[ubuntu] WEBCAM: "open /dev/video0: Permission denied"

[switchseven]

I've run into a problem while installing my webcam for use in amsn and skype etc.

Part of the problem perhaps is that its one of the awkward Ricoh Motion-Eye webcams discussed in detail [here].
Specifically a VGP-VCC2 in a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ3XWP.

user@host:~$ lsusb
Bus 005 Device 003: ID 05ca:1830 Ricoh Co., Ltd Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2

I suspect I've installed the driver correctly as I've created /dev/video0 and I can get the package 'webcam' to take a snapshot and save it via SSH on localhost. But aMSN, Cheese and Camorama won't detect it. (I've installed it as described by epvipas in post #55, on kernel 2.6.27-11-generic).

Strangely, webcam without admin rights returns...

user@host:~$ webcam
reading config file: /home/user/.webcamrc
v4l2: open /dev/video0: Permission denied
v4l2: open /dev/video0: Permission denied
v4l: open /dev/video0: Permission denied
no grabber device available

However, with root access works fine...

user@host:~$ sudo webcam
reading config file: /home/user/.webcamrc
video4linux webcam v1.5 - (c) 1998-2002 Gerd Knorr
grabber config:
  size 320x240 [none]
  input (null), norm (null), jpeg quality 75
  rotate=0, top=0, left=5, bottom=240, right=320
ssh config [ftp]:
  user@localhost:/home/user/cam
  uploading.jpeg => webcam2.jpeg

Stanger still, aMSN, Cheese and Camorama still won't conect to the webcam when run as root.

eg. sudo camorama
Error Dialog: Error (camorama)
Msg: Could not connect to the video device (/dev/video0). Please check the connection.


Has anyone experience of this of can offer a solution?
Thanks.

[pnavarrc]

Hello,

I solved the problem. You must give to the user (you) permission for use video devices. Go to System > Administration > Users and Groups. Unlock and select your username. In user privileges, you must enable the line "Capture video from TV or webcams, and use 3d acceleration", log off and log in.

I hope that help you. Greetings,

Pablo.

[onecrustybaker]

after days of pulling my hair out your solution made my skype work...thanks very much.

[markp1989]

Originally Posted by pnavarrc Hello, I solved the problem. You must give to the user (you) permission for use video devices. Go to System > Administration > Users and Groups. Unlock and select your username. In user privileges, you must enable the line "Capture video from TV or webcams, and use 3d acceleration", log off and log in. I hope that help you. Greetings, Pablo.

How do i do this from the command line?

Thanks Markp1989?

[ubu_dynamite]

Use usermod to ad the group video
man usermod

sudo usermod -a -G group user

After that logout and back in and it will work.

[wierdlmate]

It doesn't work for me!! I have

$ ls -l /dev/video0
crw-rw-rw-+ 1 root video 81, 0 2009-11-25 13:45 /dev/video0
$ grep video /etc/group
video:44:dori,marci,apu
$ whoami
apu

$ xawtv -c /dev/video0
This is xawtv-3.95.dfsg.1, running on Linux/x86_64 (2.6.31-15-generic)
xinerama 0: 1680x1050+0+0
WARNING: No DGA direct video mode for this display.
/dev/video0 [v4l2]: no overlay support
v4l-conf had some trouble, trying to continue anyway
v4l2: open /dev/video0: Engedély megtagadva
v4l2: open /dev/video0: Engedély megtagadva
v4l: open /dev/video0: Engedély megtagadva
no video grabber device available

(Engedély megtagadva = Permission denied)