I took apart a LogiTech C910 webcam to look at the insides and determine what additional features I could add to it. The C910 has auto-focus and it appears there is a motor drive in the camera module.
I was able to use gUVCview to adjust the focus and I saw the lens move in and out about 2mm.
Here are some photos
Swivel base ( easy to explode )
Removing the swivel base requires peeling off a rubber pad ( colored black on this unit ) this revealed 7 screws which are easily removed and then with a little jiggling the swivel base comes apart.
Camera Section ( hard to dis-assemble )
Disassembling the camera section requires removing the two microphone screens. There is one at each end of the camera. I did not see an easy way to remove them , so I hacked them off. You may be able to pry them off since they use snaps to hold themselves on. Once the screens are off..... there are four screws to remove. These are very hard to turn and unscrew. The microphones are press-fit and are very easy to remove. It is not necessary to remove the microphones. By prying up the 4 corners of the front cover , it is possible to pop the front cover off. The USB cord has a strain relief which I hacked off but perhaps a better method is possible. The USB cable does lug onto the camera assembly ( a set of PCBs ).
The C910 is
UVC ( USB Video Class ) compatible which makes it very nice to support. UVC compatible cameras work with OS X , Windows and Linux.
Software that has worked for me............
gUVCview ( under Ubuntu ) this is the one I am using at present
lUVCview ( under Ubuntu )
Cheese ( under Ubuntu ) this app is under constant development and upgrading
I have been told that the C910 will not focus to infinity .... 6 to 10 feet is the best it will do ( it is said ) According to the LogiTech specs the C910 has 2M pixels.
USB CABLE repair
People have asked me about replacing a USB cable that have been chewed by puppies or cats. Here is my answer.
First thing to do is get a replacement USB 2.0 cable with a type A end. ( Actually ..... other kinds of USB cable ends will work ) You can get one off a broken piece of equipment or buy a cable at the store. I do not know where your puppy chewed the cable. If you have enough cable left on each side of the chewing …... just connect the two good parts of the cable together. ( You can always buy an extender cable to make a longer cable. Ask at a computer store. ) There are 4 wires ( red , green, black & white ) ….. you will have to do some soldering or use wire crimps. ( Get a friend to do it if you cannot do this … or contact a hacker club or DIY club … they are usually very friendly and will do it for free. If you tell me where you live I will help you find a club ) The standard color code is black = ground , red = positive VCC , white = Data+ , green = Data-. Since my C910 is not disassembled , I cannot verify those connections. If you have the end of the cable , you can use a continuity tester to verify which color corresponds to each signal.
If it does not work out ……. please send me the camera. Email me anytime you want.
Gus in Denver
Mounting the camera
My favourite method of mounting lite weight stuff is to use magnets and steel washers.
See my photos for examples. Neodymium magnets are the best. You can get them out of dead hard drives. These magnets are very strong so sometimes I put a piece of paper or plastic between magnet and steel to reduce holding force.
Hacks to the camera
On an Apple MacIntosh I use this app to control the C910. It is called WebCam Settings.
Seller: Liang-Hsin Chen © 2013 Mactaris
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