GStreamer

Watch your own webcam performance

    $ gst-launch v4l2src device=/dev/video0  ! autovideosink

(replace /dev/video0 with the device path to your webcam)

The v4l2src element reads video frames from a Video for Linux 2 device.  The output is passed on to the "autovideosink" element, which displays it on screen.  The "autovideosink" element automatically chooses an appropriate output element for the system, it could be "xvimagesink" if supported.

    $ gst-launch v4l2src device=/dev/video0 ! videoflip method=horizontal-flip ! autovideosink

Here, the "videoflip" element will mirror the image horizontally.  This way, you can turn any webcam-equipped 8-core PC into an expensive mirror!

Python webcam viewer: http://pygstdocs.berlios.de/pygst-tutorial/webcam-viewer.html

http://blog.eltrovemo.com/364/diy-broadcast-how-to-build-your-own-tv-channel-with-open-source-other-goodies/