Webcam streaming with Guvcview and QtCAM

Action!

Article from Issue 237/2020
Author(s):

If your new webcam doesn't work with the default software on your Linux system, try your luck with Guvcview or QtCAM.

Many webcam manufacturers still don't take Linux seriously, which means that kernel modules for many cameras are often created by freelance developers. In some cases, the manufacturer even changes the chipset during a production run without informing the Linux community. The result of all this uncertainty is that webcam operations in Linux are somewhat unpredictable. A specific system might work out-of-the-box for some cameras but have troubles with others. Users today, however, are accustomed to more seamless hardware configuration. If you, or anyone who depends on you for Linux advice, is having trouble with getting a webcam to work in Linux, one option is to replace the on-board webcam utility shipped with your distro with an alternative application. Guvcview and QtCAM are powerful alternative tools that are suitable for all desktops and support a wide range of cameras.

Tech Talk

On Linux systems, the UVC driver, or the GSPCA driver for older models, can talk to most webcams. The UVC module even supports cameras connected via USB, and it supports webcams built into laptops. A list of compatible webcams can be found on the UVC project's website [1].

The GSPCA driver is used for cameras that do not yet use the UVC driver but can be addressed via a special bridge chipset. A list of supported cameras can be found on the LinuxTV project website [2].

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
Print Issues
Digital Issues
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Print Subs
Digisubs
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Free Software Projects

    Voice over IP on the Internet gives communication a personal touch, but it takes applications like Cheese and WebcamStudio to exploit the creative potential of Internet telephony.

    more »
  • Amsn

    Many Webcam owners use MSN Messenger by Microsoft for video messaging. Linux users can run Amsn to connect eye to eye.

    more »
  • Like Qlockwork

    QML makes writing desktop applications a breeze, and you can later compile them into standalone programs that work more or less anywhere.

    more »
  • Motion Detection

    The motion detector software, Motion, monitors the video signal from one or multiple cameras and is able to detect whether a significant part of the picture has changed, record and track movement, or launch arbitrary external commands to trigger other actions.

    more »
  • PiCam Surveillance

    The new PiCam camera for the Raspberry Pi delivers image data with very little overhead, making it ideal for video surveillance applications. We find the bumps in the road you'll encounter and show you how to smooth them out with a few Linux commands and pipes.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus

Visit Our Shop

Trial Subscription

Digital Subscription

Subscribe

Direct Download

Read full article as PDF:

Price $2.95

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Desktop Events Hardware Linux Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source