USB webcam support in Windows Guest OS?

[yazfaz]

Hi,

same problem for me,

host: XP SP3
VB: 4.1.6. guest- / extension Pack
guest: XP SP3,
USB-Cam: Phillips

on host everything OK, but in VB the Cam dont work.
When eccesing the cam, only the Cam-Lamp works and whole system frises.
Anyone a solution ??? dont wanna go back to 4.0

[rman1900]

I'm having a similar problem with USB devices. Configuration: VB 4.1.6 - Host Windows 7 64 - Guest W7 32 and Ubuntu.
If I use a USB mouse, USB Pen drive, Android Phone - VB passes along the USB to the guest wo any problems.
However, if I use a camera - Logitech or Microsoft then the USB connection causes the VB guest process to begin
using high cpu cycles and it is impossible to kill the process from task manager.
I have also observed this behavior when using an SD card with a USB adapter.
( as noted previously basic USB pen drive works ).

I tried a simple setup were there was no OS installed in the guest and attempt to pass through the USB camera,
and immediately upon bootup the VB guest process started using high cpu.

Happy to test more scenarios.

[rman1900]

Seems there may be a relation with the following post:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46234

[sugaaloop]

I know this is quite an old post, but since its the top hit on google, I figured I'd share what worked for me...

In the VM settings under ports->usb (where you manually add each usb device), there is a checkbox to enable usb 2.0. When I checked this, vbox instructed me to install the Oracle VM virtual box extension pack.

I can't post urls :/ but the download is on the virtual box downloads page. A quick google for "Oracle VM virtual box extension pack" should find it.

This solved the problem immediately, and the win7 guest os was able to pick up the usb camera.

btw, I'm running OS X host and both win7 and win8 guest.

[MRosile]

For what its worth, webcams always display a "black" image within my Windows 7 guest.

Host: Mac OSX 10.8.4
Guest: Windows 7 SP1 32-bit
VirtualBox: 4.2.16 /w corresponding expansion pack and guest additions

Hardware used:
Microsoft Lifecam
Generic USB 2.0 Webcam

As others have mentioned, all other USB device types appear to be working (e.g. Android phone, mouse, storage devices)

I'll be sure to file an official bug report.