getting started with Video Processing

Rahul,

Basic to advanced level of video processing is a pretty vague specification.  We have many devices that can do advanced level video processing.  

As a starting point, you might check out the DM6446.

http://www.ti.com/tool/tmdsevm6446

Regards,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Thanks for prompet reply, actuly i wanted to buy a board/kit on which i can learn basic ( i am Video Processing software engineer but new to DSP hardware ) and then go for some advance level development, or you can suggest some Getting started kits.

thanks

Rahul

I suspect that the DM devices are the ones you might be looking for.  

You might look at the DM648 Digital Video Development Platform.  It's got a lot of software included that you can use to get up to speed.

http://www.ti.com/tool/tmdsdvp648

Regards,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your reply but that solution is lil expensive to buy...

For my knowedge can you tell me some basic things (may be most of questions are very basic)

I need a Hardware board from TI which will come with Software, i will write code on that Software and then i can Burn the Code on supplied Hardware Board?

is this only things because i saw a TI presentation whcih explaining following development steps...

1  Step One: Selecting a DSP Processor

2  Step Two: Evaluation of DSP Technology and Tools 

3.  Step Three: Initial Development

Rahul,

If cost of the development board is a big factor, then perhaps the Beagle Board http://beagleboard.org/ ($149) is the best option for you.  It all depends on your needs.  Doing Video can mean a lot of things.  What's the video source?  If it's a camera, then you need a processor with a port that a camera can hook up to.  Or, it might be an SD card, so you'll need a way to interface with a card reader.  How many input/output channels is another consideration.  What are the real-time requirements?  

Almost any of our C6000 devices can do at least some type of video "processing".  What you need to evaluate in choosing a device is how much bandwith (processing power) will be needed, how much memory (+internal vs. external), what type of ports are needed for getting data on/off the chip, does your application need a GPP (General Purpose Processor) to do any non-DSP processing,and, if so, what type of operating system does it need to run, etc. 

I think the best approach for you is to narrow down which processors will meet your needs and then select a development platform with that processor, or one from the same family that is similar.

I'd suggest starting here:  http://www.ti.com/en/multimedia/flash/selection_tools/dsp/dsp.html?featureId=Video&Imaging

This page will allow you to specify various parameters and provide you with a list of processors that will meet your requirements.  (This is step 1)

Once you've done that, then we should try to find a DSK that has that DSP or a very close relative.  With a DSK, you get a free code composer studio license (for use only with that board), and it will have some on-board peripherals and flash to allow you to burn your software.  If all you're ever going to do is develop a target that runs on this board, you probably never need to go to step 3.  (FYI, not sure how old the presentation that you referenced is, but I don't believe there is a code size limitation on the DSK CCS license anymore.  You will get the full suite of tools for free, but you will only be able to use it with a DSK.)

Step 3 is typically taken if you are going to develop your own board, or need additional functionality on you

Regards,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the reply i really appreciate that, i have seen the link and narrow down my requirement, i wanna work on DSP so i guess BeagleBoard wont work,

As i am looking for a design a intelligent camera (intelligent means like face recognition or object Tracking application) i have chosen the following filter

and i got TMS320DM series, now can you suggest any DSK for this

Rahul, 

Have a look at the DM6437 Digital Video Development Platform from Spectrum Digital.

http://www.spectrumdigital.com/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=196&osCsid=443350eeb8ed28b7f96090eecd5fa5c2

Regards,
Dan

Hi Dan,

Please can u tell me differencebetween Begalebaord and Pandaboard. which wil be a better option for getting started with TI DSP?

thank you

Rahul,

Panda Board is based on OMAP 4, with Cortex A9 ARM cores.  Beagle Board is based on OMAP 3 with Coretex A8 cores.  Asking about which would be better for getting started with TI DSP is equivalent to asking what car would be best to get started with driving.  Are you strictly doing DSP (i.e. low-level DSP algorithms)?  if so, then neither of these is probably the best option.  If you're more interested in developing full DSP systems, then either of these might be ideal.  For low level fixed point DSP algorithms, you might want a single core 55x or 64x+ device.  For floating point, you might choose a single core 67x device.  

You can do DSP with all of these devices, just as you can drive with any type of car.  But which you choose, is based on your scenario.