# Camera frame processing
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-appsink-example.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-appsink-example.html)
The **gst-appsink-example** application allows you to extract the buffer samples
from a camera pipeline. These buffers can configure the camera resolution with the options
such as width and height.
For example, the `appsink` plugin can be used for a multimedia application
that processes the video frame samples in real-time. Filters or transformations can be
applied to the data before playing it back.
The following figure shows the pipeline, which configures the camera resolution using
parameters such as width and height. When appsink emits a signal indicating the
availability of a new sample in the pipeline, the application extracts the buffer from
this sample.
For information about the plugins used in this pipeline, see [Pipeline flow](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-appsink-example.html#gst-appsink-example__section_mlm_tzy_nbc).
Figure : gst-appsink-example pipeline
## Prerequisites
- [Get started with the Qualcomm IM SDK](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-51/install-sdk.html)
for your Qualcomm Linux 1.5 or Ubuntu Server.
- Activate SSH on your Qualcomm Linux or Ubuntu to sign in with SSH and connect to
the target device. For instructions see:
- [Sign in using SSH](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-254/how_to.html#use-ssh) for Qualcomm
Linux
- [Sign in using SSH](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-90441-1/Use_Ubuntu_on_RB3_Gen2_3.html#sign-in-to-the-rb3-gen-2-console-using-ssh) for Ubuntu
Server
Note: If SSH is already set up and Wi-Fi is
connected, skip this step.
- Use the HDMI port to connect the display to the device. For instructions, see
[Set up HDMI display](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-18/samples.html).
- Sign in to the target device using SSH.
- In the terminal of the target device, run the following commands from the SSH
shell of the target device to activate the display on the host computer:
- For
Linux:
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/dev/socket/weston && export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1Copy to clipboard
- For Ubuntu Server:
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/$(id -u ubuntu)/ && export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1 Copy to clipboard
- Connect the speaker to activate the audio on the target device. For
instructions, see [Set up audio hardware](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-16/enable-audio.html).
If you face
issues in recording the audio, run the following command in the terminal of
the target
device:
pactl set-default-source pal_source_speaker_micCopy to clipboard
- If you face issues with the camera or display, see [Camera troubleshooting](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-17/troubleshooting.html) and [Display troubleshooting](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-18/debug.html).
## Run the application
1. In the terminal of the target device, run the use
case:
gst-appsink-example -w 1920 -h 1080Copy to clipboard
2. To stop the use case, use CTRL +
C.
3. In the terminal of the target device, run the following command in the SSH shell
to display the available help
options:
gst-appsink-example --helpCopy to clipboard
## Expected output
The user interface displays the following message:
Received a buffer, doing some processing.
Figure : Expected output for gst-appsink-example application
## Pipeline flow
The following table lists the plugins used in the camera frame processing
pipeline:| Plugin | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [qtiqmmfsrc](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/qtiqmmfsrc.html) | Captures the camera feed and sends it into the capsfilter. |
| Capsfilter | Ensures that the video stream is in the correct format. |
| Appsink | Provides the video data as an output to an application. |
**Parent Topic:** [Run sample applications for a camera](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/camera-sample-applications.html)
Last Published: Jan 30, 2026
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