The Webcam HOWTO

Revision History
Revision 1.61	2005-02-21	Revised by: jhs
Update on revived Philips Webcam driver development
Revision 1.6	2005-01-02	Revised by: jhs
Errata fixed, some rewrites for readability, new chipsets and updates
Revision 1.1	2004-01-12	Revised by: jhs
Update for 2.6 series kernel release and info on NW802-based webcams
Revision 1.0	2003-12-04	Revised by: JP
Initial Release / Reviewed by TLDP
Revision 0.5	2003-11-07	Revised by: jhs
Final revision after v4l mailing list feedback
Revision 0.1	2003-10-12	Revised by: jhs
Initial draft posted

This document was written to assist the reader in the steps necessary to configure and use a webcam within the Linux operating system.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

5.1. Help, I have a USB webcam and don't know exactly what model it is and/or who the manufacturer is. What do I do?
5.2. Help, I can't find the camera device in /dev!
5.3. Help, I can see the camera device (both in person and as a device node in /dev), but I can't access it!
5.4. Help, my camera has a driver that is source-only, i.e., has to be built by me! Where do I start?
5.5. I am using Debian GNU/Linux. Is there an easier way to go through all this kernel compiling stuff and building of source modules?
5.6. Help, my camera is supported by a driver that has to be patched into my kernel! What do I do?
5.7. Help--as in, where can I get more of it?
5.8. Help, I want to contribute to Video4Linux support in Linux! Who do I get in touch with?

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		Introduction