# Live snapshot Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-snapshot-stream-example.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-snapshot-stream-example.html) The **gst-snapshot-stream-example** application allows you to generate two streams: a preview stream for live display and a snapshot stream that captures images and saves them as JPEG files. Note: This sample application isn't supported on Dragonwing IQ-8275 and Dragonwing IQ-9075. For the snapshot stream, you can determine the number of snapshots. The following figure shows the pipeline, which allows for simultaneous live preview and snapshot capture from the same video source. For more information, see [Pipeline flow](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-snapshot-stream-example.html#gst-snapshot-stream-example__section_lny_sly_nbc). Figure : gst-snapshot-stream-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, use the following command to run the use case. Specify the application with parameters, such as camera width, height, and the maximum snapshot count for dumping JPEG files. gst-snapshot-stream-example -W 1280 -H 720 -w 3840 -h 2160 -c 5Copy 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-snapshot-stream-example --helpCopy to clipboard ## Expected output The application generates an output for preview on the display and dumps the JPEG files in the respective location on the device. After the use case stops, the snapshot output files are available at the `/etc/media/` path. ## Pipeline flow The following table lists the plugins used in the live snapshot pipeline: | Plugin | Description | | --- | --- | | [qtiqmmfsrc](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/qtiqmmfsrc.html) | Captures the video stream and feeds it into the
capsfilter. | | Capsfilter | Branches the source into two separate pipelines.
In one
pipeline, the constraints on the raw video data are enforced,
and then the video data is sent to [Waylandsink](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/waylandsink.html) for live preview. | | Capsfilter |

  1. In the other pipeline, the frames are written to multiple
    files using multi filesink.


  2. The snapshots or frames from the video stream are saved to a
    disk.


| | | | **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 [Previous Topic Multistream](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70020-50/topics/gst-multi-stream-example.md) [Next Topic Dynamic configuration](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/80-70020-50/topics/dynamic-configuration.md)