[Solved] Webcam Audio Not Recorded Properly

[ismail783]

Another thing when using alsamixer when I select GENERAL WEBCAM sound card using F6, it says:

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This sound device does not have any playback controls.

[ismail783]

I am adding my pacmd list-sources output bellow:

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$ pacmd list-sources
3 source(s) available.
    index: 0
	name: <alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo.monitor>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE 
	priority: 1030
	volume: front-left: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB,   front-right: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 65536 / 100% / 0.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 371.52 ms
	monitor_of: 0
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3>
	module: 7
	properties:
		device.description = "Monitor of Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		device.class = "monitor"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0x6001110000 irq 129"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a348"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "0"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
    index: 1
	name: <alsa_input.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE 
	priority: 9039
	volume: front-left: 9620 /  15% / -50.00 dB,   front-right: 9620 /  15% / -50.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 6554 /  10% / -60.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 2ch 44100Hz
	channel map: front-left,front-right
	             Stereo
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 371.52 ms
	card: 0 <alsa_card.pci-0000_00_1f.3>
	module: 7
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "ALC887-VD Analog"
		alsa.id = "ALC887-VD Analog"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "0"
		alsa.card_name = "HDA Intel PCH"
		alsa.long_card_name = "HDA Intel PCH at 0x6001110000 irq 129"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_hda_intel"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:1f.3"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1f.3/sound/card0"
		device.bus = "pci"
		device.vendor.id = "8086"
		device.vendor.name = "Intel Corporation"
		device.product.id = "a348"
		device.form_factor = "internal"
		device.string = "front:0"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "65536"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32768"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-stereo"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Stereo"
		device.description = "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo"
		alsa.mixer_name = "Realtek ALC887-VD"
		alsa.components = "HDA:10ec0887,104386d4,00100302 HDA:8086280b,80860101,00100000"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "audio-card-pci"
	ports:
		analog-input-front-mic: Front Microphone (priority 8500, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
		analog-input-rear-mic: Rear Microphone (priority 8200, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
		analog-input-linein: Line In (priority 8100, latency offset 0 usec, available: no)
			properties:
				
	active port: <analog-input-front-mic>
  * index: 2
	name: <alsa_input.usb-GENERAL_GENERAL_WEBCAM-02.analog-mono>
	driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
	flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
	state: SUSPENDED
	suspend cause: IDLE 
	priority: 9049
	volume: mono: 44647 /  68% / -10.00 dB
	        balance 0.00
	base volume: 9619 /  15% / -50.00 dB
	volume steps: 65537
	muted: no
	current latency: 0.00 ms
	max rewind: 0 KiB
	sample spec: s16le 1ch 16000Hz
	channel map: mono
	             Mono
	used by: 0
	linked by: 0
	configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 2000.00 ms
	card: 1 <alsa_card.usb-GENERAL_GENERAL_WEBCAM-02>
	module: 27
	properties:
		alsa.resolution_bits = "16"
		device.api = "alsa"
		device.class = "sound"
		alsa.class = "generic"
		alsa.subclass = "generic-mix"
		alsa.name = "USB Audio"
		alsa.id = "USB Audio"
		alsa.subdevice = "0"
		alsa.subdevice_name = "subdevice #0"
		alsa.device = "0"
		alsa.card = "1"
		alsa.card_name = "GENERAL WEBCAM"
		alsa.long_card_name = "GENERAL GENERAL WEBCAM at usb-0000:00:14.0-8, high speed"
		alsa.driver_name = "snd_usb_audio"
		device.bus_path = "pci-0000:00:14.0-usb-0:8:1.2"
		sysfs.path = "/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-8/1-8:1.2/sound/card1"
		udev.id = "usb-GENERAL_GENERAL_WEBCAM-02"
		device.bus = "usb"
		device.vendor.id = "1b3f"
		device.vendor.name = "Generalplus Technology Inc."
		device.product.id = "2002"
		device.product.name = "808 Camera"
		device.serial = "GENERAL_GENERAL_WEBCAM"
		device.form_factor = "webcam"
		device.string = "hw:1"
		device.buffering.buffer_size = "64000"
		device.buffering.fragment_size = "32000"
		device.access_mode = "mmap+timer"
		device.profile.name = "analog-mono"
		device.profile.description = "Analog Mono"
		device.description = "808 Camera Analog Mono"
		alsa.mixer_name = "USB Mixer"
		alsa.components = "USB1b3f:2002"
		module-udev-detect.discovered = "1"
		device.icon_name = "camera-web-usb"
	ports:
		analog-input-mic: Microphone (priority 8700, latency offset 0 usec, available: unknown)
			properties:
				device.icon_name = "audio-input-microphone"
	active port: <analog-input-mic>

[MrEen]

The alsamixer thing is normal. The webcam doesn't have any speakers. After using F6 to select it, then press F4 to see the lonely Mic column.

First, I would try simply unplugging the webcam, then plug it back in. That might fix this.

If that changes nothing, run this then reboot:

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apt install --reinstall alsa-base alsa-utils pulseaudio linux-sound-base libasound2

I'm not having much luck searching for other ideas, but I'll try again in the morning.

Good night.

[ismail783]

I ran the commands and it is still not working.

Please do take rest now. Me too will not check back until tomorrow. And, thank you very much for your help.

Paradoxically, the hardware 1st world country stop using is sold in our country in higher price.

For example, in amazon Logitech C270 is being sold at ~$45. In our country it is priced ~$65.

This is not only for webcam, it is true for almost everything electronics in our country. I had to pay premium for the hardware you see as my inxi output.

I am telling all these for a suggestion from you. If the hardware I bought does not work then I am looking for two alternatives:

1. buy a Logitech C270
2. buy MAONO AU-100 Hands Free Clip-on Lapel Mic (To work with my existing webcam).

What do you suggest I do? Are these hardware compatible with Linux Mint.

[MrEen]

The Logitech should work, I believe. I've seen issues posted, but I think they were all solved.

Another option; Do you have a smart phone? If so, the droidcam app can be used as a webcam and mic. I've used it myself, but only as a webcam so far. But I've seen quite a few users using it lately.

One more thing that might be worth trying with what you have. Do you have another USB cable that will plug into the webcam? Maybe there's something wrong in the cable you're using, and another cable might fix this issue. Also, check the pins in the USB cable's connectors. If one is bent, try to straighten it out. I've seen one case where this worked.

P.S. Sorry for the delay in replying. Energy level is quite low today, and took a long time to wake up enough to start typing.

[ismail783]

Please sir, don't be sorry, you are helping me that is more than enough.

You have not said anything about MAONO AU-100 Hands Free Clip-on Lapel Mic.

Can that be a considerable option?

[MrEen]

Please sir, don't be sorry, you are helping me that is more than enough.

You have not said anything about MAONO AU-100 Hands Free Clip-on Lapel Mic.

Can that be a considerable option?

I have not seen any posts about that device, so can't comment on it. I assume this would plug into the mic port on the computer. It will probably be fine. I've seen posts from other users using a lapel mic that didn't have any issues. The one potential issue I could see if it might be a Mono mic, and the default settings are stereo, so users sometimes hear nothing recorded at first as the 2 channels cancel each other out. It's easy to change the system to mono to make it work though.

[ismail783]

Let me purchase MAONO AU-100.

If there is any problem then I will get back to you.

Thank you very much.

[MrEen]

You're very welcome. Good luck with the purchase!

We're here if you need us.

[sulfastor]

Hi.

I have exactly the same problem as Ismail.

You asked for some output. I can show the diff of what I got.

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        name: <alsa_input.usb-GENERAL_GENERAL_WEBCAM-02.analog-mono>
        driver: <module-alsa-card.c>
        flags: HARDWARE HW_MUTE_CTRL HW_VOLUME_CTRL DECIBEL_VOLUME LATENCY DYNAMIC_LATENCY
-       state: SUSPENDED
-       suspend cause: IDLE
+       state: RUNNING
+       suspend cause:
        priority: 9049
        volume: mono: 44647 /  68% / -10.00 dB
                balance 0.00
        base volume: 9619 /  15% / -50.00 dB
        volume steps: 65537
        muted: no
-       current latency: 0.00 ms
+       current latency: 9.02 ms
        max rewind: 0 KiB
        sample spec: s16le 1ch 16000Hz
        channel map: mono
                     Mono
-       used by: 0
-       linked by: 0
-       configured latency: 0.00 ms; range is 0.50 .. 2000.00 ms
+       used by: 1
+       linked by: 1
+       configured latency: 42.67 ms; range is 0.50 .. 2000.00 ms
        card: 0 <alsa_card.usb-GENERAL_GENERAL_WEBCAM-02>
        module: 7
        properties:

[MrEen]

Hi sulfastor, and welcome to the forum.

Let me see the output of amixer as well please. And I don't mean amixer -c1 like in the OP's case. I'm wondering if a different thing might help.

[sulfastor]

Thank you for your reponse.

I also forgot to gave the output of uname -a

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Linux Stallman-HP-ProBook-440-G5 5.6.19-050619-generic #202006171132
SMP Wed Jun 17 16:31:10 UTC 2020 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

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Simple mixer control 'Master',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 74
  Mono: Playback 71 [96%] [-3.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Headphone',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 74
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 0 [0%] [-74.00dB] [off]
  Front Right: Playback 0 [0%] [-74.00dB] [off]
Simple mixer control 'Speaker',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pswitch
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 74
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 74 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Playback 74 [100%] [0.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'PCM',0
  Capabilities: pvolume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Playback 0 - 255
  Mono:
  Front Left: Playback 255 [100%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: Playback 255 [100%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Mic Boost',0
  Capabilities: volume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: 0 - 3
  Front Left: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: 0 [0%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',1
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',2
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',3
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'IEC958',4
  Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Mono: Playback [on]
Simple mixer control 'Beep',0
  Capabilities: pvolume pvolume-joined pswitch pswitch-joined
  Playback channels: Mono
  Limits: Playback 0 - 7
  Mono: Playback 3 [43%] [-16.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Capture',0
  Capabilities: cvolume cswitch
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 80
  Front Left: Capture 80 [100%] [6.00dB] [on]
  Front Right: Capture 80 [100%] [6.00dB] [on]
Simple mixer control 'Auto-Mute Mode',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'Disabled' 'Enabled'
  Item0: 'Enabled'
Simple mixer control 'Digital',0
  Capabilities: cvolume
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: Capture 0 - 120
  Front Left: Capture 60 [50%] [0.00dB]
  Front Right: Capture 60 [50%] [0.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Internal Mic Boost',0
  Capabilities: volume
  Playback channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Capture channels: Front Left - Front Right
  Limits: 0 - 3
  Front Left: 2 [67%] [24.00dB]
  Front Right: 2 [67%] [24.00dB]
Simple mixer control 'Mute-LED Mode',0
  Capabilities: enum
  Items: 'On' 'Off' 'Follow Master'
  Item0: 'Follow Master'

[MrEen]

Okay, see if this helps. In the terminal run alsamixer and find the Digital column (you may need to press F4 to expose it. Use your arrow keys to navigate to it, then press the m key to mute it. Then test the audio.