Category Archives: tech

A nice ‘n cheap webcam for videoconferencing is a Wyze Cam, and it works with Linux, too.

With so much videoconferencing going on, I was looking for a way to use the big desktop computer rather then having to huddle up with a Chromebook.

Wyze has these little WiFi surveillance cameras that are about $20. The firmware can be flashed to make them into a USB webcam for videoconferencing, or you know. If you don’t like the results, you can flash them back to factory state. I’ve done both just to test.

$20 is pretty good for a webcam, and the good thing is that the Wyze is available, in stock at several places. Many other brands of true streaming cameras are sold out, or the price has galloped.

You might need some parts if you don’t have them already:

— USB cable A-male to A-male
— microSD card
— headset for good audio

I tested mine with Zoom and Jitsi Meet. Great performance on both. The instructions say that these also work: GoToMeeting, Blue Jeans, Google Hangouts, Skype, and Cisco.

I like it. Totally plug and play on a Linux box.

I did the color effects on two of the attached still pics. There is less distortion on streaming than you see in these stills.

The flashing instructions: https://support.wyzecam.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041605111-Webcam-Firmware-Instructions