Get http media stream from Axis Camera

[vmithani]

Hi,

I would like to use python (on windows pc) to obtain specified time duration (e.g. one min) media stream using http from Axis Camera.

The reference link for Vapix document : https://www.axis.com/vapix-library/subjects/t10175981/section/t10188469/display?section=t10188469-t10188469

I am opting for the above guide as i can have mp4 container for the video captured . I am aware of Export api which can support mkv format.

Thanks in advance .

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[vivekatoffice]

Hi @vmithani ,
You can also use the FFmpeg to record video in Python:

http://root:pass@<IP Address>/axis-cgi/media.cgi?resolution=1920x1080&fps=30&videocodec=h264&container=mp4 

[vmithani]

Please find the python code i have as below. The code runs but the while loop does not stop. Although i have not tried the mp4 container yet, please let me know what i should add. Thanks

        import requests,cv2,time
        from requests.auth import HTTPDigestAuth
        
        def capture_one_minute_video(stream_url, output_filename):
            try:
                response = requests.get(stream_url, auth=HTTPDigestAuth('user', 'password'), stream=True, verify=False)
                if response.status_code == 200:
                    # Initialize a VideoWriter to save the captured frames
                    
                    fps = 50  # Adjust frame rate as needed
                    fourcc = cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*'XVID')  # Codec for AVI format
                    out = cv2.VideoWriter(output_filename, fourcc, fps, (1920, 1080))  # Adjust resolution as needed
        
                    # Capture frames until the desired duration is reached
                    frame_count = 0
                    start_time = time.time()
                    print("while loop")
                    while frame_count < fps * 60:  # Capture frames for 60 seconds
                        frame = response.content  # Assuming the response contains image data
                        out.write(frame)
                        frame_count += 1
        
                        # Display progress (optional)
                        elapsed_time = time.time() - start_time
                        print(f"Captured {frame_count}/{fps*60} frames ({elapsed_time:.2f} seconds)")
        
                    # Release resources
                    out.release()
                    print(f"Video saved as {output_filename}")
                else:
                    print(f"Error: {response.status_code} - Unable to access the live stream.")
            except requests.RequestException as e:
                print(f"Error: {e}")
        
        # Example usage
        stream_url = 'https://192.168.1.2/axis-cgi/media.cgi'
        output_filename = 'captured_video.mkv'
        capture_one_minute_video(stream_url, output_filename)

[rocky-ji]

if you just want to display the video, you can also try http://ip/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi

[vmithani]

Thank you Rocky-ji. I am looking to save it in mp4 format.

[vivekatoffice]

HI @vmithani ,
Adding Python code samples which I have tested with AXIS P1367 Network Camera (AXIS OS version 10.12.166)

Using "/axis-cgi/media.cgi?resolution=1920x1080&fps=30&videocodec=h264&container=mp4" with "ffmpeg.exe" in the same folder.

import os
import requests
import subprocess
import time

def capture_video(url, duration, output_file):
    # Start capturing the video stream
    command = f'ffmpeg -i "{url}" -t {duration} -c:v copy -c:a copy "{output_file}"'
    process = subprocess.Popen(command, shell=True, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
    
    # Wait for the specified duration
    time.sleep(duration)
    
    # Terminate the ffmpeg process
    process.terminate()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    # URL of the Axis Camera stream
    camera_url = "http://root:pass@10.176.12.50/axis-cgi/media.cgi?resolution=1920x1080&fps=30&videocodec=h264&container=mp4"
    
    # Duration of the video capture in seconds (e.g., 60 seconds for 1 minute)
    capture_duration = 60
    
    # Output file path
    output_file = "captured_video.mp4"
    
    # Capture the video
    capture_video(camera_url, capture_duration, output_file)

Using "/axis-cgi/media.cgi" with "ffmpeg.exe" in the same folder

import os
import requests
import subprocess
import time

def capture_video(url, duration, output_file):
    # Start capturing the video stream
    command = f'ffmpeg -i "{url}" -t {duration} -c:v copy -c:a copy "{output_file}"'
    process = subprocess.Popen(command, shell=True, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
    
    # Wait for the specified duration
    time.sleep(duration)
    
    # Terminate the ffmpeg process
    process.terminate()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    # URL of the Axis Camera stream
    camera_url = "http://root:pass@10.176.12.50/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi"
    
    # Duration of the video capture in seconds (e.g., 60 seconds for 1 minute)
    capture_duration = 60
    
    # Output file path
    output_file = "captured_video_mjpg.mp4"
    
    # Capture the video
    capture_video(camera_url, capture_duration, output_file)

Using "opencv-python-headless"

# pip install opencv-python-headless
# This script uses opencv-python to capture the video stream from the provided URL and save it to an MP4 file. 
# Make sure you have a suitable codec installed on your system to write MP4 files.

import cv2
import requests
import numpy as np
import time

def capture_video(url, duration, output_file):
    # Open the video stream
    cap = cv2.VideoCapture(url)

    # Check if the video stream is opened successfully
    if not cap.isOpened():
        print("Error: Unable to open video stream.")
        return

    # Define the codec and create VideoWriter object
    fourcc = cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc(*'mp4v')
    out = cv2.VideoWriter(output_file, fourcc, 30.0, (1920, 1080))

    # Start time
    start_time = time.time()

    # Capture video for the specified duration
    while cap.isOpened() and time.time() - start_time < duration:
        ret, frame = cap.read()
        if ret:
            # Write the frame to the output file
            out.write(frame)
        else:
            break

    # Release everything if job is finished
    cap.release()
    out.release()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    # URL of the Axis Camera stream
    camera_url = "http://root:pass@10.176.12.50/axis-cgi/media.cgi?resolution=1920x1080&fps=30&videocodec=h264&container=mp4"
   
    # Duration of the video capture in seconds (e.g., 60 seconds for 1 minute)
    capture_duration = 60
   
    # Output file path
    output_file = "captured_video_with_opencv_python_headless.mp4"
   
    # Capture the video
    capture_video(camera_url, capture_duration, output_file)

[vmithani]

Thanks @vivekatoffice

The OpenCV headless code worked with url modified to https protocol.

But the other 2 python codes with ffmpeg produce file without any video content inside. Also i tried to run directly in cmd and noticed that ffmpeg does not stop after 5 seconds when t=5 is specified. I have to manually do ctrl+c/ press 'q' to stop the process and then video file is properly created.

[vivekatoffice]

Hi @vmithani ,
Worked perfectly on my system 😮

[vmithani]

@vivekatoffice : i have managed to sort it out by placing the -t parameter before -i input url