webcams show as black screen in skype

I am running Lucid 64 bit and my Logitech webcam has also stopped working in skype.
It works in cheese.
Also workaround [url=http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1723497]In Ubuntuforum[/url] works for me.But is not a solution as I have to do it after every reboot.

Many seem to have same issue. For me this is what happens:

tom@tom:~$ env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

(<unknown>:3090): Gtk-WARNING **: /usr/lib/gtk-2.0/2.10.0/immodules/im-ibus.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64

(<unknown>:3090): Gtk-WARNING **: Loading IM context type 'ibus' failed

(<unknown>:3090): Gtk-WARNING **: /usr/lib/gtk-2.0/2.10.0/immodules/im-ibus.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64

(<unknown>:3090): Gtk-WARNING **: Loading IM context type 'ibus' failed

(<unknown>:3090): Gtk-WARNING **: /usr/lib/gtk-2.0/2.10.0/immodules/im-ibus.so: wrong ELF class: ELFCLASS64

(<unknown>:3090): Gtk-WARNING **: Loading IM context type 'ibus' failed

Skype starts, but video is very unreliable and it crashes often. Now figuring out way to go back to 2.1

( Ubuntu 10.10 on HP DM4 laptop with built-in cam. )

After downgrade I got same problem now :( Seems something else caused the trouble recently ?

Which other packages did you update?

No idea. I always update everything daily. Issue is, normally I started Skype from menu so do not encounter error messages. With skype 2.2 I tried from terminal and saw the messages. As said, I can use skype, but webcam is buggy. Often fails or suddenly shows BW bad quality.

Could it be that 20090808ubuntu10 reintroduced bugs from 20090808ubuntu5 ?

   https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ia32-libs/+bug/646862

Short answer:

libnss3-1d 3.12.8-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1
skype 2.2.0.25-1maverick1

Long answer:

$ cat /var/log/dpkg.log
<snip>
2011-04-07 23:48:23 startup archives unpack
2011-04-07 23:48:30 upgrade libnss3-1d 3.12.8-0ubuntu0.10.10.1 3.12.9+ckbi-1.82-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:30 status half-configured libnss3-1d 3.12.8-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:31 status unpacked libnss3-1d 3.12.8-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:31 status half-installed libnss3-1d 3.12.8-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:33 status half-installed libnss3-1d 3.12.8-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:33 status unpacked libnss3-1d 3.12.9+ckbi-1.82-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:34 status unpacked libnss3-1d 3.12.9+ckbi-1.82-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:34 upgrade x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1 7.5+2ubuntu1.1
2011-04-07 23:48:34 status half-configured x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:34 status unpacked x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:34 status half-installed x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:34 status triggers-pending man-db 2.5.7-4
2011-04-07 23:48:34 status half-installed x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:36 status half-installed x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:36 status unpacked x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1.1
2011-04-07 23:48:36 status unpacked x11-xserver-utils 7.5+2ubuntu1.1
2011-04-07 23:48:36 upgrade skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5 2.2.0.25-1maverick1
2011-04-07 23:48:36 status half-configured skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5
2011-04-07 23:48:37 status unpacked skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5
2011-04-07 23:48:37 status half-installed skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5
2011-04-07 23:48:37 status triggers-pending python-gmenu 2.30.4-0ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:37 status half-installed skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5
2011-04-07 23:48:37 status triggers-pending desktop-file-utils 0.16-0ubuntu4
2011-04-07 23:48:37 status half-installed skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5
2011-04-07 23:48:40 status half-installed skype 2.1.0.81-1ubuntu5
2011-04-07 23:48:40 status unpacked skype 2.2.0.25-1maverick1
2011-04-07 23:48:40 status unpacked skype 2.2.0.25-1maverick1
2011-04-07 23:48:41 trigproc man-db 2.5.7-4 2.5.7-4
2011-04-07 23:48:41 status half-configured man-db 2.5.7-4
2011-04-07 23:48:45 status installed man-db 2.5.7-4
2011-04-07 23:48:45 trigproc python-gmenu 2.30.4-0ubuntu1 2.30.4-0ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:45 status half-configured python-gmenu 2.30.4-0ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:47 status installed python-gmenu 2.30.4-0ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:47 status triggers-pending python-support 1.0.9ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:47 trigproc desktop-file-utils 0.16-0ubuntu4 0.16-0ubuntu4
2011-04-07 23:48:47 status half-configured desktop-file-utils 0.16-0ubuntu4
2011-04-07 23:48:48 status installed desktop-file-utils 0.16-0ubuntu4
2011-04-07 23:48:48 trigproc python-support 1.0.9ubuntu1 1.0.9ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:48 status half-configured python-support 1.0.9ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:51 status installed python-support 1.0.9ubuntu1
2011-04-07 23:48:52 startup packages configure
2011-04-07 23:48:52 configure libnss3-1d 3.12.9+ckbi-1.82-0ubuntu0.10.10.1 3.12.9+ckbi-1.82-0ubuntu0.10.10.1
2011-04-07 23:48:52 status unpacked libnss3...

maybe could you try to downgrade those three packages?

Well, the first two are security updates, so downgrading is not an option. http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-1107-1 and http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/usn-1106-1 have the details.

skype 2.2.0.25-1maverick1 seems to have been a "feature" release: http://blogs.skype.com/garage/2011/04/skype_22_beta_for_linux_with_s.html - which would make is a prime candidate for downgrade, if I could be bothered to spend another hour researching how to do it or trying any of the workarounds suggested in the above blog post.

But really, when the update manager recommends an update, I don't expect it to break things and require gimmicks to get old functionality back, I expect it to just work.

In any case, this is a package of the stable distribution, many people will probably have similar problems and the root cause must be found. I'll be happy to provide any diagnostic information necessary, please let me know how.

Btw connecting the camera shows this in dmesg:

[10645.064097] usb 3-2: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 6
[10645.254380] gspca: probing 046d:08da
[10646.307299] zc3xx: probe 2wr ov vga 0x0000
[10646.343293] zc3xx: probe sensor -> 0011
[10646.343299] zc3xx: Find Sensor HV7131R(c)
[10646.346443] input: zc3xx as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.1/usb3/3-2/input/input12
[10646.347679] gspca: video0 created
[10646.347688] gspca: found int in endpoint: 0x82, buffer_len=8, interval=10
[10646.348197] gspca: probing 046d:08da
[10646.349290] 6:2:1: endpoint lacks sample rate attribute bit, cannot set.
[10646.478316] 6:2:1: endpoint lacks sample rate attribute bit, cannot set.
[10646.488056] 6:2:1: endpoint lacks sample rate attribute bit, cannot set.

As I mentioned above, I removed Skype 2.2 with Software Center and then installed Skype 2.1 from an old .deb. Problem then persisted, even after deleting ~/.Skype :(

Same problem here....
Please see my report at: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=505131&pid=3373797&st=20&#entry3373797

Problem persists after upgrade to Ubuntu 11.04.

I've had this problem with my logitech webcam since several ubuntu releases. You need to explicitly load a library before launching skype, as explained in the workarounds tthat you can find in several places.

for 64 systems you can use the command
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
this works too (it's what I'm presently using in 11.04)
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib32/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype

on 32 bit systems, it should be
LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

You can place this in a script that you invoke in place of skype itself.

Thanks for the pointer, this works for me on my 32-bit system.

Incorporating this step in the default skype launcher menu item or script might help users. There's probably a more elegant solution, but in any case this is still an open bug.

Any news?

Thanks

No changes for me after latest updates... camera still doesn't work.

LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
dont' work for me :|

My system:
Ubuntu 10.10 + Skype 2.2.0.25 + DroidCam 3.2 + LG GT540

I see just a "black screen".
With other programs (wxCam) my "webcam" work well.
Only in the Skype and Cheese are problems.

I had a similar problem with two computers with different cameras, one 32bit, the other 64 bit, where skype used to work fine until recently. I'm running 11.04 on both. Previously ubuntu would install a wrapper that would call extra libraries, but I noticed that it doesn't ship it anymore. For that reason I wrote a wrapper that you can use, it might solve your problem, it worked for me on both systems. Just follow the instructions at the top of this file. It basically adds 'libv4l/v4l1compat.so' and 'libv4lconvert.so.0'.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

several users have confirmed this as also affecting apple iSight cameras. My own iSight suffers this issue.

see below for the same answers that have already been presented to use v4l2convert.so:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1745517

Ubuntu 11.10 on 32-bit x86

Skype (beta) 2.2.0.35

I had the same problem with my Logitech QuickCam Chat, no video in skype, only black screen

thanks to yours suggestions now it works!

i launched skype with the command: LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

ps: i found the right path with the command: locate libv4l

btw skype team should fix this as is closed software?

cheers

ps: LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype works fine for me, anyway in the terminal i can see this error:

libv4l2: error allocating conversion buffer

received the update from Canonical repo, skype 4.0.0.8

same problem, you will see black screen if you dont launch from terminal with the command LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

so still no fixed bug

@giardia (fabriziosm)..
Yeap, on my Ubuntu with Skype 4.x is that same bug.
Black screen if I run Skype normal (from icon/launcher without this command).

Same here with latest Skype v4.0.0.8-0oneiric1 on Ubuntu 12.04 32bit.

The preload work around works.

Hi, a new skype version 4.1.0.20.0-0ubuntu0.12.04.2 is available, could you please try if you still have the bug with the new version?

If you still have this problem please set the status back to "new".

thanks

same bug in version 4.1.0.20.0

status changed to new as suggested by LocutusOfBorg

skype (4.1.0.20.0-0ubuntu0.12.04.2) seems only to add a dependency on libssl1.0.0, needed for Microsoft account
    authentication. LP: #1082954.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

Having this issue right now.

webcam is working also starting skype from terminal with command LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype

working pretty much the same as LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype

and giving also the same error in terminal libv4l2: error allocating conversion buffer

I have a similar problem under KDE on Ubuntu 13.04 ( with Unity no issue) :
- black screen for video and webcam box.

The LD_PRELOAD workarround doesn't work for me

Did anyone ever figure out a fix for this? I am having the exact same problem.

I think not. The bug is stil there. Even in new Skype version.
Tested on Mint 17 Mate x64.

Same happens to me. The camera works fine in guvcview and cheese.
Linux ERD228-01 4.13.0-36-generic #40~16.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Fri Feb 16 23:25:58 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Skype version 8.18.0.6
Calling version 2018.11.01.10