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Problem with running Logitech webcam working in Skype on Ubuntu 10.04 “Lucid Lynx”
Here is a pretty simple fix that I found when using the Logitech QuickCam Communicate STX under Ubuntu 10.04 “Lucid Lynx” that may also apply to older versions of Ubuntu.
If the webcam does not show your video, the trick is to force it to use an older V4l library
Under Lucid Lynx, right click on the menus in the top corner and choose “Edit Menus”
Then go to “Internet”, select “Skype” and then “Properties” button.
You have an option of using one of the following as the Command
skype-wrapper
or for a 32-bit system
bash -c ‘export LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so; skype’
or for a 64-bit system
bash -c ‘export LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so; skype’
Then close Skype and restart with the shortcut under “Applications” menu, “Internet”, “Skype”.
To test if the change worked, choose “Options” from the menu in Skype, then “Video Devices”, and then the “Test” button. You should see yourself in the test window.
To find out what camera you are using, run the following command in a terminal window…
Go to the “Applications” Menu, “Accessories”, and “Terminal”.
Type the following command and then hit Enter to see all of the USB devices connected to your PC, one of which will be the USB webcam.
lsusb
Mine shows
Bus 003 Device 004: ID 046d:08d7 Logitech, Inc. QuickCam Communicate STX
Scratch Uncle Gurrier's Back 
I am sorry, but your solution did not work for me.
I simply replaced the command with:
env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
Your command gave an error. I am on 32 bit, so 64 bit would be:
env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
Gerrit,
Glad to hear you found an alternative.
Did you get an error when you ran the command as shown in the article for 32-bit?
Regards
gurrier
Yeah, I forget what exactly it said, but simply inserting your command line gave me an error.
Anyways, thanks for pointing me in the right direction anyways.
I just wanted to say thanks, and that I am running the following:
Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid 64 bit
Logitech Communicate STX
Skype
and this command as mentioned by Gerrit worked to get my cam working in Skype.
env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
Again.. Thanks both for the information hopefully this can help others…
Hmm, did the details as shown in the article not work for you?
Hi,
I just made a fresh install with ubuntu 10.04 with all the updates.
After that downloaded and installed skype 2.1.0.81
Webcam works in Cheese, but doesn’t in Skype.
This is an old issue, since ubuntu 8.04, and the same solution works in 10.04. Hope the skype developers can implement it in the next release or update.
This solution i copy/paste it from somewhere, but since i noticed that lots of ppl. have problem with their webcam, i post it again here:
If you’re using the Jaunty edition of Ubuntu (9.04) you’ll find that Skype video may not work due to a compatibility issue with the video libraries. I’ll assume that anyone reading this is a complete Linux novice, so please excuse any oversimplifications if you’re not.
To test this you’ll need to bring up a terminal window (Applications | Accessories | Terminal) and type the following at the prompt (you may need to enter your administration password):
sudo gstreamer-properties
Select the Video tab and test the default input. If you get video then your webcam is fine, and you’ll need to create a small script to start Skype with a compatibility library. If you don’t, then refer to the Ubuntu forums for more help. Close the applet and type the following in the terminal:
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/skype
This brings up a (probably blank) editor, copy the following lines into it
#!/bin/bash
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /usr/bin/skype
and then save it. You’ll need to make this executable so just type the following into the terminal
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/skype
That’s it, close the terminal. If you start Skype from your usual menu shortcut it should start up and if you navigate to your video settings and test them they should now work. If they don’t then you’re back to the Ubuntu forums.
Thank you that worked for me. Just have to figure out the audio now.
THANK YOU!
Bomb diggety.
TO ALL WHO THIS DID NOT WORK FOR:
Please note!
I had a problem with this when I “copied and pasted” the command directly from this article. It turns out that wordpress was substituting back-quotes (`) for regular single quotes (‘). I changed the two quotes to single quotes, and this command worked like a charm.
So, try it.
– emf
chapel hill, nc
Thanks so much for this one Gerrit, being a senior on a pension tricks like this make my older equipment work for me.
My webcam is a Quickcam Messenger for the record.
Thanks again
Eric B
http://www.therecycledteenager.blogspot.com/
Hey all, thanks for posting these..I have managed to get mine working within 10 minutes with all the info on the post..and that is a miracle..u know what I mean =)
Senthu
salunas fixed my problem
Salunas solution worked for me until some days ago. Maybe something in the last upgrades changed the way skype uses webcam. It’s very very slow and sometimes freezes. I tried it (Logitech Quickcam Messenger) on my PC and on my notebook, too.
Any idea?
Sorry, Giulia,
I left Lucid behind and am now running Natty Narwhal 11.04.
I stumped up a few quid for a new webcam also so can’t give you any feedback on similar issues.
Perhaps Skype just works natively now without the steps above?
Cheers,
gurrier
Works great, I’m using an old cam, Logitech, Inc. QuickCam Chat according to lsusb. 32bit 10.04 LTS. Had to change single quotes as described above after copy’n’paste. Thx!
MANY THANKS!!!!!
Awesome – worked a treat!
(Ubuntu 10.04 LTS – Linux Kernel 2.6.32-38 generic – Dual Core AMD x64)