capturing live video from a webcam to a file

[itzsug]

Hi,

I want to capture live video from a logitech quickcam express webcam to a file on a linux m/c in yuv420 fromat using a C program. How can i do this? I am able to connect the logitech quickcam express webcam and view the video using gnomemeeting.

Thanks

from
Jagadish

[dhee]

Okay,
firstly, since you are able to use gnome-meeting, i am assuming that your driver is
working fine. THere have been API changes from the linux kernel version 2.4.* to 2.6.*
depending on your version you should use v4l or v4l2 API to read raw video streams.
(If you are using 2.4* i suggest moving over to 2.6 since the v4l2 api in 2.6.*) is easier from
application programming perspective.

As regards that format, i have not used it.
the following urls maight be useful to find code samples (you need to lurk in sources)

If i were you, i would follow the API specs at
http://v4l2spec.bytesex.org/spec/

and it lists the format you want your data in. Presently, i do not have a video camera with me.


http://www.thedirks.org/v4l2/peopleprojects.htm

dhee

[itzsug]

Hi dhee,

Thanks a lot for the information. I am using fedora core 2 OS. It has the 2.6.6 kernel. As far the driver for Logitech quickcam express webcam is concerned, it says the driver has no support for yuv420 format. Even then if i follow the v4l2 API as u said, will i be able to achieve what i need?

Thanks.

from
Jagadish