Pixart PAC207 Webcam unusable with kernel 2.6.28.3 build

NihilistMatt · 02-05-2009, 03:10 PM

Because the stock kernel in Debian has a low-resolution timer, and I wanted to use my computer for MIDI and the like, I decided to custom-compile a new kernel from source.

After much fun and kernel compilation, I've managed to get a somewhat flimsy setup with that kernel, and nvidia and sound both work, but, although I've installed the included gspca-main and gspca-pac207 modules (video for linux 2 I think), nothing will work.

Camorama displays a frame that looks vaguely like webcam output, and then crashes saying "Unable to capture image", luvcview says "ERROR: Requested frame format MJPG is not available and no fallback format was found.", and cheese just goes to a mock test card.

This worked fine with the Debian-packaged gspca module and kernel... what could be going wrong here?

Thanks in advance, Matt

jdkaye · 02-07-2009, 02:27 AM

What are the results of running

Code:

lsmod | grep videodev

cheers,
jdk

NihilistMatt · 02-07-2009, 02:02 PM

Code:

matt@hayashi:~/SoR$ lsmod | grep videodev
videodev               29824  1 gspca_main
v4l1_compat            12292  1 videodev

jdkaye · 02-08-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NihilistMatt

Code:

matt@hayashi:~/SoR$ lsmod | grep videodev
videodev               29824  1 gspca_main
v4l1_compat            12292  1 videodev

Hi NM,
I don't think you mention which webcam you have and if you're sure you've installed the correct modules. I use an old Trust Spacecam 120 that I rescued from the dustbin. I compiled the gspca module for my kernel (2.6.26) using the gspca-source package and module-assistant. The same command gives me this:

Code:

$ lsmod | grep videodev
videodev               27520  1 gspca
v4l1_compat            12260  1 videodev

and lsmod | grep gspca gives this:

Code:

$ lsmod | grep gspca
gspca                 639888  0
videodev               27520  1 gspca
usbcore               118160  6 gspca,usbhid,usb_storage,ehci_hcd,uhci_hcd

As you see, it's a usb webcam. I'm wondering about the difference between gspca and gspca-main. Do you have any idea why you're using gspca-main rather than gspca?
Cheers,
jdk

NihilistMatt · 02-09-2009, 01:28 AM

I'm using gspca-main because gspca isn't available on my system. I'm guessing that gspca-main's part of the kernel gspca distribution, whereas gspca is from the external source distribution (which won't compile).

It's a Trust WB-1400T webcam, one of those evil cheap webcams. I'm sure it's a PAC207...

Code:

$ sudo lsmod | grep gspca
gspca_pac207            6784  0 
gspca_main             19584  1 gspca_pac207
videodev               29824  1 gspca_main
usbcore               122972  7 hid_sony,usbhid,gspca_pac207,gspca_main,ehci_hcd,uhci_hcd