Sidux/Useable applications/Webcam

Having a webcam you can make video calls using instant messengers. Sidux/Useable applications/Instant messengers.

You can use a webcam to make photos and videos.

To do that you need one of two applications: Camorama or Cheese.

Video4Linux

1. Video devices such as: TV and radio tuners, webcams works using the same video interface for Linux

- Video4Linux (V4L or V4L2).

V4L is older video interface but still in use.
V4L2 is new and recommended interface but if you want to use it you have to change execute file of

applications uses webcam (to pre-load V4L2 module).

2. To run an application pre-loading the module just type in Terminal:

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l2convert.so application_name
  or
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so application_name

3. If you want an application to be use the module all time, edit the application.desktop file

in Terminal changing "Exec" line.

a. For example for Skype:

/usr/share/applications/skype.desktop

change line:

Exec=skype

for new one below:

Exec=env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype

b. For Camorama:

/usr/share/applications/camorama.desktop

change line:

Exec=camorama

for new one below:

env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so camorama

e. All the changes have to be done as root.

Camorama is a small application for pictures capturing from webcams or others divaces using V4L.

It has a few filters to be used for pictures quality managing.

1. Installation:

apt-get install camorama

2. Run it from: Menu-> Graphics or Multimedia-> Camorama.

3. To make a photo just click on: Take Picture.

4. If you want to change photos contrast, brightness or color go to "Adjustments" section.

5. If you want to change photos destination folder go to: Edit tab-> Preferences-> Local Capture

Cheese is an application which lets you make photos, videos and multiple photos.

There are a few options to change photos settings.

1. Installation:

apt-get install cheese

2. Run it from: Menu-> Multimedia-> Cheese.

3. The first button on the left is for photos making.

4. There are a few visual effects to choose.

5. Second button is for movies.

6. But the third one is for multiple photos.

7. If you want to change for example number of multiple photos, contrast, brightness or color go to:

Edit-> Preferences.

8. All you pictures will be stored in folder:

/home/user_name/.gnome2/cheese/media/