Video plus data streaming with racecapture

Introduction

Parts you will need

Your existing RaceCapture system

The RaceCapture system will provide access to your car's sensor data (CAN bus or analog sensors), high performance GPS, Accelerometer / Gyro sensors, lap timing and other motorsport related statistics.

Compatible Systems

  • Any existing RaceCapture system will work.

Micro computer system

The micro computer will receive data from RaceCapture and is responsible for rendering video+data, encoding, and broadcasting the video to youtube or similar streaming platform.

Recommended

The Beelink SER5 is our recommended choice as it is powerful, cost effective, and is in a compact and lightweight form factor.

Alternatives

A micro system with an Intel I5-6500 through I5-7600 + SSD + 8GB RAM is an acceptable option as well. This may be a system you already have or can get surplus for a minimal cost.

  • Look for these options:
    • SSD (required for ruggedness - smallest size is fine).
    • Smallest RAM option is fine (typically 8GB)
    • Included WiFi - for connection versatility

Candidates

12v DC to DC converter

A 12v-19v DC to DC converter is needed to power the rendering/broadcasting computer in the vehicle. This converter avoids needing an AC inverter in the car, providing a clean installation.

  • Tips:
    • Choose a device that has sufficient power capacity (100W minimum)

Recommended

These have been tested to work:

  • KFD 100W universal car charger
  • Notes:
    • We recommend cutting the cigar lighter connection and hard-wiring the power to a 15A circuit. (center conductor is positive).

Cameras

You will need 1 or 2 cameras for capturing and rendering video.

Recommended

Autosport Labs will soon provide a camera kit that provides high quality imaging, a waterproof compact form-factor, and the perfect 90 degree HFOV that offers just the right field-of-view without distortion.

Alternatives

Most any USB camera (such as a webcam) can be used. These are commonly found on Amazon or Ebay.

  • Tips:
    • Logitech is a good, high quality option
    • Find a camera that offers a 1/4-20 threaded camera mount for a secure rollbar attachment to minimize vibration.

Microphone

A microphone is needed for capturing audio.

  • Candidates:
    • USB microphone - you can use a separate USB microphone, especially if you get one that offers higher quality.
    • Analog microphone - you can use an analog microphone that attaches to the front headset input of the micro PC. Make sure you get a microphone that has the 4-ring connector for proper operation.
    • Microphone embedded in one of the cameras - if one of your your cameras has its own microphone, you can use that as an audio source.

Hotspot/Router

Most any hostspot should work, but for the very best performance and reliability, these options should be considered:

  • Hard-wired ethernet connection, for direct connection to the micro computer.
  • External antenna connection - a hotspot that offers external antenna will boost performance by allowing you to use a high-gain roof-mount antenna.

Setup

Connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the rendering/streaming computer and install Ubuntu.

Install ubuntu 22.x

Download Ubuntu Desktop and install the image to a USB flash drive.

  • Install Ubuntu with the following options:
    • During installation, choose the option to download / install updates, including "non-free" software updates (which includes video drivers)
    • Choose the option to erase the hard drive and perform a complete install.
    • Select Automatic Login without password.

After the installation is complete, the computer will reboot into the standard desktop.

Disable keyring popup

From the desktop, choose log out, and log back in with the password you created during the installation step.

Then, Disable the keyring popup using these instructions. Observe the security notes in this guide.

  • Note: Disabling the keyring is important to prevent a popup dialog when the RaceCapture app automatically starts.

Run the installer

From the Ubuntu desktop, open a terminal and enter the following command, pressing <enter> after the line: 

cuxrl -sL bit.ly/3RL9Yoj | bash

This will automatically install the RaceCapture app and video streamer, related software dependencies, and set up configuration file templates.

Reboot

Reboot the computer. It should automatically launch the RaceCapture app.

Edit RaceCapture settings

App Preferences

In the RaceCapture app, go to Setup / App Preferences:

  • set Fullscreen -> ON
  • Set Startup Screen -> Dashboard
  • Turn off Session Recording

Dashboard Preferences

Go to Dashboard, then press the gear icon in the upper right of the dashboard. Touch More Settings

  • Turn off Pit stop timer

Plug in camera(s)

Plug in 1 or 2 cameras into the USB port

  • Note: Remember the ports the cameras are plugged into, and keep this consistent during use.

Plug in USB microphone

  • Plug USB microphone into a USB port

Configure Dashboard

  • Press Settings Gear Icon, go to More Settings / Camera Preferences

Select /dev/video0 for Camera1, and /dev/video2 for Camera2

Create a test dashboard

  • Press the Settings gear icon, select Add Gauge
  • create a video gauge, and select Camera 1 as the source.
  • Resize to fit the dashboard.
  • create another video gauge, and select Camera 2 as the source.
  • Resize to be the picture-in-picture video window.
  • Add additional gauges as you see fit, such as an analog speed gauge, track map, etc.
  • Note If the cameras are reversed, you can swap the camera mappings in the main dashboard settings under More Settings / Camera Preferences

Video Streaming / recording

Edit the video-config.ini file in your user's Desktop directory.

Streaming Key / URL

If using Youtube: Set the streaming key as provided by youtube. Or, you can specify a custom URL.

Local recording

Video files will be recorded in the user's Videos directory

Microphone

If using a USB microphone (recommended) use the default audio_device=1

Example default config file 

[capture]
audio_device=1

[local_recording]
video_dir=$HOME/Videos

[streaming]
streaming_url=rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/<streaming key>

Maintenance/Troubleshooting

Open a terminal window

To open a terminal window for troubleshooting:

  • Press ctrl+t then c

Log out

You can log out of the current session to access the original Ubuntu desktop to perform additional maintenance.

  • Press ctrl_t then :
  • Type 'quit' and press <enter>

Once you've logged out, you can log back into the Ubuntu desktop by pressing the gear icon in the lower right, and select Ubuntu.

To get back to the RaceCapture full-screen app mode, select "RaceCapture livestreaming" from this menu; this is the window manager that is configured to run RaceCapture in full-screen mode.

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