Using GoPro as a Webcam

Chances are you already know that GoPro cameras can be used to stream live to a variety of platforms and social media. and we hope you’ve mastered this skill by now. But if you want to unleash the potential of this action camera even further, here are some tips for using your GoPro as a webcam.

To begin with, let’s talk about the important difference between GoPro and the many cameras that have flooded the market: it is a versatile tool that can be used for action filming, for full-fledged creativity (for example, for filming), vlogging and broadcasting on social networks, as a video recorder in a car and, finally, webcams. But users who purchase GoPro primarily for webinars often opt for these devices for one simple but compelling reason: the picture quality of these cameras is noticeably higher, and the color rendition is incomparably better than standard webcams.

If you are a longtime fan of the brand, then you probably remember that before the HERO5 Black model, setting up and using GoPro as a webcam was quite simple: you had to connect your computer to the camera’s access point, enter a special IP in the browser, and the image from the device was already on your PC. then only simple manipulations with the software were required, and voila. you are on the air!

For models starting from HERO5 Black, the scheme of actions has changed somewhat, but in general, it remains the same simple. Below we have listed a list of additional accessories that you will need to create a broadcast, as well as detailed settings for connecting GoPro with popular video conferencing services such as Zoom, WebEx and Skype.

Note: HERO8 Black can only be used as a webcam in tandem with the media module. MAX, Fusion and Session series models that do not have a built-in MicroHDMI port cannot be used as a webcam.

prepare the necessary equipment

• GoPro with MicroHDMI output for signal output;
• MicroHDMI-HDMI cable;
• HDMI to USB video converter.

Pro tip: You can choose any video capture device you’re used to working with, but we recommend Magewell and ELGato Cam Link 4K. With the help of them, you can broadcast video in 1080p60 and higher quality, and with a minimum video signal delay.

This adapter is the key device that converts the image from the camera into the signal of the webcam.

• USB Type-C cable for charging GoPro power supply;
• Mount for easy camera attachment. We will consider the options below.

choose a shooting angle and mount for GoPro

The choice of mount for mounting an action camera will largely depend on your shooting angle. As a standard solution, we recommend choosing the Shorty monopod or the more convenient Trippler monopod with a pivoting head from PolarPro. If you prefer more creative options (after all, this is a GoPro, not a regular webcam!), We recommend opting for one of the following options:

• The Jaws Flex Clamp is a versatile mount useful if you need unusual angles, or if you’re training or teaching, and it’s important for you to see what’s happening on the camera screen. Due to the fact that the mount can be bent at various angles and cling to many surfaces (table, monitor, desk lamp), “jaws” are very common in the arsenal of accessories for fans of webcasts. In short, a must-have.
• Magnetic Swivel Clip or SP Magnet Mount. thanks to the ability to hold GoPro on metal surfaces, have won fame among motorists and service professionals. Would you like to broadcast the engine repair process by attaching a camera to the inside of the hood? Then magnetic mounts are definitely your choice.!
• The Suction Cup is another universal mount that can be attached to any flat surface, including vertical ones, such as window glass. In this case, the angle of inclination of the camera can be adjusted, and the mount itself can be rotated.
• Gooseneck Flexible Swivel Mount. Combine unlimited quantities with all of the above mounts for the longest, most flexible and versatile mount that won’t be hard-to-reach.

select a service for broadcasting

You can use your GoPro as a webcam for video conferencing services that allow you to choose a broadcast tool. in your case, an action camera. Here are just a few of these services: Webex, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Meetings, OBS, and Wirecast.

set up your GoPro

• Turn on your GoPro;
• Swipe down from the top of the screen and select Options;
• Scroll to the “Input / Output” item and select it;
• Select “HDMI Output” and then “Air”.

• Choose a shooting angle and mount your GoPro;
• Open the side cover on the camera and connect the microHDMI cable;
• Connect the other end of the cable to your video capture device;
• Plug the video capture device into your computer’s USB port. If the computer has a USB 3.0 or higher port, it will be preferable;
• Connect your GoPro to a power source.

Option 1: setting up video conferencing software.

• Skype: go to “Settings” “SoundVideo” “Camera”;
• Webex: select the video icon “Video calling” in the drop-down menu, click “Select camera”;
• Zoom: select the arrow next to Start / Stop Video Video Settings Select Camera;

• You can switch between the two active GoPro cameras right during the broadcast by choosing the one you need in the drop-down menu when you click “Select Camera”.

Option 2: setting up OBS or similar live streaming programs.

• Open StreamLabs OBS or another OBS and follow the instructions to add a video source;

• For OBS, press “” in the video source menu;

• Click on “Video Capture Device”;
• Click “New” and name your video source;
• Select your equipment in the dropdown menu (eg ELGato Cam Link 4K) and click “OK”;
• The GoPro image should appear on your monitor.

Pro tip: The GoPro is capable of streaming up to 1080p60 quality over the HDMI port, however most services are limited to 1080p30. Nevertheless, for the best image quality, take care of good lighting of the scene being filmed.

You are now ready to use your GoPro as a webcam!

Durability and autonomy

The choice of an action camera is influenced by such characteristics as the autonomy of operation and the reliability of the case. The gadgets are designed for use in extreme conditions, including submersion, but have some differences and varying degrees of reliability. The most durable. in the manufacture of the case, which uses an aluminum alloy, special impact-resistant plastic or polyurethane, additionally protected by metal inserts. To increase the durability of the device, you can use cases. waterproof or shockproof.

Battery capacity is also an important factor when choosing. As a rule, lithium batteries are used, which can last about 120 minutes with continuous shooting. It should be noted that at high frame rates the battery will drain faster. Therefore, in some cases, it is advisable to purchase a spare in advance.

CPU

When choosing a device, you need to pay attention to the processor. It must have optimized power, speed and is selected in accordance with the technical characteristics of the matrix. The speed of information processing depends on it. A good processor is able to “stretch” the picture with a weak lens and matrix.

The principle of operation and the device of an action camera

Action cameras are a breakthrough in video technology. When environmental conditions are less than ideal, only such devices are capable of providing high quality footage. They have anti-vandal properties. they are not afraid of dust, dirt, moisture, mechanical damage. At the same time, the devices perfectly shoot at a large amplitude and speed of movement. standard video cameras are not able to cope in such difficult situations.

The action camera has a special design. To understand which one to choose, you need to know the specific characteristics of a particular model. Each of these devices has a small weight and size, but their shape is different. rectangular, cylindrical, square, in the form of a cube, etc. In any case, they all differ in a durable case (which can be waterproof, like the GoPro HERO5 Black), a fastening mechanism and specialized “stuffing”.

Avoiding autofocus, the use of an ultra wide-angle fixed focus lens in most models makes it possible to get clear videos and photos. You can not be afraid of sudden movements, vibrations, shaking during shooting. Focusing at hyperfocal distance allows the operator to shoot without additional actions in automatic mode. The device also doesn’t need a viewfinder.

General options for choosing an action camera

For shooting in extreme conditions, indicators such as are important:

• image stabilization;
• automatic noise reduction;
• frame rate;
• ease of use;
• compliance with the tasks.

You can choose an action camera correctly according to the specific parameters of a particular model.

Display

On the display, which is, for example, a model such as the GoPro HERO7 Black, it is convenient to change settings, make a choice of angles and revise what was filmed. However, the screen increases the size of the device, making the gadget bulky and heavy, which is not always comfortable.

Lens

• photosensitivity;
• focal length;
• viewing angle.

The aperture ratio affects the amount of light transmitted to the sensor. This is important when working on a cloudy day, with insufficient lighting. The higher the light sensitivity, the better.

The devices use ultra-wide-format lenses or “fisheye”. The viewing angle ranges from 120 to 180 degrees. This allows you to capture as much space as possible while shooting in extreme conditions. As the focal length decreases, the field of view increases.

Thanks to wide-angle lenses in action cameras, a high depth of field is achieved, focusing on distant objects in motion. In some models, such as SONY FDR-X3000, the angle of view can be changed during recording. Cropping gives you the ability to automatically adjust your footage.

Applications

The area of ​​application is the broadest. the device can be used both in everyday life, for recreation, and at work. To find out which action camera is the best, you need to prioritize correctly. Different models are suitable for each specific case.

• lovers of active leisure during rest, travel;
• professional athletes during training, competition;
• journalists, directors, TV presenters, photographers, bloggers to shoot exclusive material;
• the military for training and special operations;
• scientists for research;
• rescuers in search operations;
• motorists as a video recorder;
• builders, etc.

For convenience, you should pay attention to the mount. The camcorder can be fixed on various types of surfaces, as well as a helmet, handlebar, arm or clothing.

The devices can be additionally equipped with modules for wireless data transmission. Thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it becomes possible to broadcast video remotely to other devices.

The presence of an HDMI port, as in the GoPro HERO7 Silver, makes it easy to transfer the image to the TV. And the USB connector expands the capabilities of the gadget. you can connect headphones, an external microphone, or use the device as a webcam.

For video recording of emergency situations, a G-sensor is built into some models, which captures and stores the necessary moments with video.

Why I stopped using action cameras for live streaming

One of the factors affecting the quality of shooting is stabilization. Without it, it is impossible to achieve normal video without jerking in conditions of movement at speed.

How much does an action camera cost

• photosensitivity;
• stabilization of shooting;
• video resolution;
• frame rate;
• viewing angle;
• body strength;
• degree of water resistance;
• the presence of HDMI, as in SONY FDR-X3000, USB connectors and wireless modules;
• modes, file formats;
• size and weight.

How to connect a phone camera

As an example, a bundle of Skype and IP WebCam applications will act, but in other products everything is done in the same way.

• Open the app on your smartphone and go to the bottom of the screen and click “Run server”. Make sure your phone and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• After starting the server, you will see the connection URL on the screen.
• Launch the desktop app and in it enter the same URL that appears on the mobile version.
• After you have entered the URL, click on the “Auto Detect” button to test the connection.
• If successful, click on the “Apply” button to save the changes.
• Now open the Skype desktop application and go to Settings. Go to the “audio and video” tab.
• In the video settings, change the camera from “HD Webcam” to “MJPEG Camera”. Now the video stream will be broadcast from your phone.

DroidCam

DroidCam is a small utility with a minimal set of required functions. Like the other apps on the list, it is capable of connecting to the mobile version via a web browser or desktop app. DroidCam also provides additional connectivity options via USB or Wi-Fi. This is a great option as the latency of the USB connection will be minimal. Unfortunately, the app only supports resolutions up to 480p in the free version. Full HD comes with a price tag. In addition, the free version has ads.

IP WebCam

Let’s start analyzing applications from the already mentioned IP WebCam. The application interface is rather austere, but it has everything you need. You can set a username / password for the client application or select a port for communication with the server. The app supports streaming at the highest possible camera resolution. You can connect to your phone’s camera through a web browser or desktop app. It is also possible to set the video resolution through the mobile application or through the client’s desktop application. Interesting. the use of the phone as a video surveillance camera. The broadcast can be viewed in real time through a secure web portal.

How to use an Android smartphone as a webcam

Video calls have become an integral part of our communication. Modern smartphones cope with this task quite well, but they are far from the functionality of the “PC webcam” bundle. As a rule, cameras or webcams built into a laptop do not give the best picture quality for affordable money. And for video conferencing or streaming, this is extremely important. But it is not at all necessary to spend several thousand rubles on an expensive webcam, because you have an excellent quality camera in your smartphone. And it can easily be used instead of a webcam.

Today we are going to tell you about several applications that will help you pair your Android smartphone with your PC. over, they work with both Windows and macOS. All programs, which will be discussed below, work on the client-server model.

IP camera Lite

IP Camera Lite stands out from other applications in that the free version does not greatly limit the user in functionality. In addition, a whole bunch of communication services are supported, and it is also possible to use for video communication not only the smartphone’s camera, but also its microphone, which is often much better than what is installed in laptops and regular webcams. In the free version, you will be annoyed by the watermark on the screen, which can be removed for a small fee. And after payment, you will be able to upload recordings of broadcasts to FTP and a few more functions that you can do without.

You can find even more interesting materials on our page in Yandex.Zen. There are regularly published unique articles that are not on the site. Join us!

Hardware part

Most computers are not capable of recognizing images from an external camera via HDMI by default. If the computer itself has HDMI, it is most likely an output port. Although the cameras have USB connectors, they usually do not send a clear video signal through them.

For this reason, you will need an HDMI to USB converter. If it is present, the computer will be able to recognize the connected optics as a webcam. The advantage of this approach is that any HDMI source can be converted to input, from a camera to a game console or other computer. And the output can be used for any purpose, from conferencing to live streaming or recording to hard drive.

The quality of the video received by the computer depends entirely on the technical capabilities of the converter. If the camera writes 4K, and the USB adapter only supports 1080p, then the maximum recording resolution will be 1080p. Since most live broadcasts and video conferencing are limited to 1080p (or even 720p), this is probably not a big deal, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

What video capture cards are there?

One of the following devices can be used as a video capture adapter:

• ELGato Cam Link 4K.
• MiraBox Capture Card.
• Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini.

As for the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini, this four-input HDMI switcher is the most feature-rich board on offer. It allows you to connect multiple cameras and choose from which one to display the image on the computer, shoot from different angles, configure windows, set up screen sharing, save still images. Of course, such a rich arsenal is not required for standard Zoom communication, but the ATEM Mini is much more flexible than a simple HDMI to USB adapter.

The program is selected. What then?

It doesn’t matter which utility you choose, in any case you will need the included USB cable from the camera.

As a rule, cameras have poor battery life, so you need to make sure that the battery is fully charged. Longer broadcasts will require uninterrupted power via an AC adapter.

Unlike HDMI, USB does not provide access to the camera microphone, so you have to think about where the sound will be recorded from. from the built-in microphone of the computer or from an external one (connected to the computer, not to the camera).

The camera must be positioned so that it does not move during operation. It is best to use a stable tripod for this purpose.

Lighting and an external microphone are optional attributes, but with them the quality of the material will be an order of magnitude better.

Further manipulations depend on the selected video capture program. Before starting work, you need to turn on the camera, connect it to a computer via USB, launch an application for capturing an image, and perform the required actions in it. Then launch the application through which the broadcast itself will go, and specify an external camera instead of the built-in default.

How to use your camera as a webcam?

Mobile phone cameras continue to compete with each other in terms of megapixels. What about laptops and tablets? They also have a camera for video communication, only its indicators are modest and from year to year they do not get better.

Laptop manufacturers are reluctant to talk about the performance of webcams in their devices. The fact is that most of these cameras leave much to be desired: they have tiny sensors and cheap lenses. For basic conference calling, they are good, but for something more, there is no longer.

Video chats are not the only way to use the built-in camera of a laptop or tablet. There are also streaming activities such as blogging and online lessons, and they are very demanding on the quality of the material.

If the capabilities of the built-in camera are too little, you can connect external optics to your computer via USB. Both a DSLR and a mirrorless camera are suitable for this purpose. True, you will have to do a few manipulations to make the computer recognize this type of device exactly as a WEB-camera. It’s worth the hassle, as you end up with high resolution, excellent low-light detail and artistic background effects.

In order for an external camera and a computer to work in conjunction, additional equipment and special software are required. The very process of connecting and configuring is not very complicated. To make things easier, major camera manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, and GoPro) have recently added webcam mode to their software. The chances that you can quickly and painlessly turn your camera into a webcam are very high.

What programs can be used for video capture?

Canon is offering a public beta version of its new EOS Webcam Utility, which allows you to use your camera / camcorder as a USB webcam. Initially, the program was only available for Windows, but recently the functionality has been ported to macOS.

Nikon recently released the Nikon Webcam Utility. For now, this is a beta version for Windows 10. The announcement of the Mac version is expected later. The app is compatible with Nikon Z series cameras as well as the latest D6, D850, D780, D500, D7500 and D5600 DSLRs.

The Fujifilm X Webcam is available from Fujifilm for Windows and macOS. The utility works with several premium Fujifilm mirrorless cameras, including the X-T2, X-T3 and X-T4, as well as all GFX models in the mid-range category.

Also in June, Fujifilm released a firmware update for the entry-level X-A7 and X-T200, which allows you to turn mirrorless cameras into USB webcams without special software. With the latest software, these cameras are recognized in any video calling application on macOS and Windows. However, by default, most settings, including exposure, are locked. You can use the Forced Exposure Tool to adjust the lighting.

Panasonic Lumix Tether, beta streaming software, is compatible with select Panasonic Lumix mirrorless cameras in Windows environment. It is similar to the earlier snapping program, but differs in that it removes overlays from the video stream (focus frames, indicators and other interface elements displayed on the camera display).

The webcam option is also present in the OM-D Webcam from Olympus. So far, there is only compatibility with Windows 10 and five advanced devices: E-M1X, E-M1, E-M1 Mark II, E-M1 Mark III or E-M5 Mark II. After installing the software and connecting, the device becomes available as a webcam in the video chat software.

An action camera does not provide cinematic effects like a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but you can use it as a webcam. GoPro HERO8 Black delivers 1080p wide-angle viewing. To convert your action camera to the web, HERO8 needs to be updated to the latest beta firmware. Then the companion program must be installed on the computer and a USB connection with the camera must be established. The software is compatible with macOS, a Windows version is still in development.

All of the above programs are compatible with the respective brands of cameras. over, support for the desired function is usually not available for older and budget models. But the demand for video communication is growing, and it is possible that economy-class models will appear in the lists of supported devices. Other manufacturers will soon be presenting their own solutions, Sony plans to introduce webcast support for the ZV-1 blogger model.

Of the third-party solutions, first of all I would like to mention SparkoCam for Windows, developed for DSLRs from Nikon and Canon. The program is mostly free, but you will have to pay 50 to remove the watermark. Mac version does not exist yet.

Ecamm Live is an advanced option for experienced video editors with Mac computers. There is support for cameras from different brands and a wide arsenal of tools, including working with multiple cameras, picture-in-picture mode, screen sharing with a Mac or iPhone. After finishing streaming, the program can save the video file to the hard drive.

The adapter is connected. What to do next?

Now you need to get a clean video signal from the camera. Otherwise, the broadcast will display everything on the unit’s display, including user interface overlays, focus and setting indicators. Here you need to know that the function of outputting a pure HDMI signal is not present in all cameras: it can be found in models of the intermediate and advanced level. Since each camera has its own menu organization, the user manual will help you find the desired setting.

Let’s move on to setting the focus. If the camera has focusing with face recognition (and best of all, eye autofocus), then the automatic will do everything for you. If this function is not available, standard continuous autofocus C-AF should be used. You can adjust the Focus manually, but this mode is only suitable for those cases when you will not be moving in the frame.

And then you need to go to the video chat settings and switch from the built-in webcam to the external one.

Software part

There are applications capable of capturing a video stream from a camera connected directly to USB without the need for HDMI. These solutions are less flexible than video capture adapters, but are convenient in that they eliminate the expense of additional accessories. As telecommuting has become more relevant in 2020, many camera manufacturers have launched their own software solutions. Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus and GoPro have the webcam function as standard. Most often it is represented by the beta version. There is also third-party software with a similar option.

Connection problems

Sometimes it happens that the computer does not see the video camera via USB, or the user has other problems using the device. The reasons why the device may not be visible to the computer are as follows.

• Using a USB extension cable. Sometimes a long cable will degrade the signal and the device may not be visible to the device.
• Broken USB connector. In this case, you should connect the device through a different connector.
• Drivers are not installed on the device or on the connectors.
• Sometimes, in order for the computer to see the video camera, you need to restart it. This often happens when connecting for the first time.
• Several applications are open at the same time that refer to the use of the device.
• You can check the webcam connection through the “Control Panel”. “Imaging Devices”. If connected correctly and there are drivers, the device will appear in the list.
• In some cases, it is possible that the webcam is forcibly disabled in the system. This often happens with laptops, in which it can be turned off with the buttons on the keyboard. In this case, it is enough to turn on the video camera using hot keys to make it work.
• When using through sites, the user’s permission to use the device is required. If you click “Deny” by mistake, the site will not be able to use the device. In this case, you need to go to the browser settings and give permission to use. Restarting the site might also help.

Webcam connection

This accessory is designed in such a way that users do not have any special problems with its customization. As a rule, you do not need to configure the camera on a laptop, since it is initially built into the case, and if the device has an operating system, then there are almost always drivers on the webcam. It is enough to start the program, and you can use.

On a stationary device, you will have to connect a video camera to a computer, which usually also does not cause any particular difficulties. The accessory must be connected via a USB connector, the drivers are installed automatically in most cases. The user only needs to configure the camera in Skype.

If the camera is not automatically detected on the computer, then you will need to install drivers for it. This can be done from a disk that can be supplied with the device itself, or download the required software from the manufacturer’s official website.

After installing the drivers, you can use the camera, but this requires special software. The most common way to make video calls around the world is via Skype. But first, you need to configure it for use. When installing the program for the first time, it will automatically ask you to check the video camera and microphone. All the user needs is to agree with the requirements of the program.

If the program was previously, then the setting is carried out as follows. An example is given for Skype on Windows 7, but there will be no significant differences from newer versions in the setup.

• You should go to Skype.
• On the top toolbar, select “Tools”. “Settings”.
• Video settings. After activating the item, a window with the video shown by the camera opens automatically.
• In this menu, you can click the “Webcam Settings” button and access fine-tuning settings, however, for simple communication, all these parameters are completely unnecessary.

How to connect and configure a computer camcorder

The popularity of the Internet today can hardly be overestimated. If earlier the World Wide Web was used to search for information, now users from all over the world can communicate with each other via video communication, record videos for posting on thematic portals and conduct live broadcasts. All this is achieved using a webcam.

What is a webcam for?

Computer camcorders have become as essential an accessory as a keyboard and mouse in recent years. It is difficult to find an Internet user who does not use Skype, does not watch videos or does not record his own.

The most popular uses for a computer camcorder are:

Modern PC models have compact dimensions and convenient mounts, both for placing the accessory on the table and directly on the monitor. Initially, a webcam was created specifically for Skype and other programs for video calls on the Internet. In recent years, the fashion for blogging on YouTube or streaming events such as computer games has led to the use of cameras for slightly different purposes. However, the main task is to record and broadcast video.

Most modern models are USB camcorders with a microphone. Such devices are very easy to configure and do not require special characteristics from the computer. Even the simplest PC can work with this accessory. The webcam itself must have a good video resolution, at least HD (that is, 1280720 pixels) and a good noise canceling microphone.

It is worth noting that video bloggers prefer separate microphones, as their sensitivity and ability to suppress background noise are significantly better.

What can replace the webcam

Sometimes there are situations when you need to urgently shoot a video for broadcasting on the Internet or stream, but there is no camera at hand. In this case, a regular or action camera will come to the rescue. It is quite possible to use a camcorder as a webcam, but you should first make sure that it supports this function. This information is usually prescribed in the instructions.

In general, the connection of the video camera is carried out in a fairly standard way. It is connected to the computer via a USB cable. The video recorder enters capture mode. For it you will need to install drivers, usually they are on the disk that comes with the device. But you can also download them from the manufacturer’s website.

The next step is to install a blogging or video recording software. For online broadcasting, you can use Skype, while it has the ability to choose the device from which the broadcast will be carried out. The choice of the appropriate option is carried out in the camera settings along the path “Tools”. “Settings”. “Webcam settings”. With multiple cameras, you can change the scene during the broadcast.

If the digital camera does not support the web display mode, but can transmit video via cable, then it can also be configured as a web using video capture devices and special programs. Video capture can be performed by a TV tuner, directly by a video card or by a special receiver. SplitCam, ManyCam and similar programs are suitable as software. In this case, the connection is made via a “Tulip” cable.

Similarly, you can make a webcam from an action camera. The principle is the same: an action camera is connected, drivers are installed for it, the device is turned on for recording. Most modern action cameras have a built-in mode for web display.

The use of conventional and action cameras for bloggers is a very convenient option, because quite often the image quality from these devices is better. In addition, you can connect a regular camera and an action camera at the same time, and install a web device. This will allow alternating display from three different points.

An important point: all cameras must be connected to the electrical network so that they are not discharged during operation.

Connecting the camera

To organize the operation of the camera as a WEB-camera, it is necessary to have a video capture device (Capture Video) on the computer. This device will transmit the video signal to the desired programs.

Such a device for capturing video can be a TV tuner, video card or adapter. But at the input of such devices, there must be a video input in the form of a “tulip” connector. We will connect the yellow tulip from the camera to it.

Having installed the necessary drivers, you will also need to install a utility for redirecting the video signal to the Internet (ManyCam, Active WebCam, SplitCam). After all, programs for ensuring the operation of video capture devices can save the video recordings taken by the camera to the hard disk, but they cannot broadcast this signal to the network. This is where you need a special utility for redirecting the video stream.

The Cheapest Webcam You Can Buy. Isn’t A Webcam

For normal operation of the camera, you need to disable the shutdown function when idle in the settings. Also, to save battery power, it is advisable to connect the camera to the power supply. Especially if you use constant focus.

After that, connect the camera to your computer using the yellow tulip A / V cable. Before that, you need to connect the tuner or adapter to the computer, if they are external and located outside. All connections must be made with the equipment turned off.

In the window of the program supplied with the video capture device, you should see the video from the camera (you may have to set the input to composite “composite”).

After that, open the utility window for redirecting video recording and select the desired device as a signal source:

File Video Source Your video capture device.

Here you can configure the parameters of the video signal, which can be useful if the Internet is slow and the image slows down.

After that, you can open Skype or another video communication program and in the settings specify our utility as a video signal source:

Tools Settings Video Settings Select Webcam.

Can the camera be used as a WEB-camera

Can a digital camera be used as a WEB-camera to work in video communication programs over the Internet? It depends on the capabilities of the camera itself.

You may also need to install the driver supplied with the camera.

Other cameras that, according to the instructions, do not provide for such a mode of operation, can be divided into two groups:

• The first group includes cameras that can be used as a web-camera, but for this you need to install special programs.
• And the other group includes cameras that cannot work as a webcam.

To understand which devices belong to the first group, you need to connect the video output of the camera (see the instructions) to the TV. Typically, this uses a cord with tulips and a USB connector at one end, and the other end should have a connector to connect to the camera. So, having connected the camera with this cord to the TV, using a yellow tulip, on the TV screen you should see the image that the camera is currently filming through the lens in real time. On the TV set, you need to select the appropriate input. To do this, you do not need to enable viewing of photos or video files on the camera.

If such a connection is possible, and you really see the real-time image from the camera on the TV screen, then you can use such a device as a WEB-camera. You just need to install the necessary programs on your computer.

Possible difficulties

When installing all drivers and programs, it is advisable to create a restore point on your computer. Various difficulties and errors are possible in the operation of video processing software. To secure your system and you should use the recovery capabilities in the OS.

If the system freezes while Skype is running, restart your computer. If this happens often, then it is advisable to reinstall all programs and drivers (used in this manual). If this does not help, then you can use another utility program to redirect the video signal. If there is only minor interference, then you can try to turn off all programs and turn it on again.

The order of turning on the programs does not need to be changed (first the utility that directs the video stream, and then Skype).