(SOLVED) Skype video not working - black screen

[snowflake_nz]

I've tested the camera as follows:

I can only get the video working with Skype by entering LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype in Konsole.

Cheese = I can see the image and take photos. As soon as I get to recording, I get a black screen but when I check back it actually recorded.

Ekiga = I can see the image. I only installed to test and have since uninstalled because no-one I know uses Ekiga/SIP accounts.

Any advice for me?

UPDATE: 27 Oct 2010
I'm running Skype from the above-mentioned script in a application launcher that I use in AWN.

[Detonate]

Can I assume that you have clicked on the litte icon at the the bottom left of Skype, selected options then video and made sure Skype is trying to use the right video device?

[snowflake_nz]

Hi Detonate
yip, did the options-thing first. That is how I figured out it's not working.
By the way, it's a built-in camera on an Acer Aspire 3680. I think it's Logitek

[Detonate]

I don't know then, my USB camera works fine with skype.

[snowflake_nz]

LOL thanks anyway Detonate.
You know what, perhaps I should just go and get myself a proper USB camera. That might just solve the problem for me.
It looks like you might have just saved the day - even if it means another usb-wire around the back of my desk.
Cheers and thanks

[Detonate]

I seem to have the best luck with those that use the uvcvideo driver. This is most Logitech cameras. Mine is a Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000.

[GreyGeek]

Use "lsmod | grep video" in a Konsole and tell us what module is driving your webcam. For me that command shows:


$ lsmod | grep video
uvcvideo 62595 0
videodev 40518 1 uvcvideo
v4l1_compat 15495 2 uvcvideo,videodev
v4l2_compat_ioctl32 11764 1 videodev
video 20623 1 i915
output 2503 1 video

which shows that my built in webcam (a Richo) using uvcvideo, supported by v4l1_compat modules. The "video" is my LCD display, driven by the Intel i915 driver.

There may be a parm or two that can be configured to make your camera work better.

And if not, allow me to recommend the Logitech C260 (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Webcam-C260-Photos-Microphone/dp/B003LVZO8I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1288043909&sr=8-1) USB webcam. In fact, I have had excellent results with all the C2** series Logitech webcams, but the C260 is the fastest, most compatible and gives EXCELLENT video in low light conditions.

[snowflake_nz]

@Detonate - thanks for the tip of the USB camera. Will follow that advice.

@GreyGeek - hi there, here's the output
~$ lsmod | grep vide
videodev 43098 1 gspca_main
v4l1_compat 13359 1 videodev
video 18712 1 i915
output 1883 1 video

It'll make more sense to you than me LOL

[Detonate]

I can speak from experience that GG's camera works great in Skype.

[snowflake_nz]

LOL, that's what I love about these forums. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.
I'm trying to get my stuff sorted because I've got a friend who would like to dual boot with Windows 7 (I think) and Kubuntu. She just loves all the bells & whistles of my startup, app sounds, exploding windows and of course the ultimate magnet . . . all the legally free stuff (giving an evil grin)

[GreyGeek]

@Detonate - thanks for the tip of the USB camera. Will follow that advice.

@GreyGeek - hi there, here's the output
~$ lsmod | grep vide
videodev 43098 1 gspca_main
v4l1_compat 13359 1 videodev
video 18712 1 i915
output 1883 1 video

It'll make more sense to you than me LOL


Well, for the gspca_main module there is only parm: debug. Not much help. But, that module was chosen by upstart (HAL's prodigy) but it could be wrong. There are other gspca based modules in the kernel:


jerry@sonyvgnfw140e:~$ locate *gspca*.ko | grep 32-25
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_conex.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_etoms.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_finepix.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_jeilinj.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_main.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_mars.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_mr97310a.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_ov519.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_ov534.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_pac207.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_pac7311.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_sn9c20x.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_sonixb.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_sonixj.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_spca500.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_spca501.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_spca505.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_spca506.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_spca508.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_spca561.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_sq905.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_sq905c.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_stk014.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_sunplus.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_t613.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_tv8532.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_vc032x.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_zc3xx.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gl860/gspca_gl860.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/m5602/gspca_m5602.ko
/lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/stv06xx/gspca_stv06xx.ko


One of them may more closely match your webcam. Show us the output of "lspci". We may be able to identify more accurately which gspca type camera you have. And, "sudo lshw" would give some nice info too.

[snowflake_nz]

Here goes the output for "lscpi"


tanya@acer-aspire-3680:~$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 3 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family SMBus Controller (rev 02)
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8038 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller (rev 14)
0a:03.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)
0a:09.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
0a:09.2 Mass storage controller: Texas Instruments 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)

???

[GreyGeek]

mmm... ??? me too.
I don't see anything in that lspci listing that I could identify as a webcam.

What does "sudo lshw" show?

[Detonate]

Does your webcam have a physical on/off switch on your computer? Because as GG says, there does not seem to be anything listed that could be a webcam. Could the camera have been inactivated?

[GreyGeek]

Good point, Detonator!

A bios setting change, perhaps? One of the leads or circuit board traces broken, or with a crack?

lshw should show it.

[snowflake_nz]

Hi there
sorry for being so quiet. Had to go fetch my daughter from kindergarten.
Okay, what's got me stumped is that the camera is there and working perfectly when I run this command in Konsole LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so

Anyway here is the output of lshw:

tanya@acer-aspire-3680:~$ sudo lshw
[sudo] password for tanya:
acer-aspire-3680
description: Computer
product: Aspire 3680
vendor: Acer, inc.
version: Not Applicable
serial: LXAZK0Y064651172372500
width: 32 bits
capabilities: smbios-2.4 dmi-2.4 smp-1.4 smp
configuration: administrator_password=disabled boot=oem-specific cpus=1 frontpanel_password=unknown keyboard_password=unknown power-on_password=disabled uuid=40B1D1C2-EC02-D911-B2B4-001636C8EDFC
*-core
description: Motherboard
product: Prespa1
vendor: Acer, Inc.
physical id: 0
version: Not Applicable
serial: LXAZK0Y064651172372500
*-firmware
description: BIOS
vendor: Acer
physical id: 0
version: v1.3221 (12/15/06)
size: 101KiB
capacity: 960KiB
capabilities: isa pci pcmcia pnp upgrade shadowing escd cdboot acpi usb biosbootspecification
*-cpu
description: CPU
product: Intel(R) Celeron(R) M CPU 430 @ 1.73GHz
vendor: Intel Corp.
physical id: 4
bus info: cpu@0
version: 6.14.8
serial: 0000-06E8-0000-0000-0000-0000
slot: U2E1
size: 1730MHz
capacity: 1730MHz
width: 32 bits
clock: 133MHz
capabilities: boot fpu fpu_exception wp vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic mtrr pge mca cmov clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss tm pbe nx constant_tsc up arch_perfmon bts aperfmperf pni monitor tm2 xtpr pdcm
*-cache:0
description: L1 cache
physical id: 5
slot: L1 Cache
size: 16KiB
capacity: 16KiB
capabilities: asynchronous internal write-back
*-cache:1
description: L2 cache
physical id: 6
slot: L2 Cache
size: 1MiB
capabilities: burst external write-back
*-memory
description: System Memory
physical id: 10
slot: System board or motherboard
size: 1GiB
*-bank:0
description: SODIMM DDR2 Synchronous [empty]
physical id: 0
slot: M1
*-bank:1
description: SODIMM DDR2 Synchronous
physical id: 1
slot: M2
size: 1GiB
width: 32 bits
*-pci
description: Host bridge
product: Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 100
bus info: pci@0000:00:00.0
version: 03
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
configuration: driver=agpgart-intel
resources: irq:0
*-display:0
description: VGA compatible controller
product: Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 2
bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0
version: 03
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: msi pm vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom
configuration: driver=i915 latency=0
resources: irq:16 memory:d0200000-d027ffff ioport:1800(size=8) memory:c0000000-cfffffff memory:d0300000-d033ffff
*-display:1 UNCLAIMED
description: Display controller
product: Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 2.1
bus info: pci@0000:00:02.1
version: 03
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm bus_master cap_list
configuration: latency=0
resources: memory:d0280000-d02fffff
*-multimedia
description: Audio device
product: N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1b
bus info: pci@0000:00:1b.0
version: 02
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=HDA Intel latency=0
resources: irq:44 memory:d0340000-d0343fff
*-pci:0
description: PCI bridge
product: N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 1
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1c
bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm normal_decode bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=pcieport
resources: irq:40 ioport:2000(size=4096) memory:44000000-441fffff ioport:44200000(size=2097152)
*-network
description: Ethernet interface
product: 88E8038 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller
vendor: Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:02:00.0
logical name: eth0
version: 14
serial: 00:16:36:c8:ed:fc
size: 100MB/s
capacity: 100MB/s
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm vpd msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list ethernet physical tp 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd autonegotiation
configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=sky2 driverversion=1.28 duplex=full firmware=N/A ip=192.168.1.2 latency=0 link=yes multicast=yes port=twisted pair speed=100MB/s
resources: irq:43 memory:44000000-44003fff ioport:2000(size=256)
*-pci:1
description: PCI bridge
product: N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 2
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1c.1
bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.1
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm normal_decode bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=pcieport
resources: irq:41 ioport:3000(size=4096) memory:44400000-445fffff ioport:44600000(size=2097152)
*-pci:2
description: PCI bridge
product: N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 3
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1c.2
bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.2
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm normal_decode bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=pcieport
resources: irq:42 ioport:4000(size=4096) memory:44800000-449fffff ioport:44a00000(size=2097152)
*-usb:0
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: uhci bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:23 ioport:1820(size=32)
*-usb:1
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.1
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.1
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: uhci bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:19 ioport:1840(size=32)
*-usb:2
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.2
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.2
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: uhci bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:18 ioport:1860(size=32)
*-usb:3
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.3
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.3
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: uhci bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:16 ioport:1880(size=32)
*-usb:4
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.7
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.7
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm debug ehci bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=ehci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:23 memory:d0544000-d05443ff
*-pci:3
description: PCI bridge
product: 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1e
bus info: pci@0000:00:1e.0
version: e2
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci subtractive_decode bus_master cap_list
resources: ioport:5000(size=4096) memory:d0100000-d01fffff ioport:40000000(size=67108864)
*-network
description: Network controller
product: BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller
vendor: Broadcom Corporation
physical id: 3
bus info: pci@0000:0a:03.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master
configuration: driver=b43-pci-bridge latency=64
resources: irq:18 memory:d0100000-d0101fff
*-pcmcia
description: CardBus bridge
product: PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
vendor: Texas Instruments
physical id: 9
bus info: pci@0000:0a:09.0
version: 00
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pcmcia bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=yenta_cardbus latency=176 maxlatency=5 mingnt=192
resources: irq:20 memory:d0102000-d0102fff ioport:5000(size=256) ioport:5400(size=256) memory:40000000-43ffffff memory:48000000-4bffffff
*-storage
description: Mass storage controller
product: 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)
vendor: Texas Instruments
physical id: 9.2
bus info: pci@0000:0a:09.2
version: 00
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: storage pm bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=tifm_7xx1 latency=57 maxlatency=4 mingnt=7
resources: irq:20 memory:d0103000-d0103fff
*-isa
description: ISA bridge
product: 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: isa bus_master cap_list
configuration: latency=0
*-ide
description: IDE interface
product: 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f.1
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.1
logical name: scsi0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: ide bus_master emulated
configuration: driver=ata_piix latency=0
resources: irq:18 ioport:1f0(size=8) ioport:3f6 ioport:170(size=8) ioport:376 ioport:1810(size=16)
*-cdrom
description: DVD-RAM writer
product: DVDRAM GSA-T10N
vendor: HL-DT-ST
physical id: 0.0.0
bus info: scsi@0:0.0.0
logical name: /dev/cdrom
logical name: /dev/cdrw
logical name: /dev/dvd
logical name: /dev/dvdrw
logical name: /dev/scd0
logical name: /dev/sr0
version: PP02
capabilities: removable audio cd-r cd-rw dvd dvd-r dvd-ram
configuration: ansiversion=5 status=nodisc
*-serial UNCLAIMED
description: SMBus
product: N10/ICH 7 Family SMBus Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f.3
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.3
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
configuration: latency=0
resources: ioport:18e0(size=32)
*-scsi
physical id: 1
bus info: usb@1:3
logical name: scsi2
capabilities: emulated scsi-host
configuration: driver=usb-storage
*-disk
description: SCSI Disk
product: 2500BEV External
vendor: WD
physical id: 0.0.0
bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0
logical name: /dev/sda
version: 1.05
serial: WD-WXE908L40793
size: 232GiB (250GB)
capabilities: partitioned partitioned:dos
configuration: ansiversion=4 signature=00084bcd
*-volume:0
description: EXT4 volume
vendor: Linux
physical id: 1
bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0,1
logical name: /dev/sda1
logical name: /
version: 1.0
serial: 3c5802c6-aa4c-4b14-9691-5edd894f47d4
size: 120GiB
capacity: 120GiB
capabilities: primary bootable journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink recover extents ext4 ext2 initialized
configuration: created=2010-10-25 13:29:31 filesystem=ext4 lastmountpoint=/K��n�}�(��<��P~t��l!�(��@~t����������}�h~t�yo!��d modified=2010-10-26 11:00:24 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,relatime,errors=remount-ro,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2010-10-26 11:03:07 state=mounted
*-volume:1
description: Extended partition
physical id: 2
bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0,2
logical name: /dev/sda2
size: 2906MiB
capacity: 2906MiB
capabilities: primary extended partitioned partitioned:extended
*-logicalvolume
description: Linux swap / Solaris partition
physical id: 5
logical name: /dev/sda5
capacity: 2906MiB
capabilities: nofs
*-remoteaccess UNCLAIMED
vendor: Intel
physical id: 1
capabilities: inbound
*-network
description: Wireless interface
physical id: 2
logical name: wlan0
serial: 00:19:7d:39:89:47
capabilities: ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=b43 driverversion=2.6.35-22-generic firmware=N/A link=no multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11bg
tanya@acer-aspire-3680:~$

[GreyGeek]

I must be blind. I don't see anything in the lshw listing that I am familiar with and to which I could point as the webcam device.

Anyway, you say that when you run your camera in a Konsole with:


LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so

it "works perfectly". Then, as a quick solution to your problem, just edit the Skype menu option and make that line the command line the command text box on the General Tab. Use this command instead:

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype

to replace the word "skype" currently in the menu command text box. (you forgot to include the skype binary in your msg but obviously included it in the Konsole when you ran skype).

Using something similar to what you did in the Konsole is exactly how Skype is run on MY 64bit Kubuntu 10.4. A bash shell script called "skype-wrapper" is used as the command in that menu command text box. It contains the following code:


.....
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so QT_PLUGIN_PATH=/usr/lib32/qt4/plugins /usr/bin/skype "$@"


That command won't work on your box because it is already running a 32bit OS and skype is a 32bit application, so you don't have a /usr/lib32 directory (or shouldn't have) on your system.

[Detonate]

Just a wild idea, but what does

lsusb

show.

[GreyGeek]

Except that her camera is internal, not a USB device. But, who knows. It's worth a try..

[Detonate]

I was thinking that even though it is an internal camera, it still might be wired up as a USB device, even though I have never seen that before.

[snowflake_nz]

Hi Detonate & GreyGeek

1) The actual Konsole command is LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

2) Output to lsusb is as follows.


tanya@acer-aspire-3680:~$ lsusb
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 1241:1177 Belkin F8E842-DL Mouse
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0402:5602 ALi Corp. M5602 Video Camera Controller
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. USB-2.0 4-Port HUB
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1058:1010 Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
tanya@acer-aspire-3680:~$

and lastly, but most importantly. You 2 are my heros in shining armour today for just trying to help.

[Detonate]

Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0402:5602 ALi Corp. M5602 Video Camera Controller



Well knock me over with a feather. There it is. Past my bedtime. Br back in the morning.

[snowflake_nz]

Sure thing Detonate.
You enjoy your beauty sleep . . . it's just past 5pm in New Zealand. I'll catch your tomorrow again

[arochester]

One Skype video solution I have seen involves making a shortcut with the command:
env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype

[snowflake_nz]

Hi arochester

thanks for that, but I've actually already done that this afternoon. Right next to the K-menu I made a launcer for Skype with that command, so I've actually only got 1 mouse-click instead of 2 to get skype going.

;D

[Detonate]

As you have it working, I'm going to just lurk now, maybe GG will have some further insight now that we finally found the device listing.

[snowflake_nz]

;D Love the lurking bit Detonate.

Thanks for all the help anyway. All help is welcome, doesn't matter if it's 100% it's workable, does what it should and that's more than I can ask for.

[GreyGeek]

Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0402:5602 ALi Corp. M5602 Video Camera Controller

The ID 0402 identifies the maker
The ID 5602 identifies the model.

There is a module called gpsca_m5602.


$ modinfo gspca_m5602
filename: /lib/modules/2.6.32-25-generic/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/m5602/gspca_m5602.ko
license: GPL
description: ALi m5602 webcam driver
author: ALi m5602 Linux Driver Project
srcversion: E34BF4058A55CDF5A1B5FA9
alias: usb:v0402p5602d*dc*dsc*dp*ic*isc*ip*
depends: gspca_main
vermagic: 2.6.32-25-generic SMP mod_unload modversions
parm: force_sensor:forces detection of a sensor, 1 = OV9650, 2 = S5K83A, 3 = S5K4AA, 4 = MT9M111, 5 = PO1030, 6 = OV7660 (int)
parm: dump_bridge:Dumps all usb bridge registers at startup (bool)
parm: dump_sensor:Dumps all usb sensor registers at startup providing a sensor is found (bool)
jerry@sonyvgnfw140e:~$


Your lsmod command shows that gspca_main is used. I didn't see gspca_m5602 in your lsmod listing. Perhaps you could use
lsmod | grep gspca
agains and see if it is listed.
If not, do sudo rmmod gspca_main and then sudo modprobe gspca_m5602, which should automatically load gspca_main and then itself. Then, just try "skype" from a Konsole

The command
v4lctl -c /dev/video0 list
will show the various settings of the video device, IF you have v4lctl installed.

The "sensor" setting is probably either 1 or 6 (no default is shown). So a modprobe like this:
sudo modprob gspca_m5602 sensor=1
will force a sensor setting. If that doesn't work use rmmod to remove both modules and redo the command with sensor=6.

IF you want the menu option to work you can put
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype
in the command text box for the Skype menu option. (right mouse on Kgear and chose "menu edit".)

Either way, you say your little script works with one click. If you are happy with it, keep it!

[snowflake_nz]

Hi there GG

thanks anyway. The problem isn't solved per se, but I'm going to thank you and Detonate from the bottom of my heart.
I'm going to stick to my little script - don't know why I didn't think of it in the beginning. But then again, it's always lovely to go through something like this because I learn something new too.

I'm going to mark this thread as solved and just edit my first post with an explanation of what I did.

Thank you so much.
See you around
Tanya

[GreyGeek]

Congratulations! ;D
You are now a script writer! 8)

[snowflake_nz]

OMGosh, GreyGeek
you've got me all blushing now :P
They say you're never too old to learn. 2 years ago I would've laughed at this, but here I am . . . writing a script without actually knowing that it's a script. I just thought it's an application launcher ;D

[Detonate]

Well, we learned something too, some internal cameras can be listed as USB devices. Filing that in the old between the ears file cabinet for future reference.