unicap is a library to access different kinds of ( video ) capture devices. 

It uses a so loading mechanism for the device layers so new device drivers can easily be added. 

unicap provides a simple yet flexible and powerfull API. The capture application 
is able to access very different kinds of capture devices and set all of their properties 
( such as brightness/contrasst... ) without the exact knowledge of the device. 

Currently unicap provides support for IIDC cameras, video-4-linux, video-4-linux-2 and 
video-to-firewire converters. 

11. Apr. 2004 arne_caspari@users.sourceforge.net

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REQUIREMENTS: 

 * Gtk+ 2.0 or newer for libunicapgtk

 * libraw1394 0.10.0 or newer for dcam or vid21394 plugins


QUICKSTART: 

 * Have a look at the examples subdirectory!
  
   Note:  Currently the examples expect the device to deliver UYVY color format
   
 * There is currently no API documentation. The API is simple though. Have a look at the
   'raw_image' and 'sdl_display' examples to get an idea of how it works. Also the 
   'unicap.h' header file contains some documentation

 * run the sdl_display example at first to see if you can get a live video with your video capture
   device


EXAMPLES: 
  
 Note: unicap needs to be installed with 'make install' to be able to compile these examples

 * sdl_display: Display a live video image using the SDL library
 
 * xv_display: Displays a live video image using the Xv extension of the X server. 
	       This example comes in it's own .tar.gz archive and has it's own configure script. 
	       Untar the xv_display-x.y.z.tar.gz file in any directory after installing unicap 
	       and run the usual './configure && make'

 * device_info: Lists all devices and properties. Use this to get an idea how properties
	        ( ie. brightnes, contrast etc ) work.

 * unicapgtk_*: These examples use the GTK+ widget.


KNOWN LIMITATIONS:

 * v4l and v4l2 support is rudimentary. Tuners are currently not supported. 

 * There is no sound support

 * Time stamping might be inaccurate, depending on the plugin used to access the device

 
QUESTIONS / FEEDBACK: 

 Provide feedback about working / not working devices and patches

 Please contact me at arne_caspari@users.sourceforge.net. 


06. Aug. 2004 arne_caspari@users.sourceforge.net