Querying Capabilities

Video for Linux Two API Specification: Revision 0.24
Prev | Chapter 1. Common API Elements | Next

# 1.2. Querying Capabilities

Because V4L2 covers a wide variety of devices not all aspects of the API are equally applicable to all types of devices. Furthermore devices of the same type have different capabilities and this specification permits the omission of a few complicated and less important parts of the API.

The `VIDIOC_QUERYCAP` ioctl is available to check if the kernel device is compatible with this specification, and to query the functions and I/O methods supported by the device. Other features can be queried by calling the respective ioctl, for example `VIDIOC_ENUMINPUT` to learn about the number, types and names of video connectors on the device. Although abstraction is a major objective of this API, the ioctl also allows driver specific applications to reliable identify the driver.

All V4L2 drivers must support `VIDIOC_QUERYCAP`. Applications should always call this ioctl after opening the device.

Prev | Home | Next
Common API Elements | Up | Application Priority