Fixing webcam stuttering issues

Issues & Assistance Unsupported Software (AUR & Other)
1

I’ve been having issues of heavy stuttering with Zoom webcam. The stuttering also happens in Kamoso so it’s not a Zoom issue.

Now it’s getting pretty urgent to find a solution so I spent the day on it.

At some point it seemed to have been running smoother, when I was on linux base kernel; and NVidia drivers were not loaded. Since then, I re-installed NVidia drivers and could not get it to run smoothly under linux base kernel even in Komoso.

Things I tried.

Used Kamoso instead of Zoom.

Switched to linux base kernel.

Uninstalled nvidia-prime and rebooted; that did not fix the problem.

At this point I’m running out of ideas. This is a critical problem. Not being able to do smooth tele-conference would be a deal-breaker.

Got any idea what else I can try?

One next attempt will be to remove ALHP packages; but where I’m at right now internet is a bit too slow to do right now.

Inxi

System:
Kernel: 6.5.9-arch2-1.1 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 13.2.1
clocksource: tsc available: hpet,acpi_pm
parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/@/boot/vmlinuz-linux
root=UUID=58203bda-e2e2-4c32-a006-c91d933cad4e rw rootflags=subvol=@
loglevel=3 quiet intel_iommu=on iommu=pt ibt=off
Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 5.27.9 tk: Qt v: 5.15.11 wm: kwin_x11 vt: 2
dm: SDDM Distro: Garuda Linux base: Arch Linux
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: Acer product: Predator PH315-53 v: V1.01
serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: CML model: QX50_CMS v: V1.01 serial: <superuser required>
UEFI: Insyde v: 1.01 date: 04/27/2020
Battery:
ID-1: BAT1 charge: 43.8 Wh (100.0%) condition: 43.8/58.8 Wh (74.5%)
volts: 16.4 min: 15.4 model: SMP AP18E7M type: Li-ion serial: <filter>
status: full
CPU:
Info: model: Intel Core i7-10750H bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Comet Lake
gen: core 10 level: v3 note: check built: 2020 process: Intel 14nm family: 6
model-id: 0xA5 (165) stepping: 2 microcode: 0xF8
Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 6 tpc: 2 threads: 12 smt: enabled cache:
L1: 384 KiB desc: d-6x32 KiB; i-6x32 KiB L2: 1.5 MiB desc: 6x256 KiB
L3: 12 MiB desc: 1x12 MiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 837 high: 900 min/max: 800/5000 scaling:
driver: intel_pstate governor: powersave cores: 1: 800 2: 800 3: 862 4: 800
5: 800 6: 899 7: 811 8: 900 9: 804 10: 866 11: 858 12: 844 bogomips: 62431
Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Vulnerabilities: <filter>
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel CometLake-H GT2 [UHD Graphics] vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI
driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-9.5 process: Intel 14nm built: 2016-20
ports: active: eDP-1 empty: HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:9bc4
class-ID: 0300
Device-2: NVIDIA TU106M [GeForce RTX 2060 Mobile]
vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: nvidia v: 535.104.05
alternate: nouveau,nvidia_drm non-free: 535.xx+
status: current (as of 2023-09) arch: Turing code: TUxxx
process: TSMC 12nm FF built: 2018-22 pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s
lanes: 16 link-max: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s bus-ID: 01:00.0
chip-ID: 10de:1f15 class-ID: 0300
Device-3: Quanta [] driver: uvcvideo type: USB rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
lanes: 1 mode: 2.0 bus-ID: 1-5:3 chip-ID: 0408:a061 class-ID: 0e02
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.9 with: Xwayland v: 23.2.2
compositor: kwin_x11 driver: X: loaded: intel,nvidia
unloaded: modesetting,nouveau alternate: fbdev,nv,vesa dri: i965 gpu: i915
display-ID: :0 screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 508x285mm (20.00x11.22")
s-diag: 582mm (22.93")
Monitor-1: eDP-1 mapped: eDP1 model: AU Optronics 0x82ed built: 2018
res: 1920x1080 hz: 144 dpi: 143 gamma: 1.2 size: 340x190mm (13.39x7.48")
diag: 394mm (15.5") ratio: 16:9 modes: 1920x1080
API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: nvidia platforms: gbm: drv: nvidia
API: OpenGL v: 4.6.0 compat-v: 4.6 vendor: intel mesa v: 23.2.1-arch1.2.1
glx-v: 1.4 direct-render: yes renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics (CML GT2)
device-ID: 8086:9bc4 memory: 15.09 GiB unified: yes
API: Vulkan v: 1.3.269 layers: 11 device: 0 type: discrete-gpu
name: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 driver: nvidia v: 535.104.05
device-ID: 10de:1f15 surfaces: xcb,xlib device: 1 type: integrated-gpu
name: Intel UHD Graphics (CML GT2) driver: mesa intel v: 23.2.1-arch1.2.1
device-ID: 8086:9bc4 surfaces: xcb,xlib device: 2 type: cpu name: llvmpipe
(LLVM 16.0.6 256 bits) driver: mesa llvmpipe v: 23.2.1-arch1.2.1 (LLVM
16.0.6) device-ID: 10005:0000 surfaces: xcb,xlib
Audio:
Device-1: Intel Comet Lake PCH cAVS vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI
driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel alternate: snd_soc_skl,snd_sof_pci_intel_cnl
bus-ID: 00:1f.3 chip-ID: 8086:06c8 class-ID: 0403
Device-2: NVIDIA TU106 High Definition Audio vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI
driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16
bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:10f9 class-ID: 0403
API: ALSA v: k6.5.9-arch2-1.1 status: kernel-api with: aoss
type: oss-emulator tools: N/A
Server-1: sndiod v: N/A status: off tools: aucat,midicat,sndioctl
Server-2: PipeWire v: 0.3.83 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse
status: active 2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin
4: pw-jack type: plugin tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
Device-1: Intel Comet Lake PCH CNVi WiFi vendor: Rivet Networks
driver: iwlwifi v: kernel bus-ID: 00:14.3 chip-ID: 8086:06f0 class-ID: 0280
IF: wlp0s20f3 state: up mac: <filter>
Device-2: Realtek vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: r8169 v: kernel
pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 3000 bus-ID: 08:00.0
chip-ID: 10ec:2600 class-ID: 0200
IF: enp8s0 state: down mac: <filter>
IF-ID-1: virbr0 state: down mac: <filter>
IF-ID-2: virbr1 state: down mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Intel AX201 Bluetooth driver: btusb v: 0.8 type: USB rev: 2.0
speed: 12 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 1.1 bus-ID: 1-14:4 chip-ID: 8087:0026
class-ID: e001
Report: btmgmt ID: hci0 rfk-id: 0 state: down bt-service: enabled,running
rfk-block: hardware: no software: yes address: <filter> bt-v: 5.2 lmp-v: 11
status: discoverable: no pairing: no
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 3.19 TiB used: 1.7 TiB (53.1%)
SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:2 vendor: Western Digital
model: WD Blue SN570 2TB size: 1.82 TiB block-size: physical: 512 B
logical: 512 B speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 tech: SSD serial: <filter>
fw-rev: 234200WD temp: 43.9 C scheme: GPT
ID-2: /dev/nvme1n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: Western Digital model: PC SN730
SDBQNTY-512G-1014 size: 476.94 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B
logical: 512 B speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 tech: SSD serial: <filter>
fw-rev: 11101100 temp: 46.9 C scheme: GPT
ID-3: /dev/sda maj-min: 8:0 vendor: HGST (Hitachi) model: HTS721010A9E630
size: 931.51 GiB block-size: physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
tech: HDD rpm: 7200 serial: <filter> fw-rev: A3J0 scheme: GPT
Partition:
ID-1: / raw-size: 1.81 TiB size: 1.81 TiB (100.00%) used: 501.9 GiB (27.1%)
fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5 maj-min: 259:5
ID-2: /boot/efi raw-size: 100 MiB size: 96 MiB (96.00%)
used: 51.2 MiB (53.4%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 maj-min: 259:3
ID-3: /home raw-size: 1.81 TiB size: 1.81 TiB (100.00%)
used: 501.9 GiB (27.1%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5 maj-min: 259:5
ID-4: /var/log raw-size: 1.81 TiB size: 1.81 TiB (100.00%)
used: 501.9 GiB (27.1%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5 maj-min: 259:5
ID-5: /var/tmp raw-size: 1.81 TiB size: 1.81 TiB (100.00%)
used: 501.9 GiB (27.1%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5 maj-min: 259:5
Swap:
Kernel: swappiness: 133 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default) zswap: no
ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 11.72 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%)
priority: -2 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:4
ID-2: swap-2 type: zram size: 15.45 GiB used: 19.5 MiB (0.1%)
priority: 100 comp: zstd avail: lzo,lzo-rle,lz4,lz4hc,842 max-streams: 12
dev: /dev/zram0
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 48.0 C pch: 60.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (rpm): N/A
Info:
Processes: 358 Uptime: 17m wakeups: 1 Memory: total: 16 GiB
available: 15.45 GiB used: 4.39 GiB (28.4%) Init: systemd v: 254
default: graphical tool: systemctl Compilers: gcc: 13.2.1 alt: 11/12
clang: 16.0.6 Packages: pm: pacman pkgs: 2159 libs: 565
tools: octopi,pamac,paru Shell: fish v: 3.6.1 default: Bash v: 5.1.16
running-in: konsole inxi: 3.3.30
Garuda (2.6.17-1):
System install date:     2021-11-24
Last full system update: 2023-10-29
Is partially upgraded:   No
Relevant software:       snapper NetworkManager mkinitcpio
Windows dual boot:       Probably (Run as root to verify)
Failed units:            systemd-networkd-wait-online.service
2

@SGS why has a base driver and fundamental aspect of the OS been moved into the unsupported category?

3

You have problems with Zoom, we do not provide support for Zoom, not even for the corresponding essential drivers.
Same for Nvidia.
Therefore.

Which one?
I’m sure we are not the developer.

1 Like
4

I have at least identified that the issue is not Zoom.

Where would be a good place to ask for support then?

I’m seeing several people reporting webcam issues on the Internet; not finding any solution though. I don’t even know whether purchasing a separate USB webcam would solve the problem or not.

5

Personally, I’d start by installing and rebooting into the linux-zen kernel, if you haven’t already done so.

1 Like
6

Tried various kernels already, linux-zen and linux

7

Looks like you are running an outdated BIOS version. I would try updating to the latest version (v2.04) https://www.acer.com/us-en/support/product-support/Predator%20PH315-53/downloads

4 Likes
8

Great idea! A heck of an adventure though… only way is to create a bootable Windows USB, and create it from Windows VM. Eventually – BIOS update was successful.

And Windows flushed by GRUB boot just for booting via USB.

Lukily I had purchased a 2nd USB for Garuda boot; but had to drive in the city to go get it and create that 2nd bootable USB for Garuda. Fixed Grub – once again.

Anyway I was due for creating those 2 bootable devices. Just took a while.

Back into Garuda. At least it fixed something! Xanmod kernel no longer does random noise glitch upon boot! But still does when opening audio settings.

Webcam stutter remains, unfortunately,

That was a nice try tough!

What else can I do?

I do have a question. When looking at webcam via Kamoso, sometimes it shows with a second lag, sometimes it shows immediately like in zoom. What’s the difference? I also noticed that when using phone or GoPro camera as webcam, it had that 1-sec lag that made it unusable.

Now I’m booted into linux-zen and NVIDIA drivers appear to be broken (Optimus Manager icon not displayed), and I’m getting that lag.

One work-around “would” be to use Zoom in a Windows VM but there doesn’t seem to be any way to pass the integrated webcam to the VM either! So even that isn’t a solution.

Basically, I’ll start doing remote work and MUST have properly-working webcam. An interview with heavily stuttering video really isn’t good.

9

No more solution? Truth be told, the laptop is a bomb but the webcam is crap.

I tried installing DroidCam and plugging my phone via USB. Made it work!

Only issue was to install DroidCam manually with makepkg -si instead of from the AUR.

Looks really fluid so far. It does seem that using a different camera solves the problem.

Remains mounting the camera…

Does the Garuda team provide support for camera mounting?

Too bad the internal webcam issue just can’t be fixed. Tnat’s the only issue with Linux; certain things you just got to live with. But work-arounds are usually easy.

10

This topic was automatically closed 14 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.

11

Sure do, for support we recommend crazy glue. :rofl:

3 Likes