Problem with usb webcam in Ubuntu

[JimmyLarsson]

Hi

I am new to ZoneMinder. I´m using Ubuntu 10.04 Server and has installed ZoneMinder and a USB-camera. When configured a new camera in ZoneMinder it shows up but the video windows is all black.

Configured device: /dev/video0 (0)
In ZM main window the Source name is in red which I guess indicates an error?

When plugging in the camera it correctly shows up as a USB camera, which is verified by the fact that "motion" recognizes the device /dev/video0 and can successfully record videos upon movement.

[ADDED INFO:]
I found this in a log file, guess it has something to do with my problem. But still, I have no idea how to get further with this...

root@netmonitor3:/tmp# tail -f zmdc.log
05/31/10 13:53:07.086199 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' crashed, signal 6]
05/31/10 14:03:07.038221 zmdc[1218].INF [Starting pending process, zmc -d /dev/video0]
05/31/10 14:03:07.039761 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' starting at 10/05/31 14:03:07, pid = 3425]
05/31/10 14:03:07.080864 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' crashed, signal 6]
05/31/10 14:13:07.034102 zmdc[1218].INF [Starting pending process, zmc -d /dev/video0]
05/31/10 14:13:07.035656 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' starting at 10/05/31 14:13:07, pid = 3437]
05/31/10 14:13:07.076850 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' crashed, signal 6]
05/31/10 14:23:07.069335 zmdc[1218].INF [Starting pending process, zmc -d /dev/video0]
05/31/10 14:23:07.070849 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' starting at 10/05/31 14:23:07, pid = 3453]
05/31/10 14:23:07.111880 zmdc[1218].INF ['zmc -d /dev/video0' crashed, signal 6]

root@netmonitor3:/tmp# lsusb | grep Camera
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 046d:08c7 Logitech, Inc. QuickCam OEM Cisco VT Camera II



[/ADDED INFO]
Any suggestions how to troubleshoot this?

Br Jimmy

[kazawan]

I'm facing the same problem with Creative live Cam Optia. I have tried both local and remote camera configuration (using Mjpg_streamer), but no success so far. I get the same error message with my local camera config. Camera works very well e.g. with xawtv. Anybody having a hint. Seem that I'm not able to solve this without help from someone, pls!

[gcthompson]

I had this problem too. Check the permissions on /dev/video0 using ls -l /dev/video0

They will probably be crwx

Change them using chmod

sudo chmod 777 /dev/video0

that'll probably fix it...

[WalterArcher]

I think if the local as well as the remote camera configuration are having problems in the Ubuntu.Then use it with the PWC drivers and the built in microphone works. Generally Webcams on Ubuntu have been a complete nightmare! poor quality picture which goes all sorts of strange colours.

[charon79m]

I'm in the same boat with my USB connected Cisco VT-II camera not working properly under ZoneMinder. Motion is able to interact with it fine.

It's not a permissions issue, as ls -lh shows 660 root:video and I'm part of the video group. I've also made sure that www-data, the user apache is running as, is part of the video group. For giggles, I set the permissions to 777 as was suggested, though I STRONGLY DISAGREE with step, and the issue remains. I've set the permissions back to how they were to start now.

Please advise how I can best troubleshoot this.

Thanks!

[sweeheamb]

I am using the Ubuntu from last 2 years and have experienced that the pictures are of poor quality. May be your camera resolution is not proper or you may not have taken the pictures clearly.

HI, I am new here too.