---
name: "pw-v4l2"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pipewire-v4l2"
version: "1:1.6.10-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pw-v4l2"
---

# pw-v4l2(1)

Use PipeWire instead of V4L2

## NAME

pw-v4l2 - Use PipeWire instead of V4L2

## SYNOPSIS

**pw-v4l2** \[*options*\] *COMMAND* \[*ARGUMENTS...*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**pw-v4l2** runs a command using a compatibility layer that maps PipeWire video devices to be visible to applications using V4L2.

This is implemented by preloading a shared library via LD\_PRELOAD, which translates library calls that try to access V4L2 devices.

## OPTIONS

- **-h**

  Show help.

- **-r NAME**

  The name of the remote instance to connect to. If left unspecified, a connection is made to the default PipeWire instance.

- **-v**

  Verbose operation.

## EXAMPLES

**pw-v4l2** v4l2-ctl --list-devices

## AUTHORS

The PipeWire Developers \<https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pipewire/pipewire/issues\>; PipeWire is available from \<https://pipewire.org\>

## SEE ALSO

**[pipewire(1)](/pipewire/1.md)**,