As a Linux user, I bought this particular model after reading several reviews & other info I found on the net that said it was Linux-compatible. I can say that it works just fine with Ubuntu Linux v8.04 ("Hardy Heron") and Ubuntu v8.10 ("Intrepid Ibex").
The easiest way to test the webcam is with Ekiga, the webcam-VOIP application that's bundled with Ubuntu (and is downloadable for other distros). I also subscribed to this (free) service, which also works just fine (and is supposed to be Windoze-compatible, too -- good thing, as my sister is a die-hard Vista-phile). Stepping through the Ekiga setup panels (subscribing isn't necessary to do this) allows you to configure and test the audio & video streams the webcam produces. Plus, once you've gotten that far, using it in Ekiga is sorta slam-dunk. I have no plans to use it with Skype; Skype uses a proprietary protocol, whereas Ekiga uses an 'open' protocol.
Note that under Linux, you will not need (and cannot use) the enclosed CDROM of Windows/Mac software. This webcam is UVC-compliant and works automatically with V4L2 (Video For Linux v2). Ubuntu 8.04 & 8.10 are both V4L2 compatible, so no holding your breath wondering if it will work. Boring old "plug-and-play"... You just connect the USB cable and Ubuntu automatically configures it for use. No drama.
Note that in order to configure Ekiga, et al, you will have to refer to the webcam's audio & video streams by their '/dev' (device) handles. To do this, you'll need to know which audio & video devices the webcam is using. To find out, open a Terminal window and enter "ls /dev/audio*" and "ls /dev/video*" and note which devices are already in use. Then connect the webcam, allow Linux time to discover and configure it, then repeat the "ls" commands. The new devices that show up are the streams that the webcam uses in your Linux. Write these down -- you'll need to enter these whenever you test, configure Ekiga, or otherwise need to configure something to use the webcam feeds.
As far as the product is concerned, the image quality is fine, the audio pickup is sensitive -- sometimes too sensitive, as we had feedback problems initially. You will probably have to move your speakers away from your monitor and turn them to point away from the webcam to eliminate this problem. The mount is somewhat funky, but it seems to work reliably, as it holds the webcam steady on different style monitors; it could probably be used as a stand itself. When used with Ekiga, all the controls "work", including changing the contrast, brightness, color tone, white balance, etc.
I have no need for all the "googie" features written for Windoze users, so that's no loss to me. I need a good, solid webcam that works p-n-p with Linux -- and this does the trick. Yet it would be nice if it had a zoom feature...
[↑]
I purchased (3) of these for Grandpas to chat with their Granddaughter.
On (2) desktop computers and (1) laptop, the installation was easy and the camera mounted just fine.
I'm happy with my purchase and would recommend this product to others.
[↑]
Shopping Cart
