How to build a Digital Video Generator with PXI-7831R ?

[teenager]

hello,
I want to design a digital video generator with PXI-7831R using LabVIEW FPGA technology. Are there any available methods or VIs in LabVIEW to display video files, and push which digital flows into FPGA FIFO? Or do i have to code the image datas, synchronizing signals and PCLK manually?

I aim at finding a easiest way to transform standardized video files(.avi or something..) into machine readable digital signal output. Which VIs take charge of such function? Can I find help from some exmaples or books?

Thanks a lot

[JunXiang]

Hi teenager,

              I think that you need a vedio test system to accomplish your project.  NI VideoMASTER for Analog Video Analysis system may help you.

             VideoMASTER system including a scope(5122) card and software module which can help you get your job done.

[teenager]

hello Junxiang,

Thanks a lot for your helpful answer!  With your suggestion I found the useful topic here " NI VideoMASTER for Digital Video Genertation"(http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/205450) that perfectly meet my requirements.  VideoMASTER, along with PXI-6542, makes a simple and powerful solution.

Unfortunately, I have to do my job with NI R Series DAQ. It is possible to use it with VideoMASTER together?

emmm... I will have a try anyway.

Thanks again~

[Reggie_R]

Hey teenager,

NI VideoMASTER for Digital Video Generation allows you to create custom test patterns (colorbars, multiburst, etc...) that you can then generate on the hardware that comes with the solution.  One option you could consider (if your application requires using R Series), is to create your custom patterns in NI VideoMASTER and save them to file, then program the FPGA on R Series to output the waveform.

Just a thought...

Reggie R

National Instruments

[RyanB]

What kind of digital video signal do you want to generate?  Are you driving a specific interface IC or circuit? 

How fast will you need to toggle the 7831R digital IO pins?

Do you plan to stream the source video data from host PC memory?

-RB

[teenager]

Hello Reggie,

Thank you for your advice. Then I know more on how VideoMASTER works.

I will try it and share my experience later...

[teenager]

Hello RB,

The generator I'm planning to build is for test purpose --- to drive certain image acquisition card and verify its function.

The LVDS signal output is needed and the transfer rate should reach to 20MByte/s.

Yes, I plan to stream the source video data from host PC memory. I wonder whether the R Series FPGA is capable to supply big enough FIFO for data buffering...

[RyanB]

20 MB/s data streaming is possible over the PXI bus.  As the PXI bus is shared this bandwidth depends on what else is going on in the PXI system.

Regarding the LVDS signals - You will have to build a translation circuit to convert the 7831R DIO signals into LVDS.