Arch Linux

vids

Member

Registered: 2024-12-19

Posts: 17

Kernel module for a cam on MacBook pro retina

Hey,
I'm becoming increasingly familiar with “kernel module” kernel programming”.
I have an old MacBook pro (retina, 13 inch, early 2015) with an archlinux distro installed on it (this distro is awsome!)
The Linux firmware doesn't provide any drivers for the camera and I'd like to write my own module to make the camera works. I know it's certainly not simple but I'm willing to do it. Just for fun!

lspci

Multimedia controller: Broadcom Inc. and subsidiaries 720p FaceTime HD Camera

Could someone give me some rough guidance (links, tips, etc) to get me started?

Last edited by vids (2025-01-05 14:23:17)

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,145

Re: Kernel module for a cam on MacBook pro retina

You need a third party driver. If you are asking the way you are asking I highly doubt you'll be capable of writing a driver, but luckily it appears you won't have to:  https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/facetimehd-dkms https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/facetimehd-data https://github.com/patjak/facetimehd

vids

Member

Registered: 2024-12-19

Posts: 17

Re: Kernel module for a cam on MacBook pro retina

This is the way I have always learned… I do something and doing it lead me to learn more and more about everything correlated with it. Even if I do not reach the first “goal”, I learn )))

A big thank for the link! I will have a look. But the idea is to dig inside the kernel to understand it structure and how does it work, not just install some code already written by someone else.

Thanks for answering!

V1del

Forum Moderator

Registered: 2012-10-16

Posts: 25,145

Re: Kernel module for a cam on MacBook pro retina

If you're serious about wanting to do that then read that code as a baseline, as well as the documentation for the media API in the kernel: https://docs.kernel.org/userspace-api/media/index.html --It's fine to learn that way most of us do, it just raises an eyebrow if someone has that goal and then doesn't find these fairly non-obscure documentation links to even start with what they want to do. And if you already knew about those it would help if you listed the ressources you're already familiar with, so people have a baseline info of where you're standing

vids

Member

Registered: 2024-12-19

Posts: 17

Re: Kernel module for a cam on MacBook pro retina

I've already read a lot of documentation and keeping doing it but this subject is very broad and vast... That's why I posted this request. Some guidance are always welcome ))
Thank for the link!

chamal1120

Member

Registered: 2025-01-12

Posts: 5

Re: Kernel module for a cam on MacBook pro retina

Macbook pro 2015 13 inch user here. I root for you man. Let me know when you start this. I would like to keep an eye on the progress of this. And prolly try to help in any way possible.