First timer, having issues with the desktop uploader

Contributing and equipment
1

I have today attempted to upload a clip using the desktop uploader for the first time, with a video taken from a Viofo A229 dashcam.

When looking at the video in Viofo’s player, you will note:

  1. The coordinates stamped onto the video
  2. The positioning of the location of the clip on the map in the top-right
  3. The speed and bearing underneath the footage

In short, the clip does have GPS metadata in it somewhere…

However, when I attempt to upload that same clip into the desktop uploader, I get a GPS error (see 4. on picture below)

So, for some reason, the desktop app isn’t able to extract the coordinates.

Is there anything I can do? Thanks.

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image1907×1140 383 KB

2

Exactly, the keyword here is somewhere. The good news for you is that it is great that the video file comes with GPS data because it may save you a lot of work down the line. The bad news is that GPS data in video files has not been standardized yet. Hence, it has been a never ending chase for Mapillary to support the myriad of cameras (especially dashcams) and formats out there.

There is. You can try to use the mapillary_tools command line tool with the --video_geotag_source exiftool_runtime option. If this does not work then your best shot is going to be to use the ExifTool directly to extract GPS data into a standardized format, like GPX, and then pass the video and GPX files to the Desktop Uploader or mapillary_tools. If this does not work either, see if you can export a GPX file from the “VIOFO Player”.

3

I did a test run with the command line tools for a Viofo A129 and it worked okay. It complained as below, but then fell back to using exiftool to extract the GPS info. I don’t know if exiftool is embedded in the tools code or uses an installation it finds on the PC. I tend to keep the version I have installed up to date so that may be worth a try. https://exiftool.org/

11:50:52.021 - ERROR - GeotagVideosFromVideo(20251125141951_005201F.MP4): No GPS data found from the video
11:50:52.021 - ERROR - GeotagVideosFromVideo(20251125141951_005201F.MP4): No GPS data found from the video
11:50:52.040 - INFO - ==> Processing 1 files with source SourceOption(source=<SourceType.EXIFTOOL_RUNTIME: ‘exiftool_runtime’>, filetypes=None, num_processes=None, source_path=None, interpolation=InterpolationOption(offset_time=0.0, use_gpx_start_time=False))…
11:50:52.040 - DEBUG - Extracting XML from 1 videos with ExifTool command: exiftool -fast -q -n -X -ee -api LargeFileSupport=1 -charset filename=utf8 -@ -
11:50:55.485 - INFO - ==> Processing sequences…
11:50:55.500 - INFO - ==> Validating 1 metadatas…
11:50:55.664 - INFO - ==> Process summary
11:50:55.664 - INFO - 1 video read in total
11:50:55.664 - INFO - 1 (533.4 MB) ready
11:50:55.670 - INFO - ==> Uploading..

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4

That’s right. I am not sure either whether ExifTool is bundled with mapillary_tools or it is an external dependency.

@Jackisback123 A few more tips for capturing:

  • Read The Complete How‑To Guide on Getting Great Mapillary Imagery
  • When you capture for Mapillary, please make sure to disable all text overlays on the source imagery or videos, if possible. This ensures that your imagery is going to be processed smoothly later on.
  • Set the dashcam to 25 fps and 50 Hz anti‑flicker or rolling shutter compensation, sometimes also called PAL mode.
  • Set the focus to infinity, if possible.
  • Position the dashcam for maximum clear view. Point the image center or view finder at the horizon. Otherwise, if you point it too high at the sky you will end up with underexposed imagery. Do not worry too much about the car hood.
5

Interesting, I have 2 dashcams (2 different cars ;)), a 329 and a 119, and they are working without any issues. Apparently there are multiple GPS storage variants with a Viofo. Exiftool is not possible to extract the GPS info from the dashcams I’ve got, unfortunately…

6

Thanks all. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to use the exiftool or the command line tool successfully, so I think my contributing days are over before they began!

7

Have you checked out nvtk_mp42gpx.py?

8

I’ve found a workaround which is far easier than messing around with the command line stuff.

Upload the MP4 to the desktop uploader.

Use the Dashcam Viewer programme to create a GPX file.

Add the GPX file to the desktop uploader.

9

Hi @Jackisback123 - could you share a raw video file taken straight from your Viofo A229? You can either share here as a public google drive link or feel free to DM me. It’s possible we just need to update the exiftool version bundled with the desktop uploader. cc: @nikola

1 Like
10

Thanks @boris

I don’t seem to be able to DM you. Are you able to DM so I can reply?

1 Like
11

Done. Check your DMs

1 Like