[PD] [OT] Hardware suggestions - Webcam for GEM/pdp/Linux

[Martin Schied]

Hey List!

I'm looking for a webcam wich I can use with 640x480 at 30fps, preferable 
with v4l (v4l2 support is still difficult with some apps), usb 
preferred. It has to be a camera with ccd (no cmos chip).

maybe there are *no* cameras with v4l and VGA at 30fps - perhaps someone 
knows? Did anyone try a philips spc900nc camera? It should support 90fps 
at lower resolutions but I didn't find one single positive mention about 
that with linux.

not that important, but nice to have:
it would be great if the infrared blocking filter was removable when the 
camera is opened, because I have to use it in IR range for tracking. If 
it's not removable it doesn't really matter because usually it's 
possible to unscrew and replace the lens with an IR-compatible lens from 
other webcams.

I already tried 2 cams:

Logitech Quickcam Pro 5000:
vga at 30fps, very low latency, v4l2 driver (no v4l compatibility), 
raw-mode with 640x480 or 640x380 (didn't get other resolutions to work), 
lot of dead pixels (10 dead pixels on 2 different models each, seems to 
be a secret linux-feature, hidden on windows-driver), not very crisp but 
usable image quality, IR-Filter not removable from Lens, whole Lens can 
be easily unscrewed when camera is opened, easy to open, no adjustable 
focus when not opened.

Philips Vesta Pro (PCVC680K):
vga at 15fps, v4l driver, slow, less light sensitive than quickcam but nice 
crisp image, old (only few used models available), removable IR-Filter 
(pop off the first "ring" on the object lens to remove), tripod mount, 
rugged housing.

both lens-mounts are compatible, seems to be an undefined "standard"

sorry for posting that much - perhaps it's useful for someone?

kind regards, and thanks...

Martin