[GnomeMeeting-list] Re: webcam recommendations?

[Stephan Bourgeois <strangelv lycos co uk>]

> can anyone recommend a webcam that works under fedora linux out of the
> box? i've had a nightmare trying to track down the name of a good one to
> buy. there must be some cams that work without installing dodgy binary
> drivers or recompiling ten thousand kernels right?
>  
I have been using a Philips Toucam Pro II ( PCVC840K) on fedora. It 
doesn't work "out of the box", but there is no kernel compiling 
necessary. The fc4 kernel already includes a pwc module for this type of 
camera, and hotplug will recognise the camera. All that is required is a 
command line utility called setpwc to control the camera shutter, white 
balance, compression, etc. If you are not installing a newer version of 
pwc, but using the one that comes with the fedora kernel, turn off the 
compression with setpwc.
list of supported webcams: 
http://www.lavrsen.dk/twiki/bin/view/PWC/WorkingWebcamsWithPWC
setpwc utility: http://www.vanheusden.com/setpwc/

Please note that the Toucam Pro II is now discontinued and has been 
replaced by the SPC900NC, which seems to be supported by the same module.

A note on what I consider to be a "good" webcam. All low-price webcams 
use CMOS sensors. These sensors are inherently less sensitive than CCDs. 
Which means that under artificial light, the pictures are going to be 
very noisy, and/or that you will have to drop the framerate below 12fps. 
The Toucam Pro II, PCVC840K, Logitech Quickam Pro 4000, etc, are 
expensive in comparison to those products because they are based on a 
Sony HAD CCD sensor. They work very well under low-light or artificial 
light.
I hope this helps.
Stephan.