best webcam for linux (ubuntu/debian)?

arne · 10-25-2011, 11:23 AM

Hallo together,

I want to buy a new webcam including a microphone, that works with skype under ubuntu 10.04.3 operating system. Any idea what is the best hardware-solution without complicated configuration?

Hopefully Arne

jay_pablo_69 · 10-25-2011, 12:08 PM

Hi,
I'm using Logitech webcam with an ordinary headphone/mic, and all is working very well (plug & play). However, if you encounter any problem using the cam on Skype (I don't think you will), you can easily get a simple 2~3-step workaround to resolve the problem.
Cheers.

Nylex · 10-26-2011, 03:36 AM

Logitech maintains a list of UVC devices that should be well supported under Linux (with the uvcvideo module). That's what I used when I was looking for a device.

jefro · 10-26-2011, 10:15 PM

I have played with more than a few disto's. I have a logitech 9000 I think and it just seems to work in almost any distro.

linuxwin2 · 10-27-2011, 08:41 AM

Webcam tested on ubuntu
Acer Crystal Eye
Advance UltraFoto
APM UW054
Carrefour 2MPixels
Chicony USB 2.0 Camera (04f2:b008).
Creative Livecam Optia.
Creative Livecam Vista
Logitech QuickCam E1000
Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX Plus
Logitech QuickCam S5500
Logitech QuickCam S7500
Logitech CXX

tiomoco · 10-30-2011, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_pablo_69

Hi,
I'm using Logitech webcam with an ordinary headphone/mic, and all is working very well (plug & play). However, if you encounter any problem using the cam on Skype (I don't think you will), you can easily get a simple 2~3-step workaround to resolve the problem.
Cheers.

Hi.! I am running Ubuntu 11.10 and have a Logitech C-160 which was immediately recognized, plug & play. But, i cannot use it neither on Skype nor Pidgin. Which are those 2-3 steps i need to do, please..?? thank you very much..!

jay_pablo_69 · 10-31-2011, 02:56 AM

Does your webcam work well with 'Cheese'? You should download and install Cheese if you don't have it already and see. If it works with Cheese, then to fix this problem on Skype you need to have 'libv4l-0' installed and load it with Skype.

If you have 'Ubuntu Restricted Extras' installed you should have 'libv4l-0' installed. If not then open Terminal and type:

Quote:

echo -e "\n# libv4l PPA\ndeb http://ppa.launchpad.net/libv4l/ppa/ubuntu `lsb_release -c | awk '{print $2}'` main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

Quote:

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com C3FFB4AA

Quote:

sudo apt-get update

Quote:

sudo apt-get install libv4l-0

Now, to start Skype just run this in terminal:

Quote:

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

For 64bit systems:

Quote:

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

You can use this on other applications where you have webcam problem, just replace 'skype' with application name.

To avoid starting Skype every time from terminal you need to change the launcher. To edit launcher right click on Applications and click edit menus. Then navigate to Internet, right click on Skype and click on Properties.

Replace the Command with:

Quote:

bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype'

For 64bit systems:

Quote:

bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype'

On Ubuntu 11.04 Unity or other desktop environment:
'Menu Editor' is not available. So to edit launcher in Unity you need to edit 'Skype.desktop'. Start terminal and type:

Quote:

sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/skype.desktop

Now edit line 4, replace;

Quote:

Exec=skype

with:

Quote:

Exec=bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype'

For 64bit systems:

Quote:

Exec=bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype'

On Ubuntu 11.10:

Quote:

Exec=bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype'

Workaround #2 on Ubuntu 11.10:

Rename the Skype binary, create an empty file for the shell script, and open the empty file with an editor with root permissions:

Quote:

sudo mv /usr/bin/skype /usr/bin/skype.original

Quote:

sudo touch /usr/bin/skype

Quote:

gksudo gedit /usr/bin/skype

Then copy and paste the following into the empty file:

Quote:

#!/bin/bash
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype.original

Make the file executable:

Quote:

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/skype

I once used workaround#2 to solve my Skype webcam problem.

Hope it works for you.

Cheers.

mvidberg · 11-03-2012, 09:23 AM

List of Linux compatible webcams can be found at http://www.ideasonboard.org/uvc/

davethesteam · 02-25-2018, 07:36 AM

I have just tried yet again to get Skype (Post MS takeover) to work on Ubunru 16.04 LTS
I have bought a new Web Cam (Creative Labs Live Cam sync HD). Tried on the normal Skype download - not good.
Scrapped the featured Skype on the download section and downloaded 'Skype for Linux"
All working fine now!!