Skype video on the Q1U-P is tricky to set up. Here's how.

This is interesting and I'm guessing it probably applies to the Q1 Ultra units as well as the Q1U Premium. The device has two cameras: one on the front and one on the back. I just installed Skype in preparation to test a video call with James later today. When I went into the Skype options for Video and tested the webcam, it was using the higher quality, rear-facing camera. No worries I figure, I'll just use the drop-down menu to choose the other camera. I did just that, but Skype was still looking over it's shoulder as opposed to looking me in the eye. Hmmm.....

I went into the Device Manager and could only find a single USB Webcam. My guess is that one USB controller handles both cameras, but then it becomes a challenge to pick and choose which you want to use in application like Skype. I did get Skype to recognize the front-web cam, but it was a bit tricky.

What I did was go into the included Samsung software for the cameras. In that application, there is button to choose the front camera and another button to choose the rear camera, which is what the app was using. I simply switched input to the front camera and then went back into the Skype options. The preview image in Skype wasn't shown, but that makes sense, since another application was using the camera. At this point, I closed down the Samsung camera application and voila! there was my ugly mug in the Skype video preview.

Not an ideal way to do things, but with only one USB Webcam in the Device Manager settings, I don't see another option. Any Q1U owners: does the same situation apply to your device?

Comments

[DS]

Yep, same as on the Q1U.

[giovani]

Kevin,

Yes, unfortunately, this is a well-known issue with all of the Q1U units with webcam/camera. Over on the Origami Project Forums someone discovered the Windows registry key used to switch between cameras, which would allow someone to write a small application (possibly sitting on the taskbar) to switch between the front and the back, without having to open the Samsung Play Camera software (or the Vimicro software contained in the WINDOWS directory).

I'm currently working on finding the method the driver uses to tell the camera which lens it wants so that that support could be available in Linux (or other operating systems, for that matter).

[Steve 'Chippy' Paine]

I sense a geek-chat coming up!
S

[Videmap]

i'm the owner of web site www.videomap.it i have a q1 ultra and i read your blog.
I want to make a gift to your readers.

With the tool test2sensor you can change the camera.

Download this and other tool for q1 ultra premium and standard webcam at
http://www.videomap.it/camera-tools.rar

[giovani]

Videmap,

Actually, there's no need to download that toolset, because it's provided out of the box with the Q1UP -- the "Test2Sensor.exe" application is in the WINDOWS directory. However, it's not any easier to use than the other two applications provided for switching cameras, and the Samsung Play Camera software is a bit more polished-looking. Hopefully a developer will take up the cause and write a little application that can sit in the toolbar somewhere.

[Pat]

I was aware that of the Samsung app's camera switchover and have read about the registry key.. Videmap's info is new info to me. It would be nice to have a quick and simple way to do switch, but at least it can be done today with those few extra steps.

What I really wanted to say is that I'm glad a bunch of other folks are trying to figure this one out so I can benefit from your efforts later on ;)

[linux-noob]

I just got the moblin software .img running on this today.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MobileAndEmbedded/ImageCreation
So far the camera(s) are the only thing not supported for Ubuntu (Hardy). Anyone have any leads?