[SOLVED] Which Webcam?

[nw1456]

Hi,
I'm using Mageia 4 on both my Laptop and Desktop. The cam on the laptop is pretty rubbish so I'd like to get a decent one for the Desktop. I've tried it with a couple of (very) old cams, using one for the video and the other for the mic, it all works fine just not good quality.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent Webam, with mic, auto focus etc? I'm thinking of something like the, Logitech C270 for example.

Thanks.

[doktor5000]

You may want to take a look at the previous similar threads and maybe ask there:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3220 - Logitech C525
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3854
Also you may want to have a look at the devices supported by UVC and their supported features: http://www.ideasonboard.org/uvc/

[nw1456]

That was really helpful, thanks. The list of UVC compliant devices is particularly useful. Ebay here I come!

Thanks again for your help.

[doktor5000]

Fee lfree to provide feedback here once you tested the device, and please mark the thread accordingly by editing the topic of the first post and prefix it by [SOLVED], thanks

[nw1456]

Done, and will do.

Cheers

[nw1456]

[update]

Hi guys

Eventually bought a Logitech C270 from Amazon for £17. Works great, I've had it running in guvcview, taken stills and recorded video with sound. Also works very well with Skype which is the main reason for the upgrade, the video quality is 1000% better than the built in camera so I'm well pleased. All just worked straight off, very impressive.

[edit]
I unplugged the webcam to try it on my wife's laptop which does not have a camera, the video worked fine but I couldn't get the audio to work in skype no matter what settings I tried. Plugged it back in mine and same thing, audio wouldn't work at all in Skype, did before but not now! Tried everything with no joy until I tried turning off Pulse Audio... Worked perfectly! just had a 30 min call with my daughter, no problems whatsoever, video and audio perfect. I have no idea what that's all about but glad it appears to be fixed. I'll try it again on the other laptop with pulse audio turned off and see how that goes, that is also running M4. [I'll be back]

[2nd edit]
Turned off Pulse audio on the other laptop and again the sound issues disappeared! Works perfectly in Skype (tested on a live call) go figure. Still happy though

Cheers.

[yankee495]

The Logitec C615 and C910 are very good. The new C920 uses hardware compression, better for the CPU but degrades the picture quality.

Tip: The B910 is the business version of the C910...no software, but we don't need it!

New C910's cost $80+ and new B910 cost $45

New Logitec B910 $45 : http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Logitech-B910-HD-Web-Cam-/291079779514?pt=PCA_Video_Conferencing_Webcams&hash=item43c5b4f4ba

The difference between the business line and consumer line of webcams is mainly the software. The business download only includes the driver package for the webcam, while the consumer download installs the entire software package. The 'B' line also comes with a 3-year limited hardware warranty instead of 2-years.

http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Webcams/difference-between-quot-B-quot-and-quot-C-quot-versions-of/td-p/631480

[jiml8]

I have a Logitech C615 that works very well, though I don't seem to be able to zoom it from Linux the way I can from Win7. IIRC, I purchased this thing from Newegg for about $26, which was a price I could not pass up.

[yankee495]

VLC will allow you to add a zoom slider to the side of the screen. I forget where the setting is but a Google search will find it.

I'm not sure about with Skype etc. But for recording VLC will do it. I had a 615 and my neighbor got a buy one get one free deal on a 910 and gave me one!

I do a lot for her also, but I was very happy with the "deal". The 615 and 910 are both very good for the money.

[yankee495]

VLC> Tools > Effects & Filters >Video Effects > Geometry> Interactive Zoom.

Also:

VLC> Tools > Effects & Filters >Video Effects >v4l2 Controls> Zoom Absolute