[wellylug] Webcams

[Pete Black]

I have successfully used an Apple iSight with Linux, but never tried any 
instant messaging programs. I don't recall if the camera appeared as a 
v4l (video4linux) device or not.

A video capture card and a vhs or mini-security camera is also a good 
option, and gives you a wide range of camera options.

This link has a list of supported webcams, it would probably be best to 
pick one of these.

http://www.linux.com/howtos/Webcam-HOWTO/hardware.shtml#MODELS

The Sony Eye Toy camera is quite a nice little unit, and works with 
Linux, though it needs a special driver to handle jpeg-decompression 
which isnt shipped with the kernel.

http://www.rastageeks.org/ov51x-jpeg/index.php/Main_Page

Hope that helps

-Pete

>
> On Fri, 14 Jul 2006, Steve Macdonald wrote:
>
>> Does anyone know what type of webcam that will work in linux?
>
>
> At Linux Conf Australia 2005 the Augmented Reality dude, Wayne 
> Piekarski, recommended firewire webcams because he found them 
> extremely easy to configure and use. He said that USB cameras were 
> fiddly and often didn't work at all.
>
> At Linux Conf Australia 2006 he retracted that conclusion and instead 
> ecommended modern USB webcams, claiming vastly superior performance 
> with Linux since firewire and USB cameras of 2005 and earlier.
>
> Unfortunately in 2005, the LCA organisers completely failed to put 
> together a Proceedings DVD. They repeated this stunning feat for LCA 
> 2006 as well, so the only lead I can offer is this:
>
> http://wearables.unisa.edu.au/
>  ->  http://www.tinmith.net/
>
> Somewhere there you might find his opinions on webcams for Linux. Even 
> if you don't, he does some cool stuff :)
>