Capturing Videos with 'rpicam-vid' on Raspberry Pi (with examples)

The rpicam-vid command is a versatile tool for capturing video using a Raspberry Pi camera module. Designed to work seamlessly with Raspberry Pi’s hardware, this command allows users to record videos using a variety of customizable options such as duration, file output type, and more. It’s an essential command for hobbyists and professionals alike who are interested in creating video content using Raspberry Pi devices.

Use case 1: Capture a 10 Second Video

Code:

rpicam-vid -t 10000 -o path/to/file.h264

Motivation:

Capturing a short, fixed-length video is a common requirement for many projects, especially when testing camera settings or creating time-limited clips. This use case is particularly useful for those who wish to quickly verify that their Raspberry Pi camera module is functioning correctly or for those who need to integrate short clips into larger projects without wasting storage space on lengthy recordings.

Explanation:

• rpicam-vid: This is the command used to start recording a video using the Raspberry Pi camera module.

• -t: This option specifies the duration for which the video should be recorded. The time is expressed in milliseconds. In this example, 10000 means that the video will be recorded for 10,000 milliseconds, which is equivalent to 10 seconds.

• -o: This argument specifies the output file path and name. It determines where the recorded video will be saved and its format. The file extension .h264 indicates that the video will be saved in H.264 format, which is a common format for video compression and playback.

Example Output:

After executing this command, a 10-second video will be recorded and saved to the specified file path in H.264 format. Users can then play back the video using a media player that supports H.264, such as VLC, to ensure the desired content was captured. The typical output would be a smooth, high-quality video clip corresponding to the camera’s view during those 10 seconds.

Conclusion:

The rpicam-vid command offers Raspberry Pi users an efficient way to capture video content directly from their camera modules. By using specific options and arguments, users can tailor their video recording sessions to suit particular needs, such as setting precise recording durations. Regardless of whether you’re creating content for personal use or a larger professional project, mastering rpicam-vid is an invaluable skill for leveraging the video capabilities of the Raspberry Pi platform.