Logitech Quickcam Express on 2.6.39-gentoo-r3

r_13 · n00b Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 3

Hi,
I've found quite a lot of info about Logitech Cams on Linux/Gentoo but it's all seems to be outdated. I still can't get it working.
qc-usb seems to be removed from portage as well as Philips drivers like usb-pwc-re (should be compatible with old logitech cams).
In kernel I've tried GSPCA and it's drivers as modules and compiled in kernel directly. Both didn't work.
Tried: SPCA 561 and all SPCA5*, STV0680, TV8532, ZC3XX.
In all cases I'm still missing /dev/video0

Hexorg · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 29 Oct 2009 Posts: 116

Can you post dmesg output as well? and maybe your .config

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:13 pm Post subject:

r_13,

Welcome to Gentoo.

This page says you have a

r_13 · n00b Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 3

Thank you NeddySeagoon,
I've also inspected /usr/src/linux/Documentation/video4linux/gspca.txt, but in kernel's menuconfig I overlooked the STV06XX option and thought it's STV0680.
With STV06XX I have got /dev/video0, but still have minor problems.
I can access it only as root, so I think the user have to be a member of some group. But the user is already the member of video and wheel groups. And even as root if I start skype and select /dev/video0 as webcam, there is no picture, just a black screen.
Xawtv gives more info. Threre are some warnings:

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:30 pm Post subject:

r_13,

Your user will need to be in the video group, as you say. Run the groups command to check.

Look at the group on /dev/video0. That may actually by a symlink, if so, follow the chain of links and check the group on the real device file at the end of the chain. symlink permissions are never used. If your camera also has a mic, you will need to be in the audio group too.

Your 2.6.39-gentoo-r3 kernel is quite old now, 3.5.2 is in testing, it may be worth trying a more recent kernel.

xawtv has an input selection and input type control. Check that iyts actually looking at your webcam.
You can also try cheese if you are a gnome user.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

r_13 · n00b Joined: 21 Aug 2012 Posts: 3

NeddySeagoon,
thank you for your help. After upgrade to the latest (3.3.

kernel version I've got video and now all work even without group changes.
So, to describe all steps at once:
In order to make Logitech Quickcam Express working on gentoo nowadays:
- do not search for qc-usb in portage, it's removed. It's enough to setup kernel properly
- in kernel: v4l, GSPCA, STV06XX (not STV0680)
- emerge the latest gentoo-sources (in 3.3.8 it works). Do not forget to backup .config outside from /usr/src/linux. I made a mistake just renaming .config in this directory and it was lost after update (emerge)