On Friday 17 February 2006 17:15, Carl-Daniel Hailfinger wrote:
> Joseph M. Gaffney schrieb:
> > A recent thread [1] on suseforums at  is ongoing and discussing the
> > webcam support in SUSE.
> >
> > I replied to the thread with a link to the Novell Cool Solutions feature
> > on compiling kernel drivers by example [2] , which uses the pwc module
> > [3] as an example.  Is there any reason why webcam support is not
> > included out of the box yet?
>
> IIRC, the "reverse-engineered" pwc driver was just decompiled, which is
> illegal in many jurisdictions. That's also why it was removed from the
> official kernel shortly after it had entered.
> For details, see http://lkml.org/lkml/2005/5/2/94 and
> http://www.kernel.org/git/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=comm
>it;h=88c1834633341bbb94e315433067496338bff4ad
>
> I doubt the hi-resolution variant(*) of this driver is ever going to ship
> in a SUSE product. It would be suicide to include it.
>
> * The controversy was about the compression module. You can still use
> the driver with low resolutions.
>
>
> Regards,
> Carl-Daniel

Ok, that definitely makes for a very good reason why the hi-res variant is 
out.  Doesn't make sense for the low res though... I'd think, especially 
considering the desire to use SUSE on the corporate desktop, that this would 
be supported.

I have previously compiled the module and added support, which worked very 
well for my cams.  The other reason this comes to mind recently is that I'll 
be experimenting with the use of Polycom's PVX [1] software running via wine, 
and connecting through to a codec at my office - I'm trying to guage 
videoconferencing capabilities existing within Linux now.  A discussion I had 
with one of the techs (a VERY good one at that) over at Polycom told me that 
the PVX software is the best bet for H.323 on Linux, far exceeding 
Gnomemeeting in qualty.  Understandably, since Polycom is most definitely in 
the business of VTC. Through my job, I have a license available to me for PVX 
and plan on testing out these capabilities, but I worry that using wine may 
slow down the app a bit too much, and cause too many dropped frames.

Now, being the zealot and supporter that I am, I would love to be able to 
recommend Linux as an alternative for desktop collaboration, but this is one 
of the more crucial elements.  Over time, perhaps messaging networks may come 
to the capabilities that are really required, but on a smaller level, I 
believe Skype to be the only viable option (though no video support in Linux 
yet - I'm a bit disappointed by that).

Anyways, thats another place where my curiosity stems from.  Thanks for the 
quick response Carl-Daniel :)

Joseph M. Gaffney
aka CuCullin

[1] http://www.polycom.com/products_services/1,,pw-35-4367-7953,FF.html

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