[NTLUG:Discuss] Video Cameras under Linux

[Shane Wickson]

On Fri, Nov 19, 1999 at 07:06:48AM -0600, Billy Barron wrote:
> I may be working on a project soon where I am going to have to
> interface a camera to Linux and write custom video capture software
> to tie into the Java JMF.  Initially, we were supposed to use
> the Quickcam VC, but I've read about the driver problems there
> so I am thinking about switching to the Panasonic EggCam (GP-KR001).
> 
> I'm like to hear people's experiences with this camera or any
> other camera/card combo that works where I will be able to write low-level
> code (probably in C) to interface and grab frames myself.  I'd
> prefer to target a camera setup that has stable Linux drivers.

Well, you really are interested in the drivers for the video capture card.
Unless I am mistaken, the kernel talks to the video capture card and not
the camera per se.

I've had an EggCam for about 8 months now hooked up to a generic video
capture card with the Bt848 Chipset on it.  It was a beast to get all the
parameters right on the kernel module for the video capture card, but once
that was correct it works like a champ.  If you really want, I can dig out 
my docs at home later and tell you the brand and model of the capture card.

The EggCam and a Bt848 capture card are winners as far as I'm concerned.  You
could look at bttv-grab for coding examples on how to capture from it.  

Does that help?

Shane