Is it possible to use Android as a webcam? Phone as a WEB camera

There are two ways to use a digital camera as a webcam - using the built-in webcam mode or using the camera as a video capture device. Let's look at each of these options.

First, check your camera's manual to see if it can function as a webcam. Many digital cameras have this feature. You just need to install proprietary software to use as a webcam - most often it can be found on the camera manufacturer's website. Install the necessary software before connecting the camera.


Procedure:

  • Connect your camera to your computer - connection is possible either via a USB cable or (if necessary) using audio/video cables that may be supplied with the camera.
  • Go to "My Computer" (if using Windows 7, 8 or 8.1) and click on the USB video capture device icon. Most likely, the captured video from the camera will appear. If this does not happen, check whether the power supply is connected to the camera. Some cameras cannot function as webcams unless an external power source is connected. Webcam mode requires more power and the built-in battery or batteries are not sufficient.
  • Use a separate microphone if your camera does not transmit sound.
  • Find out the focal length of the camera. The minimum focal length of lenses determines the minimum distance to the object. Typically, the shorter the focal length, the closer the subject can be positioned.
  • Make sure the cables are connected tightly to avoid breakage during broadcasting.
  • You can select the required web camera in the program you will use (Skype, etc.)
You can choose a high-quality camera or camera in our or.

In the second case, if the camera does not have a mode of operation as a webcam, but can broadcast an image via a video cable, you will need not only drivers, but also specialized software for redirecting the video signal to the Internet (for example, ManyCam, Active WebCam, SplitCam programs). Standard programs video capture devices can save videos captured by the camera to HDD, but they cannot broadcast this signal to the network - therefore they need to take care of the choice necessary program in advance.

To organize the camera to work as a webcam, you must have a video capture device on your computer (Capture Video). Such a device for capturing video can be a TV tuner, a video card, or a special adapter. The input usually uses a video input in the form of a cinch connector. The camera is connected through it.

The camera should be connected with it turned off. Using a video capture program, you should see video from the camera (make sure you have specified the correct video input - composite). You can then configure programs to use your video capture device (your camera) as a webcam.

You don't have a webcam and want to use yours as one mobile phone? This opportunity really exists, since almost every phone has a camera. And we will tell you how to use this camera as a webcam. There is nothing complicated about this, and almost all modern smartphones and many old handsets that are not equipped with operating systems can work in this mode.

USB connection

The easiest way to use your phone as a webcam is to use a wired USB connection. By default, the handset will be detected as a modem or as removable storage. Therefore, we need to install a bunch of software that will make the phone work as a camera, and the computer will perceive the phone as a webcam. As a result, we should have a webcam that works with any application, for example, Skype. As we have already said, to create a bundle we need an application that turns the phone into a camera.

Software for smartphones on Android OS can be found in the application store Play Market. If you have an iPhone, go to the AppStore. For smartphones running other OSes, built-in stores and third party sources. In addition to the program for the smartphone, we will need a response program for the PC– it will receive data from the phone. Once you get all necessary software, proceed to install it. After installation, launch the programs and enter the necessary settings (if necessary).

As a result, a webcam should appear in the PC operating system. To check the connection, run any program that works with web cameras - for example, Skype, ICQ or Mail.ru Agent. By going to the camera settings section, you will find the installed “web” and can evaluate the image quality.

Old ones can also be used as webcams telephone sets, functioning without operating systems. In this case you will need to find suitable software, working with cameras of certain devices (everything is strictly individual here).

Please note that some smartphones support connecting as a webcam without additional software— to do this, you need to set up a USB connection by selecting the connection method in the settings (charging, file transfer, photo transfer, camera, etc.).

Can I use my phone as a webcam via Bluetooth? Yes, but only if this functionality is supported by the selected applications. And this is very convenient, since the phone will be unconnected to the computer. The only connection will be the power cord connecting the handset to charger – Having the camera and Bluetooth on quickly drains the battery.

To make it more convenient to use your phone as a webcam, purchase a car holder with a flexible leg - this will allow you to not hold the phone in your hands when working in camera mode. If the image jerks and slows down, try reducing the resolution.

IP camera for video surveillance

Now you know how to use your phone as a webcam - you need to install special applications on the handset and on your PC and connect via USB. This feature will be useful to owners of desktop computers that do not have web cameras. Particularly convenient when using wireless connection via Bluetooth.

Using a smartphone as a webcam is very easy, but it can also be turned into a completely different device - an IP camera for video surveillance. To do this, there are numerous programs in smartphone app stores that allow you to turn your smartphone into an IP camera. Access to the camera is carried out using special programs for PCs that work with IP cameras - all devices must be connected to the same internal network.

After downloading and launching the selected application, you need to make sure that the camera itself is turned on, that there is a connection to the Wi-Fi network and that an IP address has been assigned. This IP address must be entered in the program that will receive the transmitted signal. The resulting image, depending on your whims, can be recorded on a hard drive or simply displayed on the monitor screen.

Remote video surveillance

Some applications can work with special services that allow broadcasting from a smartphone via the Internet. This remote video surveillance scheme works as follows:

  • We create an account on one of the services;
  • We install the monitoring program and configure it to work with the selected service;
  • We connect to the service from a laptop or another phone and observe what is happening in front of the smartphone with the camera turned on.

That is, if you have a smartphone lying around and you don’t know what to use it for, you can make a simple video surveillance system to monitor your home– you will see what children or pets are doing in your absence. It is also possible to control the areas adjacent to the house by installing a smartphone on a window - installation on the street can damage the device, which is not designed to work in such difficult conditions.

Modern smartphones are capable of performing a lot of functions. Essentially, this is an entire personal computer in your pocket that helps you solve various daily tasks and allows you to access the Internet wherever you are. However, at home, a smartphone can also be very useful. This article will talk about how to connect a smartphone as a webcam to your personal computer.

The web camera allows you to create video communication with loved ones who are on this moment are far from you. At the same time, you not only hear the person, but also see him.

1. So, connect your smartphone to your PC as a web camera

Due to the fact that modern smartphones have the ability to connect to a PC not only via USB cable, there are two ways to use mobile device as a web camera:

It is worth noting that both methods do not require special knowledge or “supernatural” settings from you. However, a wireless connection is still more convenient. Your smartphone is not connected to the PC with a short enough cable and does not limit your actions. That is, when wireless connection you can install your smartphone in any place convenient for you, and even move around the room with it. At the same time, the data transfer speed is not inferior to a cable connection.

1.1. How to connect your smartphone as a webcam via Wi-Fi

To connect a smartphone as a web camera via WiFi connection There are various applications. For example, “USB Webcam for Android” and “Droid Cam”. As already mentioned, there are a lot of applications, all you have to do is select, download and install. Most of them you can find in free service Google Play. It is worth noting. What do you need for such a connection? home network or Wi-Fi module on a PC. However, today almost every home has Wi-Fi router, so there shouldn't be any problems.

All programs have the same operating principle. Therefore, no matter which application you choose, you should follow these steps:

  • Download and install the application on your smartphone and PC;
  • In the video calling program, select installed program as a web camera.

This completes the connection. The smartphone will work as a web camera, and you will be able to create video chats with friends and family.

1.2. How to connect a smartphone as a webcam via USB

To make this connection there are also special programs. It is worth noting. The advantage of this connection is that the smartphone will be constantly charged via USB.

So, to connect your smartphone as a web camera, follow these steps:

  • On your smartphone, in the settings, in the “applications” item, you should enable “USB Debugging”;
  • Launch the USB Webcam for Android application on your smartphone and connect it to the PC via a USB cable;
  • Download and install the client for a personal computer “USB Webcam PC Host”;
  • In the folder “C:ProgramFiles/USBWebcam” you need to launch the client through the usbwebcam.bat file.

2. How to make a webcam from a smartphone: Video

If you did everything correctly, then, for example, in Skype program You will have the opportunity to choose a smartphone web camera. It is worth noting that the image will have a low frame rate.

3. How to connect a webcam to a smartphone

Connecting a webcam to a smartphone also does not require special skills and knowledge. To do this you will need a special adapter, this is called USB OTG cable. You will also need to download and install special application, which will allow you to control the web camera.

The USB OTG cable has a microUSB connector on one side that connects to the smartphone, and on the other there is an input for USB connections devices. All you have to do is connect USB OTG to your smartphone, as well as a webcam to the USB OTG USB input. After this, you need to launch the application to control the webcam. It is worth remembering that not all smartphones support such a connection.

Video conferencing and all kinds of streams today are not only fashionable fun, but also a really convenient way to communicate with those who are far away, undergo a remote job interview, and speak in front of a large audience. That is why you want the quality of the transmitted video not to spoil the overall impression of the public. Alas, webcams often cannot offer such quality. Is this a reason to abandon your idea? Not at all. Surely somewhere near you there is now a smartphone whose camera is better than the one installed on a laptop or computer. Why not use it? Moreover, it is not at all difficult.

In fact, to use an Android smartphone as a webcam, you don’t need anything other than specialized software: you install the program on your smartphone and the client on your desktop PC, connect them using an IP address and port (you will find this data in the application on your smartphone , they will need to be entered into the associated program on the PC) the goal has been achieved! It is on this principle that all such applications work. We will talk about the features of each individual application below.

IP Webcam is probably the most famous application of its kind, so we will use its example to understand the issue. This program features a very large number of different settings, ranging from frame rate to choosing orientation and recording video with overlaying data on battery status, date and other parameters. The application has a lot of settings, which allows you to flexibly configure it and is completely Russified.

If for some reason you are not satisfied with this application, here are a few more analogues:

Wi-Fi Camera works on a different principle: you do not need to install software on your PC, only a browser in which all manipulations will be performed. This option is perfect if you are planning to use an old smartphone for video surveillance.

EpocCam is available in the app store in paid and free version. It also requires a client on your computer (Windows and Mac are supported), but there is absolutely no fuss with IP addresses: devices are paired automatically.

Droid Cam X, like its analogues, consists of programs on Android and a desktop PC (Windows, Mac and Linux are supported), connection is possible both over the air and via a USB cable. The program can also work in the background.

We'll probably end here. It is only worth mentioning that in webcam mode the smartphone will consume a large amount of energy, so to avoid incidents it is better to charge it in advance.

Android WEB camera

Many of those who do not have a webcam, but would like to use one, no longer need to spend money on buying one. It is enough to adapt a cell phone instead of a webcam. And since a significant number of modern phones (smartphones) are based on Android OS, the methods we will consider will probably be useful to their owners. And here's what else is goodphone as a web camera: Android devices, firstly, are easily synchronized with personal computers, secondly, there is accessible and simple software for connecting them, and thirdly, the cameras of many modern phones are in no way inferior in basic characteristics to webcams.

Android smartphone as a web camera: what is needed for this?

The procedure for connecting and setting up a webcam is not difficult for a more or less experienced Android OS user, but beginners should carefully study the instructions, although, as a rule, no difficulties arise. Before connecting, you must first prepare:

  • Personal computer based on Windows OS (XP and higher) or Linux.
  • PC application using webcam - VLC Media Player, Skype, social clients. networks, etc. - to choose from.
  • Software for connecting and setting up a webcam on a smartphone, which will be discussed below (available from Google Play).
  • Depending on the capabilities of the program to “turn” a smartphone into a webcam: wireless access point Wi-Fi networks as a separate device or a virtual (“hosted” network launched on a computer with Windows 7 or 8 using programs such as Connectify, etc.), BlueTooth adapter or USB cable.
  • Directly A ndroid phone as a web camera.

From the software you can use:

  • DroidCam Wireless Webcam is a software consisting of two parts - launched on a PC and on a smartphone. Connection using this program is available via Wi-Fi, BlueTooth and USB. Can use both rear and front camera. Allows you to broadcast both video and sound.
  • USB Webcam for Android - just like the above-mentioned software, consists of 2 parts - for a PC and a smartphone. Works via USB interface. On some Android phones, due to the lack necessary drivers, does not start correctly. Most applications only transmit video (no sound).
  • IP Webcam - installed on the phone. The IPCamAdapter application is installed on the PC. Devices are synchronized via Wi-Fi. The software can work with rear and front camera. In many applications that use a webcam, it transmits both video and audio.

If any of these programs are not supported by your smartphone model, you should try another one, or update the Android firmware.

Installing applications and setting up camera connection

DroidCam Wireless Webcam

  1. Download and install parts of the application on your PC and smartphone.
  2. Connect the devices when USB help, BlueTooth or Wi-Fi. When connecting via USB, the USB debugging option must be active on the smartphone (available from the “Options” - “System” - “Developer Options” menu).
  3. Launch DroidCam on your computer and write down (remember) the line that appears on the screen like IP address: port.
  4. Launch DroidCam on your smartphone and click the “Connect” button, then “Add new PC”.
  5. Give the connection any name and enter the address: port - the line that was specified in the part of the software running on the PC. If the connection was made correctly, an image from the camera will appear on the smartphone screen.
  6. Click the "Settings" button and set the desired video settings.
  7. Launch a program on your PC that uses the camera, such as Skype.
  8. In its list of cameras, select the "DroidCam" device.
  9. Fix the phone in the position you need - the web camera from your Android smartphone is ready.
  10. The DroidCam device can additionally be used as a microphone if you select the appropriate setting in the Skype options.

USB Webcam for Android

  1. Install the client part of the program on your computer - USB Webcam PC Host.
  2. Install the second part of the USB Webcam on your smartphone.
  3. On your smartphone, enable the “USB Debugging” option, accessible from the “Options” - “System” - “Developer Options” menu.
  4. Connect your smartphone to your computer using a data cable.
  5. Launch USB Webcam PC Host on your PC, press any key to run the program.
  6. Launch the program on your smartphone.
  7. In the “Devices” - “Cameras” menu of Skype, select “GWebcamVideo”. An image from your phone camera should appear. If it shows a green background instead, your device is probably not supported by the program.
  8. If everything worked out, the webcam via your Android phone is configured and ready to use.

IP Webcam

  1. Install the IPCamAdapter program on your PC.
  2. Install IP Webcam on your smartphone.
  3. Launch and set the video settings you need: resolution (maximum 800 x 480), camera selection (rear, front), focus or FPS limit.
  4. In settings network connection you can select the type: IPv4 or IPv6, set the port (the default is 8080), and you can specify a password as a security measure.
  5. After activating the application on your PC, the IP address for connecting your smartphone will appear at the bottom of the window.
  6. After the connection has been made, you can change the program settings directly from the PC.
  7. The “camera” and “microphone” devices become accessible from the corresponding menu in Skype or another application that uses a webcam. After this, everything is ready to use.

So, the Android phone is connected as a web camera, all that remains is to fix it in the desired position. Most often, standard desktop stands are not very convenient to use, since they usually do not allow you to change the angle of the phone. But car holders are very suitable for just such a case. Those that can be attached with a suction cup to any surface, including a vertical one, and firmly clamp the phone. With their help, you can attach your smartphone to the side, top or back wall of the monitor and control its position as easily as you do with a webcam.




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