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Software - Support => Installing Software => Topic started by: jam_27 on January 19, 2015, 04:03:04 PM

Title: Webcam Works in Cheese but Not in Skype
Post by: jam_27 on January 19, 2015, 04:03:04 PM

machine- Vaio VGN UX1XN
Webcam Ricoh VGP-VCC3 R5U870
using driver from here http://modelrail.otenko.com/vaio-ux/r5u870-for-v4l2-linux-kernel-3-13 (http://modelrail.otenko.com/vaio-ux/r5u870-for-v4l2-linux-kernel-3-13)
Driver installation instructions from here http://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/topic,198.0.html (http://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/topic,198.0.html) by PCnetSpec.

Webcam works with Cheese but not with Skype and Guvcview as detailed here http://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/topic,198.0.html (http://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/topic,198.0.html)

I tired PeppermintOS last year. I switched to Linuxlite this week and loving it. Its the best OS so far for my old Vaio. It works fine except the webcam with skype. Looking for solutions.

I have already tried the following http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/219 (http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/219)

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: rokytnji on January 19, 2015, 04:14:02 PM

Comment probably deals with your issue

Quote

Also (FIRST), check preferences in skype, video can be turned off by default....
neilmurg

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: jam_27 on January 19, 2015, 04:52:03 PM

Video is turned on in preferences (options) in skype.

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: anon222 on January 20, 2015, 09:27:42 AM

That tutorial on linux mint is outdated.
The path is different now.
Ctrl +Alt +T to open the terminal.
Command locate will tell you where is v4l2convert.so

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locate v4l2convert.so so the output will be

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/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so
Now you can try this command:

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env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so /usr/bin/skypeWhen skype opens see if the cam works.
if something is wrong with the sound add PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30

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env PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30 LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so /usr/bin/skype
If that doesn't work, some cameras require old v4lcompat driver to be preloaded.
Check if the package is installed libv4l-0:i386 if it's not install it.

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sudo apt-get install libv4l-0:i386Now the command to start skype should be:

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env PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30 LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype
Some sources say you have to preload the 32 bit video for linux (v4l) libs to run 64 bit skype on a 64bit system
http://pkill-9.com/logictech-quick-cam-work-skype-linux/ (http://pkill-9.com/logictech-quick-cam-work-skype-linux/)
I hope this helps.

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: jam_27 on January 20, 2015, 04:02:11 PM

Thanks for the instructions. But it does not work (on 32 bit).

Just checked Guvcview. It also works. Forgot to mention earlier that I also have the webcam firmware installed from http://download.tuxfamily.org/arakhne/pool/universe/r/ricoh-webcam-r5u870/ (http://download.tuxfamily.org/arakhne/pool/universe/r/ricoh-webcam-r5u870/).

So I guess I have the issue discussed here https://code.google.com/p/r5u870/issues/detail?id=8 (https://code.google.com/p/r5u870/issues/detail?id=8).

But I do not want to downgrade Skype. Do I have other ways to use the inbuilt webcam with skype?

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: anon222 on January 22, 2015, 12:49:08 PM

I'm sorry, downgrading Skype looks like the only option you have.
https://github.com/3pei/r5u870 (https://github.com/3pei/r5u870)

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: rokytnji on January 22, 2015, 01:19:55 PM

Not sure if you know. But Microsft bought skype and running skype in Linux is like trying to run Itunes in Linux.

They have a interest in breaking compatibilty.

I told my relatives to install Jitsi  (https://jitsi.org/)if they want to call me online (Windows and OSX compatible). I do not use skype anymore.

I realize skype is the norm for doing business conferences online. Me being a independent biker with his own business.
I do not suffer from that limitation. 

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: Scott on January 22, 2015, 03:14:19 PM

Hi Rok,

Couldn't find anything online about cost on Jitsi. Is it free or a paid plans optional situation?

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: rokytnji on January 22, 2015, 04:57:44 PM

Jitsi is open source. Do a "apt-cache policy jitsi"

Oops. I am in terminal so much I take it for granted people know what I mean.

Open a terminal

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apt-cache policy jitsi

Title: Re: Webcam works on Cheese but not in Skype
Post by: anon222 on January 22, 2015, 06:54:45 PM

Never had jitsi before I might give it a try.
I'm waiting for Tox to become stable but that might take a while because it's still in alpha stage.
https://tox.im/