README.md

pi-webcam

A Raspberry Pi Webcam using HDMI output with capture card

Approach

The approach for this pi-webcam is to auto-login into pi OS desktop, to run camera preview at fullscreen, and to capture the HDMI output with a capture card. Other pi-webcam projects exist which configure the pi as a USB gadget and transfer the video over that USB connection. While this HDMI capture card approach simplifies the pi configuration, it does likely cost more than just buying a simple webcam with comparable capabilities, but we're just having fun here...

Install

• Install Raspberry Pi OS (with Desktop)
• Configure user auto-login
• Configure display preferences
  • Navigate to Pi Menu -> Preferences -> Raspberry Pi Configuration -> Display
  • Disable screen blanking
  • Configure headless screen resolution
• Configure camera autostart
  • create directory $HOME/.config/autostart if it doesn't already exist
  • create file $HOME/.config/autostart/pi-webcam.desktop with the following content:

    [Desktop Entry]
    Type=Application
    Name=Pi-Webcam
    Exec=/usr/bin/libcamera-vid -t 0 --fullscreen --awb indoor
    

• After next pi desktop startup, the camera will appear full screen over the HDMI connection

Hardware

• Raspberry Pi 3 or 4
• Raspberry Pi Camera (v3 or HQ preferred)
• HDMI capture card (eg. Elgato Cam Link)

USB Gadget vs HDMI Capture

This is a placeholder for comparing the performance/bandwidth of the USB gadget approach versus the HDMI w/ capture card approach.

Other Pi-Webcam projects/resources

• https://github.com/geerlingguy/pi-webcam