How to configure webcam in Debian Linux

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The friend of mine had been presented to me a webcam recently. On the box of Logitech QuickCam, there were logo of an alternative operation system, but in Debian configuration of a webcam is as easy as 1-2-3. Here are tips for configuration of a webcam.

Preparation
Some preparing words - if you didn`t compile your own kernel, this section can be omitted.
Webcam interface in kernel is almost like TVtuner - it is ordinary video device with /dev/video0 output. That`s why all articles about TVtuner configuration can help you as well. So, in kernel must be turned on:

• v4l and all of it protocols (v4l monolithically, protocols - as modules)
• i2c and it protocols (as well as during TVtuner configuration)

If it is enabled in kernel, you shouldn`t get any problems.


Installation
In the camera`s box was wrote: installation as simple as 1-2-3. So, I get pretty the same:

1. Installing software.
Instead of use of tonnes of proprietary garbage, let`s install from Debian repository:

sudo aptitude install gspca-source camorama

In the /usr/src directory, archive with driver source gspca-source.tar.bz2 will appear. Unpack it and change directory to /usr/src/modules/gspca and execute following:

make

Module must compile without errors. Next, do this:

sudo make install

This command will install your module in directory, were other kernel modules are placed. Optionally it can be executed:

sudo depmode -a

That`s itl, our goal is to load module of a webcam:

sudo modprobe gspca

Next step is to plug camera in USB and start the software.


2. Plugging the webcam
After you plug webcam into USB, it turns on green LED and in kernel logs should appear something like this:

usb 4-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 6
usb 4-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
/usr/src/modules/gspca/gspca_core.c: USB SPCA5XX camera found.(ZC3XX)
/usr/src/modules/gspca/gspca_core.c: [spca5xx_probe:3887] Camera type JPEG
/usr/src/modules/gspca/Vimicro/zc3xx.h: [zc3xx_config:515] Sensor ID:7
/usr/src/modules/gspca/Vimicro/zc3xx.h: [zc3xx_config:597] Find Sensor HV7131R(c)
/usr/src/modules/gspca/gspca_core.c: [spca5xx_getcapability:1165] maxw 640 maxh 480 minw 176 minh 144
usbcore: registered new interface driver gspca
/usr/src/modules/gspca/gspca_core.c: gspca driver 01.00.04 registered

It looks like the webcam had been recognised. Now the device file /dev/video0 must appear - this is actually our camera. After that, webcam's soft should be launched:

$ camorama

If all was done correctly, you should see video in a small window of Camorama. It can be something like this:


3. Start using the camera
Now you can use your cam in Wengophone for video conference with friends and colleagues. It is need to say that image processing from webcam consumes processor time very moderate, around 4-5% on my Pentium M 1.75 GHz laptop.

Besides video conferences in VoIP, one can turn fantasy on and find many interesting applications to webcam. You may use it as security camera or telemetric device: streamer program can grab pictures from it with a prescribed frequency.


Conclusion
Except that there were mentioned only RedmondOS, Logitech QuickCam Messanger webcam works great in Linux, and configured in same three steps minus tons of useless proprietaty garbage.

During the tweaking I used these great guidelines because of my custom-made kernel. Those who use distribution kernel, this guide may be helpful.

I am very grateful to my good old friend :-) for presented webcam - thanks a lot!