Install Hercules Webcam Deluxe and use it with Skype

Hi folks!

This is a summarize post in order to install successfully the Hercules Webcam Deluxe or another webcam compatible with the ov51-jpeg module, and use it with Skype without problems with Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron).

0. First of all, we have to install the linux headers for the current version of the kernel

sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r`

1. Then, we will proceed to install Skype using the mediubuntu repository (skip if already installed)

sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/hardy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list && wget -q http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype-static

2. To install the module (driver) of the webcam, run the following command

wget http://www.rastageeks.org/downloads/ov51x-jpeg/ov51x-jpeg-1.5.9.tar.gz && tar -xvf ov51x-jpeg-1.5.9.tar.gz && cd ov51x-jpeg-1.5.9 && make && sudo make install && sudo depmod -A && sudo modprobe ov51x-jpeg

3. In order to use the webcam together with Skype we have to add the option "options ov51x-jpeg forceblock=1" to the file /etc/modprobe.d/options. We will do this running this command

echo "options ov51x-jpeg forceblock=1" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/options

Ok, I hope I could help somebody. Have fun ;)

Hercules Webcam Deluxe instaled on Ubuntu and working with Skype!

This is a brief tutorial about installing the webcam Hercules Webcam Deluxe in Ubuntu or Debian distributions.

It is dedicated to my brother Roger who owns the same webcam as me.

1. To install the drivers you need first the linux headers. You install them typing on a terminal window (Applications -> Terminal on Ubuntu):

sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-`uname -r`

2. You need to to get the modules for your webcam:

wget http://www.rastageeks.org/downloads/ov51x-jpeg/ov51x-jpeg-1.5.9.tar.gz

(If this results in an error, check the rastageeks ov51x-jpeg directory, maybe you have to download a newer version)

3. Then you extract the drivers:

tar -xvf ov51x-jpeg-1.5.9.tar.gz

4. And Change directory to where your sources are:

cd ov51x-jpeg-1.5.9

5. Prepare the installation files

make

6. Compile the modules:

sudo make install

7. And install them:

sudo depmod -A
sudo modprobe ov51x-jpeg

8. You should now be able to enjoy images from your webcam. To view if it worked you can download and install wxcam, plug-and-play your webcam and you should be able to see video your streaming with wxcam

9. Now, if you use Skype on your computer and you always see a black square, you can make your webcam working with Skype with the following code:

echo "options ov51x-jpeg forceblock=1" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/options


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