YATpack

Code and resources for IRL streaming with the NVIDIA Jetson Nano.

Random tech details

• HEVC video encode + Opus audio
  • 720p60 by default
  • Sent over network via SRT
  • Full GStreamer pipeline
• Dockerized Jetson client component:
  • Web UI for starting/stopping stream, statistics, configuring settings
  • PWA, so you can add it to your home screen for easy access
• Dockerized server component:
  • Runs srt-live-server with sane config
  • Runs Node.js watchdog server that can swap between scenes on low bitrate using obs-websocket

Setup

Hardware

You'll want:

• a Jetson Nano 2GB developer kit
• a UVC capture card compatible with Linux/V4L2, capable of at least 1080p30 uncompressed @ YUV 4:2:2
  • I'm currently using a Cam Link 4K, but other cards should work if you can change the GStreamer pipeline accordingly.
• a camera! With HDMI output for the capture card.
• a high quality USB-C power bank that supports 5v @ 3A
  • I'm currently using this one. You should look at the spec sheet / manual to confirm max current.
• USB-C cable
• USB WiFi adapter, or cable for phone to USB tether
• MicroSD card with Jetson image flashed, at least 32GB

Software

Both the client and server are distributed as Docker images. The client runs on your Nano, and the server runs on your PC/VPS.

1. Client

The Jetson Nano SD card image should come with Docker pre-installed, so simply run the below commands on your Nano. (you'll want to change SRT_IP to your server)

sudo systemctl enable --now docker
sudo docker run --restart always --name yatpack-client \
  --ipc=host --runtime nvidia \
  --device /dev/snd --device /dev/video0 -p 80:80 -e PORT=80 \
  -e SRT_IP=my.server.com:1935 \
  odensc/yatpack-client

The web UI should then be accessible at the IP of your Nano.

2. Server

The server component is technically optional but strongly recommended, as it provides an SRT server and auto scene swapping via obs-websocket. If you don't use it, you'll need to set up your own SRT server (at least).

You'll need a Linux server with Docker installed. You can also use Windows w/ Docker Desktop but will need to run the commands via WSL2.

Run the below commands:

sudo systemctl enable --now docker
sudo docker run --restart always --name yatpack-server -p 1935:1935/udp \
  -e OBS_ADDRESS=10.0.0.2:4444 -e OBS_PASSWORD=hunter2 \
  -e SCENE_NAME_CONNECTED=Connected -e SCENE_NAME_DISCONNECTED=Disconnected \
  odensc/yatpack-server

Edit the above environment variables accordingly to match your OBS setup (below).

3. OBS Machine

You should install obs-websocket and configure it to require a password.

Make a new scene called Connected and create a Media Source. This scene will show whilst the stream is on.

For the input URL, use srt://my.server.com:1935?streamid=output/live/pack (replacing the IP), set Network Buffering to the minimum value, and enable hardware decoding.

Make a new scene called Disconnected and put whatever graphics you want in it. This scene will show when the bitrate is too low for coherent video, or when the stream completely drops.

Stream!