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Camera Connection and Usage

Configuration Sequence Reminder

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

  1. First, enable the service: Ensure the crowsnest service is started and running normally.
  2. Then, configure the camera: After the service is running normally, proceed with the specific parameter settings for the camera.

If you have already made an error: If you configured the camera first but the crowsnest service was not started, you typically need to delete the camera configuration in the web interface and then re-add it to ensure the configuration takes effect.

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: Please plug the camera directly into the USB port of the host computer, not into other non-USB ports on the host.
  • Camera requirements: Please use a driver-free, plug-and-play USB camera. Such cameras can usually be used directly in Klipper environments on systems like Linux, Armbian, etc., without needing to install additional drivers.
  • Software environment: This tutorial is written based on the latest versions of Klipper, Crowsnest, and Fluidd. If you use Mainsail or other frontends, the configuration principles are the same; please refer to their official documentation for specific operations.

Important Notes​

Must Read
  • Settings in the configuration file will only take effect the first time the system starts after flashing.
  • As the configuration process is relatively complicated, it is highly recommended to connect to the device via network and then configure through a browser.
  • This tutorial only provides modifiable options.
Note
  • It is recommended to use either mainsail or fluidd web interfaces for configuration changes.
  • Please do not enable browser translation, as the system may fail to start after saving.
  • It is better not to enter Chinese or special characters in the configuration file.
  • Changes to the configuration file will take effect only after restarting the system.
dangerous
  • 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 options that only take effect on the first boot must be modified by using a professional text editor to open the config.txt configuration file located in the FlyOS-Conf removable disk immediately after flashing.

Online Configuration Modification After System Startup​

  • For general configuration options, you can modify them via the web configuration interface of the system and the changes will take effect after restarting the system.

    • Open the device's IP address in your browser, for example: 192.168.1.2/
    • In fluidd, uncheck the option as shown in the left image below -> Hide hidden files and folders.
    • In mainsail, check the option as shown in the right image below -> Show hidden files.
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    • You will now see the .flyos-config folder. Inside this folder there is a file named sys-config.conf.
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    • The sys-config.conf file is a symbolic link to the config.txt configuration file located in the FlyOS-Conf removable disk.
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    • Open the sys-config.conf file, modify the required configuration items, then Save -> Close and restart the system.

    • Note: The format of configuration items in the sys-config.conf file is key=value. Do not change it to key: value.

    • After saving modifications, restart the system for the changes to take effect.

Enable Crowsnest Service​

  • In the configuration, search for crowsnest=0 and change it to crowsnest=1
  • After modifying, save the configuration and restart the system
  • Please note, after modifying the configuration file, a system restart is required 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 determine the ID that will not change.

  • In Fluidd, find the configuration file, then open crowsnest.conf

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  • Find device: and delete the ID configuration after it

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Search for Camera ID​

tip
  • Please ensure the camera is connected to the host computer.
  • Click on DEVICES above, then click VIDEO, and finally click refresh
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  • Locate path_by_id and copy the line following it
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Add ID​

  • Add the ID and save the configuration
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Enable Camera​

  • Click on Settings, select Camera, then click Add Camera
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  • Enter a preferred name and click Save
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Check if Enabled​

  • Click on the Dashboard; normally, the camera feed should appear
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  • If it does not display, restart the system again
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