A recent thread [1] on suseforums at is ongoing and discussing the webcam support in SUSE. I replied to the thread with a link to the Novell Cool Solutions feature on compiling kernel drivers by example [2] , which uses the pwc module [3] as an example. Is there any reason why webcam support is not included out of the box yet? [1] http://www.suseforums.net/index.php?showtop=209333 [2] http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/16340.html [3] http://www.saillard.org/linux/pwc/files/ Joseph M. Gaffney aka CuCullin
On Fri, Feb 17, 2006 at 04:30:23PM -0500, Joseph M. Gaffney wrote:
A recent thread [1] on suseforums at is ongoing and discussing the webcam support in SUSE.
I replied to the thread with a link to the Novell Cool Solutions feature on compiling kernel drivers by example [2] , which uses the pwc module [3] as an example. Is there any reason why webcam support is not included out of the box yet?
All webcams that are in mainline kernel are in openSUSE, these are several. The rest live in extra repositories, so reason that they are not there is likely because noone packaged them yet.
Doesnt work, gets me to the front page. Ciao, Marcus
On Friday 17 February 2006 17:00, Marcus Meissner wrote:
On Fri, Feb 17, 2006 at 04:30:23PM -0500, Joseph M. Gaffney wrote:
Doesnt work, gets me to the front page.
Ciao, Marcus
Whoops, typo.... http://www.suseforums.net/index.php?showtopic=20933 Joseph M. Gaffney aka Cucullin
Joseph M. Gaffney schrieb:
A recent thread [1] on suseforums at is ongoing and discussing the webcam support in SUSE.
I replied to the thread with a link to the Novell Cool Solutions feature on compiling kernel drivers by example [2] , which uses the pwc module [3] as an example. Is there any reason why webcam support is not included out of the box yet?
IIRC, the "reverse-engineered" pwc driver was just decompiled, which is illegal in many jurisdictions. That's also why it was removed from the official kernel shortly after it had entered. For details, see http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/5/2/94 and http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commi... I doubt the hi-resolution variant(*) of this driver is ever going to ship in a SUSE product. It would be suicide to include it. * The controversy was about the compression module. You can still use the driver with low resolutions. Regards, Carl-Daniel
On Friday 17 February 2006 17:15, Carl-Daniel Hailfinger wrote:
Joseph M. Gaffney schrieb:
A recent thread [1] on suseforums at is ongoing and discussing the webcam support in SUSE.
I replied to the thread with a link to the Novell Cool Solutions feature on compiling kernel drivers by example [2] , which uses the pwc module [3] as an example. Is there any reason why webcam support is not included out of the box yet?
IIRC, the "reverse-engineered" pwc driver was just decompiled, which is illegal in many jurisdictions. That's also why it was removed from the official kernel shortly after it had entered. For details, see http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/5/2/94 and http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=comm it;h=88c1834633341bbb94e315433067496338bff4ad
I doubt the hi-resolution variant(*) of this driver is ever going to ship in a SUSE product. It would be suicide to include it.
* The controversy was about the compression module. You can still use the driver with low resolutions.
Regards, Carl-Daniel
Ok, that definitely makes for a very good reason why the hi-res variant is out. Doesn't make sense for the low res though... I'd think, especially considering the desire to use SUSE on the corporate desktop, that this would be supported. I have previously compiled the module and added support, which worked very well for my cams. The other reason this comes to mind recently is that I'll be experimenting with the use of Polycom's PVX [1] software running via wine, and connecting through to a codec at my office - I'm trying to guage videoconferencing capabilities existing within Linux now. A discussion I had with one of the techs (a VERY good one at that) over at Polycom told me that the PVX software is the best bet for H.323 on Linux, far exceeding Gnomemeeting in qualty. Understandably, since Polycom is most definitely in the business of VTC. Through my job, I have a license available to me for PVX and plan on testing out these capabilities, but I worry that using wine may slow down the app a bit too much, and cause too many dropped frames. Now, being the zealot and supporter that I am, I would love to be able to recommend Linux as an alternative for desktop collaboration, but this is one of the more crucial elements. Over time, perhaps messaging networks may come to the capabilities that are really required, but on a smaller level, I believe Skype to be the only viable option (though no video support in Linux yet - I'm a bit disappointed by that). Anyways, thats another place where my curiosity stems from. Thanks for the quick response Carl-Daniel :) Joseph M. Gaffney aka CuCullin [1] http://www.polycom.com/products_services/1,,pw-35-4367-7953,FF.html
Hi Joseph, On Fri, Feb 17, 2006 at 10:44:35PM -0500, Joseph M. Gaffney wrote:
Ok, that definitely makes for a very good reason why the hi-res variant is out. Doesn't make sense for the low res though... I'd think, especially considering the desire to use SUSE on the corporate desktop, that this would be supported.
Someone (in a country where it's legal -- I believe it is in most) could host a kernel module package for that. Best, -- Kurt Garloff, Head Architect Linux, Novell Inc.
Op zaterdag 18 februari 2006 04:44, schreef Joseph M. Gaffney:
Now, being the zealot and supporter that I am, I would love to be able to recommend Linux as an alternative for desktop collaboration, but this is one of the more crucial elements. Over time, perhaps messaging networks may come to the capabilities that are really required, but on a smaller level, I believe Skype to be the only viable option (though no video support in Linux yet - I'm a bit disappointed by that).
Perhaps the upcoming kopete? http://matt.rogers.name/cgi-bin/pyblosxom.cgi/KDE/kopete_0.12.html The current kopete is said to have MSN video support. Never tried that though. -- Richard Bos Without a home the journey is endless
On Saturday 18 February 2006 15:35, Richard Bos wrote:
Op zaterdag 18 februari 2006 04:44, schreef Joseph M. Gaffney:
Now, being the zealot and supporter that I am, I would love to be able to recommend Linux as an alternative for desktop collaboration, but this is one of the more crucial elements. Over time, perhaps messaging networks may come to the capabilities that are really required, but on a smaller level, I believe Skype to be the only viable option (though no video support in Linux yet - I'm a bit disappointed by that).
Perhaps the upcoming kopete? http://matt.rogers.name/cgi-bin/pyblosxom.cgi/KDE/kopete_0.12.html
The current kopete is said to have MSN video support. Never tried that though.
Tried it, its... ok. Perhaps later when jingle is further worked on and incorporated this may be better, but I do not like the idea of being somehow tied to MSN for video and voice applications on linux. Also, the size limits are an issue. Not to mention the ability to connect several clients together in a group, not a one on one conversation. I dont believe any im/voip/vtc app has even come close to the collaboration application that will eventually be necessary, but maybe thats my own ridiculousness. I actually blogged about this [1], giving my overall opinion on the matter, but it was the lack of camera support out of the box that sparked my original post. Joseph M. Gaffney aka CuCullin [1] http://www.wtfisthat.net/blog/2006/02/17/the-need-for-collaboration/
participants (5)
-
Carl-Daniel Hailfinger -
Joseph M. Gaffney -
Kurt Garloff -
Marcus Meissner -
Richard Bos