---
title: "Get Camera Status"
method: GET
path: "/api/v1/camera/status"
tags: ["v1", "camera"]
---

# Get Camera Status

`GET /api/v1/camera/status`

Get current USB camera connection status using v4l2 detection.

This endpoint provides real-time camera availability and operational status including connection 
detection via v4l2 interface, initialization status for camera readiness, device information with 
hardware details and capabilities, and streaming state with active format information.

## Detection Process

The system performs an active stream check to return current status if camera already streaming, 
followed by v4l2 device scan to detect available video devices, camera initialization to attempt 
camera setup, and capability query to retrieve supported formats and optimal settings.

## Usage Recommendations

Check camera status before attempting to start streaming for pre-stream validation, poll 
periodically to detect camera disconnections for connection monitoring, and use `best_format` 
information for format optimization to achieve optimal streaming quality.

## Response `200`

Camera status retrieved successfully

- CameraStatusResponse — Response for GET /camera/status endpoint
  - `connected` boolean, required — Whether any camera is connected
  - `message` string, required — Status message
  - `ready` boolean, required — Whether camera is ready for use
  - `video_devices` string[], nullable — List of available video device paths
  - `device_name` string, nullable — Primary camera device name
  - `bus_info` string, nullable — USB bus information
  - `driver_name` string, nullable — Camera driver name
  - `best_format` CameraFormatDetail — Camera format with resolution and framerate details
    - `format` 'MJPG' | 'YUYV' | 'H264' | 'UYVY', required — Supported video formats
    - `width` integer, required — Frame width in pixels
    - `height` integer, required — Frame height in pixels
    - `fps` number, required — Frames per second
  - `total_cameras` integer, nullable — Total number of cameras detected
  - `streaming` boolean, nullable — Whether camera is currently streaming
  - `current_format` CameraFormatDetail — Camera format with resolution and framerate details
    - `format` 'MJPG' | 'YUYV' | 'H264' | 'UYVY', required — Supported video formats
    - `width` integer, required — Frame width in pixels
    - `height` integer, required — Frame height in pixels
    - `fps` number, required — Frames per second
  - `cameras_found` CameraDevice[], nullable — Cameras found but not ready
    - `device_name` string, required — Camera device name
    - `bus_info` string, required — USB bus information
    - `device_path` string, required — Device path (e.g., /dev/video0)
    - `card_name` string, required — Camera card name
    - `driver_name` string, required — Camera driver name
    - `supported_formats` SupportedFormat[] — All supported formats and resolutions
      - `format` 'MJPG' | 'YUYV' | 'H264' | 'UYVY', required — Supported video formats
      - `description` string, required — Human-readable format description
      - `resolutions` ResolutionDetail[], required — Supported resolutions for this format
        - `width` integer, required — Frame width in pixels
        - `height` integer, required — Frame height in pixels
        - `framerates` number[], required — Supported framerates for this resolution
    - `best_format` CameraFormatDetail — Camera format with resolution and framerate details
      - `format` 'MJPG' | 'YUYV' | 'H264' | 'UYVY', required — Supported video formats
      - `width` integer, required — Frame width in pixels
      - `height` integer, required — Frame height in pixels
      - `fps` number, required — Frames per second
  - `error` string, nullable — Error message if camera failed to initialize

## Other responses

- `401` — Authentication required
- `500` — Camera initialization or operation failed

---

[API](https://skmtc.net/reach-systems-tech/apis/reelapi-v1.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.net/reach-systems-tech/apis/reelapi-v1/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-staging.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/reach-systems-tech/reelapi-v1/versions/1dd366a9c6a3/schema)