My webcam is not working with Google+ Hangout, can I make it work?

I just got an invitation for Google+, the video conference feature "hangout" is the first feature I checked out, and unfortunately the webcam is not working, the mic and speakers work ok. When I started it, it recquired me to install a new version of Google Talk plugin 2.1.7.0.

• It seems that now the gmail chat and the chat within empathy( that used to work) does not work either.

• in the settings of the webcam in google hangout window my only option, is gspca driver.

  • Notice that my cam had problems with skype, and I had to go around it by

    env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l2convert.so skype

How can I make it work?

Solution 1:

Well I managed to solve the problem. I will post it for future use. It turns out that it is similar to the Skype issue.

1. Open the terminal and launch nautilus as root:

   sudo nautilus
   

2. Rename /opt/google/talkplugin/GoogleTalkPlugin to /opt/google/talkplugin/GoogleTalkPlugin.real

3. Create a new /opt/google/talkplugin/GoogleTalkPlugin

4. Enter this text in the new file, and save it (make sure that the libv4l package is installed if not get it through synaptic):

   #!/bin/sh
   LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/libv4l/v4l1compat.so /opt/google/talkplugin/GoogleTalkPlugin.real   
   

5. Give the new file the permissions to run, by going to properties, permissions and allow to execute.

That's it. For me it worked. In case of a newer version of the plugin in the future you might need to do so, with the new one (renaming).

Solution 2:

I use Ubuntu too and at the first time I have had the same problems with google Hangout. But now I have the solution for you:

First you must install the voice and video- plugin from google.

Then you open this plugin with Ubuntu Softwarecenter. If you have done that, you have to go to Multimedia and there you must install the Google voice and videoplugin at the second time.

After all you can start the Hangout!