114 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
114 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
# Fern RTSP Timelapse
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## What
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`fern_timelapse.py` is a small Linux-first Python 3.10+ CLI for two jobs:
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- `capture`: take one JPEG from an RTSP camera, but only inside a configured daily window.
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- `compile`: turn the saved JPEG sequence into a high-quality H.264 MP4.
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It uses `ffmpeg` through `subprocess`, keeps timestamp-based filenames, writes rotating logs to disk, and retries failed captures with exponential backoff.
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## Why
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The design is intentionally cron-friendly. Each `capture` run is single-shot and idempotent enough for scheduled execution, which keeps the runtime simple and easy to recover after reboots or network drops. The `compile` path builds a temporary numbered sequence from symlinks so you can keep human-readable timestamp filenames without fighting ffmpeg's numeric-image input rules.
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## Capture behavior
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- Default window: `10:00` to `16:00`
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- End of window is exclusive, so the default window captures from `10:00` through `15:50`
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- Default quality: high-quality JPEG via `-q:v 2`
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- Default output path shape: `captures/YYYY/MM/DD/YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS_ferngrowth.jpg`
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- Default log file: `logs/fern_timelapse.log`
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## Usage
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Show command help:
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```bash
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python3 fern_timelapse.py --help
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python3 fern_timelapse.py capture --help
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python3 fern_timelapse.py compile --help
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```
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Capture one frame:
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```bash
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python3 fern_timelapse.py capture \
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--camera-host 192.168.1.50 \
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--camera-user user \
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--camera-password 'password' \
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--camera-path /stream1 \
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--output-dir /srv/fern-timelapse/captures \
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--window-start 10:00 \
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--window-end 16:00
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```
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Capture one frame even outside the allowed window:
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```bash
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python3 fern_timelapse.py capture \
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--camera-host 10.1.1.33 \
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--camera-user admin \
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--camera-password 'mirekadmin' \
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--camera-path /stream1 \
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--output-dir /mnt/main-pool/Mirek/kamera \
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--ignore-window
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```
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Your current camera parameters, assuming the RTSP path is `/stream1`:
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```bash
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python3 fern_timelapse.py capture \
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--camera-host 10.1.1.33 \
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--camera-user admin \
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--camera-password 'mirekadmin' \
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--camera-path /stream1 \
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--output-dir /srv/fern-timelapse/captures \
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--window-start 10:00 \
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--window-end 16:00
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```
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Compile the final MP4 at 30 FPS:
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```bash
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python3 fern_timelapse.py compile \
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--input-dir /srv/fern-timelapse/captures \
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--output-file /srv/fern-timelapse/output/ferngrowth_timelapse.mp4 \
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--fps 30 \
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--crf 17 \
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--preset slow
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```
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## Cron
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This entry runs every 10 minutes during the 6-hour daylight window and should produce about 36 frames per day:
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```cron
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*/10 10-15 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /home/ms/projekty/paproc-rt/fern_timelapse.py capture --camera-host 10.1.1.33 --camera-user admin --camera-password 'mirekadmin' --camera-path /stream1 --output-dir /srv/fern-timelapse/captures --window-start 10:00 --window-end 16:00 >> /srv/fern-timelapse/cron.log 2>&1
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```
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If you prefer a simpler cron expression, you can also run it more broadly and let the script self-skip outside the window.
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If your camera does not expose RTSP on `/stream1`, adjust `--camera-path`. Common alternatives include `/Streaming/Channels/101`, `/h264Preview_01_main`, or vendor-specific paths.
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## Notes on exposure and white balance
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There is no reliable generic ffmpeg flag that can force an RTSP camera to lock sensor-side auto-exposure or auto white balance. In practice, the cleanest fix for color flicker is:
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1. Lock exposure and white balance in the camera's own web UI, ONVIF controls, or vendor app.
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2. Keep lighting stable and avoid direct sun shifts.
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3. Use `--ffmpeg-input-arg` or `--ffmpeg-output-arg` only for camera- or workflow-specific ffmpeg flags that your device actually supports.
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Examples:
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```bash
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python3 fern_timelapse.py capture \
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--camera-host 192.168.1.50 \
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--camera-user user \
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--camera-password 'password' \
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--camera-path /stream1 \
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--ffmpeg-input-arg=-fflags \
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--ffmpeg-input-arg=+discardcorrupt
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```
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