been enabled in the APP BITS for your system.
I don't see any JPEGS or PNGS on the MicroSD card.
Make sure the card is read/writeable.
Make sure the card has been installed correctly. Make sure the card is formatted correctly. Make sure you aren't saving to an FTP Server. I don't see any JPEGS or PNGS on the FTP
server
Make sure you aren't saving to the MicroSD card. Verify the IP ADDRESS of the FTP server
Verify the Username and Password.
Make sure the Set Snapshot (0x52) command was sent in order to configure the SLA-HARDWARE. Can I record snap shots at the same time as
recoding a video? Yes, but there may be a performance hit or skipped frames.
Can I record KLV metadata to the JPEG/PNGS even if I don't have the KLV metatdata encoding app bit?
Yes. You can still send metadata to the SLA-HARDWARE. The fields will be extracted and added to the EXIF header of the snap shot. What types of microsd card can I use? Any card should work.We recommend Kingston SDC10/32GBCP
Kingston 32GB Micro SD / Class 10. Do I need to format my MicroSD card?
YES. SightLine recommends all MicroSD cards be formatted before being used in the
SLA-HARDWARE. Please refer to
Accessing On-Board Recorded Files
Files recorded to MicroSD card can be accessed in a number of ways. Once the hardware is powered off, the MicroSD card may be removed and connected into your PC using a MicroSD card reader or similar device. Alternately, the files may be accessed remotely using an FTP client or SCP.
NOTES:
• System may stall for several seconds while writing video file to MicroSD card when the STOP RECORDING command is issued (byte 4).
• System may stall for several seconds when files are deleted (byte 5).
• Do not try to access files while system is recording.
• Snap Shots can be taken at the same time as video is being recorded.
• Please review EAN-SLA-1500-UpdateRecovery-Firmware-MSD.pdf for information on
formatting MicroSD cards for data recording.
Setting Up FileZilla FTP Server
The SLA Hardware can save Snap Shots to an FTP server that is hosted on an external machine. This example use FileZilla Server to support FTP access. It assumes FileZilla is installed and running.
PROCEDURE:
1. Use Windows Explorer to create a folder where the files will be recorded
◦ Example: D:\ftp\snapshot
2. Open FileZilla
3. Menu → Edit → Users
4. Select General page
5. In the Users group, click the ADD button
6. Enter the User ID (e.g. snapshot), then click OK. 7. Select the User ID in the list box
8. Enable the Password checkbox 9. Enter a password (e.g. snapshot) 10. Select Shared Folders page
11. Click the Shared Folders ADD button, select the D:\ftp\snapshot you created in Step 1 12. Click the Set as home dir button. An H should appear to the left of the folder name. 13. Using the check boxes set the permissions to the folder.
Export Controls
Exports of SightLine Applications, Inc. products and technical data are governed by the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR parts 730-774) administered by the US Department of Commerce. Classification of SightLine products has been defined as ECCN 4A994 for documentation and hardware/firmware, and ECCN 4D994 for licensed software. Customers acknowledge re-export responsibility and certify that their sale or distribution of SightLine products (whether incorporated into another system or otherwise) may constitute a new export and as such must be in accordance with the requirements of the EAR.
Support
Documentation and software downloads are available through our web site:
http://sightlineapplications.com/support/
Contacts
SightLine Applications, Inc. 1107 13TH STREET
HOOD RIVER, OR 97031
SightLine Applications, Inc. 524 N Tillamook Street Suite 101 Portland, OR 97227
Sales [email protected]
General [email protected]
