Re: [LUG] Video Conferencing

[Tom Brough <tombrough@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Keith Abraham wrote:

> Hi all
>
>    Reluctantly I may have to move to Scotland in the near future
> and would like to keep in contact with my elderly father (91) in
> Plymouth via an visual/audio link. If we could make contact once
> or twice a week it would soften the blow of being apart for both
> of us.
>
>    I intend to give him a computer with either Linux or Windows
> installed which my brother would operate for him. At my end I will
> be using Debian.
>
>    Any suggestions regarding visual/audio hardware, software and
> configuration would be gratefully received as this project will be
> entirely new to me.
>
> Keith
>
>
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My webcam of choice is a Chicony Twinkle Cam available at "The computer 
shop"
http://www.thecomputershop.co.uk/

£19.99 by web,but I have had cheaper from a local outlet

The only catch is you need a 2.6.10 kernel or 2.6.12, (2.6.11 went 
wobbly as far as the driver was concerned) and its unstable with 
gnomemeeting on certain subversions of kernel.  The latest kernel for 
FC3 kernel (2.6.12) works fine. Considering the price I got it for the 
quality locally is increadable (but apparently my nose is only one pixel 
across when Simon uses his ISDN link.

I have used it to conference via Gnomemeeting with people across Europe 
and have even used it to transmit video all the way to Brazil (all via 
Gnomemeeting). I did however miss a planned meeting in the Cameroon 
which was very disapointing. (That was my fault I didnt hear it ring - 
missed call).


Unfortunately 2.6.8 on Debian is a big no-no as far as this camera / 
driver is concerned. It just freezes, which is unfortunate because its 
my last big excuse for sticking with FC3. But most of my other boxes are 
Debian.

IIRC I did have some fun and games getting Gnomemeeting working because 
I had to use the latest and greatest version of Gnomemeeting to get V4L2 
support. But Im sure I have mentioned how I did it on this group before.

What ever choice you make enjoy your video conferencing its the next 
best thing to flying !

Tom.

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