How to Use a GoPro as a Webcam on Your PC or Mac

In recent months, camera manufacturers have been very interested in offering their cameras the function of using it as a webcam. This interest is probably due to the proliferation of profiles in the streaming world, which seek the highest quality when it comes to broadcasting. Well, after many manufacturers, the last to jump on the bandwagon is GoPro.

Using a GoPro as a webcam

Use a GoPro as a Webcam

The manufacturer has announced that its Hero8 Black model will now be able to do the webcam functions thanks to the new beta of the camera software that they have released, allowing you to connect the device to your computer and make it work without any extra third-party add-ons. .

All you have to do is install the new firmware in beta so that the camera is recognized by the PC and can be used as a webcam. Unfortunately, since the software is in the testing phase, for now the function only works on MacOS, so Windows users will have to wait a bit longer until the application is finally developed for the platform.

Why use a GoPro as a webcam?

GoPro Hero 8 camara

It may be that by now, with all laptops including integrated cameras and with many users having a webcam installed on their PC, the need to use a GoPro as a webcam is not something spatially appealing to many. But it actually has its science.

The Hero8 Black has been shown to have superb image quality, and in addition to its spectacular viewing angle, it may be the best option for many users who want to opt for a wide-angle camera with excellent image quality.

At the moment the options that the software allows to choose the capture quality, being able to choose between 1080p (default option) or 720p. Later, with more complete and elaborate versions of the software, they intend to include options such as choosing the viewing angle, connecting it wirelessly and even using other GoPro cameras, since at the moment only the Hero8 Black is the only model compatible with the function.

How to transform GoPro into a webcam

While you wait or not, you can also keep an eye on the instructions that we leave you below to complete the process.

  • The first thing you will have to do is download the new firmware version . Remember that this is a beta version, so you should bear in mind that you could find some errors along the way. To get the file, visit this link on the GoPro website.
  • Copy the downloaded files to a microSD card that you will insert later in the camera. You will have to pass a folder called UPDATE that you will get after unzipping the download file, which will include all the files necessary for the update.
  • Insert the card into your GoPro Hero8 Black powered off, turn it on and the camera will automatically start updating.

After these steps we will have updated the camera to the beta version that turns it into a webcam, however, we will still have to install the PC software to fully recognize it.

GoPro

  • To do this, download the GoPro Webcam Desktop Utility application and install the software on your computer so that you can see the status icon in the toolbar.
  • From there you can adjust the camera preferences (resolution only, for now) and preview the image.

From now on, you only have to choose GoPro as the video source in the video conferencing application of your choice.