py-videodev2

A Python script that automatically converts Video4Linux2 (V4L2) C header files to Python ctypes bindings.

Overview

This tool parses the Linux videodev2.h header file and generates clean, Pythonic ctypes bindings for the V4L2 API. It handles complex C constructs like inline unions, enums, structs, and preprocessor definitions, producing ready-to-use Python code.

Requirements

• Python 3.6+
• clang preprocessor (for header preprocessing)
• Linux kernel headers (for complete V4L2 definitions)

Usage

Basic Usage

./convert-videodev2.py /usr/include/linux/videodev2.h -o videodev2.py

With Custom Defines

./convert-videodev2.py videodev2.h -D CUSTOM_DEFINE -D ANOTHER_DEFINE -o output.py

With Custom Clang Binary

./convert-videodev2.py videodev2.h --bin /usr/bin/clang-15 -o output.py

Command Line Options

• input_file: Path to the videodev2.h header file
• -o, --output: Output Python file (default: videodev2.py)
• -D, --define: Add preprocessor defines (default: __aarch64__, __KERNEL__, __arch64__)
• --bin: Path to clang binary (default: clang)

Note: The script includes __aarch64__, __KERNEL__, and __arch64__ as default defines to ensure compatibility with ARM64 systems and enable kernel-specific definitions.

Generated Code Structure

The generated Python module includes:

Enums with Global Constants

class v4l2_field(IntEnum):
    V4L2_FIELD_ANY = 0
    V4L2_FIELD_NONE = 1
    V4L2_FIELD_TOP = 2

# Global constants for compatibility
V4L2_FIELD_ANY = v4l2_field.V4L2_FIELD_ANY
V4L2_FIELD_NONE = v4l2_field.V4L2_FIELD_NONE

Structures with Nested Unions

class v4l2_plane(Structure):
    class _u(Union):
        _fields_ = [
            ('mem_offset', c_uint32),
            ('userptr', c_ulong),
            ('fd', c_int32)
        ]
    
    _fields_ = [
        ('bytesused', c_uint32),
        ('length', c_uint32),
        ('m', _u),
        ('data_offset', c_uint32),
        ('reserved', c_uint32 * 11)
    ]

IOCTL Definitions

VIDIOC_QUERYCAP = _IOR('V', 0, v4l2_capability)
VIDIOC_G_FMT = _IOWR('V', 4, v4l2_format)

Helper Functions

def v4l2_fourcc(a, b, c, d):
    """Create a FOURCC value from four characters"""
    return (ord(a) | (ord(b) << 8) | (ord(c) << 16) | (ord(d) << 24))

Example Usage of Generated Code

import videodev2 as v4l2
import fcntl

# Open video device
fd = open('/dev/video0', 'rb+', buffering=0)

# Query capabilities
cap = v4l2.v4l2_capability()
fcntl.ioctl(fd, v4l2.VIDIOC_QUERYCAP, cap)
print(f"Driver: {cap.driver.decode()}")
print(f"Card: {cap.card.decode()}")

# Set format
fmt = v4l2.v4l2_format()
fmt.type = v4l2.V4L2_BUF_TYPE_VIDEO_CAPTURE
fmt.fmt.pix.width = 640
fmt.fmt.pix.height = 480
fmt.fmt.pix.pixelformat = v4l2.v4l2_fourcc('Y', 'U', 'Y', 'V')
fcntl.ioctl(fd, v4l2.VIDIOC_S_FMT, fmt)

License

This project is licensed under the BSD 3-Clause License. See the script header for full license text.