The Webcam HOWTO

Howard Shane

<hshane[AT]austin.rr.com >

This document was written to assist the reader in the steps necessary to configure and use a webcam within the Linux operating system.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Copyright Information

1.2. Disclaimer

1.3. New Versions

1.4. Credits

1.5. Feedback

1.6. Conventions Used in this Document

2. Supporting the Connection Type

2.1. USB Webcams

2.2. IEEE 1394 ( Firewire ™, i.Link ™)

2.3. Generic Parallel Port Support for Parport Webcams

3. Making and Accessing the Video Device

3.1. Device Filesystem

3.2. Creating Video Devices Manually

3.3. Groups and Permissions

4. Specific Webcam Models

4.1. 3com HomeConnect PC Digital Webcam

4.2. CPiA based Webcams

4.3. SE401, SE402 and EP800 based USB webcams

4.4. OmniVision based Webcams

4.5. Logitech (formerly Connectix) Quickcam Support

4.6. NW802 Based Webcams

4.7. Philips USB Webcams

4.8. STV0680 based Models

4.9. Winbond w9966cf

4.10. Xirlink C-it ™ HDCS-1000 based Webcams

5. Framegrabbing Applications

5.1. Xawtv

5.2. MoTV

5.3. Streamer

5.4. Motion

5.5. Gqcam

5.6. camE

5.7. SANE

6. Troubleshooting

6.1. Help, How do I figure out what my USB camera chipset is if the model isn't listed in your HOWTO?

6.2. Help, I can't find the camera device in /dev !

6.3. Help, I can see the camera device, but I can't access it!

6.4. Help, my camera has a driver that is source-only, i.e., has to be built by me! Where do I start?

6.5. Help, my camera is supported by a driver that has to be patched into my kernel! What do I do?

6.6. Help--as in, where can I get more of it?

6.7. Help, I want to contribute to Video4Linux support in Linux! Who do I get in touch with?

A. Gnu Free Documentation License