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Webcam compatibility

Note: The new USB Video Class (UVC) webcam standard uses YUYV (YUY2) which is not currently supported by FreeTrack.


Most good webcams work with FreeTrack, however an ideal webcam would have (from most important to least important):

  • Auto-exposure can be disabled - mandatory for maximum frame rate and manual exposure control.
  • 30 frames per second capture rate - for good responsiveness and panning smoothness.
  • An easily removed IR filter - filter removal recommended for best results (depending on the camera).
  • Low CPU usage - measured in System process, more expensive cameras usually use less.
  • An Outside mode or equivalently, the ability to disable anti-flicker - providing a more consistent frame rate for better panning smoothness.
  • Low price.
  • I420 compression - more efficient and reliable than RGB compression.
  • Wide field of view (42 degrees or more) - allowing more head movement (alternatively the webcam can be positioned further away from the user).
  • Low image noise - less parasitic tracking jitter.
  • 352x288 resolution - a little better than the more common 320x240 with a better aspect ratio, while not as demanding as the next higher resolution of 640x480.
  • Quality adjustment - for providing more than 30fps at reduced quality.

Compatibile webcams sorted by brand:

Nintendo
Microsoft
Logitech
Labtec
A4-Tech
Creative
Others

Incompatible webcams

The information in this page is based solely on user feedback, contributions can be made by posting webcam reviews in the forum topic titled: Webcam compatibility feedback .

A single model name is sometimes used for a whole series of webcams with varying case, electronics and/or driver over time. For example, there have been 7 different Logitech Quickcam Express models released over the years, consequently the following information should only be used as a guide for models that are currently available. There aren't many generic webcams listed because they can be sold under many different brands and numerous models can have the same appearance but with different internal electronics and driver which makes identification very difficult.

Nintendo

Nintendo Wii Remote

  • FreeTrack support coming soon
  • Approx. $40 USD.
  • Practically no CPU usage.
  • Constant 100fps.
  • No IR filter.
  • Requires Bluetooth.

 

Microsoft

Microsoft TravelCam

  • Low price (30 CHF).
  • 30 fps.
  • Works much better without internal IR filter.
  • No visible light filter required when IR filter removed.
  • Good field of view with no loss of tracking with normal movements.

Microsoft Lifecam VX-1000

  • Approx. $21 USD
  • Popular.
  • IR filter easy to remove.
  • A few reports of being unable to disable auto-exposure, solved by using Enable Button (XP) or vistaEnabler (Vista) .

Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000

  • Approx. $34 USD
  • Works perfectly with FreeTrack in 4 point tracking mode.
  • 30fps at 320x240.

Logitech

Many Logitech webcams don't permit exposure settings to be remembered but can be managed by using the Force Exposure option in FreeTrack.

Logitech QuickCam Express

  • Approx $9 USD
  • 30fps - older models with PID 0920 seem to be limited to 15fps.
  • High cpu usage.
  • Average field of view.
  • Moderate image noise.
  • IR filter fairly easy to remove.

Logitech Quickcam Messenger

  • Approx. $16 USD
  • 30 fps - good responsiveness.
  • High cpu usage.
  • Webcam view angle seems narrow.
  • Autoexposure auto-enabled on start.
  • Easy to remove IR filter

Logitech Quickcam IM

  • Approx. $31 USD
  • Good field of view.
  • Great tracking capabilities in medium light.

Logitech QuickCam Zoom

  • Approx $38 USD
  • No visible light filter required when IR filter removed.
  • 29-30fps.

Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX

  • Approx. $37 USD
  • Good field of view.
  • Works as long as there is no direct sunlight.

Logitech QuickCam Fusion

  • Approx. $85 USD
  • Wide-angle camera.

Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000

  • Approx. $90 USD
  • Good field of view
  • Works well in low light.

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000

  • Works well, even with classic red LEDs.
  • FPS 30, Jitter 0-3
  • Approx. 50 euros

Quick Cam Orbit / Sphere MP (PID 08C2)

  • Approx $90 USD
  • Works flawlessly.
  • Constant 30 fps.
  • Can disable automatic exposure using the native driver.
  • I420 @ 640x480 (enormous area to play with).
  • Uses 4% of a Quadcore Q6600 @ 3.2Ghz.
  • Works perfectly without removing IR filter and with 3 layers of photo film.

Labtec

Labtec Webcam Plus

  • Approx. $26 USD
  • 30-33FPS at 0-5 jitter.
  • Cpu usage 3-10% on AMD 3000+ Venice.
  • IR filter is too strong for IR leds and removal is a little harder than average.
  • Uses Logitech driver.

Labtec Webcam Plus SE

  • Low price (5.99 GBP).
  • Strong IR filter but is easy to remove.

Labtec Webcam Pro

  • Approx. $30 USD
  • Similar to Labtec Webcam Plus.
  • Cpu usage 1-3% on AMD Sempron 2800+.
  • Doesn't work well with non-IR LEDs.
  • The IR filter is strong, requiring LEDs to be operated at max current.
  • IR filter is a lens coating, making removal more difficult.
  • Steady 30fps framerate.

A4-Tech

A4 tech PK-835

  • Approx. $18 USD
  • Stable 28 fps.

A4Tech PK-35N

  • Low price ($23 USD?).
  • Manual settings
  • 29-30fps, jitter 2.

A4tech PK-335MB

  • Low price (15 EUR).
  • 28fps, 0-8 jitter.
  • One report of being unable to disable auto-exposure, solved by using Enable Button.
  • IR filter too strong, can be removed.

A4Tech PK 333 MB

  • Good FPS, around 30.
  • Low jitter.
  • Easy removal IR filter.
  • Small.
  • Cheap.

Creative

Creative Webcam NX

  • Approx. $30 US
  • 30 fps.
  • Camera settings don't work with FreeTrack, need to use a different webcam program to change settings.
  • Stream settings works fine with FreeTrack.
  • Uncheck auto-exposure.

Creative Webcam Go

  • Low Price.
  • Works well.
  • USB 1.1
  • Very old Webcam, not available anymore.
  • More than 30 fps in 320 x 240 I420 (59 fps for babasior)
  • Windows XP only (use Windows 2000 drivers - no drivers for windows VISTA)

Others

Sony Playstation 2 Eye Toy Camera

  • Approx. $30 USD.
  • Works well.

Philips SPC 710NC

  • Approx $30 USD.
  • 30 fps.
  • Averages 10-20% cpu usage on a P4 3.4 Northwood single core.
  • Removable IR filter.

Saitek W300xv

  • Low price.
  • Fully adjustable exposure, 30fps.
  • I420 compression.
  • Uses 1-3% of Opteron 175 cpu.

ICatch (VI) PC Camera (available under other names)

  • Low price (5 EUR).
  • 25 fps.

Codegen AL-808 (Eagle PCI USB camera (Vmicro301 Neptune))

  • Low price (11 Euros in Serbia, probably lower in EU).
  • Extremely low CPU usage.
  • 28-29fps.
  • Six IR LEDs.
  • USB 1.1, manual bandwidth control.
  • Zoom can be set manually, useful for reducing the FOV to eliminate peripheral light.

Trust Webcam WB-1400T

  • Low Price (12 EUR in Germany).
  • Auto-exposure can be disabled.
  • Capable of constant 30fps with the right drivers.
  • ~50 % CPU for AMD 3200 Venice (!!!).
  • I420 supported.
  • Small viewing angle.

Technika TKVGACM1

  • Low price.
  • Works well with FreeTrack.
  • 20 FPS.

Packard Bell DSC-1

  • An old model, not available any more. Still works.
  • USB1
  • 24fps

Genius SLIM 321C

  • Works perfectly.
  • Low CPU usage (max 3%, AMD Sempron 2800+)
  • No need for ir-filter removal, removal possibility haven't been checked.
  • Auto-exposure can be disabled
  • Manual focus.
  • Constant 30 fps in FreeTrack use, Jitter 01
  • I420 compression, 352x288 resolution
  • The field of view could be wider.

Speedlink SL-6810 Square Webcam

  • Works quite well.
  • low prize (~12€ in Germany)
  • Relatively easy to remove IR-filter (see here).
  • I420 compression
  • 30 fps up to 640x480 (only when exposure manualy set to 0 and auto exposure enabled)
  • relative high cpu consumption (dual core cpu recommended)

Incompatible webcams

  • Creative Live! Cam Vista IM - Auto Exposure cannot be disabled.
  • Logitech QuickCam Express cameras with PID 0920 (older model) - limited to 15fps.
  • Genius Cam NB - Auto Exposure cannot be disabled.
  • Genius GE-111 - 11-15fps max
  • Trust WB-3100p - Auto Exposure cannot be disabled.
  • Digital Product SM0121 - Auto Exposure cannot be disabled.
  • Sangha LTI-355 - Auto Exposure cannot be disabled, 7fps.
  • Rainbow 100 k - never exceeds 8 fps.
  • Mustek mini2 - old model, no more than 15 fps.
  • Mustek Gsmart Mini 3 - no more than 13 FPS, IR filter cannot be removed.
  • Creative PC-Cam 300 - never exceeds 4 fps.

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