SainSmart IMX219 not recognized

Autonomous Machines Jetson & Embedded Systems Jetson Nano
1

Using the camera for the Nano as SainSmart IMX219: Camera Module for NVIDIA Jetson Nano Board | 8MP Sensor | 160 Degree FoV – SainSmart.com

I am using the simple doorcam.py and it is giving me this:
Error generated. /dvs/git/dirty/git-master_linux/multimedia/nvgstreamer/gst-nvarguscamera/gstnvarguscamerasrc.cpp, execute:521 No cameras available

testing (ls /dev/vid*) I get:
ls: cannot access ‘/dev/vid*’: No such file or directory

shutdown, swapping the Sainsmart camera with a Raspberry pi camera (v2) and works flawlessly.

Anyone have these issues?
ADD: Linux jetson 4.9.140-tegra #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue Nov 5 13:43:53 PST 2019 aarch64 aarch64 aarch64 GNU/Linux

2

Hi @ingo.mclean

Interesting issue. Can you do the following test?

  1. Turn off the Jetson Nano
  2. Connect the SainSmart IMX219
  3. Boot the Jetson Nano
  4. Run the following command and provide the output:
dmesg | grep imx

We will be able to verify if the camera is being detected and if there is information about the error.

Regards,
Fabian
www.ridgerun.com

3

Here is the output:

sysadmin@jetson:~/workspace$ dmesg | grep imx
[    1.217600] imx219 6-0010: tegracam sensor driver:imx219_v2.0.6
[    1.241013] imx219 6-0010: imx219_board_setup: error during i2c read probe (-121)
[    1.248576] imx219 6-0010: board setup failed
[    1.253053] imx219: probe of 6-0010 failed with error -121
4

Hi @ingo.mclean

It seems the jetson Nano is not able to communicate with the camera through the I2C. Are you able to validate camera functionality in another board or system? I really don’t this is related with an issue from the Nano side, but from the camera. Maybe the connector cable between the camera an Nano is damaged, or the camera itselft.

Regards,
Fabian
www.ridgerun.com

5

I’m having the same problem. Are you using the Nano in headless mode? The only other information I can find on this issue from the manufacturer involves using HDMI adapters that the camera is not compatible with.

6

Hi All,

I am presently using the SainSmart IMX219 CSI camera on two Jetson Nanos and they are both detected by the Nano.

However there is a slight pinkish tinge to the picture which I think might be due to inadequate IR filtering?

Regards,
TCIII

7

Hi @TCIII,

The problem related to pink hue/washed out image is related to the camera_overrides settings for the ISP.
You need to get this file from the camera vendor or other providers. More information here: Jetson TX1 TX2 ISP Control with Nvcamerasrc | Jetson ISP Converter

Here is an example of the IMX219 when using the correct ISP configuration file vs the default file.

prev
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after
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Regards,
Fabian
www.ridgerun.com