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Use Azure Kinect recorder with external synchronized devices

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This article provides guidance on how the Azure Kinect Recorder can record data from external-synchronization configured devices.

Prerequisites

External synchronization constraints

  • Master device can't have SYNC IN cable connected.
  • Master device must stream RGB camera to enable synchronization.
  • All units must use the same camera configuration (framerate and resolution).
  • All units must run the same device firmware (update firmware instructions).
  • All subordinate devices must be started before the master device.
  • The same exposure value should be set on all devices.
  • Each subordinate's Delay off master setting is relative to the master device.

Record when each unit has a host PC

In the example below, each device has its own dedicated host PC. It's recommended you connect devices to dedicated PCs to prevent issues with USB bandwidth and CPU/GPU usage.

Subordinate-1

  1. Set up recorder for the first unit

    k4arecorder.exe --external-sync sub -e -8 -r 5 -l 10 sub1.mkv

  2. Device starts waiting

    Device serial number: 000011590212
Device version: Rel; C: 1.5.78; D: 1.5.60[6109.6109]; A: 1.5.13
Device started
[subordinate mode] Waiting for signal from master

Subordinate-2

  1. Set up recorder for the second unit

    k4arecorder.exe --external-sync sub -e -8 -r 5 -l 10 sub2.mkv

  2. Device starts waiting

    Device serial number: 000011590212
Device version: Rel; C: 1.5.78; D: 1.5.60[6109.6109]; A: 1.5.13
Device started
[subordinate mode] Waiting for signal from master

Master

  1. Start recording on master

    >k4arecorder.exe --external-sync master -e -8 -r 5 -l 10 master.mkv

  2. Wait until recording finished

Recording when multiple units connected to single host PC

You can have multiple Azure Kinect DKs connected to a single host PC. However, that can be very demanding to USB bandwidth and host compute. To reduce the demand:

  • Connect each device into own USB host controller.
  • Have a powerful GPU that can handle depth engine for each device.
  • Record only needed sensors and use lower framerate.

Always start subordinate devices first and the master last.

Subordinate-1

  1. Start recorder on subordinate

    >k4arecorder.exe --device 1 --external-sync subordinate --imu OFF -e -8 -r 5 -l 5 output-2.mkv

  2. The device goes into waiting state

Master

  1. Start master device

    >k4arecorder.exe --device 0 --external-sync master --imu OFF -e -8 -r 5 -l 5 output-1.mkv

  2. Wait recording to finish

Playing recording

You can use the Azure Kinect viewer to play back recording.

Tips

  • Use manual exposure for recording synchronized cameras. RGB camera auto-exposure may impact time-synchronization.
  • Restarting subordinate device will cause synchronization to be lost.
  • Some camera modes support 15 fps max. We recommended that you don't mix modes/frame rates between devices
  • Connecting multiple units to single PC can easily saturate USB bandwidth, consider using separate host PC per device. Pay attention to CPU/GPU compute as well.
  • Disable the microphone and IMU if they aren't needed to improve reliability.

For any issues see Troubleshooting

See also