Acquire 16-bit image from usb webcam using support package

I have a USB camera that supports 16-bit image acquisition. The code below creates a 512x640x3 uint8 where all of the layers are identical (as I expect for a gray scale image)

clear
close
webcamlist
cam = webcam(2)
img = snapshot(cam);
figure
imshow(img)

[Les Beckham]

Do you have a question?

[William]

Yes, It would help to have a question if I want an answer. I am trying to get a uint16 out of the camera using the webcam package. Right now I only get a scaled uint8. I have vendor software in Python that can deliver uint16 so I know the camera can support 16 bit. I would prefer a Matlab solution for easier integration. Is there a way to specify 16-bit output?

[Cris LaPierre]

The snapshot function only returns output as a uint8 (see output data types here).

To acquire other data types, you likely need to use the Image Acquistion Toolbox. I also had to install the Image Acquisition Toolbox Support Package for OS Generic Video Interface in order capture images. Unfortunatly, my camera does not provide the data at uint16, so I can't test that.

Here's the code I used.

% determine what type of video input I have
obj = imaqhwinfo
% Capture a single frame.
vidobj = videoinput('winvideo',2)
frame = getsnapshot(vidobj);

[DGM]

I had been looking for things earlier, and I did see this:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/432601-question-about-setting-the-bit-depth-of-the-usb-camera

I don't have IAT or a webcam, so I'm gonna have to tap out.

Er, well now you've got me wondering if I can access my analog capture card in anything other than uint8. I'm just going to assume the answer is no.