Grr this took hours to figure out. I was trying to install MJPG-streamer and running VLC command lines and all this crap but nothing worked.
First install motion
:
~> sudo apt-get install motion
Then create a config file:
~> mkdir ~/.motion
~> nano ~/.motion/motion.conf
In it, the bare minimum to run a web server and view it on other computers:
webcam_port 8081
webcam_localhost off
Then run motion:
~> motion
Now you can view the webcam at http://hostname:8081 If it doesn't work, try rebooting between steps or something.
Isn't that easy? >:(
See also: How to run webcam software only when I am not home
as @EVINK said:
for motion's latest version for Ubuntu (Version 4.3.2), this is relevant configuration:
see more at: https://motion-project.github.io/motion_config.html
in addition, if you want to enable a web cam control:
also, configuring camera to its default resolution:
useful option, running in background
all at ones for my camera: