This chip comes in two versions: -001 and -003. The -003 version offers the ability to record sounds, but is otherwise compatible with the -001 version. Cameras based on this chip include the Aiptek Pencam, Plawa Spypen, Trust Spycam and the Nisis Quickpix 2. The Vendor/Product ID is 0553/0202. The chip supports both 8 MB and 2 MB of memory. With 8 MB, you can take 26 high res (VGA 640x480) or 107 low res (320x240) pictures. It's connected to the computer via the USB port. A serial version is available as well, but not covered by this HowTo.
The video drivers for the pencams has been merged into the PPC kernel tree since kernel 2.4.18-pre1. So getting the camera to work is mostly a task of compiling a kernel with the correct settings.
I suggest using the benh kernel tree which you can get via rsync from penguinppc.org. If you are new to kernel building, I strongly suggest you read our Kernel Building Guide.
Once you have downloaded the latest 2.4 kernel, configure it to your needs. Done that, you have to make sure the following options are checked to use your pencam:
Multimedia devices ---> Video For Linux
Multimedia devices ---> Video For Linux ---> V4L information in proc filesystem
USB support ---> Support for USB
USB support ---> Preliminary USB device filesystem
USB support ---> OHCI (Compaq, iMacs, OPTi, SiS, ALi, ...) support
USB support ---> USB STV680 (Pencam) Camera support
This last option should be compiled as a module.
Once the new kernel installed and rebooted, open a terminal window and as root, type "modprobe stv680". Make sure to have connected the camera before.
"dmesg" should show something like:
Linux video capture interface: v1.00
usb.c: registered new driver stv680
stv680.c: [stv680_probe:1515] STV(i): STV0680 camera found.
stv680.c: [stv680_probe:1543] STV(i): registered new video device: video0
stv680.c: [usb_stv680_init:1616] STV(i): usb camera driver version v0.23 registering
stv680.c: STV0680 USB Camera Driver v0.23
Once you see that, the camera is registered and it will work in any v4l enabled webcam program. I suggest using as it has been working very well for me.
Make sure the camera has no pictures stored before using it as a webcam, else you won't be able to get a good image. There is also a Linux tool to download pictures from the camera, called pencam, but i have so far been unable to get it working properly on PPC. I'll update this HowTo once it works.
For any questions, suggestions, concerns, you can .
