dv4l - make a dv1394 camcorder available for video4linux programs
Contents
Description
dv4l enables programs using the video4linux API to access a dv1394 (Firewire) camcorder. It pushes the
video stream to an input device provided by the vloopback kernel module.
Before starting dv4l , make sure that the vloopback module is present in the kernel.
See http://www.lavrsen.dk/twiki/bin/view/Motion/VideoFourLinuxLoopbackDevice (without the dash) for
information about this kernel module.
Check your 1394 driver config by starting
$ gst-launch-0.10 dv1394src \! dvdemux \! dvdec \! xvimagesink
from your shell. After turning on your camera, a video window should appear. If this works, dv4l should
work as well.
Make sure that your camera is on before starting a video4linux program.
Examples
In most cases, dv4l can be started without any options. Kopete, however needs the --size option, with a
resolution of 320x240:
dv4l -s 320x240
Like kopete, gqcam needs the --size option, but supports arbitrary resolutions:
dv4l -s 635x360
dv4l will do the scaling.
Limitations
dv4l does not support adjustment of color, brightness and similar parameters.
It supports only RGB24 and YUV420P palettes. Some V4L programs may not work as they require different
palettes.
It supports only a single dv1394 camera.
Skype v2.0beta seems to have problems with vloopback and does NOT work with dv4l. Try dv4lstart instead.
Name
dv4l - make a dv1394 camcorder available for video4linux programs
Options
-c,--color-correction
Set this option if red objects look blue.
-d,--devicedevice-name
Use device-name as vloopback input device. If this option is omitted, dv4l will automatically look
for an appropriate device.
-r,--rgb-only
Set this option to prevent V4L applications from choosing YUV palettes. Try this option if you get
low frame rates.
-s,--sizeWxH
Set capture size and use slower copy mode, only required for some V4L applications. When using
this option, V4L applications can't change the capture size.
-v,--verboselevel
Set the amount of debugging messages. A level of 0 means no output at all, 1 is the default, 3
enables all messages.
-h,--help
displays a help message
See Also
dv4lstart(1) DV4L(1)
Synopsis
dv4l[options]
options (shortest form): [-cdrsvh]