Talking to Logitech on the phone regarding webcam support for linux

[Les Mikesell]

Gene Heskett wrote:

>> If you want to run an OS without a stable driver interface, you can
>> always pay extra for a network camera like these:
>> http://www.axis.com/products/video/camera/

> You are missing the point Les. 

I don't really have a point - its just an observation.

 > Whyintuncket should we have to spend what,
> $500 to $1500 a copy for something like that just because we're running 
> linux? 

Because they don't rely on anything OS-specific.  Or anything that your 
OS license prohibits anyone from supplying along with the OS.

> Granted, it would give a many times better result than the $30 
> webcam clipped to the top of your lappies screen, no argument there. But 
> if that $30 USD camera gives an acceptable picture to a winderz box, then 
> whyintuncket can't it do the same on a linux box?  The data coming up the 
> ever present usb cable doesn't magically smear itself in mustard just 
> because the receiver in running linux.  Michael, I think does the best he 
> can with the info he can get, but its not good enough.  And no one else 
> seems to have $0.50 to call someone who cares, so we're stuck.

I don't know enough about USB video to know if there is a working 
standard like there is for storage. If there is, and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_video_device_class
seems to imply that there should be, then there is some chance for a 
Linux driver unless it needs patented/licensed technology.  The
'No' on MEPEG-2 TS on the project here:
http://linux-uvc.berlios.de/ makes it seem kind of unlikely.

If every device needs its own driver for extra features, then it's even 
worse.  The best you could hope for is the shaky collusion you see with 
nvidia and ati where the vendors try but the distributors don't distribute.

-- 
   Les Mikesell
    lesmikesell at gmail.com