Linux driver for the Facetime HD (Broadcom 1570) Camera (T9018)

Melody Asghari (#emailTea), 2020-05-24 04:25:59 UTC

• **Name: **Broadcom 1570 FaceTimeHD Camera

• Homepage: https://github.com/patjak/bcwc_pcie/wiki

• Why should this be included in the repository? If we already offer similar software in our repository or third party, please provide information on what your proposed software does that our existing offerings don’t (differentiators).

  • Solus/Linux technically does not have any other driver for the FaceTime camera. I normally would try to Airgap my Macbook, however due to the pandemic a lot of people are required to use their webcams. The impact is differential, but I know that beyond my case in which I need to use my camera for school and do not want to use video sharing software via the original operating system/host system, will want to use the video camera on Solus. A few people in the forums have successfully used the camera out of the box, but having consistency would help especially for a hardware piece that benefits a lot of devices and in our current situation would breathe new life into old devices. Also #DataDrake said the following in the discussion topic I brought up "I'm going to hate myself later for agreeing to this, but go ahead and Request a Package for the driver and mention that I told you to.//.....//As long as compilation and maintenance looks sane, I'll take responsibility for it."

• Is it Open Source (yes/no) (I think it is? The actual broadcom driver is not.)

• If no: Are we allowed to distribute it?

  • Yes?

• Who and how many users do you anticipate will use this software?

  • Anyone who uses an apple product with the Broadcom chip:
  • Mac (21,5", since mid 2011)
  • iMac (27", since mid 2011)
  • MacBook Air (since mid 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (15", since early 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (17", since early 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (13", since early 2011)

• Link to source file: GitHub

Start by reading the bcwc_pcie homepage and linked GitHub source, including its build and licensing information. Compare the project with Solus package conventions and determine whether compilation and maintenance are practical. Done means a reviewable package exists and the Broadcom 1570 camera driver works for supported Apple hardware.