Kobo + PPPoE + scrcpy

content/post/scrcpy.md

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+---
+title: "Scrcpy"
+description: 
+date: 2026-03-05T20:53:35+01:00
+image: 
+math: 
+license: 
+hidden: false
+comments: true
+draft: true
+---
+
+There are multiple options to use your phone as a webcam in linux.
+In the past I've used DroidCam.
+It works relatively well, both with USB and over WiFi.
+However, when I last tried it, circa 2020, the experience wasn't great.
+First, latency was more than noticeable.
+Then, resolution is limited unless you pay for the app (fair).
+Lastly, the setup itself was a bit finicky and it didn't always work for me.
+
+
+This time I went with [scrcpy](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy), which in addition to replacing DroidCam, it can be used to view, control and record your phone's screen.
+It can even create a virtual screen which won't show in your device but that will let you control it remotely.
+Neat, huh?
+
+As a bonus, you don't even need to install any apps: you only need to have adb enabled in the developer options (which I always do anyways).
+
+Requisites:
+- Enable adb debugging. It should also work with wireless debugging, but I've read complains about latency.
+- Install scrcpy and adb in your PC. With nix you can run a shell with all the tools with: `nix-shell -p android-tools -p scrcpy`
+
+Create a loopback device for scrcpy:
+
+```
+# This creates /dev/video9
+sudo modprobe v4l2loopback video_nr=9 card_label="scrcpy" exclusive_caps=1
+```
+
+In my case, I got exceptions unless I manually set the size (e.g., `-m1024`) or the camera size.
+Some sizes will also lead to invalid video and other problems, so better find a valid camera size for your phone:
+
+```
+# Get a list of camera sizes
+scrcpy --list-camera-sizes 
+```
+
+In my case, I went with 1920x1440.
+Then, you only need:
+
+```
+scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-size=1920x1080 --camera-facing=back --v4l2-sink=/dev/video9 --no-playback
+```
+
+You can test it out with ffmpeg, vlc or your preferred video player:
+
+```
+ffplay -i /dev/video9
+```
+
+If that works, you can explore using [autoadb](https://github.com/rom1v/autoadb) to launch scrcpy automatically when you connect your phone to your PC.