USB Webcam on Ubuntu 18.04

[ChrisOfBristol]

A friend (who I recommended Linux to) intends to buy a USB webcam to use on her desktop. I have used Linux exclusively for a decade - except for giving up on getting a scanner to work, which has made me a little cautious about hardware. I would like to be sure that if she buys a USB webcam it will work for her. I have found a thread on this subject, but it was from 2009 (and is closed), I imagine things have moved on since then! Is she likely to have problems unless I find a list of approved devices, or does it all work out-of-the-box now?

[CelticWarrior]

Is she likely to have problems unless I find a list of approved devices, or does it all work out-of-the-box now?

Neither...

Most generic ("plug'n'play") USB webcams work.
Most integrated laptop webcams also work.
Many that need proprietary drivers/software don't work.

[anthonyl2019]

I only came on this forum because I have another question about webcams - which I'll ask here anyway as it may be of general help to the OP.

I run an oldish HP Elitebook 8440p and was unable to determine from within Linux what the inbuilt webcam was and/or what drivers were required, despite running lsusb and lspci. It was listed when I booted into Windows - HP Webcam [2 MP Fixed].

Following the links from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Webcam I found the webcam in: http://www.ideasonboard.org/uvc/
However having gone through all that trouble I installed Cheese (via Discover) and the webcam works so I'll go along with the other post that suggests any generic webcam probably will work.

However, and the reason I came looking in the first place, I can't find how to see the Webcam's details under (k)Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Where is it?

[ChrisOfBristol]

OK, how might she distinguish (on ebay for example) between a Plug 'n' Play webcam and one which needs proprietary drivers or software?

[CelticWarrior]

OK, how might she distinguish (on ebay for example) between a Plug 'n' Play webcam and one which needs proprietary drivers or software?

Yes, sort of...
Most of the "plug'n'play" ones usually mention it because it's a selling point.

[ChrisOfBristol]

Ah! I've learnt something, I always assumed that P&P just meant that you could plug and unplug it when computer was on, or that it was just an advertising slogan - duh!. I'll let her know, thanks!

[andrew.46]

Is she likely to have problems unless I find a list of approved devices, or does it all work out-of-the-box now?

As other have pointed out most mainstream webcams will give no trouble under Linux. A specific recommendation is the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 that I use myself. A bigger issue these days is getting hold of one at all, the lock-down in most countries has lead to a rush on these devices and while supply has dwindled prices have skyrocketed .

[ChrisOfBristol]

A specific recommendation is obviously ideal, thanks. However since she isn't intending to make YouTube videos or anything similar, just wishing to join her friends* on Zoom during the lockdown, I think £100 would be more than she would wish to pay. I imagine she will be looking for something functional under £20. I saw a webcam on Freecycle a year or so ago, but couldn't see any circumstances in which I might possibly have a use for one...

(*Me included unless the advice I've been give on here is bad, in which case I might become an ex-friend.)

[mörgæs]

If you post the name of the camera she considers to buy there is a chance that someone here can give a judgement.

[mörgæs]

I can't find how to see the Webcam's details under (k)Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Where is it?

This might help both posters: The command lsusb gives an output like

Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0bda:0138 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTS5138 Card Reader Controller
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 05ca:181d Ricoh Co., Ltd Laptop_Integrated_Webcam_FHD
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 0cf3:3005 Qualcomm Atheros Communications AR3011 Bluetooth
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 009 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 008 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

which shows that my camera has the ID printed in red. Googling your ID number (possibly in quotes) should send you in the right direction.