If you need to use a webcam on your computer and you don’t have it, don’t worry. Although the demand for certain models has caused them to sell out or go up in price, there are other options to have a webcam. We show you how to use your smartphone and photo camera as a webcam . Pay attention to the second option because it is the most interesting.
Alternatives to computer webcams
Today’s notebook computers and some all-in-one computers, such as Apple‘s iMac, already include their web cams with which to conduct video conferences. In addition, the use of phones or tablets had already provided that function for many users. Still, there are those who use desktop PCs who need to have it.
What to do if the webcams you find do not meet your needs or their price has skyrocketed due to high demand? Well, very easy, take advantage of options that you already have at home, although for one you will need an extra that we will talk about later. The good thing is that with that second option you will have more options and, above all, much more quality.
Use the mobile as a webcam
It does not matter if you have an Android or iOS device, both can be used as a webcam for your computer in a simple way. All you will need is an application that allows you to send the video captured by the phone’s camera to the computer. So, as there are different cases depending on the operating systems, let’s go one by one.
How to use an Android phone as a webcam
If you have an Android device and want to use it as a webcam, all you need is an app installed on the phone and another one on the PC to allow communication between the two. That signal sending can be via USB cable or wirelessly, which is more interesting.
This configuration and use process is very simple, just follow these steps:
- Download and install DroidCam on your Android phone
- When you run the application, a series of sales will appear and after that the main one with the IP address of the device
- Now install the client application on your PC ( download link )
- Run the application and in Device IP enter the IP of your mobile
- Make sure the video and audio boxes are active
- Hit start
Done, you already have your Android phone working as a webcam on a Windows PC. To use the capture of video and audio in messaging solutions such as Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom or similar, start the application and in settings go to the webcam section to select the camera that will appear as DroidCam. By the way, there is a paid version called DroidCam X , which offers advantages and improvements such as a higher resolution of the video compared to this one that is free.
In the case of wanting to use the Android phone on a Mac as a webcam, then you will have to resort to another application called EpocCam and which we will talk about below.
Use an iPhone or iPad as a webcam
If you need to use your iPhone or iPad as a webcam on your PC , the solution goes through EpocCam . This application allows you to use these devices (also Android terminals) on both Windows and Mac computers.
It is true that with the Macs it is less interesting because, with the exception of the Mac mini and the Mac Pro, all the computers that sell the most have their own integrated webcam (although they do their fair job). But if this is your case, you should know that you can do it.
To use EpocCam the process is similar to that seen with the previous option:
- Download EpocCam for iOS (also has an Android version )
- Download and install the drivers for your operating system. For Windows 7 or higher , and for macOS 10.12 or higher
- Start the client application on your computer and then the application on your iPhone or iPad
- In the PC or Mac app, go to settings and select EpocCam
- Now, in your video conferencing application you will have to configure this video source called EpocCam as a camera to use
EpocCam also offers a Pro version with improvements in video quality, up to 1080p. Therefore, if you need those improvements and the experience convinces you, you will only have to buy it like any other application for iOS or Android.
How to use your photo and video camera as a webcam
The two previous options are good to get out of trouble and if the quality issue is important, but not vital. However, the best solution, if you have a video or photo camera capable of recording , is to use it as a webcam. You will gain in quality thanks to its larger and better quality sensor, but also in options for other uses.
To be able to use these cameras you need them to have video output, something that has been common for several years, and a capture device . Yes, those same or similar that many users use to capture their gameplays. As models of capture machines there are many, and some with a gaming profile that is equally interesting, here you have our particular selection of models to consider.
Elgato CamLink 4K
Elgato has long been offering dedicated video capture hardware. One of its latest and most interesting models is Elgato CamLink 4K . Shaped like a traditional USB flash drive, it enables video capture at a maximum resolution of 4K at 30p or 1080p at 60p. The price is 129 euros.
AVerMedia LGP Lite
AVerMedia LGP Lite is intended for gaming, but it also fulfills the function of capturing video through a camera. Of course, the maximum resolution is 1080p. As a simple and somewhat cheaper option, it costs around 70 euros, it is an interesting solution that is comfortable to always carry. The connection to the computer is via USB.
Pengo 4K
This small Pengo box is one of the most interesting options in terms of quality, it allows you to record the video that comes out of the camera at a maximum quality of 4K YUV 4: 4: 4 . With compatibility for Windows and Mac, if you are looking for a quality option to use your camera as a webcam or perform live on different platforms, you should take it into account. Its price is about 130 euros.
BlackMagic Ultrastudio Mini Recorder
If you’re looking for the highest quality, to do more than just capture for video conferencing, then the BlackMagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder is the option to consider. Its price of about 180 euros places this capture machine above the rest, but it is a professional cut option and where no modification of the video signal is applied. Of course, it requires a computer with a Thunderbolt 2 connection or using a TB2 to TB3 adapter via USB C to use on recent Mac computers and some latest-generation PCs.
Video calls, live broadcasts and much more
With these options you will be able to have a substitute for that webcam that you cannot buy or for which you do not decide. Thanks to your smartphone you will get out of the way if it is something temporary. And with the video capturers you will have that and many other options. And although it may seem like an important investment, which it is, the truth is that if you are looking for a webcam that offers a quality image, the price that will cost you will be very similar (about 100 or 150 euros).
Therefore, if you want to have many more options to be able to make other types of video content such as direct, etc., it is a great idea to bet on them. And do not worry, both the use and the configuration is very simple. The only thing is to know what type of cable you need to connect the camera to the HDMI input of the capture device and review the options that your camera will surely give so that the interface does not appear on the screen.
