Webcam Works in Cheese but Not in Skype

[jam_27]

machine- Vaio VGN UX1XN
Webcam Ricoh VGP-VCC3 R5U870
using driver from here http://modelrail.otenko.com/vaio-ux/r5u8...ernel-3-13
Driver installation instructions from here http://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/...198.0.html by PCnetSpec.

Webcam works with Cheese but not with Skype and Guvcview as detailed here http://forum.peppermintos.com/index.php/...198.0.html

I tired PeppermintOS last year. I switched to Linuxlite this week and loving it. Its the best OS so far for my old Vaio. It works fine except the webcam with skype. Looking for solutions.

I have already tried the following http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/219

[rokytnji]

Comment probably deals with your issue

Also (FIRST), check preferences in skype, video can be turned off by default....
neilmurg

[jam_27]

Video is turned on in preferences (options) in skype.

[anon222]

That tutorial on linux mint is outdated.
The path is different now.
Ctrl +Alt +T to open the terminal.
Command locate will tell you where is v4l2convert.so

Code:

locate v4l2convert.so

so the output will be

Code:

/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so

Now you can try this command:

Code:

env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so /usr/bin/skype

When skype opens see if the cam works.
if something is wrong with the sound add PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30

Code:

env PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30 LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so /usr/bin/skype

If that doesn't work, some cameras require old v4lcompat driver to be preloaded.
Check if the package is installed libv4l-0:i386 if it's not install it.

Code:

sudo apt-get install libv4l-0:i386

Now the command to start skype should be:

Code:

env PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=30 LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype

Some sources say you have to preload the 32 bit video for linux (v4l) libs to run 64 bit skype on a 64bit system
http://pkill-9.com/logictech-quick-cam-w...ype-linux/
I hope this helps.

[jam_27]

Thanks for the instructions. But it does not work (on 32 bit).

Just checked Guvcview. It also works. Forgot to mention earlier that I also have the webcam firmware installed from http://download.tuxfamily.org/arakhne/po...am-r5u870/.

So I guess I have the issue discussed here https://code.google.com/p/r5u870/issues/detail?id=8.

But I do not want to downgrade Skype. Do I have other ways to use the inbuilt webcam with skype?

[anon222]

I'm sorry, downgrading Skype looks like the only option you have.
https://github.com/3pei/r5u870

[rokytnji]

Not sure if you know. But Microsft bought skype and running skype in Linux is like trying to run Itunes in Linux.

They have a interest in breaking compatibilty.

I told my relatives to install Jitsi if they want to call me online (Windows and OSX compatible). I do not use skype anymore.

I realize skype is the norm for doing business conferences online. Me being a independent biker with his own business.
I do not suffer from that limitation. 

[Scott(0)]

Hi Rok,

Couldn't find anything online about cost on Jitsi. Is it free or a paid plans optional situation?

[rokytnji]

Jitsi is open source. Do a "apt-cache policy jitsi"

Oops. I am in terminal so much I take it for granted people know what I mean.

Open a terminal

Code:

apt-cache policy jitsi

[anon222]

Never had jitsi before I might give it a try.
I'm waiting for Tox to become stable but that might take a while because it's still in alpha stage.
https://tox.im/