Problems using Philips ToUcam PRO II with 'streamer' and 'xawtv'
 

I'm having problems getting my ToUcam PRO II webcam to work properly with the 'streamer' and 'xawtv' programs. I'm using Mandrake Community 10.1. I'm wanting to produce video files in AVI format, so I'm trying commands such as

streamer -f rgb24 -r 3 -t 00:00:10 -o test.avi

Of the available options with avi (rgb15, rgb24, mjpeg and jpeg) only jpeg works. With the other options I get output (using the -d option) such as:

streamer -d -f rgb24 -r 3 -t 00:00:10 -o test.avi

checking writer files [multiple image files] ...
video name=ppm ext=ppm: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=pgm ext=pgm: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=jpeg ext=jpeg: ext mismatch [need avi]
checking writer raw [single file, raw video data] ...
video name=rgb ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=gray ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=422 ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=422p ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=4mpeg ext=yuv: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=4mpeg-o ext=yuv: ext mismatch [need avi]
checking writer avi [Microsoft AVI (RIFF) format] ...
video name=rgb15 ext=avi: name mismatch [need rgb24]
video name=rgb24 ext=avi: OK
avi / video: 24 bit TrueColor (LE: bgr) / audio: none
vid-open: trying: v4l2-old...
vid-open: failed: v4l2-old
vid-open: trying: v4l2...
vid-open: failed: v4l2
vid-open: trying: v4l...
v4l: open: /dev/video0 (Philips 740 webcam)
capabilities: capture
size : 160x120 => 640x480
channels: 1
Webcam: 0 camera
audios : 1
1 (Microphone):
PAL NTSC SECAM AUTO
fbuffer : base=0x(nil) size=0x0 depth=0 bpl=0
picture : brightness=29184 hue=65535 colour=32768 contrast=30720
picture : whiteness=36864 depth=24 palette=yuv420p
mbuf: size=921600 frames=2
v4l: using mapped buffers for capture
vid-open: ok: v4l
movie_init_writer start
v4l: setformat
v4l: capture probe 24 bit TrueColor (LE: bgr)... ioctl: VIDIOCMCAPTURE(frame=0;height=120;width=160;format=4): Invalid argument
failed
setformat: 24 bit TrueColor (LE: bgr) (320x240): failed
v4l: setformat
v4l: capture probe 24 bit TrueColor (BE: rgb)... failed
setformat: 24 bit TrueColor (BE: rgb) (320x240): failed
v4l: setformat
v4l: capture probe 32 bit TrueColor (BE: -rgb)... failed
setformat: 32 bit TrueColor (BE: -rgb) (320x240): failed
no way to get: 320x240 24 bit TrueColor (LE: bgr)
movie writer initialisation failed
v4l: close

With the successful jpeg option I get:

checking writer files [multiple image files] ...
video name=ppm ext=ppm: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=pgm ext=pgm: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=jpeg ext=jpeg: ext mismatch [need avi]
checking writer raw [single file, raw video data] ...
video name=rgb ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=gray ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=422 ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=422p ext=raw: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=4mpeg ext=yuv: ext mismatch [need avi]
video name=4mpeg-o ext=yuv: ext mismatch [need avi]
checking writer avi [Microsoft AVI (RIFF) format] ...
video name=rgb15 ext=avi: name mismatch [need jpeg]
video name=rgb24 ext=avi: name mismatch [need jpeg]
video name=mjpeg ext=avi: name mismatch [need jpeg]
video name=jpeg ext=avi: OK
avi / video: JPEG (JFIF) / audio: none
vid-open: trying: v4l2-old...
vid-open: failed: v4l2-old
vid-open: trying: v4l2...
vid-open: failed: v4l2
vid-open: trying: v4l..
v4l: open: /dev/video0 (Philips 740 webcam)
capabilities: capture
size : 160x120 => 640x480
channels: 1
Webcam: 0 camera
audios : 1
1 (Microphone):
PAL NTSC SECAM AUTO
fbuffer : base=0x(nil) size=0x0 depth=0 bpl=0
picture : brightness=29184 hue=65535 colour=32768 contrast=30720
picture : whiteness=36864 depth=24 palette=yuv420p
mbuf: size=921600 frames=2
v4l: using mapped buffers for capture
vid-open: ok: v4l
movie_init_writer start
v4l: setformat
v4l: capture probe JPEG (JFIF)... failed
setformat: JPEG (JFIF) (320x240): failed
v4l: setformat
v4l: capture probe 12 bit YUV 4:2:0 (planar)... ok
setformat: 12 bit YUV 4:2:0 (planar) (320x240): ok
v4l: setformat
convert_thread start [pid=10109]
convert-in : 320x240 12 bit YUV 4:2:0 (planar) (size=115200)
convert-out: 320x240 JPEG (JFIF) (size=230400)
movie_init_writer end (h=0x8068028)
movie_writer_start
v4l: startvideo
writer_video_thread start [pid=10109]
rate: queueing frame twice (2)
v4l: waiting for a free buffer], a/v: -0.00s [0]
movie_writer_stop/r: -0.00s [0], a/v: -0.00s [0]
fifo conv: EOF 1/1
fifo video: EOF 1/1
convert_thread done [pid=10109]
writer_video_thread done
v4l: stopvideo
v4l: closeill: audio 0/0, video 1/16, convert 2/16

What's going wrong here? I also can't get xawtv to work. If I type

xawtv -c /dev/video0

I get

This is xawtv-3.93, running on Linux/i686 (2.6.8.1-25mdksmp)
/dev/video0 [v4l]: no overlay support
v4l-conf had some trouble, trying to continue anyway
ioctl: VIDIOCMCAPTURE(frame=0;height=120;width=160;format=7): Invalid argument

and the video window is all black (the red light comes on at the top of the webcam).

Any help would be gratefully received.

Ken

Re: Problems using Philips ToUcam PRO II with 'streamer' and 'xawtv'
 

I use a Logitech cam, which apparently uses the Philips chipset. Philips has been fairly non-cooperative with regard to Linux development, and there has not been a lot of work on the drivers for Philips since the Linux kernel group got crosswise with the developer over the "free software" issue (He had to sign a NDA with Philips to get ANY information from them, so part of the code he wrote was not available as source in keeping with his agreement with Philips).

Look for pwc and pwcx driver info - I have not kept up with it since the application for which I use it works for me for over a year, but perhaps more work has been done. I sure hope so, because it's a DAMN nice camera for the price.

Well, I recently installed the most recent pwc patch from http://www.sdillard.org/linux/pwc/patches, which replaces the old pwc and pwcx. It still behaves the same way (debug output with streamer is slightly less verbose, v4l is now v4l2, but otherwise things are much the same).

I'm still hoping for a solution!

Ken

I'm seriously pissed about this. This is a damn nice little camera, and it's very aggravating of Philips to refuse to allow release of the code... I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly what is in the pwcx that they think would cause them harm. It's also stupid of the kernel wienies to make such a big deal out of it (yes, I understand the issue of binary-only code, but it sure as hell seems like there ought to be a middle ground somewhere!)

We use the cameras on RedHat 9 systems (2.4.20 kernel) and all works nicely, but now that we're looking at moving to 2.6 kernel... yah, it's looking like a problem. I'm not sure yet if we're going to fight it out (we only take snapshots, not "real" video) and by God make it work, or fold it and buy someone else's camera that DOES work out of the box...

Good luck to all of us, we're going to need it. I'm considering a Logitech boycott to see if it helps to put pressure on them... threatening to quit buying their (*&@#$& keyboards and mouses if they don't lean on Philips?? Might do some good.