Re: good webcam for Linux (low light, mic, 'just works')

H.S. a écrit :
Hello,

I am looking to buy a good webcam for linux. Some of the things I have
in mind are:
1. Have good low light performance (at least better among the usual
consumer webcams)
2. Mic built in that works in Linux (Debian Testing, Sid, Ubuntu)
3. Reasonable price, it should be less than $125 (Canadian) or so.
4. 'Just works' in linux, it should be just plug and play in a modern
Linux kernel and OS.

Some that I have in mind and will appreciate feedback from people who
have experience with these (specially regarding working in Linux and low
light performance) are:
Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 ($130)
Logitech Quickcam Connect Webcam ($29)
Logitech Quickcam Deluxe For Notebooks ($83)
Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks ($35)
Creative Live! Cam Notebook Pro ($60)

Thanks.

Hi,

I use a Logitech QC Pro 9000, bought it for ± £60, it's expensive but
working really well. It works with UVCvideo driver, which is included in
kernels since 2.6.26 I think, or available as a module to build with
module-assistant for earlier kernels.

Using Guvcview ( http://guvcview.berlios.de/ ) I can record video up to
960x720 in MJPG, and 1600x1200 in YUYV (with sound of course).
It works with Skype (static on amd64), amsn (with libsnack2-alsa for
sound), Ekiga.
Low-light perf are really excellent, it might be the best results around
among consumer webcams, making it a favorite for astronomical recording.

The autofocus isn't built in, it's just a motor and needs software to
work, currently I can use it only with Guvcview, but since it's
wide-angle the image depth is more than enough to keep everything in
focus in a large room.

I also use a Creative Live! Optia AF (uvcvideo driver too), it has
built-in autofocus (quite effective), so it works even with Skype.
There's more noise in the image in low light, and the color balance is a
bit wrong (too blue), but it's still a very good product. Bought it for
£45 during a sale.

Used a Logitech QC communicate stx (gspca driver), dumped it because the
driver support was buggy: the image was being "cropped" all of a sudden
during Skype or Ekiga calls, and reduced to one half roughly. Maybe
gspca support has improved by now, it's included in the kernel since
2.6.27 I think.

Any uvcvideo compatible webcam should work with minimum hassle, if any.

Tom


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