Webcams

This page is to detail webcams that are known to work with CentOS together with any relevant information required to get them working.

1. Resources

The following sites have information on webcams supported by the GSPCA and UVC drivers:

GSPCA: http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca5xx.html

UVC: http://linux-uvc.berlios.de/

For updated Video4Linux drivers, check the kmod package available from the ELRepo Project.

2. Creative Technology WebCam Instant

Make/model: Creative Technology, Ltd WebCam Instant

CentOS Version: CentOS-5

Driver: gspca DKMS driver package from RPMForge.

Applications tested: Ekiga, Skype, Camstream, gqcam, Cinelerra, UCView, motion

Additional Notes:

3. Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX

Make/model: Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX

CentOS Version: CentOS-5

Driver: gspca DKMS driver package from RPMForge

Applications tested: Skype, Ekiga, motion, Cinelerra

Additional Notes: If the camera is connected at boot time, its built-in microphone does not work until the camera is unplugged and plugged back in.

4. Logitech QuickCam Messenger

Make/model: Logitech QuickCam Messenger

CentOS Version: CentOS-5

Driver: gspca DKMS driver package from RPMForge.

Applications tested: Ekiga, Skype, Camstream, gqcam, Cinelerra, UCView, motion

Additional Notes:

5. Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

Make/model: Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000

CentOS Version: Tested on CentOS 5.2 (Dec 2008); CentOS 5.3

Driver: Uses the UVC driver (uvcvideo), installed from ELRepo.org (kmod-video4linux). The RPMForge dkms driver didn't work for this webcam. CentOS 5.3 adds a UVC driver but this doesn't work for this webcam either.

Applications tested: Skype 2.0.0.72 (works)

Additional Notes: The internal microphone works fine in Skype once selected, activated and un-muted. Recognized as a usb-sound device (snd_usb_audio).

Booting with the webcam plugged in causes the onboard sound controller (snd-hda-intel) to fail to be detected. Defining the microphone as a usb-sound device in /etc/modprobe.conf fixes this:

alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
alias snd-card-1 snd_usb_audio
options snd-card-0 index=0
options snd-hda-intel index=0
options snd-card-1 index=1
options snd_usb_audio index=1

6. Microdia PC Camera

Make/model: Microdia PC Camera (SN9C120) (Sonix)

CentOS Version: CentOS-5

Driver: gspca DKMS driver package from RPMForge.

Applications tested: Ekiga, Skype, Camstream, gqcam, Cinelerra, UCView, motion

Additional Notes:

7. Philips SPC 900NC

Make/model: Philips SPC 900NC

CentOS Version: CentOS-5

Driver: Included in CentOS-5

Applications tested: Skype, Ekiga, v4l generic

Additional Notes: The webcam works out of the box, plugin to a usb2 socket and the drivers are included. The built in mic also works out of the box - recognized as a generic usb-sound device.

8. OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Make/model: OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (integrated and shipped with Dell SP2009W monitor) - DeviceID 05a9:264a

CentOS Version: CentOS-5

Driver: uvcvideo shipped with ELRepo.org's kmod-video4linux package (needed for Skype video calls to work). Some apps (UVCview, VLC...) worked even without it.

Applications tested: Skype (Beta) 2.1.0.81, UVCview, VLC

Additional Notes: Booting with the webcam plugged in causes the onboard sound controller (snd-hda-intel) to fail to be detected. See "Additional Notes" for Logitec QuickCam Pro 9000 to fix this. However, I couldn't get the microphone work (yet), but didn't loose my hair over it either.

9. Add your webcam here

Make/model:

CentOS Version:

Driver:

Applications tested:

Additional Notes: