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#1 2005-01-04 21:07:05

dp
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From: Zürich, Switzerland
Registered: 2003-05-27
Posts: 3,378
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videoconferencing .... where to start?

for better communication with friends on the other side of the world, i started to think about buying a computer video camera and setting up videoconferencing

- both sides use archlinux
- both sides do not yet have the video/microphone hardware (hardware suggestions very welcome - i'm fan of logitech stuff, but the diversity of webcams is so great, i have no overview)

where to start? what webcam is usable? what app? anyone with experience? is full duplex possible using 256kbps ADSL? (mean: we see the others and they see us at the same time without trouble)

thanx in advance for any input


The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.

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#2 2005-01-04 22:21:23

phrakture
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From: behind you
Registered: 2003-10-29
Posts: 7,879
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

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#3 2005-01-05 00:57:47

skoal
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From: Frequent Flyer Underworld
Registered: 2004-03-23
Posts: 612
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

Well, I just got my webcam working the other day.  You can see a live update of me at work here.

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#4 2005-01-05 01:27:24

sarah31
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From: Middle of Canada
Registered: 2002-08-20
Posts: 2,975
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

man don't you get tired of holding that pose from 9-5 five days a week?


AKA uknowme

I am not your friend

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#5 2005-01-05 12:02:22

dp
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From: Zürich, Switzerland
Registered: 2003-05-27
Posts: 3,378
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

thanx ... i'll check it out ...

any hardware known to work perfectly under linux?
(like the canon lide scanner: buy, plug-in, use ;-) )


The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.

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#6 2005-01-05 23:19:13

skoal
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From: Frequent Flyer Underworld
Registered: 2004-03-23
Posts: 612
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

sarah31 wrote:

man don't you get tired of holding that pose from 9-5 five days a week?

Actually, people say I always got my "head up my ass".  However, I stormed into my boss' office that day, pounding my fist on his desk for a raise.  He told me, "I'll tell you where you can look for that bonus..."

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#7 2005-01-05 23:32:52

skoal
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From: Frequent Flyer Underworld
Registered: 2004-03-23
Posts: 612
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

dp wrote:

[...]any hardware known to work perfectly under linux? [...]

Actually dp, I used to have a webcam running under linux, but really didn't have any use for it.  I think you mentioned "Logitech" as a good hardware choice.  I had a "Logitech Quickcam (something or another)".

All I used was "xawtv", "v4l", and the "v4l-tools" packages.  I believe there is a "webcam" app in the "v4l-tools" package.  That was on a "2.4" kernel and I haven't compiled a "2.6" yet, but I would assume the "video for linux" module can still be built there.

Here's a good resource for your hardware decision.

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#8 2005-01-06 01:33:49

dp
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From: Zürich, Switzerland
Registered: 2003-05-27
Posts: 3,378
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

skoal wrote:
dp wrote:

[...]any hardware known to work perfectly under linux? [...]

Actually dp, I used to have a webcam running under linux, but really didn't have any use for it.  I think you mentioned "Logitech" as a good hardware choice.  I had a "Logitech Quickcam (something or another)".

All I used was "xawtv", "v4l", and the "v4l-tools" packages.  I believe there is a "webcam" app in the "v4l-tools" package.  That was on a "2.4" kernel and I haven't compiled a "2.6" yet, but I would assume the "video for linux" module can still be built there.

Here's a good resource for your hardware decision.

thanx for the link

however, if i have a look at the market here in switzerland:

http://www.toppreise.ch/index.php?k3=147&manu=&o=pa

most of the cameras are new and not yet on this list :-(

i also found this:
http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca5xx.html (is this driver now in the stock kernel or does it need to be added as external pkg?)

and this:
http://www.saillard.org/linux/pwc/ (driver for modern logitech cams)  (same here: is this driver in stock kernel, or not? anybody knows by heart? (i have no sources on the hdd atm to do make menuconfig))

as i look for cameras that should be used to communicate over long distances in a language both of the parties have as foreighn language, the video-quality should be good (to not run into situations of misunderstanding) --- what i read from most reviews, almost all cameras need a lot of light (logical with so small lenses)... but nobody gives examples and direct comparaison between models


The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.

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#9 2005-01-08 04:28:18

dp
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From: Zürich, Switzerland
Registered: 2003-05-27
Posts: 3,378
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

i found a nice piece of hardware i like:

815.gif
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ … 0,detail=2

... and it uses the pwc driver:
http://www.saillard.org/linux/pwc/

has anybody some experiences with this webcam? with this driver?


The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.

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#10 2005-01-19 07:15:12

skoal
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From: Frequent Flyer Underworld
Registered: 2004-03-23
Posts: 612
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

Hey dp, I stumbled across a resource which might interest you.  Check this out: http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/H … HOWTO.html

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#11 2005-01-19 18:22:19

dp
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From: Zürich, Switzerland
Registered: 2003-05-27
Posts: 3,378
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

skoal, thank you for this resource

i almost went to the store yesterday to buy the logitech quickcam notebook pro ... but then found this:

http://www.apple.com/chde/isight/
http://www.celtic-one-design.com/php/B0000AKACN.htm
http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/solution-20030813.html
http://ostg.pricegrabber.com/rating_get … e=masterid
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/sightlight/

knowing that you have first to look for support in linux before buying any hardware, i searched:

http://lsight.sourceforge.net/
http://developer.apple.com/documentatio … ProgGuide/
http://www.rmatsumoto.org/camera/dc1394-ohphone.html

http://myhome.hanafos.com/~soonjp/vclinux.html

http://linuxfr.org/~luckyluke/5239.html

http://homepage.mac.com/john_kenn/video-hardsoft.html

summary:

- it should work using firewire and separate module for sound

http://www.gnomemeeting.org/index.php?r … html#AEN21

however, i have still some trouble to solve:

- the camera is expensive - i have to convince myself, that this extra is worth
- firewire in linux is tricky with udev ... especially in archlinux, where the nodes are not yet configured in udev
- i have only a 4pin firewire on the laptop and the camera uses a 6pin ... hmm ... pcmcia-firewire maybe? additional money? :-(
- how cross-compatible is gnomemeeting? (can you do videoconferencing with windows/mac users not using gnomemeeting?) have to try gnomemeeting to know for sure ...


The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.

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#12 2005-01-28 14:54:25

dp
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From: Zürich, Switzerland
Registered: 2003-05-27
Posts: 3,378
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Re: videoconferencing .... where to start?

i use skype.org for now for phoning with people .... the webcam i will orbitain, when i0m sure what modell to buy ;-)


The impossible missions are the only ones which succeed.

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