[SOLVED] Camera configuration in OBS (Ubuntu)

Community Support
#1

I am trying to set OBS studio for some time on Ubuntu 22.04 / kernel 5.15. / intel 12th gen.
Basically I have 2 options and none of them are usable for video conferencing :

  1. YUYV 4:2:2 : light is OK but there is 1 second lag + tearing in 1080P! If I go to 240P its still half a second lagg.
  2. Motion Jpeg : image quality is awfull with a lot of compression. No light. But the FPS are OK.

Other options are without light so no usefull at all.
All screenshots at 2min interval with same bad lighting conditions (to demonstrat), I am moving slightely :

Scr_43_1
Scr_43_11920Ɨ1218 115 KB

Scr_43_2
Scr_43_21920Ɨ1190 97.2 KB

MEH

Scr_43_3
Scr_43_31918Ɨ1240 100 KB

In cheese its what I d like to have, I am too moving slightely with same bad light (for testing) = light OK + quality OK:

image
image1272Ɨ1112 98.9 KB

#2

I noticed that camera performance was better under a newer kernel (5.18, 5.19). I am back on the LTS kernel which now supports hibernation, etc., but have not tested the webcam performance.

To me the issues you are speaking about here are related to drivers, which are part of the kernel you are using. There is a GUI based app on Ubuntu that will let you select a newer kernel and will install it for you. It is easy to go back to the LTS kernel if needed. When Iā€™m done with work, Iā€™ll look it up on my Framework and edit this post with that information.

Edit: Ubuntu Kernel Mainline Installer is the name of the application Iā€™m talking about.

2 Likes
#3

Thanks @2disbetter for your precise answer.
For now I am discouraged using OBS on my FW, it was working on my thinkpad E590 (cloned the SSD).
I have tried already with kernel 5.15 and 5.18 with OBS the past 2 monthes.
The thing is that it also works better with cheese the basic cam app in Ubuntu Mate (no setups in there)ā€¦
For now I will put it on hold until someone has a solutionā€¦I feel I tried pretty much everything.
And I am not talking about activating the ā€œvirtual cameraā€ and the ā€œloop back thingā€ that don t work with some mainline kernelsā€¦

#4

Hi @Iann_C,

I just installed OBS 28.1.2 Flatpak on my 11th gen Framework.

Video format: Motion-JPEG (plus tested all the emulated formats)
Resolution: Default
Frame Rate: Default
Color Range: Default

Kernel in question is 5.19.16 and everything looks fantastic. Now this is on Fedora, so Iā€™d echo @2disbetter in that youā€™ll want to run at least 5.18 for the best experience possible.

This video will walk you through the process:

2 Likes
#5

Also, hiya @2disbetter. :slight_smile:

1 Like
#6

Hi Matt, really great having you here with us! Framework, which is already awesome, just got a little awesomer (real word right?) with your addition!

2 Likes
#7

Iā€™m not sure, but great for dsylexia prone people, that may need more words for the concept to sink in

got a little :: awesomer
more :: awesome

ā€˜littleā€™ is a bit diminutive whereas ā€˜moreā€™ provides the idea of growing

I got it, I have it and now Iā€™m going to leave it.

All the best

#8

:rofl:

1 Like
#9

Thank you!

1 Like
#10

Hi @Matt_Hartley
Thanks a lot for the testing and the answer.
Motion Jpeg decrease a LOT the image quality then its getting worse in OBS and worse again when sent via internet on google meet. Its looks to the guy watching me more like a 1990 test of a webcam in 320X240 :smiley:
So NO thks for jpeg.

Concerning the main line linux that s what I use for testing BUT there is not video for linux on 5.18 .19 and 6.x module on Ubuntu mainline ) NO OBS LIVE :frowning:
I did put a comment on OBS directely but it as been close because it seems the ubuntu related bug :frowning:

So game over :smiley:

Intel 12th Gen Frame Work laptop Consumer Reviews
#11

Hmm, that is odd. I know that webcams do really poorly in Linux if the lighting isnā€™t set up a specific way. Can you take a screen capture with the good lighting you had in one of the above images and these settings?

Video format: Whatever you prefer
Resolution: Default
Frame Rate: Default
Color Range: Default

I will have hands on a 12th gen configuration Monday or Tues, so I can restest this on that system as on the 11th Gen system I have it has been just fine with the above settings.

In the meantime, it would be worth installing and testing out guvcview and seeing if that gives you a different result. Using the guvcview application allows you to make changes to your webcam settings that will also carry over to WebRTC stuff like Jitsi, Google Meet, etc.

sudo apt install guvcview -y

Test out that application, see if this changes any of the behavior youā€™re seeing.

1 Like
#12

Update 19 January
Tried it today with my uptodate ubuntu mate 22.04 . OBS 28.1.2 and the lagg in camera using YUV seems gone for now.
So it becomes usable, will test it more and confirme if solved.

The experience seems to have stabilized allround.
I can even start the virtual camera without any specific script on shipped kernel 5.15

1 Like
#13

Excellent news, marking resolved.

#14

Here is the kind of quality I get now with light from a window in front.

YT-image

(Mod edit, removed embeds)

#15

Looks great! I did have to remove the links as while your videos were fine, we try not to set a precedent for video sharing. :slight_smile: