Skype and Webcam

Hi. trying to get my webcam working with Skype.

In the options screen I get "USB Camera (093a:2621) (/dev/video0)"

I see a blank screen.

If I launch VLC media player, then with launch capture device I see live video with the following caption:
"V4l2:///dev/video0"

How can I configue Skype to see video?

many thanks FM52

Hi,

Skype > Options > Video Devices > Enable Skype Video:

Hi, I had already tried that and just got a black screen.

It is a Trust WB3320X, it has a built in microphone which works and if I launch VLC I can see video.

Best regards FM52.

Hi,

start "Startup Applications" > Add > Put something in "Name" > Paste the following command in "Command" > Add > and restart and see if it works:

Code:

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

Make sure you have the package "libv4l-0" installed beforehand!:

Code:

sudo apt-get install libv4l-0

See also:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SkypeWebCams

Hi, I did this and it killed my TV card video. I have removed it again.

Best regards FM52

Hi FM52,

try the following then:

Open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + t) and copy and paste the following command

Code:

sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/skype.desktop

After you have provided your password a text editor will open. Line 4 should look like this

Exec=skype

Replace with this text

Exec=bash -c 'LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype'

Save and exit the text editor and close the terminal. Now you can open Skype and test your webcam via 'options' then 'video devices'.

Source:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/126765/s ... 0-to-12-04

Hi,

In terminal I got this:

** (gedit:3968): WARNING **: Can't load fallback CSS resource: Failed to import: The resource at '/org/gnome/adwaita/gtk-fallback.css' does not exist

** (gedit:3968): WARNING **: Can't load fallback CSS resource: Failed to import: The resource at '/org/gnome/adwaita/gtk-fallback.css' does not exist

** (gedit:3968): WARNING **: Could not load Gedit repository: Typelib file for namespace 'GtkSource', version '3.0' not found

(gedit:3968): IBUS-WARNING **: The owner of /home/gary/.config/ibus/bus is not root!

Then in the text editor I got this:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Skype
Comment=Skype Internet Telephony
Exec=env PULSE_LATENCY_MSEC=60 skype %U
Icon=skype.png
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Categories=Network;Application;
MimeType=x-scheme-handler/skype;
X-KDE-Protocols=skype

Which didn't match what you expected.

Best regards FM52

Hi FM52,

take a look here, it is for Mint but might/should work as it (Mint) is Debian/Ubuntu based:

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/219

See also the first answer here!:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/126765/s ... 0-to-12-04

which suggests using this command:

Code:

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

Hi, I have tried these suggestions but I still get no video.

Best regards FM52

Hi,

remove whatever version of Skype you have with the following terminal (Ctrl + Alt +t) command and then download the Debian 7 version (skype-debian_4.2.0.13-1_i386.deb) from here and install it with Gdebi:

http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/ ... -computer/

You most likely have ver: 4.2.0.11-0ubuntu installed?.

Code:

sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin

Restart your PC after removal and install, IMPORTANT!.

Let us know if that helps!.

Hi,
you were correct in the version of Skype that I had.

I removed it, restarted.

Installed the new version and restarted.

Still no video.

I have checked and it is the new version that is now installed.

Best regards FM52.

Hi if not already installed:

Code:

sudo apt-get install cheese

to check that your webcam works/is compatible

Code:

sudo apt-get install video4linux

Keep us posted!

Figureman52 wrote:Hi,
you were correct in the version of Skype that I had.

I removed it, restarted.

Installed the new version and restarted.

Still no video.

I have checked and it is the new version that is now installed.

Best regards FM52.

HI FM52,

you did install the Debian 7 version and not the Ubuntu 12.04 version didn't you?. did you recheck the video settings in options too?.

Hi,

This is the version now installed: skype-debian_4.2.0.13-1_i386.deb

Went to options/video devices/enable skype video.
USB camera enabled, no video in the little box next to it.

Best regards, FM52

Hi,

do you have the correct hardware showing in the Skype video options window?, where it states "Select webcam", do you have more than one device installed/attached?.



Now might be a good time to run this command again:

Code:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade -f

then restart and see if it helped!.

Hi, I have the correct hardware selected and I ran the update command followed by a restart but the video still does not work.

Best regards FM52

Hi FM52,

I had the same problem as you and after I installed the deb7 package, it worked again!, why it isn't working for you is a mystery?.

I found this for Linux Mint which is quite interesting and it describes installing "Video4Linux Control Panel" which I have never heard of:

http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/219

Hope it helps you as I cannot find any other solution at the mo!.

Hi Wolfman, hence my post above!

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7487&start=10#p36362

which I also got from a different forum (old post).

Open terminal and run the following command to open skype:

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

Is it working better?

Hi been back checking on what I have tried I opened a terminal and typed:

sudo apt-get install video4linux

I got this result:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package video4linux

Best regards FM52

Hi, my bad!

Open synaptic package manager (just enter 'synaptic' in the search box on the menu - you will be asked for your user password for root privileges.

Enter 'v4l' without the quotes in the searchbox - install all packages with v4l in the package names.

HiFM52,

the Video4Linux Control Panel install command is:

Code:

sudo apt-get install v4l2ucp

What I also recommend you do is to install "transcode", search for it in Synaptic and mark for install then also right click the package and install all suggested and recommended packages too!.

Swarfendor437 wrote:Hi, my bad!

Open synaptic package manager (just enter 'synaptic' in the search box on the menu - you will be asked for your user password for root privileges.

Enter 'v4l' without the quotes in the searchbox - install all packages with v4l in the package names.

Hi, that's 38 packages, are you sure?

Best regards FM52

Follow Wolfman's advice - think I'm beginning to lose it!

Another thing, if you are using the 64 bit version of Zorin, try installing the ia32libs package from here:

http://pkgs.org/ubuntu-12.10/ubuntu-uni ... 4.deb.html

click on "binary Package"!!.

You can search in Synaptic too but I am using the 32 bit version and it ain't there!.

Hi FM52,

another couple of options you can try is to install the following packages:

Code:

sudo apt-get install gnome kde-full

The above command will install a shed load of packages you don't need but adds to system stability in my opinion!.

Also, try removing Skype completely with the following command:

Code:

sudo apt-get remove skype

Then open your home folder and to show hidden files, press "Ctrl + h", right click the ".skype" folder and delete it, then re-install Skype with the deb package you downloaded before!. You will have to configure Skype again!.

Hi,I have tried your suggestions, still no video.

Best regards, FM52

Hi,

post the results of these terminal commands please:

Code:

lspci

Code:

lsusb

lspci

Result

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82G33/G31/P35/P31 Express DRAM Controller (rev 02)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82G33/G31 Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 02)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 01)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 1 (rev 01)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 2 (rev 01)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 01)
00:1d.1 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 01)
00:1d.2 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 01)
00:1d.3 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 01)
00:1d.7 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 01)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev e1)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GB/GR (ICH7 Family) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 01)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 01)
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family SATA Controller [IDE mode] (rev 01)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family SMBus Controller (rev 01)
01:00.0 Ethernet controller: Qualcomm Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 Gigabit or Fast Ethernet (rev b0)
03:00.0 Multimedia controller: Philips Semiconductors SAA7134/SAA7135HL Video Broadcast Decoder (rev 01)
03:01.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8185 IEEE 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 20)

lsusb

Result

Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0951:1666 Kingston Technology
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 058f:6366 Alcor Micro Corp. Multi Flash Reader
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 002: ID 093a:2621 Pixart Imaging, Inc. PAC731x Trust Webcam
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 002: ID 1267:0214 Logic3 / SpectraVideo plc
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

Best regards FM52

Hi, take a look here:

http://www.pc-freak.net/blog/install-co ... ian-linux/

Hi,

try the Intel graphics driver installer and see if that helps as I notice you have an Intel graphics chip which might be part of the problem!:

For Ubuntu 13.10/Zorin 8:

https://01.org/linuxgraphics/downloads/ ... .0.4-linux

This is for Zorin 9 when it comes out!.

https://01.org/linuxgraphics/

Download the one for Ubuntu.

I have edited my previous post, please read it again!.

Hi, thanks for that, trouble is I now have a bigger problem.

Since installing all those packages in your earlier post, the whole O/S has gone haywire.
The opening screen is grey, it says Ubuntu and I have to enter my password to continue.
The desktop no longer has a toolbar, if I use the Zorin look changer to change to Windows 7, it reverts on the next start up and the screen size is not what I set it to.
Skype microphone no longer works even though pulse shows an input level.
When I run xawtv it is not smooth, like it is missing frames.
Even typing this the display is lagging behind.
It's like there is a resource hungry process running in the background.

How do I remove thses packages, or should I reinstall Zorin?

Best regards, FM52

Provided you have not got any critical data on your Zorin install I would be tempted to go for a clean install. If Skype does not run out of the box, then purge it:

Code:

sudo apt-get purge Skype

then:

Code:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

then:

Code:

sudo apt-get install skype

then:

Code:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

then follow the instructions from that link I gave you earlier on how to install the drivers for your Trust webcam.

Hi,

assuming this is the package name of the file you downloaded, the command to remove it would:

Code:

sudo apt-get remove intel-linux-graphics-installer_1.0.4-0intel1_i386

That said, as Swarf has said, if you have nothing on the system, do a clean install and start over, keep the Skype Deb 7package safe somewhere and use it when the clean install is done, it would be most likely quicker to do a clean install as to remove the driver packages and clean up the system!.