Big Webcam Project: Computer is Laboring

[chris319]

This is a big Windows 10 project to ask help for.

The program uses ESCAPI to read a webcam and display the webcam's image in a small window. It also draws a video waveform monitor.

The problem I'm having is that the program makes my computer labor and causes the cooling fan to race. CPU consumption is about 18%. I have tried isolating various portions of the code to no avail. I have the debugger turned off.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there any way to write this program to be easier on Windows and the computer hardware? Or am I asking too much?

I'm aiming for a frame rate of 30 fps.

Any help is greatly appreciated. If this is asking too much, thanks anyway.

Thank you.

Code: Select all

;WORKS WITH ESCAPI
;LAST MODIFIED 12/17/2023

InitKeyboard()
InitSprite()

Global Dim gammaTable.a(257)
Global Dim gainTable.a(257)

;PRESETS
Global gain.f = 0.86
Global gamma.f = 1
Global pedestal = 16

Procedure makeGammaLUT(gamma.f)
For cnt = 0 To 255
;gammaTable.a(cnt) = Pow(cnt,gamma) * (255/Pow(255,gamma))
gammaTable.a(cnt) = cnt ; UNITY GAMMA  
Next
EndProcedure

Procedure makeGainLUT(gain)
For cnt = 0 To 255
  If cnt * gain > 255: gainTable(cnt) = 255
  ElseIf cnt * gain < 1: gainTable(cnt) = 0
  Else: gainTable(cnt) = cnt * gain
  EndIf
Next
EndProcedure

makeGammaLUT(gamma)
makeGainLUT(gain)

result = ExamineDesktops(): Global V_RES = DesktopHeight(0): Global H_RES = DesktopWidth(0)
;SCRNH = V_RES: SCRNW = H_RES

Global fullScreen = #False
;Global recordingNow

;Global clip = #False ;#True
;Global whiteClip = 235 ;100 IRE
;Global whiteClip = 239 ;102 IRE
;Global whiteClip = 246 ;105 IRE
;Global whiteClip = 254 ;108 IRE

Global Process = #True
If Process = #False: clip = #False: EndIf

std$ = "SDR"
;"HLG" OR "SDR" OR "HDR"

Enumeration
#GAINGAD = 1;GAIN GADGET
#GAMMA;GAMMA GADGET
#PEDESTAL;PEDESTAL GADGET
#GAINTEXT
#PEDTEXT
#GAMMATEXT
EndEnumeration

#KR = 0.2126:#KG = 0.7152:#KB = 0.0722 ;REC.709

IncludeFile "escapi.pbi"

Global HEIGHT = (V_RES / 2)-40
Global WIDTH = HEIGHT * 16 / 9
;Global WIDTH = (H_RES / 4)-40
Global WIDTHM1 = H_RES - 1
Global HEIGHTM1 = V_RES - 1

Procedure Graticule_720(std$)
StartDrawing(ImageOutput(3))  
DrawingMode(#PB_2DDrawing_Default)
;BLACK
lum = 16
LineXY(68,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff);BLACK
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-16, "0%", $ffffff)

;lum = 246 ;105 IRE
;LineXY(68,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff);BLACK
;LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff)

If std$ = "HLG" Or std$ = "HDR"
lum = 397 / 4 ;HLG
LineXY(36,(255 - lum) + 52, WIDTH-45,(255 - lum) + 52,$00ffff)
DrawText(600,(255 - lum) + 42,"38", $ffffff)
;DrawText(2,(255 - lum) + 44,"397", $ffffff)
DrawText(6,(255 - lum) + 42, "18%", $ffffff)

ElseIf std$ = "SDR"
  
;lum = 254; 109 IRE
;LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff)

  lum = 104; 40 IRE
  LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15 , "40%", $ffffff)
  
  lum = 82; 30 IRE
  LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15 , "30%", $ffffff)
  
lum = 38; 10 IRE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15 , "10%", $ffffff)
  
  lum = 169; 70 IRE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15 , "70%", $ffffff)
  
  lum = 213; 90 IRE
  LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15 , "90%", $ffffff)

  lum = 60; 20 IRE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
  DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15 , "20%", $ffffff)
  
  lum = 147 ;60 IRE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
  DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15, "60%", $ffffff)

lum = 191; 80 IRE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15, "80%", $ffffff)

lum = 126; 50 IRE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9,$00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15, "50%", $ffffff)
EndIf

;HLG 90% REFLECTANCE
If std$ = "HLG" Or std$ = "HDR"
;lum = 235
;LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2), WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2),$00ffff)
;DrawText(600,(510 - lum) + 84, "100", $ffffff)
;DrawText(6,(510 - lum) + 84,"90%", $ffffff)

ElseIf std$ = "SDR"
lum = 235 ;90% REFLECTANCE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-9, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-9, $00ffff)
DrawText(10,(640 - lum*2)-15, "100%", $ffffff)

EndIf

;DrawText(6, 90, "REFL.", $ffffff)
;DrawText(600, 90, "IRE", $ffffff)
StopDrawing()

EndProcedure

Procedure Graticule_1080(std$)
DrawingMode(#PB_2DDrawing_Default)
;BLACK
lum = 16
LineXY(68,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff);BLACK
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff)
DrawText(6,(440 - lum*2)-45, "0", $ffffff)
;DrawText(6,(640 - lum*2)-45, " 0%", $ffffff)

;GAMMA
If std$ = "HLG" Or std$ = "HDR"
lum = 397 / 4 ;HLG
LineXY(36,(255 - lum) + 52, WIDTH-45,(255 - lum) + 52,$00ffff)
DrawText(600,(255 - lum) + 42,"38", $ffffff)
;DrawText(2,(255 - lum) + 44,"397", $ffffff)
DrawText(6,(255 - lum) + 42, "18%", $ffffff)

ElseIf std$ = "SDR"
  
  lum = 104
  LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff)
  DrawText(600,(640 - lum*2)-45 , "40", $ffffff)
  DrawText(6,(640 - lum*2)-45, "18%", $ffffff)
  
  lum = 82
  LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff)
  DrawText(600,(640 - lum*2)-45, "30", $ffffff)
  
  lum = 126
  LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45,$00ffff)
  DrawText(600,(640 - lum*2)-45, "50", $ffffff)
  
EndIf

;WHITE
;HLG 90% REFLECTANCE
If std$ = "HLG" Or std$ = "HDR"
;lum = 235
;LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2), WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2),$00ffff)
;DrawText(500,(510 - lum) + 84, "100", $ffffff)
;DrawText(6,(510 - lum) + 84,"90%", $ffffff)

ElseIf std$ = "SDR"
lum = 235 ;90% REFLECTANCE
LineXY(36,(640 - lum*2)-45, WIDTH-45,(640 - lum*2)-45, $00ffff)
DrawText(600,(640 - lum*2)-45, "100", $ffffff)
DrawText(6,(640 - lum*2)-45, "90%", $ffffff)

EndIf

DrawText(6, 90, "REFL.", $ffffff)
DrawText(600, 90, "IRE", $ffffff)

EndProcedure

LoadFont(1,"arial",13,#PB_Font_Bold);FOR SCOPE GRATICULE
LoadFont(2,"arial",21);FOR GADGETS

device = 0
count = setupESCAPI()

    If count = 0
      MessageRequester("Error", "Unable to initialize ESCAPI.  Use 32-bit version")
      End
    EndIf

    ;name$ = Space(255)
    getCaptureDeviceName(device, @name$, 255)

    bufSize = H_RES * V_RES * 4
    scp.SimpleCapParams
    scp\mWidth = H_RES
    scp\mHeight = V_RES
    scp\mTargetBuf = AllocateMemory(bufSize)

If initCapture(device, @scp) = #False
 MessageRequester("Error", "Unable to initialize webcam.")
 End
EndIf

If H_RES = 1280
image1 = CreateImage(1, (H_RES-290)/2, V_RES - 66, 24) ;SCOPE
image3 = CreateImage(3, (H_RES-290)/2, V_RES - 66, 24):Graticule_720(std$) ;GRATICULE
ElseIf H_RES > 1280
image1 = CreateImage(1, (H_RES-145)/2, V_RES - 66, 24) ;SCOPE
image3 = CreateImage(3, (H_RES-145)/2, V_RES - 66, 24):Graticule_720(std$) ;GRATICULE
EndIf

image2 = CreateImage(2,H_RES,V_RES, 24);CAMERA

OpenWindow(2,0,0,H_RES, V_RES,"Camera", #PB_Window_BorderLess) ;FULL-SCREEN WINDOW

AddKeyboardShortcut(2,#PB_Shortcut_F11,#PB_Shortcut_F11) ;F11 FOR FULL SCREEN
AddKeyboardShortcut(2,#PB_Shortcut_F2,#PB_Shortcut_F2) ;F2 SHRINK CAMERA WINDOW
AddKeyboardShortcut(2,#PB_Shortcut_Space,#PB_Shortcut_Space) ;SPACE BAR TO STOP/START RECORDING
AddKeyboardShortcut(2, #PB_Shortcut_Control|#PB_Shortcut_Q, 113);CTL Q TO QUIT
AddKeyboardShortcut(2, #PB_Shortcut_Escape,27);ESC TO QUIT
OpenWindowedScreen(WindowID(2),0,0,WindowWidth(2),WindowHeight(2),0,0,0,#PB_Screen_WaitSynchronization)

HideWindow(2,#True)

;MAIN WINDOW
;If V_RES = 720
OpenWindow(1,72,0, WIDTH*2, V_RES - 66,"Waveform", #PB_Window_SystemMenu)
AddKeyboardShortcut(1,#PB_Shortcut_F11,#PB_Shortcut_F11) ;F11 FOR FULL SCREEN
AddKeyboardShortcut(1,#PB_Shortcut_Space,#PB_Shortcut_Space) ;SPACE BAR TO STOP/START RECORDING
AddKeyboardShortcut(1, #PB_Shortcut_Control|#PB_Shortcut_Q, 113);CTL Q TO QUIT
AddKeyboardShortcut(1, #PB_Shortcut_Escape,27);ESC TO QUIT
;OpenWindowedScreen(WindowID(1),0,0,H_RES,V_RES,0,0,0,#PB_Screen_WaitSynchronization)
;EndIf

;If V_RES = 720
SpinGadget(#GAINGAD, WIDTH * 1.5, 15,200,48,0,100)
SpinGadget(#GAMMA,WIDTH * 1.5, 65,200,48,0,100)
SpinGadget(#PEDESTAL,WIDTH * 1.5, 115,200,48,0,100)
SetGadgetFont(#GAINGAD,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(#PEDESTAL,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(#GAMMA,FontID(2))
CheckBoxGadget(201,860,180,200,50,"WHITE CLIP")
CheckBoxGadget(202,860,220,200,50,"PROCESS")
SetGadgetFont(201,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(202,FontID(2))
               
SetGadgetText(#GAINGAD,StrD(gain,2))
SetGadgetText(#GAMMA,StrD(gamma,2))
SetGadgetText(#PEDESTAL,StrD(pedestal,2))

TextGadget(#GAINTEXT,WIDTH * 1.1,20,200,48,"GAIN")
TextGadget(#PEDTEXT,WIDTH * 1.1,70,200,48,"GAMMA")
TextGadget(#GAMMATEXT,WIDTH * 1.1,120,200,48,"PEDESTAL")

TextGadget(11,WIDTH * 1.1,180,600,48,"WHITE: 100%")
TextGadget(12,WIDTH * 1.1,220,600,48,"18% GRAY: 40%")
TextGadget(13,WIDTH * 1.1,260,600,48,"BLACK: 0%")

SetGadgetFont(#GAINTEXT,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(#PEDTEXT,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(#GAMMATEXT,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(11,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(12,FontID(2))
SetGadgetFont(13,FontID(2))

;setCaptureProperty(DEVICE,#CAPTURE_ZOOM,0,#VideoProcAmp_Flags_Manual)
;setCaptureProperty(DEVICE,#CAPTURE_BRIGHTNESS,0.5,#VideoProcAmp_Flags_Manual); INITIALIZE TO UNITY

Quit = #False

Repeat ;MAIN LOOP
doCapture(device)
;While isCaptureDone(device) = #False: Delay(1): Wend
While isCaptureDone(device) = #False: Wend

event = WindowEvent()

If event = #PB_Event_CloseWindow
       Quit = #True
       Break

ElseIf event = #PB_Event_Gadget

If EventGadget() = #GAINGAD
If EventType() = #PB_EventType_Up:gain + 0.01
ElseIf EventType() = #PB_EventType_Down:gain - 0.01
EndIf
SetGadgetText(#GAINGAD,StrD(gain,2))
makeGainLUT(gain)

ElseIf EventGadget() = #GAMMA
If EventType() = #PB_EventType_Up: gamma - 0.01
ElseIf EventType() = #PB_EventType_Down: gamma + 0.01
EndIf
;If gamma <= 0.5
SetGadgetText(#GAMMA,StrD(gamma,2))
factor.f = 255/Pow(255,gamma)
makeGammaLUT(gamma)
;EndIf

ElseIf EventGadget() = #PEDESTAL
If EventType() = #PB_EventType_Up:pedestal + 1
ElseIf EventType() = #PB_EventType_Down:pedestal - 1
EndIf
SetGadgetText(#PEDESTAL,StrD(pedestal,2))
EndIf

ElseIf event = #PB_Event_Menu
menuItem = EventMenu()

; If menuitem = #PB_Shortcut_F2
;   If WindowHeight(2) = V_RES
;     ResizeWindow(2,0,0,H_RES,V_RES-66)
;     Else: ResizeWindow(2,0,0,H_RES,V_RES);:SetActiveWindow(2)
;   EndIf
; EndIf

If menuitem = #PB_Shortcut_F11
If fullScreen <> #False
  fullScreen = #False:ShowCursor_(#True)
  HideWindow(2,#True)
  SetActiveWindow(1)
Else
fullScreen = #True:ShowCursor_(#False)
HideWindow(2,#False)
SetActiveWindow(2)
EndIf

ElseIf menuitem = #PB_Shortcut_Space
  Debug "space bar"

EndIf

EndIf

;SCOPE
If fullScreen = #False
StartDrawing(ImageOutput(1))

DrawImage(ImageID(3),0,0);DRAW GRATICULE
;ElseIf V_RES = 1080: Graticule_1080(std$)
;EndIf

*readBufr = scp\mTargetBuf

;DRAW SCOPE
For y = 0 To HEIGHTM1
For x = 0 To WIDTHM1
r = (PeekA(*readBufr+2))
g = (PeekA(*readBufr+1))
b = (PeekA(*readBufr))

If Process <> #False
rf = r * gain
If clip = #True
If rf > whiteClip:rf=whiteClip
ElseIf rf < 16:rf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

gf = g * gain
If clip = #True
If gf > whiteClip:gf=whiteClip
ElseIf gf < 16:gf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

bf = b * gain
If clip = #True
If bf > whiteClip:bf=whiteClip
ElseIf bf < 16:bf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

r=gammaTable(rf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If r > whiteClip:r=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf r < 16:r=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

g=gammaTable(gf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If g > whiteClip:g=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf g < 16:g=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

b=gammaTable(bf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If b > whiteClip:b=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf b < 16:b=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

EndIf

;DRAW SCOPE
lum.f = (r*#KR) + (g*#KG) + (b*#KB)
;lum = 254;CALIBRATE

Plot(x/3+50, (640 - lum*2)-9, $00cc00)

*readBufr + 4
Next

Next

StopDrawing()

;DRAW CAMERA

*readBufr = scp\mTargetBuf

;DRAW CAMERA
StartDrawing(ImageOutput(2))

For y = 0 To V_RES - 1: For x = 0 To H_RES - 1
    
r = (PeekA(*readBufr+2))
g = (PeekA(*readBufr+1))
b = (PeekA(*readBufr))

If process <> #False
rf = r * gain
If clip = #True
If rf > whiteClip:rf=whiteClip
ElseIf rf < 16:rf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

gf = g * gain
If clip = #True
If gf > whiteClip:gf=whiteClip
ElseIf gf < 16:gf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

bf = b * gain
If clip = #True
If bf > whiteClip:bf=whiteClip
ElseIf bf < 16:bf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

r=gammaTable(rf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If r > whiteClip:r=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf r < 16:r=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

g=gammaTable(gf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If g > whiteClip:g=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf g < 16:g=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

b=gammaTable(bf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If b > whiteClip:b=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf b < 16:b=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

EndIf

Plot(x, y, RGB(r,g,b));MONITOR IS SLIGHTLY UNDERSCANNED

*readBufr + 4

Next
Next

StopDrawing()

Else ;FULLSCREEN = TRUE
*readBufr = scp\mTargetBuf
StartDrawing(ImageOutput(2))

For y = 0 To V_RES - 1: For x = 0 To H_RES - 1
    
r = (PeekA(*readBufr+2))
g = (PeekA(*readBufr+1))
b = (PeekA(*readBufr))

If process <> #False
rf = r * gain
If clip = #True
If rf > whiteClip:rf=whiteClip
ElseIf rf < 16:rf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

gf = g * gain
If clip = #True
If gf > whiteClip:gf=whiteClip
ElseIf gf < 16:gf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

bf = b * gain
If clip = #True
If bf > whiteClip:bf=whiteClip
ElseIf bf < 16:bf=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

r=gammaTable(rf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If r > whiteClip:r=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf r < 16:r=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

g=gammaTable(gf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If g > whiteClip:g=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf g < 16:g=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

b=gammaTable(bf) + PEDESTAL
If clip = #True 
If b > whiteClip:b=whiteClip ;clip at 105 IRE
ElseIf b < 16:b=16:EndIf;clip
EndIf

EndIf

Plot(x, y, RGB(r,g,b));MONITOR IS SLIGHTLY UNDERSCANNED

*readBufr + 4

Next
Next

StopDrawing()

EndIf

If fullScreen = #False
StartDrawing(WindowOutput(1))
DrawImage(ImageID(1),0,0);DRAW SCOPE TO SCREEN
If H_RES = 1280
DrawImage(ImageID(2),496,294,640,360)
ElseIf H_RES > 1280
DrawImage(ImageID(2),WindowWidth(1)/2,WindowHeight(1)/2,640,360)
EndIf;DRAW CAMERA TO SCREEN
StopDrawing()

Else ;FULL SCREEN
StartDrawing(WindowOutput(2))
DrawImage(ImageID(2),0,0)
StopDrawing()
EndIf

StopDrawing()

Until quit <> #False

Delay(500)
;StopDrawing()
deinitCapture(device)
FreeImage(1):FreeImage(2):FreeImage(3)
FreeMemory(scp\mTargetBuf)

CloseWindow(1)
End

[infratec]

You have no delay in your main loop.
This always results in a heavy cpu load.

For a test add Delay(5) at the end of the loop.

Then there are some points to optimize:
You can eliminate the PeekA()s, use a structure for *readBufr to access the points.
I also would try to do the drawing without Plot() maybe you can use CustomFilterCallback().

[RASHAD]

As infratec mensioned the Delay is outside the loop
You are killing the CPU
Why don't you use ?

Code: Select all

 event = WaitWindowEvent(500)  ;with the proper time out

[chris319]

I added this to my main loop:

Code: Select all

event = WaitWindowEvent(29)

It didn't help very much. CPU consumption dropped by about 1%, from 18% to 17%.

Note that the delay can't be longer than about 33 ms in order to make the desired 30 fps frame rate.

My CPU is an Intel Core i7, apparently not powerful enough to handle 30 fps video?

Any other suggestions?

Thank you.

[RASHAD]

display the webcam's image in a small window. It also draws a video waveform monitor

Do you must draw the video to capture the frames?
18% for cpu consumption is not that much
Try to detect the CPU heat and you may need to use a good cpu cooler
Try CoolMaster

Maybe threads can help to spread the operation over multi cores

Keep going you will do it for sure

[Fred]

Well, you're doing a lot of processing per frame using Peek/Plot so it will be somewhat slow. You can try to use the C backend with optim ON to see if it does any change

[Michael Vogel]

Would try to check why the CPU gets stressed:

1. Insert a delay (10) to the loop while iscapturedone(device)=#false: wend

2. Remove the lines containing Plot()

Hopefully this will let the CPU load get down - then you'd have to optimize the image routines.

Cleaning up the code could help a little bit (if clip=#true could be done one time after get the r,g,b values), a customfilter could also speedup things

[mk-soft]

Missing link to escapi.pbi ...

Have a look at the CustomFilterCallback function.
This runs much faster than reading each pixel individually.

As an example see link (it's a bit older)
Link: 2D-Drawing Analysis-function

[infratec]

Any other suggestions?

I told you 2 other things. Have you tried them?

[chris319]

I added WaitWindowEvent() inside the main loop.

500 ms and it was no longer laboring, but I can't have video at 2 frames per second. I can delay it no more than about 29 ms and it still labors.

I commented out all the "Plot" commands. Didn't make much difference.

I understand Intel CPU's run hot. I have an AMD with a new mobo but have yet to install them.

[infratec]

You can eliminate the PeekA()s, use a structure for *readBufr to access the points.

[pjay]

I commented out all the "Plot" commands. Didn't make much difference.

This means that the webcam / escapi is bottlenecking the app doesn't it? Measure the time it takes for the docapture() -> isCaptureDone() step, if this is greater than your desired 30ms then this is what you need to address before you go looking at optimizing the PB code.

[pjay]

I think I've seen what could be the fundamental problem - You are passing your desktop resolution to escapi, rather than the webcams resolution

This is fine if your desktop resolution is equal or less than your webcam resolution, but if your desktop has a greater resolution than your webcam (which is very common) then it's costly for a number of reasons; from the time it takes for escapi to upscale the image data, through to the amount of unnecessary additional pixels you need to process and render (twice in your particular use-case.)