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Camera Connection and Usage

Important Notice

Due to limited device memory (512MB), running the camera function may lead to insufficient memory, potentially causing device lag or other issues.

Configuration Sequence Reminder

Please strictly follow the steps below; otherwise, the camera may not be recognized:

  1. Enable the service first: Ensure the crowsnest service is started and running properly.
  2. Configure the camera second: After the service is running normally, proceed with the specific camera parameter settings.

If you have already made a mistake: If you configured the camera but the crowsnest service is not running, you usually need to delete the camera configuration from the Web interface and then re-add it to make the configuration生效.

Note: This refers to deleting the camera configuration entry in the Web interface, not deleting the crowsnest.cfg configuration file.

Connection and Configuration Notes
  • Connection Method: Connect the camera directly to a USB port on the upper computer, not to any other non-USB interface.
  • Camera Requirements: Use a driverless, plug-and-play USB camera. Such cameras are typically ready to use in Klipper environments on Linux, Armbian, and similar systems without needing additional drivers.
  • Software Environment: This tutorial is based on the latest versions of Klipper, Crowsnest, and Fluidd. If you use Mainsail or another frontend, the configuration principles are similar; please refer to their official documentation for specific steps.

Important Note​

Must-Read
  • Some settings in the configuration file will only take effect when the system starts for the first time after flashing.
  • Due to the complexity of the configuration process, it is strongly recommended to connect to the machine via the network and configure it through a browser.
  • This tutorial only covers modifiable options.
Attention
  • Try to use mainsail or fluidd web pages for configuration changes.
  • Please do not enable webpage translation, otherwise the system may fail to start after saving.
  • It is best not to input Chinese characters or special characters in the configuration file.
  • After modifying the configuration file, the system needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect.
Danger
  • Do not modify any content below ######### PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THE FOLLOWING ######### in the configuration file.

How to Modify the Configuration File​

Modifying the Configuration File After Flashing​

  • Configuration items that only take effect on first startup must be modified after flashing by opening the configuration file config.txt on the removable disk FlyOS-Conf using a professional text editor.

System Supports Online Configuration Modification​

  • For regular configuration items, you can modify them on the system's web configuration page and then restart the system for the changes to take effect.

    • Enter the device's IP address in the browser, e.g.: 192.168.1.2/
    • In fluidd, as shown on the left below: Uncheck -> Filter hidden files and folders.
    • In mainsail, as shown on the right below: Check -> Show hidden files.
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    • At this point, you can see the .flyos-config folder; entering this folder will reveal the sys-config.conf file.
    • The sys-config.conf file is a symbolic link to the configuration file config.txt on the removable disk FlyOS-Conf.
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    • Open the sys-config.conf file, modify the desired configuration items, then Save -> Close and restart the system.
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    • Note: The format of configuration items in the sys-config.conf file is key=value; do not change it to key: value.
    • After saving the modifications, restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Enable Crowsnest Service​

  • Search for crowsnest=0 in the configuration and change it to crowsnest=1
  • Save the configuration after modification and restart the system
  • Please note that after modifying the configuration file, the system needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect.
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Open Configuration​

Tip
  • There are many types of camera IDs depending on the system; we only need to confirm the ID that will not change.

  • Find the configuration file in Fluidd, then open crowsnest.conf

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  • Locate device: and delete the ID configuration that follows.

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Search for Camera ID​

Tip
  • Ensure the camera is connected to the host computer
  • Click DEVICES at the top, then click VIDEO, and finally click Refresh
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  • Find path_by_id and copy the line that follows
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Add ID​

  • Add the ID and save the configuration
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Enable Camera​

  • Click Settings, select Camera, then click Add Camera
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  • Enter a name of your choice and click Save
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Check if Enabled​

  • The camera feed should appear on the dashboard
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  • If it does not display, restart the system again
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