Problem Encoding 1280x1024 resolution videos

Question

I'm having a problem encoding video from an Axis 211M at 1280 x 1024. The jpg's don't show any corruption but when it's encoded, green and block blocks show up on the bottom 3rd of the video. A jpeg and a snapshot are attached to show you what's going on.

I had a feeling this was a ffmpeg problem so I tried a couple versions, 0.4.9-20070503 and 0.4.9-20080608. I also tried motion 3.2.8 and 3.2.10, and encoding with mpeg4 and msmpeg4. The video always ends up with corruption.

Encoding at 1024 x 768 works perfectly, however. Do you have any suggestions for encoding at 1280 x 1024? Thanks!

<verbatim>
############################################################
# Daemon
############################################################

# Start in daemon (background) mode and release terminal (default: off)
daemon off

############################################################
# Basic Setup Mode
############################################################

# Start in Setup-Mode, daemon disabled. (default: off)
setup_mode off

###########################################################
# Capture device options
############################################################

# Videodevice to be used for capturing  (default /dev/video0)
# for FreeBSD default is /dev/bktr0
#videodevice /dev/video0

# Tuner device to be used for capturing using tuner as source (default /dev/tuner0)
# This is ONLY used for FreeBSD. Leave it commented out for Linux
; tunerdevice /dev/tuner0

# The video input to be used (default: 8)
# Should normally be set to 1 for video/TV cards, and 8 for USB cameras
input 8

# The video norm to use (only for video capture and TV tuner cards)
# Values: 0 (PAL), 1 (NTSC), 2 (SECAM), 3 (PAL NC no colour). Default: 0 (PAL)
norm 0

# The frequency to set the tuner to (kHz) (only for TV tuner cards) (default: 0)
frequency 0

# Rotate image this number of degrees. The rotation affects all saved images as
# well as mpeg movies. Valid values: 0 (default = no rotation), 90, 180 and 270.
rotate 0

# Image width (pixels). Valid range: Camera dependent, default: 352
width 320

# Image height (pixels). Valid range: Camera dependent, default: 288
height 240

# Maximum number of frames to be captured per second.
# Valid range: 2-100. Default: 100 (almost no limit).
framerate 10

# URL to use if you are using a network camera, size will be autodetected (incl http://)
# Must be a URL that returns single jpeg pictures or a raw mjpeg stream. Default: Not defined
; netcam_url value

# Username and password for network camera (only if required). Default: not defined
# Syntax is user:password
; netcam_userpass value

# Let motion regulate the brightness of a video device (default: off).
# The auto_brightness feature uses the brightness option as its target value.
# If brightness is zero auto_brightness will adjust to average brightness value 128.
# Only recommended for cameras without auto brightness
auto_brightness off

# Set the initial brightness of a video device.
# If auto_brightness is enabled, this value defines the average brightness level
# which Motion will try and adjust to.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
brightness 0

# Set the contrast of a video device.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
contrast 0

# Set the saturation of a video device.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
saturation 0

# Set the hue of a video device (NTSC feature).
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
hue 0


############################################################
# Round Robin (multiple inputs on same video device name)
############################################################

# Number of frames to capture in each roundrobin step (default: 1)
roundrobin_frames 1

# Number of frames to skip before each roundrobin step (default: 1)
roundrobin_skip 1

# Try to filter out noise generated by roundrobin (default: 0)
switchfilter 0


############################################################
# Motion Detection Settings:
############################################################

# Threshold for number of changed pixels in an image that
# triggers motion detection (default: 1500)
threshold 300

# Automatically tune the threshold down if possible (default: off)
threshold_tune off

# Noise threshold for the motion detection (default: 32)
noise_level 64

# Automatically tune the noise threshold (default: on)
noise_tune off

# Enables motion to adjust its detection/noise level for very dark frames
# Don't use this with noise_tune on. (default: off)
night_compensate off

# Despeckle motion image using (e)rode or (d)ilate or (l)abel (Default: not defined)
# Recommended value is EedDl. Any combination (and number of) of E, e, d, and D is valid.
# (l)abeling must only be used once and the 'l' must be the last letter.
# Comment out to disable
despeckle EedDl

# PGM file to use as a sensitivity mask.
# Full path name to. (Default: not defined)
; mask_file value

# Dynamically create a mask file during operation (default: 0)
# Adjust speed of mask changes from 0 (off) to 10 (fast)
smart_mask_speed 0

# Ignore sudden massive light intensity changes given as a percentage of the picture
# area that changed intensity. Valid range: 0 - 100 , default: 0 = disabled
lightswitch 0

# Picture frames must contain motion at least the specified number of frames
# in a row before they are detected as true motion. At the default of 1, all
# motion is detected. Valid range: 1 to thousands, recommended 1-10
minimum_motion_frames 1

# Specifies the number of pre-captured (buffered) pictures from before motion
# was detected that will be output at motion detection (default: 0)
pre_capture 2

# Number of frames to capture after motion is no longer detected (default: 0)
post_capture 5

# Gap is the seconds of no motion detection that triggers the end of an event
# An event is defined as a series of motion images taken within a short timeframe.
# Recommended value is 60 seconds (Default). The value 0 is allowed and disables
# events causing all Motion to be written to one single mpeg file and no pre_capture.
gap 10

# Minimum gap in seconds between the storing pictures while detecting motion.
# Default: 0 = as fast as possible (given by the camera framerate)
# Note: This option has nothing to do with the option 'gap'
minimum_gap 0

# Maximum length in seconds of an mpeg movie
# When value is exceeded a new mpeg file is created. (Default: 0 = infinite)
max_mpeg_time 10

# Number of frames per second to capture when not detecting
# motion (saves CPU load) (Default: 0 = disabled)
low_cpu 2

# Always save images even if there was no motion (default: off)
output_all off


############################################################
# Image File Output
############################################################

# Output 'normal' pictures when motion is detected (default: on)
# Valid values: on, off, first, best
# When set to 'first', only the first picture of an event is saved.
# Picture with most motion of an event is saved when set to 'best'.
# Can be used as preview shot for the corresponding movie.
output_normal off

# Output pictures with only the pixels moving object (ghost images) (default: off)
output_motion off

# The quality (in percent) to be used by the jpeg compression (default: 75)
quality 100

# Output ppm images instead of jpeg (default: off)
ppm off


############################################################
# Film (mpeg) File Output - ffmpeg based
############################################################

# Use ffmpeg to encode mpeg movies in realtime (default: off)
ffmpeg_cap_new on

# Use ffmpeg to make movies with only the pixels moving
# object (ghost images) (default: off)
ffmpeg_cap_motion off

# Use ffmpeg to encode a timelapse movie 
# Default value 0 = off - else save frame every Nth second
ffmpeg_timelapse 0

# The file rollover mode of the timelapse video
# Valid values: hourly, daily (default), weekly-sunday, weekly-monday, monthly, manual
ffmpeg_timelapse_mode daily

# Bitrate to be used by the ffmpeg encoder (default: 400000)
# This option is ignored if ffmpeg_variable_bitrate is not 0 (disabled)
ffmpeg_bps 700000

# Enables and defines variable bitrate for the ffmpeg encoder.
# ffmpeg_bps is ignored if variable bitrate is enabled.
# Valid values: 0 (default) = fixed bitrate defined by ffmpeg_bps,
# or the range 2 - 31 where 2 means best quality and 31 is worst.
ffmpeg_variable_bitrate 15

# Codec to used by ffmpeg for the video compression.
# Timelapse mpegs are always made in mpeg1 format independent from this option.
# Supported formats are: mpeg1 (ffmpeg-0.4.8 only), mpeg4 (default), and msmpeg4.
# mpeg1 - gives you files with extension .mpg
# mpeg4 or msmpeg4 - give you files with extension .avi
# msmpeg4 is recommended for use with Windows Media Player because
# it requires no installation of codec on the Windows client.
ffmpeg_video_codec msmpeg4


############################################################
# Snapshots (Traditional Periodic Webcam File Output)
############################################################

# Make automated snapshot every N seconds (default: 0 = disabled)
snapshot_interval 0


############################################################
# Text Display
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second, %T = HH:MM:SS,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, \n = new line,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# You can put quotation marks around the text to allow
# leading spaces
############################################################

# Locate and draw a box around the moving object.
# Valid values: on, off and preview (default: off)
# Set to 'preview' will only draw a box in preview_shot pictures.
locate on

# Draws the timestamp using same options as C function strftime(3)
# Default: %Y-%m-%d\n%T = date in ISO format and time in 24 hour clock
# Text is placed in lower right corner
text_right "%F\n%T %Z #%q\nwww.connexed.com"

# Draw a user defined text on the images using same options as C function strftime(3)
# Default: Not defined = no text
# Text is placed in lower left corner
text_left "Unlabeled Camera"

# Draw the number of changed pixed on the images (default: off)
# Will normally be set to off except when you setup and adjust the motion settings
# Text is placed in upper right corner
text_changes on


############################################################
# Target Directories and filenames For Images And Films
# For the options snapshot_, jpeg_, mpeg_ and timelapse_filename
# you can use conversion specifiers
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second,
# %v = event, %q = frame number
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# Quotation marks round string are allowed.
############################################################

# Target base directory for pictures and films
# Recommended to use absolute patch. (Default: current working directory)
#target_dir /usr/local/apache2/htdocs/cam1

# File path for snapshots (jpeg or ppm) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-snapshot
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-snapshot
# File extension .jpg or .ppm is automatically added so do not include this.
# Note: A symbolic link called lastsnap.jpg created in the target_dir will always
# point to the latest snapshot, unless snapshot_filename is exactly 'lastsnap'
snapshot_filename %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-%q-snapshot

# File path for motion triggered images (jpeg or ppm) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-%q
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-%q
# File extension .jpg or .ppm is automatically added so do not include this
# Set to 'preview' together with best-preview feature enables special naming
# convention for preview shots. See motion guide for details
jpeg_filename %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-%q

# File path for motion triggered ffmpeg films (mpeg) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H%M%S
# File extension .mpg or .avi is automatically added so do not include this
movie_filename %Y/%m/%d/%H-%M-%S

# File path for timelapse mpegs relative to target_dir
# Default: %Y%m%d-timelapse
# Default value is near equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d-timelapse
# File extension .mpg is automatically added so do not include this
timelapse_filename %Y%m%d-timelapse


############################################################
# Live Webcam Server
############################################################

# The mini-http server listens to this port for requests (default: 0 = disabled)
webcam_port 0

# Quality of the jpeg images produced (default: 50)
webcam_quality 50

# Only output frames if motion is detected (default: off)
webcam_motion off

# Maximum framerate for webcam streams (default: 1)
webcam_maxrate 1

# Restrict webcam connections to localhost only (default: on)
webcam_localhost on

# Limits the number of images per connection (default: 0 = unlimited)
# Number can be defined by multiplying actual webcam rate by desired number of seconds
# Actual webcam rate is the smallest of the numbers framerate and webcam_maxrate
webcam_limit 0


############################################################
# HTTP Based Control
############################################################

# TCP/IP port for the http server to listen on (default: 0 = disabled)
control_port 8080

# Restrict control connections to localhost only (default: on)
control_localhost on

# Output for http server, select off to choose raw text plain (default: on)
control_html_output on

# Authentication for the http based control. Syntax username:password
# Default: not defined (Disabled)
; control_authentication username:password


############################################################
# Tracking (Pan/Tilt)
############################################################

# Type of tracker (0=none (default), 1=stepper, 2=iomojo, 3=pwc, 4=generic)
# The generic type enables the definition of motion center and motion size to
# be used with the convertion specifiers for options like on_motion_detected
track_type 0

# Serial port of motor (default: none)
; track_port value

# Motor number for x-axis (default: -1)
track_motorx -1

# Maximum value on x-axis (default: 0)
track_maxx 0

# ID of an iomojo camera if used (default: 0)
track_iomojo_id 0

# Speed to set the motor to (default: 255)
track_speed 255

# Number of steps to make (default: 40)
track_stepsize 40


############################################################
# External Commands, Warnings and Logging:
# You can use conversion specifiers for the on_xxxx commands
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second,
# %v = event, %q = frame number
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# Quotation marks round string are allowed.
############################################################

# Do not sound beeps when detecting motion (default: on)
# Note: Motion never beeps when running in daemon mode.
quiet on

# Command to be executed when an event starts. (default: none)
# An event starts at first motion detected after a period of no motion defined by gap 
; on_event_start value

# Command to be executed when an event ends after a period of no motion
# (default: none). The period of no motion is defined by option gap.
; on_event_end value

# Command to be executed when a picture (.ppm|.jpg) is saved (default: none)
# The filename of the picture is appended as an argument for the command as %f.
#on_picture_save /usr/connexed/bin/on_picture_save.sh %f

# Command to be executed when a motion frame is detected (default: none)
; on_motion_detected value

# Command to be executed when a movie file (.mpg|.avi) is created. (default: none)
# Filename of movie is appended as an argument for the command as %f.
#on_movie_start /usr/connexed/bin/on_movie_start.sh %f

# Command to be executed when a movie file (.mpg|.avi) is closed. (default: none)
# Filename of movie is appended as an argument for the command as %f.
on_movie_end /usr/connexed/bin/on_movie_end.sh %f


############################################################
# Common Options For MySQL and PostgreSQL database features.
# Options require the MySQL/PostgreSQL options to be active also.
############################################################

# Log to the database when creating motion triggered image file  (default: on)
#sql_log_image off

# Log to the database when creating a snapshot image file (default: on)
#sql_log_snapshot off

# Log to the database when creating motion triggered mpeg file (default: off)
#sql_log_mpeg off

# Log to the database when creating timelapse mpeg file (default: off)
#sql_log_timelapse off


############################################################
# Database Options For MySQL
############################################################

# Mysql database to log to (default: not defined)
; mysql_db value

# The host on which the database is located (default: not defined)
; mysql_host value

# User account name for MySQL database (default: not defined)
; mysql_user value

# User password for MySQL database (default: not defined)
; mysql_password value


############################################################
# Database Options For PostgreSQL
############################################################

# PostgreSQL database to log to (default: not defined)
; pgsql_db value

# The host on which the database is located (default: not defined)
; pgsql_host value

# User account name for PostgreSQL database (default: not defined)
; pgsql_user value

# User password for PostgreSQL database (default: not defined)
; pgsql_password value

# Port on which the PostgreSQL database is located (default: 5432)
; pgsql_port 5432


############################################################
# Video Loopback Device (vloopback project)
############################################################

# Output images to a video4linux loopback device
# The value '-' means next available (default: not defined)
; video_pipe value

# Output motion images to a video4linux loopback device
# The value '-' means next available (default: not defined)
; motion_video_pipe value


##############################################################
# Thread config files - One for each camera.
# Except if only one camera - You only need this config file.
# If you have more than one camera you MUST define one thread
# config file for each camera in addition to this config file.
##############################################################

# Remember: If you have more than one camera you must have one
# thread file for each camera. E.g. 2 cameras requires 3 files:
# This motion.conf file AND thread1.conf and thread2.conf.
# Only put the options that are unique to each camera in the
# thread config files. 

thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500087.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500091.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500094.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500092.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500086.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500088.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500090.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500093.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500085.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500089.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500096.properties
thread /usr/connexed/config/camera-500039-500095.properties
</verbatim>

Here's the camera's property file.

<verbatim>
netcam_url http://192.168.3.205:10205/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi?resolution=1024x768&text=0&duration=0&fps=10 
target_dir /image1/500039/500089
text_left "Shipping Rollup (211M)"
</verbatim>

Changing resolution=1280x1024 will create the corrupt video file. 

Environment

Motion version:	3.2.10
ffmpeg version:	0.4.9-20070503
Libraries:	ffmpeg, mysql, postgresql
Server OS:	CentOS 5, kernel 2.6.18

-- BradDegnan - 11 Jun 2008

Answer

Hi Brad,

Your resolution is not really usual but after some dig in source code i found the issue in ffmpeg.c code , video_outbuf_size is set to a fixed length but not

enough for your config. Here it's a quick patch over 3.2.10.1 ( 3.2.10 branch ) :

 --- ffmpeg.c    (revisión: 359)
+++ ffmpeg.c    (copia de trabajo)
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@
     if (!(ffmpeg->oc->oformat->flags & AVFMT_RAWPICTURE)) {
         /* allocate output buffer */
         /* XXX: API change will be done */
-        ffmpeg->video_outbuf_size = 200000;
+        ffmpeg->video_outbuf_size = 2000000;
         ffmpeg->video_outbuf = mymalloc(ffmpeg->video_outbuf_size);
     }

I've checked using a fake netcam_url ( using your jpg image and apache ) with your config file and without this patch i can reproduce your issue , after patch is applied videos looks ok . Please test on your side and let me know how it goes.

Thanks !

-- AngelCarpintero - 12 Jun 2008

Hi Angel,

I tried to copy and paste the patch into a txt file to do the patch -p0 < ffmpeg.patch thing, but it failed for me. I'm betting the wiki screwed up some formatting somewhere. Anyway, I changed the relevant line in ffmpeg.c, recompiled, and the recordings at 1280 x 1024 are perfect now. Thanks for the help and the quick fix!

thanks!

Brad

---

Brad i have been searching in ffmpeg API a better value for this buffer ... but i got nothing really useful. Anyway i did some test and i found a value that looks

more reasonable and worked fine too , so instead of use 2000000 i will commit in trunk and 3.2.10 branch width * 256 .

-        ffmpeg->video_outbuf_size = 200000;
+        ffmpeg->video_outbuf_size = ffmpeg->code->width * 256;

-- AngelCarpintero - 13 Jun 2008