Linux Fake Background Webcam
Version: GIT Web: https://github.com/fangfufu/Linux-FakeBackground-Webcam
There are mixed views about the effects of homeworking on employee productivity during this challenging period (clearly not at LXF Towers–ED), but one undisputed result is an increase in the use of video calls and group video conferencing. This HotPick adds some extra functionality to your webcam. Its full name is Linux Fake Background Webcam (LFBW), which is fairly self-explanatory.
The idea is to replace your real background with a fake one, using a bunch of open source tools. You need a V4L2-compatible video device (which could be an Android phone), a relatively fresh software stack, including recent versions of Python3 and OpenCV, and enough resolve to set up the v4l2loopback kernel module. The latter is the main obstacle, as some distros don’t include it by default, forcing you to build it from sources (http://github.com/umlaeute/v4l2loopback). After building and installing the module, ensure it’s loaded ($ sudo modprobe v4l2loopback). The module creates the extra /dev/videoX device, which we’ll be using as a fake webcam. Start LFBW like this: $ python3 fake.py -W 1280 -H 720 -w /dev/video1 -v /dev/video0
Adjust the command with your webcam resolution and the correct names of source and target devices. Here, video1 is the real webcam device (source), while video0 is the output fake camera (target). LFBW takes the video stream from the real webcam device, removes the still background using some OpenCV magic (it’s best to sit before a bright wall) and replaces it with whatever you defined either directly in the command, or in the config file (see config-example.ini). Without altering the defaults, the tool takes you to a lectern in the White House. To change the scene, you need a new background image, and a file for masking fictional foreground objects.