Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

edoc

I need a good quality WebCam that works out-of-the-box with Puppy 3.01 (we use the ChurchPup version).

I need it to be one that is available right now (not something no longer sold).

I want to use it for portable recording of sermons and lessons from a distance of 15-20 feet.

I have a telescoping mono-pole (one-legged camera tripod) that I can clamp to a chair. I'd like the WebCam to be able to mount to a standard threaded camera tripod mount -- but that is not required.

I need to know the chipset of the one you have tested - manufacturers change chipsets in the middle of manufacturing and fail to disclose that - I need to be able to check prior to purchase.

I'd love it to include built-in LED lights but that is not critical. (I'd like to be able to shine the light into a computer or piece of sound equipment to ask questions over the Internet. I can use a separate clamp-on LED light if necessary.)

KEYS: Good quality camera, native Linux (Puppy 3.01) compatibility), available right now.

NOTE: I am willing to buy a used one if someone wishes to sell theirs - it must be in good condition and must work with 3.01 and must produce good pictures in the context described above.

edoc · Posted: Fri 29 Feb 2008, 10:03 Post_subject:

This looks over my head - has anyone tried this VjackCamorama hack with Puppy 3.01?

http://www.piksel.no/pwiki/HOWTOVjackCamorama

It may well help with WebCams if someone can make it into a working .pup

linuxcbon · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 698

I got an old creative webcampro, not good.
I looked in different websites, and this one looks ok : . LOGITECH QUICKCAM PRO FOR NOTEBOOKS (CCD 2 Megapix 1600 x 1200 pix)
It seems to work on linux ? http://www.mail-archive.com/linux-uvc-devel@lists.berlios.de/msg01784.html
http://www.quickcamteam.net/hcl/linux/logitech-webcams
I didnt test it...

edoc · Posted: Fri 29 Feb 2008, 14:52 Post_subject:

Thanks for the suggestion and the links!

It sounds as though one would need to add an external light source to the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks as it appears that the driver defaults to Auto and generally needs lots of light.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/3055&cl=us,en

I read elsewhere that this has been replaced by the $99 QuickCam for Notebooks Pro which lacks a focus ring and is best at 22" -- not as versatile as the original:
http://www.everythingusb.com/logitech_quickcam_for_notebooks_pro.html

Have you tried any LED lights that clip to the Logitech QuickCam Pro for Notebooks somehow?

srf21c · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 16

I've read that the phillips SPC900NC is supported by just about every linux distro out there.

Looks to be a pretty nice cam too. Currently you can find them for as low as $60 online.

edoc · Posted: Thu 13 Mar 2008, 18:10 Post_subject:

I see here that it is popular for astronomy:
http://www.astrovid.com/prod_details.php?pid=50

I have ordered the camera ($55. shipped) and the telescope adapter ($21. shipped) and will give them a try & report back!

edoc · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 16:10 Post_subject:

OK, I bought the camera and just plugged it in ...

According to USBview it is an "unknown device".

Help?

Is this likely a result of some embedded USB problem with Puppy 3.01 or are you aware of a driver that I could add to get this working, please?

edoc · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 16:15 Post_subject:

I just stumbled upon this site:

Free Philips USB Webcam driver for Linux

http://www.saillard.org/linux/pwc/

http://www.saillard.org/linux/pwc/snapshots/

pwc-v4l2-20080320-042701.tar.bz2 !!! New !!!
Last Updated: Mar 20, 2008
Size: 48.30 KB

It sounds messy to me so I have to pray that someone will make a .PET of it that I may download and run.

Jesse · Joined: 08 May 2005 Posts: 465 Location: Auckland, NZ

Hi,

The GSPCA web cam driver can work with lots of web cams, and has a hardware compatibility page with image quality indicator, here:
http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca5xx.html

I hope that helps.

Jesse

MU · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 17:09 Post_subject:

install attached dotpup, then type in a console:

modprobe pwc
lsmod

That should list:

edoc · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 17:16 Post_subject:

Unfortunately the Phillips SPC900NC is not listed ... yet.

edoc · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 17:22 Post_subject:

Thanks for the PUP!

Just tried it and got this error message:

ERROR: Not enough free diskspace,
you have MB, but needed are !

The quantity of MB needed is empty as is that available.

I actually have about 55gigs available so there is no genuine shortage.

What might be causing this error, please?

MU · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 17:30 Post_subject:

sorry, made an error while packaging.
Please download again.
Mark

edoc · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 17:40 Post_subject:

# modprobe pwc
# lsmod
Module Size Used by
pwc 96256 0

MU · Posted: Thu 20 Mar 2008, 17:45 Post_subject:

maybe it is just unused, because you run no application yet like xawtv.
As it got loaded, you now should try to run xawtv.
Mark