Difference between pages "Main Page" and "Set up a Webcam with Linux"

From Linuxintro
(Difference between pages)
 
 
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<big>'''What do you want to learn today?'''</big>
+
<metadesc>Here is how you set up your webcam with Linux, capture videos and images, do VoIP calls and automate recording. Tested with SUSE Linux, Ubuntu and Debian.</metadesc>
 +
[[File:Screenshot_from_2020-03-01_13-18-32.png]]
 +
You want to set up your webcam with Linux, see a video stream from it and learn which applications you can use with it, right? Then this article is for you.
  
−
__NOTOC__
+
= Try it =
 +
First let's try if it works out of the box, so, connect your webcam (if it's not inbuilt), [[open a terminal]] and start the application '''''cheese''''':
 +
cheese
  
−
<table border=0 vspace=30 bordercolor="ccffff" cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3 align=left HSPACE=10>
+
This should switch on your webcam and you should see what it's recording.  
−
<tr><td style="border:0px" valign=top width=250 height=400px >
 
−
= NewComer =
 
−
* [[install Linux]]
 
−
* [[your first steps on Linux]]
 
−
* [[commands]]
 
−
* [[shell scripting tutorial]]
 
−
[[File:Bash-scripting-mindmap.jpg|200px|link=http://www.linuxintro.org/wiki/BaBE]]
 
−
</td></tr></table>
 
  
−
<table border=0 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3 align=left>
+
Ok, you are reading on, so there is still something left, maybe:
−
<tr><td style="border:0px" valign=top width=250 height=400px>
+
* terminal says "command not found", you need to install cheese. Read on at [[#Install_cheese|Install Cheese]].
 +
* cheese does not show the camera's content -> read on at [[#Check the Setup|Check the Setup]].
 +
* you want to [[#record_a_video]] with your webcam.
  
−
= User =
+
= Install cheese =  
−
* [[set up a web cam]]
+
To install cheese, you need to know your distribution. Here is how to [[find out your distribution]].
−
* [[use WebEx with Linux]]
+
* for Debian, Raspbian, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Flubuntu, Xubuntu, GEUbuntu, Edubuntu, ...:
−
* [[run vlc as root]]
+
sudo apt-get install cheese
−
* [[watch TV]]
+
* for SUSE:
−
* [[use a digital camera with Linux]]
+
yast -i cheese
−
[[File:Snapshot-kino2.png|x200px|link=kiNo]]<br />[[kino|you can edit videos using the software kino]]
 
−
</td></tr></table>
 
  
−
<table border=0 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3 align=left>
+
= Check the Setup =
−
<tr><td style="border:0px" valign=top width=250 height=400px>
+
If cheese starts, but does not find a webcam, you need to dig deeper.
−
= Administrator =
+
* [[open a console]] and list your video4linux devices:
−
* [[strace|how to strace a process]]
+
<source>
−
* [[sar]]
+
ls -ltr /dev/video*
−
* [[regular expressions]]
+
</source>
−
* [[passwordless logins]]
+
* you will find an output like this:
−
* [[control a computer over the network]]
+
<source>
−
* you can [[access a remote computer's display]]
+
crw-rw----+ 1 root video 81, 0 Nov 11 09:06 /dev/video0
−
* [[Take use of virtualization]]
+
</source>
−
* [[Build a PXE Deployment Server]]
+
In this example your webcam device is named ''/dev/video0''. If you have no /dev/video file, read [[#Troubleshooting]]. If you have several video4linux devices, for example a [[tv card]] your webcam may show up as /dev/video1 or whatever. But the time (in this case Nov 11 09:06) will be the time when you plugged it in.
−
</td></tr></table>
 
  
−
<table border=0 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3 align=left>
+
You can also test your webcam the following ways:
−
<tr><td style="border:0px" valign=top width=250 height=400px>
+
* if you have [[vlc]] installed you can start it and choose Media -> Open Capture Device -> Video device name = ''/dev/video0'' -> Play
 +
* if you have mplayer installed you can use the command
 +
<source>
 +
mplayer tv:// -tv driver=v4l2:width=640:height=480:device=/dev/video0 -fps 30
 +
</source>
  
−
= Webmaster =
+
= Troubleshooting =
−
* [[set up a web server]]
+
Troubleshooting heavily depends on the distribution and version you are using. If you have done cabling correctly and a device file /dev/video* does not appear, your kernel probably does not know the hardware. In this case you may have to install the device driver separately because it may not be part of the kernel.
−
* [[Set up a mail server]]
 
−
* [[Set up an ldap server]]
 
−
[[File:Snapshot-guacamole.png|x200px|link=guacamole]]<br />[[guacamole|you can run a Linux desktop in a browser]]
 
−
</td></tr></table>
 
  
−
<table border=0 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3 align=left>
+
== SUSE Linux 11.0 and earlier ==
−
<tr><td style="border:0px" valign=top width=250 height=400px>
+
This has been tested with SUSE Linux 11.0 x64 but should work with any earlier SUSE version. You will need to log in as user root.
−
= Programmer =
+
To find out what driver you need, [[open a console]] and call
−
* [[shell scripting tutorial]]
+
[[hwinfo]] --usb
−
* [http://www.linuxintro.org/regex Build regular expressions]
+
If a Logitech Quickcam Messenger is plugged in the answer will be like:
−
* [[regular expressions]]
+
<source highlight=23>
−
* the software [[build]] process
+
06: USB 00.2: 0000 Unclassified device
−
http://linuxintro.org/images/Regular_Expressions.png
+
  [Created at usb.122]              
−
</td></tr></table>
+
  UDI: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_46d_8da_noserial_if2
 +
  Unique ID: Eopr.vE+cdFBwClB                                     
 +
  Parent ID: uIhY.uOe2OKugI8D                                     
 +
  SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.2/usb3/3-1/3-1:1.2     
 +
  SysFS BusID: 3-1:1.2                                           
 +
  Hardware Class: unknown                                         
 +
  Model: "Logitech QuickCam Messanger"                           
 +
  Hotplug: USB                                                   
 +
  Vendor: usb 0x046d "Logitech, Inc."                             
 +
  Device: usb 0x08da "QuickCam Messanger"                         
 +
  Revision: "1.00"                                               
 +
  Driver: "snd-usb-audio"                                         
 +
  Driver Modules: "snd_usb_audio"                                 
 +
  Speed: 12 Mbps                                                 
 +
  Module Alias: "usb:v046Dp08DAd0100dc00dsc00dp00ic01isc02ip00"   
 +
  Driver Info #0:                                                 
 +
    Driver Status: quickcam_messenger is active                   
 +
    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe quickcam_messenger"
 +
  Driver Info #1:                                                 
 +
    Driver Status: gspca is active                               
 +
    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe gspca"
 +
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown     
 +
  Attached to: #20 (Hub)
 +
</source>
 +
This means you can install and load the webcam driver like this:
 +
yast -i gspcav-kmp-default
 +
modprobe gspca
 +
Now you should see a video device:
 +
ls /dev/video*
 +
/dev/video  /dev/video0
 +
That means you can install and start your webcam-viewer-software. We choose gqcam:
 +
yast -i gqcam
 +
gqcam
 +
It works. You see a video what from what is going on in front of your webcam.
  
−
<table border=0 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3 align=left>
+
== Ubuntu ==
−
<tr><td style="border:0px" valign=top width=250 height=400px>
+
This has been tested with Ubuntu 8.10 x32 but should work with any Ubuntu version.
 +
Find out the driver activation command of your webcam. For this, first install the software '''hwinfo'''. [[Open a console]] and type:
 +
sudo apt-get [[install]] [[hwinfo]]
 +
Then call hwinfo:
 +
hwinfo --usb
 +
If a Logitech Quickcam Messenger is plugged in the response will be like:
 +
<source highlight=20>
 +
04: USB 00.2: 0000 Unclassified device
 +
  [Created at usb.122]
 +
  UDI: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_46d_8da_noserial_if2
 +
  Unique ID: 4ajv.vE+cdFBwClB
 +
  Parent ID: k4bc._Mkd+LmXb03
 +
  SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:11.0/0000:02:00.0/usb1/1-1/1-1:1.2
 +
  SysFS BusID: 1-1:1.2
 +
  Hardware Class: unknown
 +
  Model: "Logitech QuickCam Messanger"
 +
  Hotplug: USB
 +
  Vendor: usb 0x046d "Logitech, Inc."
 +
  Device: usb 0x08da "QuickCam Messanger"
 +
  Revision: "1.00"
 +
  Driver: "snd-usb-audio"
 +
  Driver Modules: "snd_usb_audio"
 +
  Speed: 12 Mbps
 +
  Module Alias: "usb:v046Dp08DAd0100dc00dsc00dp00ic01isc02ip00"
 +
  Driver Info #0:
 +
    Driver Status: gspca_zc3xx is active
 +
    Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe gspca_zc3xx"
 +
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
 +
  Attached to: #8 (Hub)</source>
 +
Activate the driver:
 +
sudo modprobe gspca_zc3xx
 +
Now you should be able to see the video device:
 +
[[ls]] /dev/video*
 +
/dev/video0
 +
You can now test your webcam using the software cheese:
 +
sudo apt-get install cheese
 +
cheese
  
−
= Gamer =
+
== Other webcams ==
−
* here is a list of the [[best Linux games]]
+
If you have another webcam, try the above nevertheless. If it does not work, exchange the driver gspca against uvcvideo:
−
</td></tr></table>
+
yast -i uvcvideo_kmp_default
 +
modprobe uvcvideo
 +
and start gqcam again.
 +
 
 +
= Use it =
 +
 
 +
== record video ==
 +
to capture video streams you can use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese_%28software%29 cheese], a nice program with a graphical user interface. It allows you to watch and record your camera output at the same time. It stores in a strange format (.webm), but [[vlc]] can play this.
 +
 
 +
You can also automate video recording so you can capture the camera stream with sitting in front of the computer. To do this you can
 +
* use the software ''mencoder'':
 +
<source>
 +
mencoder tv:// -tv driver=v4l2:width=320:height=240:device=/dev/video0 -nosound -ovc lavc -o myvideo.avi
 +
</source>
 +
* or use the software ''streamer'', example:
 +
<source>
 +
streamer -c /dev/video0 -f jpeg -F stereo -o myvideo.avi -t 0:05
 +
</source>
 +
 
 +
== video conferencing ==
 +
* to do video conferencing, [[use skype under Linux]].
 +
 
 +
== watch it ==
 +
To watch your camera's input, use ''cheese'' or mplayer:
 +
<source>
 +
mplayer -fps 30 -cache 128 -tv driver=v4l2:width=640:height=480:device=/dev/video0 tv://
 +
</source>
 +
Or use [[vlc]]. You can [[run vlc as root]] by the way. To watch your webcam /dev/video0, start vlc and select Media -> Open Capture Device -> Video device name = /dev/video0 -> Play
 +
 
 +
= Testbed =
 +
The following webcams have been found working with this tutorial:
 +
* Logitech Quickcam messenger
 +
* Philips Webcam SPC220NC
 +
 
 +
A general list of working webcams can be found at http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca5xx.html.
 +
 
 +
The guide has been tested with SUSE Linux 11.4 till 13.2 and Ubuntu.
 +
 
 +
= See also =
 +
* [[hardware]]
 +
* http://en.opensuse.org/Webcam
 +
* http://www.linux.com/feature/126186
 +
* http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/linux-driver-for-quickcam-usb-cameras-logitech-quickcam-fusion/
 +
* http://www.goldmann.de/webcam-linux_tipp_408.html
 +
* http://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Webcam
 +
 
 +
<stumbleuponbutton />

Revision as of 12:28, 26 December 2020

Screenshot from 2020-03-01 13-18-32.png You want to set up your webcam with Linux, see a video stream from it and learn which applications you can use with it, right? Then this article is for you.

Try it

First let's try if it works out of the box, so, connect your webcam (if it's not inbuilt), open a terminal and start the application cheese: 

cheese

This should switch on your webcam and you should see what it's recording.

Ok, you are reading on, so there is still something left, maybe:

Install cheese

To install cheese, you need to know your distribution. Here is how to find out your distribution.

  • for Debian, Raspbian, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Flubuntu, Xubuntu, GEUbuntu, Edubuntu, ...:
sudo apt-get install cheese
  • for SUSE:
yast -i cheese

Check the Setup

If cheese starts, but does not find a webcam, you need to dig deeper.

<source> 

ls -ltr /dev/video*

</source>

  • you will find an output like this:

<source> 

crw-rw----+ 1 root video 81, 0 Nov 11 09:06 /dev/video0

</source> In this example your webcam device is named /dev/video0. If you have no /dev/video file, read #Troubleshooting. If you have several video4linux devices, for example a tv card your webcam may show up as /dev/video1 or whatever. But the time (in this case Nov 11 09:06) will be the time when you plugged it in.

You can also test your webcam the following ways:

  • if you have vlc installed you can start it and choose Media -> Open Capture Device -> Video device name = /dev/video0 -> Play
  • if you have mplayer installed you can use the command

<source> 

mplayer tv:// -tv driver=v4l2:width=640:height=480:device=/dev/video0 -fps 30

</source>

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting heavily depends on the distribution and version you are using. If you have done cabling correctly and a device file /dev/video* does not appear, your kernel probably does not know the hardware. In this case you may have to install the device driver separately because it may not be part of the kernel.

SUSE Linux 11.0 and earlier

This has been tested with SUSE Linux 11.0 x64 but should work with any earlier SUSE version. You will need to log in as user root. To find out what driver you need, open a console and call 

hwinfo --usb

If a Logitech Quickcam Messenger is plugged in the answer will be like: <source highlight=23> 06: USB 00.2: 0000 Unclassified device 

 [Created at usb.122]                
 UDI: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_46d_8da_noserial_if2
 Unique ID: Eopr.vE+cdFBwClB                                      
 Parent ID: uIhY.uOe2OKugI8D                                      
 SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.2/usb3/3-1/3-1:1.2      
 SysFS BusID: 3-1:1.2                                             
 Hardware Class: unknown                                          
 Model: "Logitech QuickCam Messanger"                             
 Hotplug: USB                                                     
 Vendor: usb 0x046d "Logitech, Inc."                              
 Device: usb 0x08da "QuickCam Messanger"                          
 Revision: "1.00"                                                 
 Driver: "snd-usb-audio"                                          
 Driver Modules: "snd_usb_audio"                                  
 Speed: 12 Mbps                                                   
 Module Alias: "usb:v046Dp08DAd0100dc00dsc00dp00ic01isc02ip00"    
 Driver Info #0:                                                  
   Driver Status: quickcam_messenger is active                    
   Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe quickcam_messenger"
 Driver Info #1:                                                  
   Driver Status: gspca is active                                 
   Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe gspca"
 Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown       
 Attached to: #20 (Hub)

</source> This means you can install and load the webcam driver like this: 

yast -i gspcav-kmp-default
modprobe gspca

Now you should see a video device: 

ls /dev/video*
/dev/video  /dev/video0

That means you can install and start your webcam-viewer-software. We choose gqcam: 

yast -i gqcam
gqcam

It works. You see a video what from what is going on in front of your webcam.

Ubuntu

This has been tested with Ubuntu 8.10 x32 but should work with any Ubuntu version. Find out the driver activation command of your webcam. For this, first install the software hwinfo. Open a console and type: 

sudo apt-get install hwinfo

Then call hwinfo: 

hwinfo --usb

If a Logitech Quickcam Messenger is plugged in the response will be like: <source highlight=20> 04: USB 00.2: 0000 Unclassified device 

 [Created at usb.122]
 UDI: /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_46d_8da_noserial_if2
 Unique ID: 4ajv.vE+cdFBwClB
 Parent ID: k4bc._Mkd+LmXb03
 SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:11.0/0000:02:00.0/usb1/1-1/1-1:1.2
 SysFS BusID: 1-1:1.2
 Hardware Class: unknown
 Model: "Logitech QuickCam Messanger"
 Hotplug: USB
 Vendor: usb 0x046d "Logitech, Inc."
 Device: usb 0x08da "QuickCam Messanger"
 Revision: "1.00"
 Driver: "snd-usb-audio"
 Driver Modules: "snd_usb_audio"
 Speed: 12 Mbps
 Module Alias: "usb:v046Dp08DAd0100dc00dsc00dp00ic01isc02ip00"
 Driver Info #0:
   Driver Status: gspca_zc3xx is active
   Driver Activation Cmd: "modprobe gspca_zc3xx"
 Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
 Attached to: #8 (Hub)</source>

Activate the driver: 

sudo modprobe gspca_zc3xx

Now you should be able to see the video device: 

ls /dev/video*
/dev/video0

You can now test your webcam using the software cheese: 

sudo apt-get install cheese
cheese

Other webcams

If you have another webcam, try the above nevertheless. If it does not work, exchange the driver gspca against uvcvideo: 

yast -i uvcvideo_kmp_default
modprobe uvcvideo

and start gqcam again.

Use it

record video

to capture video streams you can use cheese, a nice program with a graphical user interface. It allows you to watch and record your camera output at the same time. It stores in a strange format (.webm), but vlc can play this.

You can also automate video recording so you can capture the camera stream with sitting in front of the computer. To do this you can

  • use the software mencoder:

<source> 

mencoder tv:// -tv driver=v4l2:width=320:height=240:device=/dev/video0 -nosound -ovc lavc -o myvideo.avi

</source>

  • or use the software streamer, example:

<source> 

streamer -c /dev/video0 -f jpeg -F stereo -o myvideo.avi -t 0:05

</source>

video conferencing

watch it

To watch your camera's input, use cheese or mplayer: <source> 

mplayer -fps 30 -cache 128 -tv driver=v4l2:width=640:height=480:device=/dev/video0 tv://

</source> Or use vlc. You can run vlc as root by the way. To watch your webcam /dev/video0, start vlc and select Media -> Open Capture Device -> Video device name = /dev/video0 -> Play

Testbed

The following webcams have been found working with this tutorial:

  • Logitech Quickcam messenger
  • Philips Webcam SPC220NC

A general list of working webcams can be found at http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca5xx.html.

The guide has been tested with SUSE Linux 11.4 till 13.2 and Ubuntu.

See also

Retrieved from "http://linuxintro.org/index.php?title=Main_Page&oldid=19526"