https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest
Webcam Service for multiple Cams
https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest
camera mainsail mainsail-os raspberry-pi raspberry-pi-camera rtsp ustreamer
Last synced: 20 days ago
JSON representation
Webcam Service for multiple Cams
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest
- Owner: mainsail-crew
- License: gpl-3.0
- Created: 2021-10-27T15:55:28.000Z (over 3 years ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2025-03-18T16:33:06.000Z (3 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-05-15T23:03:03.921Z (20 days ago)
- Topics: camera, mainsail, mainsail-os, raspberry-pi, raspberry-pi-camera, rtsp, ustreamer
- Language: Shell
- Homepage:
- Size: 648 KB
- Stars: 349
- Watchers: 24
- Forks: 89
- Open Issues: 12
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- License: LICENSE
- Code of conduct: .github/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
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README
[](https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest/blob/master/LICENSE) [](https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest/search?l=shell) [](https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest/commits) [](https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest/issues) [](https://discord.gg/mainsail)
# crowsnest
A wrapper script for webcam streaming on Raspberry Pi OS Lite images like [MainsailOS](https://github.com/mainsail-crew/MainsailOS). Mainly written in bash.
- [Why is it called crowsnest?](#why-is-it-called-crowsnest)
- [Support](#support)
- [Documentation](#documentation)
- [Compatibility](#compatibility)
- [Contribute](#contribute)
- [How to support us?](#how-to-support-us)
- [CustomPiOS-module](#custompios-module)
- [What 'Backends' does crowsnest use](#what-backends-does-crowsnest-use)
- [Credits](#credits)
---
## Why is it called crowsnest?
**It inherited his name from sailing ships crow's nest.**
> A crow's nest is a structure in the upper part of the main mast of a ship or a structure that is used as a lookout point. \
> See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crow's_nest
So, this will be the 'lookout point' for your printer.
---
## Support
Please read carefully on [how to configure](https://crowsnest.mainsail.xyz/) crowsnest to your needs! Check out the [FAQ](https://crowsnest.mainsail.xyz/) section for first aid or join our [Discord](https://discord.gg/mainsail) server if you need further help. For some topics that are not covered in the documentation, just read below.
_**PS: Do not open issues that are based on misconfiguration! This makes it harder for me to keep track of problems in my code.**_
---
## Documentation
We have decided to move crowsnest's documentation to a new location.\
Please go to [https://crowsnest.mainsail.xyz/](https://crowsnest.mainsail.xyz/)
If there is something in our documentation that is not covered, is described in a way that is misunderstood, or simply is missing, please let us know!
---
## Compatibility
Tested on the following distributions:
**Legend:** \
Tested and work as intended: :heavy_check_mark: \
Tested and/or did not work: :x: \
Should work but not tested: :question: \
Not available: :heavy_minus_sign:
| Operating System | X86 Architecture | ARM Architecture |
| :-------------------------------: | :----------------: | :-----------------------------------------: |
| Raspberry Pi OS (buster) | :heavy_minus_sign: | :x: ([Hint](#hint-buster)) |
| Raspberry Pi OS (bullseye) | :heavy_minus_sign: | :heavy_check_mark: |
| Raspberry Pi OS (bookworm) | :heavy_minus_sign: | :heavy_check_mark: ([Hint](#hint-bookworm)) |
| MainsailOS (<0.7.1) | :heavy_minus_sign: | :x: ([Hint](#hint-buster)) |
| MainsailOS (>1.0.0) | :heavy_minus_sign: | :heavy_check_mark: (rpi) |
| Armbian | :question: | :heavy_check_mark: |
| DietPi | :question: | :heavy_check_mark: (rpi) |
| Ubuntu Server 20.04 | :heavy_check_mark: | :question: |
| Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS | :heavy_check_mark: | :heavy_check_mark: (rpi) |
| Ubuntu Server 23.10 | :question: | :heavy_check_mark: (rpi) |
| Linux Mint 21 (codename: vanessa) | :heavy_check_mark: | :question: |
| Archlinux (and derivatives) | :x: | :x: |
| Alpine Linux | :x: | :x: |
_If you test that on other distributions, feel free to open a Pull Request to enhance documentation._
#### Hint Buster
OS images that are based on Debian 10 (codename 'buster') are no longer supported with Crowsnest version 4 (current `master` branch)!
Please use the `legacy/v3` branch for these OS types.\
See the [README.md](https://github.com/mainsail-crew/crowsnest/tree/legacy/v3) of this branch for usage instructions.
#### Hint Bookworm
Raspberry Pi OS images that are based on Debian 12 (codename 'bookworm') currently use a different branch of [camera-streamer](https://github.com/ayufan/camera-streamer)!
The Raspberry Pi 5 has only [ustreamer](https://github.com/pikvm/ustreamer) support! This is due to the missing JPEG and H264 Hardware encoders.
---
## Contribute
1. Create an Issue related to your topic.
2. Prepare an _tested_ Pull Request against the `develop` branch
- Please use commits formatted according to [Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/en/v1.0.0/)
- Make sure you do not ignore the code formatting as provided by the [_.editorconfig_](.editorconfig) of this repo
3. Be patient. Every PR has to go through some sort of "internal gates" before it reaches the master branch, unless an immediate response is crucial.
---
## How to support us
Buy [KwadFan](https://github.com/KwadFan) a coffee at [ko-fi.com](https://ko-fi.com/KwadFan) or [support the mainsail project](https://docs.mainsail.xyz/about/sponsors#support-mainsail)
Please consider hitting the :star: button in the upper right hand corner to show some love for this project.
---
## CustomPIOS Module
I have decided to provide a [CustomPiOS Module](https://github.com/guysoft/CustomPiOS) to make it easier to integrate with other distributions like MainsailOS or similar. \
Please see [README.md](./custompios/README.md) in the module folder for more information.
---
## What 'Backends' does crowsnest use?
Please see the according [FAQ](https://crowsnest.mainsail.xyz/faq/backends-from-crowsnest) section in our documentation.
---
## Credits
I want to give a huge shoutout to [_lixxbox_](https://github.com/lixxbox) and [_alexz_](https://github.com/zellneralex) from the [mainsail-crew](https://github.com/orgs/mainsail-crew/people). \
Without these guys it simply were not possible to get that done.
They both mentioned improvements and tested a heck out of there machines to get this all functioning well. \
Thank you, mates :) Proud to be a part of.
Thanks to [Pedro Lamas](https://github.com/pedrolamas), for the ISSUE_TEMPLATES.
Thanks to [ayufan](https://github.com/ayufan) for keep going on camera-streamer, even I stressed him to get rid of some bugs ;)
---
**So, with all that said, get your position seaman! Prepare to get wet feets on your journey.**
## Are you ready to sail?