Anyone tried the QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac on Linux?

As I'm currently planing to buy a webcam for my Linux System, I'm trieing to decide between the QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac and the QuickCam Pro 9000.

The QuickCam Vision Pro isn't listed on the compatibility list so far, even so the Logitech website sais the QuickCam Vision Pro is UVC Compliant while the 9000 Pro is not.

So I gues the Vision Pro is also running on Linux. Does anyone have any experiance with the Vision Pro? Which one would be the better choise for Linux? Wont the Vision Pro run under Windows, since under Compatibility there is only listed Mac?

Thanks for your answers.

This post was last modified: 2008-07-16 00:20 by silentwater79.

I'm currently working on an updated compatibility list, which will figure the QuickCam Vision Pro. Both, the QuickCam Vision Pro and the QuickCam Pro 9000, are UVC compliant but the former one has some advantages since e.g. the auto-focus algorithm is in the hardware (the QuickCam Pro 9000 needs the Windows driver for that).

I haven't actually tested the QuickCam Vision Pro on Linux but it should work fine and should generally be the better choice for non-Windows platforms.

This post was last modified: 2008-07-16 01:46 by mrubli.

Thanks for the answer.

How about Windows? Wont the Vison Pro run under Windows at all, since the Logitech website doesn't list Windows under Compatibility? I'm running Linux and Windows parallel, even so I run Linux most of time it would be good if it would also work with Windows.

Windows also has its own UVC driver with which the camera will work fine. But there is no Logitech driver or software to go with it, so you'll be limited to basic functionality (i.e. no Avatars, Fun filters, etc.).

Interesting. Can you say which webcams have hardware autofocus, and which do not? I do not see this information on your webcam list, and it would be useful to know.

(I have an Orbit AF, and it autofocuses with guvcview, but I'm not sure whether guvcview is doing that in software.)

-Trevor

This post was last modified: 2008-09-13 17:44 by Trevor.

So far only the QuickCam Vision Pro has built-in autofocus. The QuickCam Orbit AF needs software support to do that.

Hi I have a newbie question:

Does the Vision Pro support autofocus control (enabling/disabling) via V4L2?
I am trying to set the control V4L2_CID_FOCUS_AUTO to zero, but get an error that the control is unsupported. Previous posts mention that the autofocus algorithm is implemented in the camera hardware. I would like to know if there is any way at all to disable the feature and enable manual focus.

That should be possible. I don't currently have the camera at hand but I put it on my to do list and as soon as I get the camera I will take a look. Most likely it will require some updates to the logitech.xml that comes as part of libwebcam/uvcdynctrl.

I can strongly recommend the Logitech Vision Pro for Linux, at least for Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex). This version has the most up-to-date kernel (2.6.27-7) which minimises the amount of pain you might suffer. I believe Mandriva and Fedora also have recent kernels but, personally I would recommend Ubuntu 8.10.

The Vision Pro will work fine in Windows, Mac and Linux. It is a top-class webcam with excellent picture quality.

Please note that the Vision Pro and Skype will NOT work together out-of the-box. This probably also applies to other webcams.

However, they will work together after a few tweaks to the PulseAudio (PA) system. Some people recommend disabling PA but this can present you with even more problems.
You will probably find this information on the Ubuntu Multimedia & Video forums but it is necessary to:
1) add several additional software packages
2) add four lines to a particular configuration file
3) correctly set the sound settings

This post was last modified: 2008-11-06 14:41 by linux4me.

Thanks for posting your experience report. Since you've already found the solution and the necessary steps, would you mind sharing those steps or at least a few links? Thanks in advance! :-)

Since it was my first post I did not want it to be too long-winded. Since you have asked for the information, here it is in its entirety.
I am using Ubuntu 8.10 with the 2.6.27-7 kernel. The latest versions of Fedora and Mandriva should also have this kernel, which crucially contains improved support for webcams.
Go to the link below: (I added numbers 1,3,4,7,9)

http://www.dailygyan.com/2008/11/10-thin...ately.html

I also added, via Synaptic, the small but powerful text editor, vim. Alternatively use gedit etc. Here is a brief tutorial on vim:
http://tips.webdesign10.com/another-vim-tutorial

Go to the following link and scroll down to “Packages”. Doing searches for alsa and pulseaudio will find most of them. Use Synaptic to install them.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=843012

Now you need to add the text specified below to the file
/home/myusername/.asoundrc
(where “myusername” is, for example, jimmy)

Open the terminal and type vim /home/jimmy/.asoundrc

You will be asked for the password (e.g. laptop). Type laptop and press the
Enter/Return key.

Press “i” which takes you into Insert mode. Using the Down Arrow key place the cursor at the start of the first empty line. The previous line should end with .........asoundconf>
Add the following text EXACTLY as it is displayed here (copy and paste this)

pcm.!default {
type pulse
}
ctl.!default {
type pulse
}
pcm.pulse {
type pulse
}
ctl.pulse {
type pulse
}

Now press the Esc key, which returns you to Command mode and type
:wq (Sometimes you may need to use :wq! However, the terminal will tell you this).

To check that your file amendment has worked, click on:
Places > Home Folder > View > Show Hidden Files > Double click on .asoundrc
Exit the terminal.

Take a break and then go into your Skype account. If you don't have one then press
Alt + F2 , type skype and press Run. Answer all the questions to set up your account.
**Make sure the webcam is plugged in DIRECTLY to one of your pc's USB ports and NOT via a USB hub!**

In the bottom left hand corner of the Skype box there is a small blue Skype logo (Main Menu) with a black down arrow. Click on the icon/arrow, select Options > Video Devices.
All being well, under “Select Webcam” you should see the Logitech and Vision Pro codes: UVC Camera (046d:09a6) (/dev/video0)
plus a white Test button on a black background.
Make sure the Enable and Auto boxes are ticked (checked).
Under Receive, select “anybody”. Under Show, select “only people I have allowed”.
You may need to exit Skype and reboot the pc.

To fully exit Skype right click on the green icon in the top toolbar and select Quit. If you have left an existing Skype account open unknowingly, when you try to reopen Skype it will probably prevent you from logging in to your account.

Log in to your Skype account again and press the Test button to see if your video is working.

Your Sound Settings now need to be set correctly.
This will vary from one person's pc and circumstances to another so you will probably have to fiddle about with the settings.

To complicate matters, there are FIVE different locations in Ubuntu and Skype for setting sound preferences. I have not bothered to calculate the total number of possible permutations, but it is a lot.

1) In Skype Main Menu > Options > Sound Devices.
Set both Sound OUT and Ringing to pulse.
Set Sound IN to HDA ATI SB (hw:SB,0) (This is mine)

2)Applications > Sound & Video > PulseAudio Device Chooser (applet in the top toolbar). The PulseAudio Volume Meter Recording should respond to your vocal input. If it does then PulseAudio is working. You can visit this link and look for joris1977's very helpful post.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=967362

3) System > Preferences > Default Sound Card (Mine is SB)

4) System > Preferences > Sound. Under Devices, set the first 4 to PulseAudio Sound
Server.
Set the Mixer to Capture:ALSA PCM on hw:1 etc (Should start with ALSA)

**As a general point, just make sure that no sound setting is “greyed out” and that all sound sliders are set to HIGH and all mutes are OFF.**

5)Double click on Speaker Icons in the top toolbar and click on Preferences. My device is HDA ATI SB (Alsa Mixer). Choose which items you wish to have displayed and adjust their controls.

**Please note that these 5 settings are in no particular order**.

After you have played about with the umpteen sound settings, you should be in a position to make a test sound in Skype.
Double click on Skype Test Call, record your message and keep your fingers crossed that it is played back.
If your message is replayed then your sound settings are correct and you can proceed to make Skype sound and video calls with your Logitech Vision Pro webcam.

You may do better with a separate microphone or headset. Borrow them first!

If you do not have immediate success then visit Ubuntu Forums (Multimedia & Video) and just keep altering settings, by trial and error, until they are correct for your particular situation.

Print off all these instructions before you start and make copious notes of initial and altered settings as you go along, one step at a time. Try not to change too many settings at once otherwise it can all descend into chaos.


It took me many hours of research over several days before I finally cracked this, thanks to joris1977 and others on the Ubuntu forums. I firstly used an older Linux distro which was totally unsuitable. This wasted me several days trying to get it to work.
Perhaps you can now appreciate why I did not include all this in my first post!

Now, something you can tell me.
What is the purpose of the small button on the side of the Vision Pro? I have seen no reference to it, either in official Logitech literature or elsewhere. Does it only have some effect on a Mac? Is it a mute button by any chance? If so,it could cause a lot of anxiety to those who have no sound!

E & OE linux4me

This post was last modified: 2008-11-08 03:02 by linux4me.

Thanks a lot for posting this extensive tutorial, this should be useful for many users!

For your question: The button on the side triggers a still capture. Unfortunately, there is still no support for still capture in the Linux UVC driver (because the V4L2 API has no support for it), so it won't have any effect. (It's definitely not a mute button. :-)

I am not a video person but I am attempting to set up a webcam on OpenSuse 11.0 or 10.3. The camera is Vision Pro for Mac
Kernel is 2.6.22.19-0.1-default or 2.6.25.18-0.2-default
I realise that drivers are built in in later kernels, but I d/loaded a package of kernel modules


So far I am getting nowhere. Plugging the camera into USB gives me

Dec 20 12:51:00 cardew kernel: usb 4-4: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 6
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: usb 4-4: new device found, idVendor=046d, idProduct=09a6
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: usb 4-4: new device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=2
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: usb 4-4: SerialNumber: 30ECED10
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: usb 4-4: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: ALSA sound/core/init.c:137: cannot find the slot for index 1 (range 0-1), error: -16
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: ALSA sound/usb/usbaudio.c:3410: cannot create card instance 0
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: snd-usb-audio: probe of 4-4:1.2 failed with error -5
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol v4l_compat_translate_ioctl
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol v4l_compat_translate_ioctl
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol video_devdata
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol video_devdata
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol video_unregister_device
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol video_unregister_device
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol video_device_alloc
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol video_device_alloc
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol video_register_device
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol video_register_device
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol video_usercopy
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol video_usercopy
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: disagrees about version of symbol video_device_release
Dec 20 12:51:01 cardew kernel: uvcvideo: Unknown symbol video_device_release


It looks as if the modules are not correct. I also tried loading a source of drivers but the result is the same.

What do I do now?

I am also looking for a way to disable autofocus on a Vision Pro in Linux. I've examined the logitech.xml file but I have not been able to locate the V4L2_CID_FOCUS_AUTO setting. Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks.

Do you have any additional details on the Windows UVC driver? I have not had luck getting the QuickCam Vision Pro working in 'XP SP2. It is recognized as a PnP device, but "install" ends with an Error 39 (no applicable driver). I have tried installing the MS UVC driver (i.e., MS KB Article 899271), but no luck.

Update: tried on 6 XP SP2 machines total with mixed results. Only driver difference is \drivers\ks.sys. The machines that the camera does not work on have version 5.3.2600.2818 (12/28/05), and the ones the camera does work on have version 5.3.2600.2180 (3/8/04).

This post was last modified: 2009-04-09 12:26 by jgerhardstein.

I bought the camera today, and it seems to work fine out of the box on skype (ubuntu 9.04), but does not work as good with Cheese webcamera software.. and I don't know of what other software to use or how to fix it.

Hi,

Any v4l2 software should work.
Try guvcview or/and libwebcam, if you run guvcview has root (sudo) at least once per session, it should add some extension controls to the driver.
Libwebcam has a udev script that does the some.

Best regards.
Paulo