Re: [vox] suggestions for webcam

[Ken Bloom <kabloom@uMAPScdavis.edu>]

I have a ViewQuest M318B for USB that I got for $5 from someone on 
ucd.swap. It required an special kernel module (spca50x available from 
spca50x.sf.net). I spent 4 hours learning the process of compiling a 
custom module for my kernel, and found out that in general the process 
should take no more than 15 minutes. The driver uses the Video for Linux 
interface (also called v4l), and it lets you read data through the 
/dev/video* devices.

I don't think the camera has such great image quality, I've noticed that 
if I use the camera's driver on Windows then I get much better image 
quality than I can on Linux, although I don't know how this works out 
and what parts of the software are responsible for it (whether it's the 
kernel module that would be responsible or whether it's the image 
aquisition program - in windows it seems they are the same thing)

I've been using gqcam to read images from my camera (because I'm usually 
looking for still shots), but I've tested that the camera works with 
gnomemeeting too. (Gnomemeeting is said to be compatible with Microsoft 
NetMeeting for your scattered relaties who use Windows).

I once tried video capture, and somehow ran across a bug in the kernel 
module that instantly and completely rebooted the system. I have no clue 
how to debug it or work around it.

On Wed, Sep 24, 2003 at 02:53:14PM -0700, Katie wrote:
> I'd like to set up a webcam so I can communicate with my family which has
> scattered across the US, but I don't know how compatible they are with
> linux.  I run Mandrake 9.0.  I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions
> for webcams that they know work with linux.
> 
> Katie
> 
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