HasciiCam enables users to publish live ascii video on the web. It captures video from a tv card and renders it into ASCII letters, formatting the output into an html page with a refresh tag, or in a live ASCII window, or in a simple text file.
The software enables users with a tv card, Linux box, and a cheap modem line to show live (h)ascii video which can be viewed without any need for extra applications, plugins, Java etc.
Hasciicam grabs video using Video4Linux api: gets a YUV422 plane and uses the luminance component to obtain a grayscale frame, then renders each frame into hascii using the AA-lib engine, armoring it in a html with a refresh tag.
Hasciicam is operated via the command line.
When using a usb webcam, a supported size needs to be specified. The minimum or maximum detected size should work, also a size of 160×120 mostly gives good results, with unsupported sizes you will get unexpected results.
Features include:
- Low bandwidth live cam “streaming”.
- Command line settings.
- Customizable refresh rate.
- Live mode.
- Gives you the coolest .plan you ever had.
- Draws nifty symbols on your face.
Website: dyne.org/software/hasciicam
Support: Mailing List, GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Jaromil (also known as Denis Roio) and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Hasciicam is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to Video | Return to Webcam Tools
Popular series | |
---|---|
![]() | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
![]() | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
![]() | The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. |
![]() | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
![]() | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
![]() | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
![]() | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
![]() | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
![]() | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
![]() | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
![]() | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
![]() | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
![]() | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
![]() | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
![]() | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
![]() | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
![]() | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
![]() | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
![]() | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
![]() | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
![]() | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
![]() | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |