0001 .. SPDX-License-Identifier: GFDL-1.1-no-invariants-or-later
0002 .. c:namespace:: V4L
0003
0004 .. _raw-vbi:
0005
0006 **********************
0007 Raw VBI Data Interface
0008 **********************
0009
0010 VBI is an abbreviation of Vertical Blanking Interval, a gap in the
0011 sequence of lines of an analog video signal. During VBI no picture
0012 information is transmitted, allowing some time while the electron beam
0013 of a cathode ray tube TV returns to the top of the screen. Using an
0014 oscilloscope you will find here the vertical synchronization pulses and
0015 short data packages ASK modulated [#f1]_ onto the video signal. These are
0016 transmissions of services such as Teletext or Closed Caption.
0017
0018 Subject of this interface type is raw VBI data, as sampled off a video
0019 signal, or to be added to a signal for output. The data format is
0020 similar to uncompressed video images, a number of lines times a number
0021 of samples per line, we call this a VBI image.
0022
0023 Conventionally V4L2 VBI devices are accessed through character device
0024 special files named ``/dev/vbi`` and ``/dev/vbi0`` to ``/dev/vbi31``
0025 with major number 81 and minor numbers 224 to 255. ``/dev/vbi`` is
0026 typically a symbolic link to the preferred VBI device. This convention
0027 applies to both input and output devices.
0028
0029 To address the problems of finding related video and VBI devices VBI
0030 capturing and output is also available as device function under
0031 ``/dev/video``. To capture or output raw VBI data with these devices
0032 applications must call the :ref:`VIDIOC_S_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` ioctl.
0033 Accessed as ``/dev/vbi``, raw VBI capturing or output is the default
0034 device function.
0035
0036 Querying Capabilities
0037 =====================
0038
0039 Devices supporting the raw VBI capturing or output API set the
0040 ``V4L2_CAP_VBI_CAPTURE`` or ``V4L2_CAP_VBI_OUTPUT`` flags, respectively,
0041 in the ``capabilities`` field of struct
0042 :c:type:`v4l2_capability` returned by the
0043 :ref:`VIDIOC_QUERYCAP` ioctl. At least one of the
0044 read/write, streaming or asynchronous I/O methods must be supported. VBI
0045 devices may or may not have a tuner or modulator.
0046
0047 Supplemental Functions
0048 ======================
0049
0050 VBI devices shall support :ref:`video input or output <video>`,
0051 :ref:`tuner or modulator <tuner>`, and :ref:`controls <control>`
0052 ioctls as needed. The :ref:`video standard <standard>` ioctls provide
0053 information vital to program a VBI device, therefore must be supported.
0054
0055 Raw VBI Format Negotiation
0056 ==========================
0057
0058 Raw VBI sampling abilities can vary, in particular the sampling
0059 frequency. To properly interpret the data V4L2 specifies an ioctl to
0060 query the sampling parameters. Moreover, to allow for some flexibility
0061 applications can also suggest different parameters.
0062
0063 As usual these parameters are *not* reset at :c:func:`open()`
0064 time to permit Unix tool chains, programming a device and then reading
0065 from it as if it was a plain file. Well written V4L2 applications should
0066 always ensure they really get what they want, requesting reasonable
0067 parameters and then checking if the actual parameters are suitable.
0068
0069 To query the current raw VBI capture parameters applications set the
0070 ``type`` field of a struct :c:type:`v4l2_format` to
0071 ``V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VBI_CAPTURE`` or ``V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VBI_OUTPUT``, and call
0072 the :ref:`VIDIOC_G_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` ioctl with a pointer to this
0073 structure. Drivers fill the struct
0074 :c:type:`v4l2_vbi_format` ``vbi`` member of the
0075 ``fmt`` union.
0076
0077 To request different parameters applications set the ``type`` field of a
0078 struct :c:type:`v4l2_format` as above and initialize all
0079 fields of the struct :c:type:`v4l2_vbi_format`
0080 ``vbi`` member of the ``fmt`` union, or better just modify the results
0081 of :ref:`VIDIOC_G_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>`, and call the :ref:`VIDIOC_S_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>`
0082 ioctl with a pointer to this structure. Drivers return an ``EINVAL`` error
0083 code only when the given parameters are ambiguous, otherwise they modify
0084 the parameters according to the hardware capabilities and return the
0085 actual parameters. When the driver allocates resources at this point, it
0086 may return an ``EBUSY`` error code to indicate the returned parameters are
0087 valid but the required resources are currently not available. That may
0088 happen for instance when the video and VBI areas to capture would
0089 overlap, or when the driver supports multiple opens and another process
0090 already requested VBI capturing or output. Anyway, applications must
0091 expect other resource allocation points which may return ``EBUSY``, at the
0092 :ref:`VIDIOC_STREAMON` ioctl and the first :c:func:`read()`
0093 , :c:func:`write()` and :c:func:`select()` calls.
0094
0095 VBI devices must implement both the :ref:`VIDIOC_G_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` and
0096 :ref:`VIDIOC_S_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` ioctl, even if :ref:`VIDIOC_S_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` ignores all requests
0097 and always returns default parameters as :ref:`VIDIOC_G_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` does.
0098 :ref:`VIDIOC_TRY_FMT <VIDIOC_G_FMT>` is optional.
0099
0100 .. tabularcolumns:: |p{1.6cm}|p{4.2cm}|p{11.5cm}|
0101
0102 .. c:type:: v4l2_vbi_format
0103
0104 .. cssclass:: longtable
0105
0106 .. flat-table:: struct v4l2_vbi_format
0107 :header-rows: 0
0108 :stub-columns: 0
0109 :widths: 1 1 2
0110
0111 * - __u32
0112 - ``sampling_rate``
0113 - Samples per second, i. e. unit 1 Hz.
0114 * - __u32
0115 - ``offset``
0116 - Horizontal offset of the VBI image, relative to the leading edge
0117 of the line synchronization pulse and counted in samples: The
0118 first sample in the VBI image will be located ``offset`` /
0119 ``sampling_rate`` seconds following the leading edge. See also
0120 :ref:`vbi-hsync`.
0121 * - __u32
0122 - ``samples_per_line``
0123 -
0124 * - __u32
0125 - ``sample_format``
0126 - Defines the sample format as in :ref:`pixfmt`, a
0127 four-character-code. [#f2]_ Usually this is ``V4L2_PIX_FMT_GREY``,
0128 i. e. each sample consists of 8 bits with lower values oriented
0129 towards the black level. Do not assume any other correlation of
0130 values with the signal level. For example, the MSB does not
0131 necessarily indicate if the signal is 'high' or 'low' because 128
0132 may not be the mean value of the signal. Drivers shall not convert
0133 the sample format by software.
0134 * - __u32
0135 - ``start``\ [#f2]_
0136 - This is the scanning system line number associated with the first
0137 line of the VBI image, of the first and the second field
0138 respectively. See :ref:`vbi-525` and :ref:`vbi-625` for valid
0139 values. The ``V4L2_VBI_ITU_525_F1_START``,
0140 ``V4L2_VBI_ITU_525_F2_START``, ``V4L2_VBI_ITU_625_F1_START`` and
0141 ``V4L2_VBI_ITU_625_F2_START`` defines give the start line numbers
0142 for each field for each 525 or 625 line format as a convenience.
0143 Don't forget that ITU line numbering starts at 1, not 0. VBI input
0144 drivers can return start values 0 if the hardware cannot reliable
0145 identify scanning lines, VBI acquisition may not require this
0146 information.
0147 * - __u32
0148 - ``count``\ [#f2]_
0149 - The number of lines in the first and second field image,
0150 respectively.
0151 * - :cspan:`2`
0152
0153 Drivers should be as flexibility as possible. For example, it may
0154 be possible to extend or move the VBI capture window down to the
0155 picture area, implementing a 'full field mode' to capture data
0156 service transmissions embedded in the picture.
0157
0158 An application can set the first or second ``count`` value to zero
0159 if no data is required from the respective field; ``count``\ [1]
0160 if the scanning system is progressive, i. e. not interlaced. The
0161 corresponding start value shall be ignored by the application and
0162 driver. Anyway, drivers may not support single field capturing and
0163 return both count values non-zero.
0164
0165 Both ``count`` values set to zero, or line numbers are outside the
0166 bounds depicted\ [#f4]_, or a field image covering lines of two
0167 fields, are invalid and shall not be returned by the driver.
0168
0169 To initialize the ``start`` and ``count`` fields, applications
0170 must first determine the current video standard selection. The
0171 :ref:`v4l2_std_id <v4l2-std-id>` or the ``framelines`` field
0172 of struct :c:type:`v4l2_standard` can be evaluated
0173 for this purpose.
0174 * - __u32
0175 - ``flags``
0176 - See :ref:`vbifmt-flags` below. Currently only drivers set flags,
0177 applications must set this field to zero.
0178 * - __u32
0179 - ``reserved``\ [#f2]_
0180 - This array is reserved for future extensions. Drivers and
0181 applications must set it to zero.
0182
0183 .. tabularcolumns:: |p{4.4cm}|p{1.5cm}|p{11.4cm}|
0184
0185 .. _vbifmt-flags:
0186
0187 .. flat-table:: Raw VBI Format Flags
0188 :header-rows: 0
0189 :stub-columns: 0
0190 :widths: 3 1 4
0191
0192 * - ``V4L2_VBI_UNSYNC``
0193 - 0x0001
0194 - This flag indicates hardware which does not properly distinguish
0195 between fields. Normally the VBI image stores the first field
0196 (lower scanning line numbers) first in memory. This may be a top
0197 or bottom field depending on the video standard. When this flag is
0198 set the first or second field may be stored first, however the
0199 fields are still in correct temporal order with the older field
0200 first in memory. [#f3]_
0201 * - ``V4L2_VBI_INTERLACED``
0202 - 0x0002
0203 - By default the two field images will be passed sequentially; all
0204 lines of the first field followed by all lines of the second field
0205 (compare :ref:`field-order` ``V4L2_FIELD_SEQ_TB`` and
0206 ``V4L2_FIELD_SEQ_BT``, whether the top or bottom field is first in
0207 memory depends on the video standard). When this flag is set, the
0208 two fields are interlaced (cf. ``V4L2_FIELD_INTERLACED``). The
0209 first line of the first field followed by the first line of the
0210 second field, then the two second lines, and so on. Such a layout
0211 may be necessary when the hardware has been programmed to capture
0212 or output interlaced video images and is unable to separate the
0213 fields for VBI capturing at the same time. For simplicity setting
0214 this flag implies that both ``count`` values are equal and
0215 non-zero.
0216
0217
0218 .. _vbi-hsync:
0219
0220 .. kernel-figure:: vbi_hsync.svg
0221 :alt: vbi_hsync.svg
0222 :align: center
0223
0224 **Figure 4.1. Line synchronization**
0225
0226 .. _vbi-525:
0227
0228 .. kernel-figure:: vbi_525.svg
0229 :alt: vbi_525.svg
0230 :align: center
0231
0232 **Figure 4.2. ITU-R 525 line numbering (M/NTSC and M/PAL)**
0233
0234 .. _vbi-625:
0235
0236 .. kernel-figure:: vbi_625.svg
0237 :alt: vbi_625.svg
0238 :align: center
0239
0240 **Figure 4.3. ITU-R 625 line numbering**
0241
0242 Remember the VBI image format depends on the selected video standard,
0243 therefore the application must choose a new standard or query the
0244 current standard first. Attempts to read or write data ahead of format
0245 negotiation, or after switching the video standard which may invalidate
0246 the negotiated VBI parameters, should be refused by the driver. A format
0247 change during active I/O is not permitted.
0248
0249 Reading and writing VBI images
0250 ==============================
0251
0252 To assure synchronization with the field number and easier
0253 implementation, the smallest unit of data passed at a time is one frame,
0254 consisting of two fields of VBI images immediately following in memory.
0255
0256 The total size of a frame computes as follows:
0257
0258 .. code-block:: c
0259
0260 (count[0] + count[1]) * samples_per_line * sample size in bytes
0261
0262 The sample size is most likely always one byte, applications must check
0263 the ``sample_format`` field though, to function properly with other
0264 drivers.
0265
0266 A VBI device may support :ref:`read/write <rw>` and/or streaming
0267 (:ref:`memory mapping <mmap>` or :ref:`user pointer <userp>`) I/O.
0268 The latter bears the possibility of synchronizing video and VBI data by
0269 using buffer timestamps.
0270
0271 Remember the :ref:`VIDIOC_STREAMON <VIDIOC_STREAMON>` ioctl and the
0272 first :c:func:`read()`, :c:func:`write()` and
0273 :c:func:`select()` call can be resource allocation
0274 points returning an ``EBUSY`` error code if the required hardware resources
0275 are temporarily unavailable, for example the device is already in use by
0276 another process.
0277
0278 .. [#f1]
0279 ASK: Amplitude-Shift Keying. A high signal level represents a '1'
0280 bit, a low level a '0' bit.
0281
0282 .. [#f2]
0283 A few devices may be unable to sample VBI data at all but can extend
0284 the video capture window to the VBI region.
0285
0286 .. [#f3]
0287 Most VBI services transmit on both fields, but some have different
0288 semantics depending on the field number. These cannot be reliable
0289 decoded or encoded when ``V4L2_VBI_UNSYNC`` is set.
0290
0291 .. [#f4]
0292 The valid values ar shown at :ref:`vbi-525` and :ref:`vbi-625`.