VIDEO(4) | Device Drivers Manual | VIDEO(4)

# NAME

`video` — device-independent video driver layer

# SYNOPSIS

`video* at uvideo?`

`#include <sys/types.h>`
`#include <sys/ioctl.h>`
`#include <sys/videoio.h>`

# DESCRIPTION

The `video` driver provides support for various video devices. It provides a uniform programming interface layer above different underlying video hardware drivers. The `video` driver uses the V4L2 (Video for Linux Two) API which is widely used by video applications. Therefore this document mainly describes the V4L2 API parts which are supported by the `video` driver.

For security reasons video recording is blanked by default. To achieve this, the `video` driver blanks image data received from the underlying video hardware driver. The superuser can change this behavior using the kern.video.record sysctl(2) variable:

    kern.video.record=0	# Recording is blanked (default)
    kern.video.record=1	# Recording is enabled

# IOCTLS

The following ioctl(2) commands are supported:

`VIDIOC_QUERYCAP` struct v4l2_capability *
  Query device capabilities.

      struct v4l2_capability {
      	u_int8_t	driver[16];
      	u_int8_t	card[32];
      	u_int8_t	bus_info[32];
      	u_int32_t	version;
      	u_int32_t	capabilities;
      	u_int32_t	device_caps;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[3];
      };

`VIDIOC_ENUM_FMT` struct v4l2_fmtdesc *
  Enumerate image formats.

      struct v4l2_fmtdesc {
      	u_int32_t	index;
      	u_int32_t	type;
      	u_int32_t	flags;
      	u_int8_t	description[32];
      	u_int32_t	pixelformat;
      	u_int32_t	mbus_code;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[3];
      };

`VIDIOC_S_FMT` struct v4l2_format *
  Set the data format.

      struct v4l2_format {
      	u_int32_t	type;
      	union {
      		struct v4l2_pix_format		pix;
      		struct v4l2_pix_format_mplane	pix_mp;
      		struct v4l2_window		win;
      		struct v4l2_vbi_format		vbi;
      		struct v4l2_sliced_vbi_format	sliced;
      		struct v4l2_sdr_format		sdr;
      		struct v4l2_meta_format		meta;
      		u_int8_t			raw_data[200];
              } fmt;
      };

`VIDIOC_G_FMT` struct v4l2_format *
  Get the data format.

  Same structure as for `VIDIOC_S_FMT`.

`VIDIOC_ENUMINPUT` struct v4l2_input *
  Enumerate video inputs.

      struct v4l2_input {
      	u_int32_t	index;
      	u_int8_t	name[32];
      	u_int32_t	type;
      	u_int32_t	audioset;
      	u_int32_t	tuner;
      	v4l2_std_id	std;
      	u_int32_t	status;
      	u_int32_t	capabilities;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[3];
      };

`VIDIOC_G_INPUT` int *
  Get the current video input.
`VIDIOC_S_INPUT` int *
  Select the current video input.
`VIDIOC_REQBUFS` struct v4l2_requestbuffers *
  Initiate memory mapping or user pointer I/O.

      struct v4l2_requestbuffers {
      	u_int32_t	count;
      	u_int32_t	type;
      	u_int32_t	memory;
      	u_int32_t	capabilities;
      	u_Int32_t	flags;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[3];
      };

`VIDIOC_QUERYBUF` struct v4l2_buffer *
  Query the status of a buffer.

      struct v4l2_buffer {
      	u_int32_t		index;
      	u_int32_t		type;
      	u_int32_t		bytesused;
      	u_int32_t		flags;
      	u_int32_t		field;
      	struct timeval		timestamp;
      	struct v4l2_timecode	timecode;
      	u_int32_t		sequence;
      	u_int32_t		memory;
      	union {
      		u_int32_t		offset;
      		unsigned long		userptr;
      		struct v4l2_plane	*planes;
      		int32_t			fd;
      	} m;
      	u_int32_t		length;
      	u_int32_t		reserved2;
      	union {
      		int32_t		request_fd;
      		u_int32_t	reserved;
      	}
      };

`VIDIOC_QBUF` struct v4l2_buffer *
  Add a buffer to the queue.

  Same structure as for `VIDIOC_QUERYBUF`.

`VIDIOC_DQBUF` struct v4l2_buffer *
  Remove a buffer from the queue.

  Same structure as for `VIDIOC_QUERYBUF`.

`VIDIOC_STREAMON` int *
  Start video stream.
`VIDIOC_STREAMOFF` int *
  Stop video stream.
`VIDIOC_TRY_FMT` struct v4l2_format *
  Try a data format.

  Same structure as for `VIDIOC_S_FMT`.

`VIDIOC_ENUM_FRAMEINTERVALS` struct v4l2_frmivalenum *
  Enumerate frame intervals.

      struct v4l2_frmivalenum {
      	u_int32_t		index;
      	u_int32_t		pixel_format;
      	u_int32_t		width;
      	u_int32_t		height;
      	u_int32_t		type;
      	union {
      		struct v4l2_fract		discrete;
      		struct v4l2_frmival_stepwise	stepwise;
      	};
      	u_int32_t		reserved[2];
      };

      struct v4l2_frmival_stepwise {
      	struct v4l2_fract min;
      	struct v4l2_fract max;
      	struct v4l2_fract step;
      };

`VIDIOC_S_PARM` struct v4l2_streamparm *
  Set streaming parameters.

      struct v4l2_streamparm {
      	u_int32_t	type;
      	union {
      		struct v4l2_captureparm	capture;
      		struct v4l2_outputparm	output;
      		u_int8_t		raw_data[200];
      	} parm;
      };

      struct v4l2_captureparm	{
      	u_int32_t	capability;
      	u_int32_t	capturemode;
      	struct v4l2_fract	timeperframe;
      	u_int32_t	extendedmode;
      	u_int32_t	readbuffers;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[4];
      };

      struct v4l2_outputparm	{
      	u_int32_t	capability;
      	u_int32_t	outputmode;
      	struct v4l2_fract	timeperframe;
      	u_int32_t	extendedmode;
      	u_int32_t	writebuffers;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[4];
      };

`VIDIOC_G_PARM` struct v4l2_streamparm *
  Get the streaming parameters.

  Same structures as for `VIDIOC_S_PARM`.

`VIDIOC_QUERYCTRL` struct v4l2_queryctrl *
  Enumerate control items.

      struct v4l2_queryctrl {
      	u_int32_t	id;
      	u_int32_t	type;
      	u_int8_t	name[32];
      	int32_t		minimum;
      	int32_t		maximum;
      	int32_t		step;
      	int32_t		default_value;
      	u_int32_t	flags;
      	u_int32_t	reserved[2];
      };

Command independent enumerations are:

    enum v4l2_buf_type {
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_CAPTURE = 1,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_OUTPUT = 2,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_OVERLAY = 3,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VBI_CAPTURE = 4,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VBI_OUTPUT = 5,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_SLICED_VBI_CAPTURE = 6,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_SLICED_VBI_OUTPUT = 7,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_OUTPUT_OVERLAY = 8,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_CAPTURE_MPLANE = 9,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_OUTPUT_MPLANE = 10,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_SDR_CAPTURE = 11,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_SDR_OUTPUT = 12,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_META_CAPTURE = 13,
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_META_OUTPUT = 14,
    	/* Deprecated, do not use */
    	V4L2_BUF_TYPE_PRIVATE = 0x80,
    };

    enum v4l2_memory {
    	V4L2_MEMORY_MMAP = 1,
    	V4L2_MEMORY_USERPTR = 2,
    	V4L2_MEMORY_OVERLAY = 3,
    	V4L2_MEMORY_DMABUF = 4,
    };

    enum v4l2_ctrl_type {
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_INTEGER = 1,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_BOOLEAN = 2,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_MENU = 3,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_BUTTON = 4,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_INTEGER64 = 5,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_CTRL_CLASS = 6,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_STRING = 7,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_BITMASK = 8,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_INTEGER_MENU = 9,
    	V4L2_CTRL_COMPOUND_TYPES = 0x0100,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_U8 = 0x0100,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_U16 = 0x0101,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_U32 = 0x0102,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_AREA = 0x0106,

    	/* Compound types are >= 0x0100 */
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HDR10_CLL_INFO = 0x0110,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HDR10_MASTERING_DISPLAY = 0x0111,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_H264_SPS = 0x0200,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_H264_PPS = 0x0201,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_H264_SCALING_MATRIX = 0x0202,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_H264_SLICE_PARAMS = 0x0203,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_H264_DECODE_PARAMS = 0x0204,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_H264_PRED_WEIGHTS = 0x0205,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_FWHT_PARAMS = 0x0220,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_VP8_FRAME = 0x0240,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_MPEG2_QUANTISATION = 0x0250,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_MPEG2_SEQUENCE = 0x0251,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_MPEG2_PICTURE = 0x0252,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_VP9_COMPRESSED_HDR = 0x0260,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_VP9_FRAME = 0x0261,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HEVC_SPS = 0x0270,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HEVC_PPS = 0x0271,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HEVC_SLICE_PARAMS = 0x0272,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HEVC_SCALING_MATRIX = 0x0273,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_HEVC_DECODE_PARAMS = 0x0274,

    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_AV1_SEQUENCE = 0x280,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_AV1_TILE_GROUP_ENTRY = 0x281,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_AV1_FRAME = 0x282,
    	V4L2_CTRL_TYPE_AV1_FILM_GRAIN = 0x283,
    };

    enum v4l2_frmivaltypes {
    	V4L2_FRMIVAL_TYPE_DISCRETE = 1,
    	V4L2_FRMIVAL_TYPE_CONTINUOUS = 2,
    	V4L2_FRMIVAL_TYPE_STEPWISE = 3,
    };

Command independent structures are:

    struct v4l2_pix_format {
    	u_int32_t	width;
    	u_int32_t	height;
    	u_int32_t	pixelformat;
    	u_int32_t	field;
    	u_int32_t	bytesperline;
    	u_int32_t	sizeimage;
    	u_int32_t	colorspace;
    	u_int32_t	priv;
    	u_int32_t	flags;
    	union {
    		u_int32_t	ycbcr_enc;
    		u_int32_t	hsv_enc;
    	};
    	u_int32_t	quantization;
    	u_int32_t	xfer_func;
    };

    struct v4l2_window {
    	struct v4l2_rect	w;
    	u_int32_t		field;
    	u_int32_t		chromakey;
    	struct v4l2_clip	*clips;
    	u_int32_t		clipcount;
    	void			__user *bitmap;
    	u_int8_t		global_alpha;
    };

    struct v4l2_vbi_format {
    	u_int32_t		sampling_rate;
    	u_int32_t		offset;
    	u_int32_t		samples_per_line;
    	u_int32_t		sample_format;
    	int32_t			start[2];
    	u_int32_t		count[2];
    	u_int32_t		flags;
    	u_int32_t		reserved[2];
    };

    struct v4l2_sliced_vbi_format {
    	u_int16_t	service_set;
    	u_int16_t	service_lines[2][24];
    	u_int32_t	io_size;
    	u_int32_t	reserved[2];
    };

    struct v4l2_fract {
    	u_int32_t	numerator;
    	u_int32_t	denominator;
    };

Command independent typedefs are:

    typedef u_int64_t	v4l2_std_id;

# READ

Video data can be accessed via the read(2) system call. The main iteration for userland applications occurs as follow:

1. Open /dev/video* via the open(2) system call.
2. Read video data from the device via the read(2) system call. The video stream will be started automatically with the first read, which means there is no need to issue a `VIDIOC_STREAMON` command. The read will always return a consistent video frame, if no error occurs.
3. Process video data and start over again with step 2.
4. When finished, stop the video stream via the close(2) system call.

The select(2), poll(2) and kqueue(2) system calls are supported for this access type. They will signal when a frame is ready for reading without blocking.

# MMAP

Video data can be accessed via the mmap(2) system call. The main iteration for userland applications occurs as follow:

1. Open /dev/video* via the open(2) system call.
2. Request desired number of buffers via the `VIDIOC_REQBUFS` ioctl command. The maximum number of available buffers is normally limited by the hardware driver.
3. Get the length and offset for the previously requested buffers via the `VIDIOC_QUERYBUF` ioctl command and map the buffers via the mmap(2) system call.
4. Initially queue the buffers via the `VIDIOC_QBUF` ioctl command.
5. Start the video stream via the `VIDIOC_STREAMON` ioctl command.
6. Dequeue one buffer via the `VIDIOC_DQBUF` ioctl command. If the queue is empty, the ioctl will block until a buffer gets queued or an error occurs (e.g. a timeout).
7. Process video data.
8. Requeue the buffer via the `VIDIOC_QBUF` ioctl command and start over again with step 6.
9. When finished, stop the video stream via the `VIDIOC_STREAMOFF` ioctl command.

The select(2), poll(2) and kqueue(2) system calls are supported for this access type. They will signal when at least one frame is ready for dequeuing, allowing to call the `VIDIOC_DQBUF` ioctl command without blocking.

# FILES

/dev/video

# SEE ALSO

video(1), ioctl(2), uvideo(4)

# HISTORY

The `video` driver first appeared in OpenBSD 4.4.

January 15, 2025 | Debian