C920 is good enough for meetings. I solved the focus problem using the traditional Linux method of writing of udev rule which launches a timer when it's plugged in, which periodically launches a systemd service, which runs a bash script to make sure it self-corrects at least every 5 minutes.
❯ cat /etc/systemd/system/video4linux-webcam-config@.timer
# This file is managed by ansible-video4linux-webcam-config
[Unit]
Description=Periodically restart webcam config service
[Timer]
# Unit= defaults to service matching .timer name
OnActiveSec=30
[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target
❯ cat /usr/local/bin/video4linux-webcam-config.sh
#!/bin/bash
if [[ $# -ne 1 ]]; then
echo "Expected minor device number as sole argument" 1>&2
exit 1
fi
v4l2-ctl -d $1 --set-ctrl focus_automatic_continuous=0
v4l2-ctl -d $1 --set-ctrl focus_absolute=0
I'm using a C920 on Debian and I don't have focus issues. I remember that once it was permanently stuck out of focus but unplugging and plugging again fixed the issue. Never had any other issues in years.
My c920 now glitches out and refuses to stream video after about 10 minutes of use (mic still works tho). After some unknown long period of time, it resets and works for another 10 minutes
Yeah mine's doing that too, and my dmesg is flooded with USB disconnect and reconnects.
The thing probably is overheating and shutting off. I believe I've seen videos of them catching fire too, not sure if it's that one or another webcam that looks similar.
Mine's on a USB hub with buttons for each port so I just leave its port off until I need the camera and only turn it on when needed.