Webcam gives dismal quality

[Erik]

Since I did away with my Mandriva 2010.2 installation and changed to Mageia, I notice that my screen frequently changes to black and returns after a few seconds. Also the quality of my webcam is much less that it was under Mandriva, and this was much less than under Windows. My webcam is Logitech E2500 and driver Module: ‎zc3xx; my graphics driver is: G86 [GeForce 8400 GS] with driver Module: ‎Card:NVIDIA GeForce 6100 to GeForce 360. Are these combinations of hardware and software correct?

The image of the webcam lacks intensity, and I cannot change light and contrast sufficiently to make the image acceptable. Also I cannot choose the size 800x600, or 1.3 megapixel like under Windows.

Should I buy another webcam, one that works better under Linux? Or is there some way to correct the settings of the webcam?

Greetings,

Erik.

[wilcal]

FWIW I recently purchased a Logitech C525 ( about $50 ) and
found that the video generated by this camera far exceeds whatever
other webcam I have plugged into my Mageia 2 system. I also believe
that Linux treats this type of webcam differently then the cheaper
models. Just speculation here. I think it may have something to
do with how Flash interfaces to the webcam. Much much better
with the C525.

[Erik]

Dear Wilcal,

thanks for your suggestion. I am surprised at your mention of Flash. what has flash to do with the quality of a webcam's streaming?

Greetings,

Erik.

[wilcal]

thanks for your suggestion. I am surprised at your mention of Flash. what has flash to do with the quality of a webcam's streaming?

It's true that there are Linux GUI webcam applications that do not use Flash.
But, many of the on line share your webcam websites use Flash. There
has been so many changes and problems with Flash over the years that
I have archived versions of it. If the webcam does not work on website A
try and use Flash historical version X. Here's the Adobe source:

http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/ ... sions.html

I think we are finally transitioning away from Flash. In fact Adobe has stopped
updating the Linux Flash plug-in. I think that process has been turned over
to Google who is more HTML5 oriented.

[ClydeScott]

I just by webcam that you can called all-in-one Webcam, Microphone, LED Light and Fan! all has its features. The Chat Light is too good. . I am glad to but it now my Skype call and other video chatting shoes me my natural look only.

--------------------------------------------------------
Try it here: Chat Light | webcam lights.

[Erik]

Dear clydeScot,

what brand webcam did you buy?

Greetings,

Erik.

[ClydeScott]

It is 4-in-1 USB 2.0 webcam.

[Erik]

With kernel 3.3 the webcam worked, but the picture was "washed out", it lacked contrast and was too light. With the kernels 3.4 the quality of the picture was more like I was accustomed to, but the picture froze in the first second. so I reverted to kernel 3.3. The problem with this is that the system does not remember the setting, so that each time I boot the computer I start with kernel 3.4 and the picture in Skype freezes the moment it starts. so I will have a look when the new Mageia is ready. Since a few days however I have installed Rosa Fresh. The webcam works and it looks nice.

Greetings,

Erik.