The ovtvid-bsd project has written for FreeBSD and NetBSD) a simple-minded image capture program for USB webcams based on the OmniVision Technologies OV511/OV511+ bridge chip attached to an OV7610 CCD imager. This includes inexpensive webcams such as:
Information about the OV511 and OV7610 chips is available from the OmniVision Technologies website.
The program is heavily based on the OV511 Linux driver by Mark W. McClelland. Recent versions of that driver support a wider array of cameras; if it supports something that this program doesn't then contact us and we'll see what we can do.
Version 1.0.1 of the program may be downloaded here. Development versions can be obtained from CVS. The program is distributed under the GPL.
To report problems or for more information see the project's SourceForge Project Page.
More information about using USB on FreeBSD systems, and links to USB standards and other information, can be found at the FreeBSD USB home page.
Since USB webcams transfer image data using an isochronous
endpoint, support for isochronous transfers in the FreeBSD/NetBSD
generic USB device (ugen) driver is required. This
support is available: