Webcam support in Linux

| video | capturing | streaming | multimedia in ubuntu (soho) | device access |

Here we compare compatibility of a few Web cameras with Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy) and Fedora Core 8. Please note that in 2011 situation the improved significantly, and the article is rather outdated.

1. Ubuntu compatibility matry

2. UVC

• How to refresh UVC video driver in Hardy
• Ubuntu UVC community

3. QuickCam Messenger

3.1. Resources

• HOWTO: Logitech quickcam messenger (ubuntuforums)
• Bug: Logitech Quickcam Messenger is not usable (bugs.launchpad.net)
• Logitech QuickCam Messenger on Linux using Skype

3.2. How to use

wget qc-usb-messenger-1.8.tar.gz
 wget [[Media:patch1.qc-usb-messenger-1.8-167504.patch|patch1.qc-usb-messenger-1.8-167504.patch]]
 wget [[Media:patch2.qc-usb-messenger-1.8.patch|patch2.qc-usb-messenger-1.8.patch]]
 wget [[Media:patch3.qc-usb-messenger-1.8-vmware.patch|patch3.qc-usb-messenger-1.8-vmware.patch]]
 tar xzvf qc-usb-messenger-1.8.tar.gz
 cd qc-usb-messenger-1.8
 patch -p1 -b -z.bak1 < ../patch1.qc-usb-messenger-1.8-167504.patch
 patch -p1 -b -z.bak2 < ../patch2.qc-usb-messenger-1.8.patch
 patch -p1 -b -z.bak3 < ../patch2.qc-usb-messenger-1.8.patch
 make all
 rmmod qcmessenger
 make install
 modprobe qcmessenger

Note: Patch #3 increases timeout delay so that camera works in vmware.

3.3. Tips

• Additional packages (useless): qc-usb-utils qc-usb-source
• gstreamer-properties says it does not support v4l2 - use v4l(1)

4. Genius Messenger 310

0x93a:2624 Pixart Imaging

4.1. stories

• configuring genius e-messenger 112 in hardy (sudouser.com)
• inquirer about gspca v1 author
• introductory article on configuring camera in linux, with links
• video forum (linuxforum.ru) (GOOD!)
• genius messenger 310 (linux.org.ru) (GOOD!)
• getting a logilink/pixart camera to work
• Problème de Webcam, logiciel EasyCam (ubuntu.fr)
• Installation du driver gspcaV2 (GOOD!)

4.2. Models

• GOOD
  • Genius Eye 320 - (ID 0458:7051) - uvcvideo - Ubuntu 7.10,8.04 - out of the box - price.ru - ~1000rub
  • Logitech QuickCam Connect (ID 046d:08d9) - works perfectly out of the box in 8.04 with gspcav1 - price.ru - ~1100rub
  • Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX - (ID 046d:08ad) - 8.04 - good - price.ru - ~1700rub
  • Logitech QuickCam Express Plus - price.ru - ~800rub
    • 046d:092f - works out of the box on 8.04
    • 046d:08a6 - mentioned in hcl
• BAD
  • Genius VideoCam Messenger - price.ru - needs quirks - ID 0c45:602e Microdia (gui-microdia)
  • Logitech QuickCam Express - price.ru - there are lots of different cameras with this name, and experience varies greatly
  • Genius Messenger 310 - 0x93a:2624 - bad in hardy (tears1, tears2)
• UNKNOWN
  • Logitech QuickCam Messenger - gspca - Ubuntu 7.04 - ok
  • Logitech e2500 - ?
  • A4-Tech PK-5 - ?
  • A4-Tech PK-635M - 8.04 skype/cheese out of the box - 0ac8:303b - price.ru
  • A4-Tech PK-35N - ?
  • A4-Tech PK-333MB - ?
  • A4-Tech PK-750 MJM - ?
  • A4-Tech PK-935 - bad in gutsy - 0ac8:303b Z-Star Microelectronics Corp. ZC0303 WebCam

4.3. HCL

• UVC
• GSPCA
  • gspca v1 (spca5xx)
  • New GSPCA v2 home
• QuickCam (and more)
  • Logitech Non-UVC
  • QCE-GA (QC USB) HCL (obsolete)
• PWC
• Ubuntu
  • Ubuntu Skype HCL
  • Ubuntu SPCA HCL

4.4. GSPCA

• SPCA driver family (links)
• gspca-source 01.00.20-1 package in debian
• Old GSPCA v2 home
• hans de goede (libv4l) blog
• libv4l sources

5. Fedora

The report has some notes on webcams.

The Luc Saillard's website features a good PWC driver.

5.1. Resources

• Google Directory > Linux > Drivers
• Video for Linux resources
• qce-ga.sourceforge.net/

5.2. Positive Reports

• Logitech QuickCam Messenger / thread Report / Get driver here / price.ru prices
• Creative Webcam Vista / USBid = 0x403b / Driver = SPCA561 / price.ru

5.3. Negative Reports

• PWC is not supported with aMSN
• this thread captures failure stories (look for FC5 there, for example this message or this one).