Built-in webcam not working

[klerg]

Hello

I have VirtualBox 6.1.10 with Extension Addon/Pack in Windows 8.1 U1 host on a Dell Inspiron 7347 laptop. My guest OS is Debian 10.4 using the full CD image file. But the Built-In webcam does not show up in Settings-->USB-->Add USB filter. It only pops up when the VM is running, under Devices-->Webcams as 'Integrated Webcam' the same name it has in Windows 8.1. I have guvcview installed and all I see is a 'transparent' window with the Desktop but no image or anything from the webcam.

I have another, newer HP laptop with Windows 10, and the Built-In Webcam works with the same configuration as mentioned above. The difference is the webcam shows up in Devices-->Webcams as 'HP Truevision HD Camera" and Settings-->USB-->Add USB filter. I usually have to select it from Settings-->USB for it to appear in guvcview. On both laptops, an old external USB webcam works. But some help would be great to get the Built-In Webcam up and running on the Dell Laptop.

Thanks in advance

[scottgus1]

See the Virtualbox manual, Section 9, "Webcam Passthrough".

[klerg]

Ok the 'VboxManage controlvm VM-name webcam list' command has the 'Integrated Webcam' attached but guvcview still gives transparent window

[klerg]

It looks like the webcam on the Inspiron 7347 does show up in Settings-->USB-->Add Filter, but the name changes from time to time. On the HP Laptop, all I need to do is pick the webcam from Devices-->Webcams--> HP Truevision HD Camera and it works fine in guvcview. But on the Dell Laptop when I select Devices-->Webcams--> Integrated Camera, it gives me the transparent window, and I notice the following error in Terminal:

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V4L2_CORE: Could not grab image (select timeout): Resource temporarily unavailable

It repeats that until I close guvcview. What is the issue here? And why is it unavailable? Any help would be appreciated

[klerg]

On the HP Laptop, when I choose Devices-->USB-->HP Truevision HD Camera suddenly the Devices-->Webcams gives No Webcams detected, and it disappears from Device Manager I had to shut it down to get the Camera up again. Obviously, I've only done this one time. And when I add the HP webcam to Settings-->USB-->Add New Filter, basically the same thing happens except camera still shows in Device Manager.

For the Dell laptop, if I try to use the webcam from Devices-->USB i get the following error:

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Failed to attach the USB device to the virtual machine

That's all it says, nothing as to why it fails, what does that usually mean? I guess it beats the camera shutting off on the HP laptop. Could really use any sort of help here. Replying to my own thread is almost useless.

[scottgus1]

I regret I don't know much else to help with, myself. I don't have a PC with an integrated webcam that can also run Virtualbox, so I have never been able to test passing a webcam into a guest.

If it works on the HP but not on the Dell, and the Virtualbox versions and steps taken are identical, I'd put the problem to different drivers/hardware in the two physical computers.

If the webcam were external and connected vial typical USB, this would be a lot easier. USB basics and troubleshooting

One thing to check, the Extension Pack handles webcam passthrough. Doublecheck that the installed EP is the exact same version as Virtualbox.

[klerg]

Sure no problem i was hoping someone else would chip in here. Really? That is too bad the Dell Inspiron 7347 I have is from late 2014 and runs Virtualbox fine.

Well, both the HP and Dell laptop have drivers from Microsoft called 'HP Truevision HD Camera' and 'Integrated Camera' respectively. I guess Windows 8.1 is the problem it was never a good OS.

Yes, but I used an external USB webcam on both laptops and they work for the most part. In guvcview need to tweak a few settings to get it up properly.

Oh, I'm using Extension Pack 6.1.10 the same as Virtualbox 6.1.10 as at first I tried an older version but it gave me errors and would not install