How to use a digital camera as a webcam? We turn a digital video camera into a web camera.
Time is running forward, and technology becomes more advanced every year. Manufacturers are trying to create devices not only High Quality, and also convenient to use. This gives rise to a variety of ways to connect devices. And if earlier, in the question of how to connect a camera to a computer, there were few options for the process itself, now it is possible to choose from the proposed methods.
For what?
Why do you need to know how to connect a camera to a computer? When taking pictures, every photographer or just a person who wants to capture interesting points, understands that the memory on a flash card is not infinite. Sooner or later you will have to make room for new photos.
Photographers also transfer pictures to a PC for editing, because photographing a model is half the battle. A lot also depends on the processing.
If the user wants to print finished images, they must also transfer the files to the computer in order to transfer them to a flash drive and take them to a photo studio.
In addition, some camera owners prefer to use them as video surveillance or webcams. In the latter case, in addition to figuring out how to connect the camera to a computer, you will need to find the necessary software.
The easiest way
It’s easy to figure out how to connect a camera to a computer. In this case, there is always an instruction that will tell the owner what to do with the device and how to establish a connection between it and the PC.
The most in a simple way is the connection via the appropriate cable:
- We take the cord out of the box. Usually it has a USB connector on one side and a MicroUSB connector on the other. But everything will depend on the device model.
- We connect the cable to the camera and computer. In this case, you can select the PC connection mode. It may already be selected by default.
- If you are using a tablet computer to connect, you may need an adapter, since no tablets have a USB connector. Therefore, you will have to look for an adapter from USB to mini- or microUSB in the store.
- Next, the computer begins to respond to the connected device. If you have not installed any software before, the system will begin an independent search for drivers and software. In some cases automatic download does not help, so you need to use the driver disk that comes with the kit.
- After installing the necessary files, the system asks to restart the PC.
- Typically, if one of the latest operating systems is installed, after rebooting the computer will immediately detect the camera connected to it and begin working with it.
- A notification will appear on the screen. The system will ask you to perform one of the suggested actions. Here you can simply open a folder with files or launch a program that will allow you to immediately view the photo.
Wireless connection
Thanks to the developers who complicated the question of how to connect a camera camera to a computer. Although in reality, wireless connection only seems complicated. Everything can be done quickly, it is important to understand the principle of operation.
Most modern devices are equipped with a module wireless network, therefore allowing you to exchange files, just as a smartphone paired with a PC would. In this case, the user does not need any wires. You may not even need drivers.
How to connect a camera to a computer via Wi-Fi? First, you need to make sure that you have a router or that your device supports a wireless network. The wireless connection in the camera is controlled by the same function. You just need to find it and turn it on.
It usually works on the same principle as in smartphones. But in some cases you will have to configure it. To do this, go to the camera settings and find the inclusion of the wireless module.
Next, you need to go to the Wi-Fi menu and specify the name of the camera. This will make it easier to find it in the list of devices. Next, we can find the device we want to connect to. Best to use local network.
Special card
Sometimes in order to connect Canon camera to the computer, you need to get a special card. It's called Eye-Fi. This device should be placed in the compartment where the SD is usually located. This will make it easy to connect your equipment and start transferring data wirelessly.
Such a card is a kind of microcomputer that can not only store data, but also run on a processor and act as a wireless module. No card needed separate meals, a battery or batteries from the camera are sufficient.
Connecting your camera as a webcam
If you figure out how to connect a Canon camera to a computer, you can use it as a webcam. Of course, there is no point in purposefully purchasing an expensive DSLR for this purpose. But if you already have a camera, then why not use it for Skype conversations.
Connecting the camera will allow the user to use it in a dimly lit room, since it has high light sensitivity. The picture quality will also improve thanks to dynamic range and white balance.
By the way, manufacturers are also talking about using a DSLR as a webcam. Some have equipped their models with this feature and use it as a marketing ploy. In this case, when connecting the camera, just select the appropriate mode.
Health Determination
But whatever one may say, not all models are capable of working in webcam mode. Therefore, before you figure out the connection, you need to understand whether the device is capable of working as a video camera.
Many people use a cable for this that has a USB port on one end and a “tulip” on the other. By connecting it to a TV, you can determine whether it works with the camera. Images from the camera should appear on the screen.
Connecting the camera
In this case, it is enough to understand how to connect the camera to a computer via USB. Sometimes it will be enough to simply connect the device to the PC, and sometimes you may need software. For example, for the camera to work as a webcam, you need to download the Active WebCam or SplitCam program.
You need to install cable “tulips” into connectors that are not on motherboard, and on the interface panel of the video card. After this, you need to select composite mode, and then turn on the camera. Before this, the entire process must be carried out with the device turned off.
The editors have received many letters from readers who want to use it as a web camera. digital video camera. Many users have video cameras gathering dust on their shelves most of the time, so it would be quite nice to assemble a web camera from them. And the quality of video conferencing programs, such as Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger, can also be improved. A simple software solution will turn your digital video camera into a high-end webcam.
For our article we used a Panasonic GS70 video camera. This is a discontinued MiniDV format model using three CCD sensors. At the same time, everything said in the article is suitable for any digital camera with a USB or FireWire connection.
Advantages of a digital video camera
Some people might find it odd to use a several hundred dollar digital video camera as a webcam, but we're killing a few birds with one stone here. The optics in a digital video camera are much superior to web models. Modern MiniDV cameras allow you to shoot video with a resolution of 720x480 and a frequency of 30 frames per second. In addition, the camera lens provides accurate color reproduction. Webcams, on the other hand, only boast 640x480 and 15 frames per second.
Using a video camera instead of a web camera also allows you to save money - of course, if it is collecting dust on your shelf. Instead of paying $50-$200 for a decent webcam, you can use free drivers to USB connections or spend $20 on OrangeWare WebcamDV, turning your device into a high-quality webcam.
Restrictions
However, this method has several limitations. Firstly, a video camera consumes more power than a web camera. You will have to connect the power supply if you plan to use the camcorder for an extended period of time.
Almost all video cameras today are equipped with a demo mode, which displays various special effects. It allows you to attract the buyer when choosing a camera. Make sure you turn this mode off - you don't want all sorts of crazy effects during a video conference?
Most video cameras have an automatic shutdown feature. It turns off the camera if you leave the tape in the compartment and are not recording anything. This feature prevents unnecessary battery drain and component wear. However, automatic shutdown will be inconvenient for us, so do not leave the tape inside the camcorder.
Webcams weigh much less than video cameras because they don't have a complicated cassette mechanism or retractable LCD screen. While it hardly makes sense for home users to worry about weight, this solution is not suitable for mobile use.
USB interface: free
Our first method of turning a video camera into a webcam is free. Some cameras, like our trusted Panasonic GS70, are equipped with a USB connector for webcam mode. Thus, connecting a video camera to a USB port will turn it into a web camera.
To do this, you need to install the USB driver that came with the camera. If you have lost the CD, you will have to look for the driver on the manufacturer's website. After installation, you need to switch the video camera to web camera mode. The process differs from one model to another and is described in the user manual.
Our Panasonic webcam was recognized as "Panasonic DVC Web Camera" in video conferencing programs like Active Webcam
Unfortunately, the picture quality was quite poor, reminiscent of Creative Webcam Live! in our previous review.
OrangeWare WebcamDV
OrangeWare releases WebcamDV, a program that turns a video camera into a web camera. The program, in essence, “deceives” Windows into believing that this is a full-fledged web camera. WITH company website You can download a trial version and then register it for $20.
How is this program different from free drivers webcams used by some models? WebcamDV transmits the video stream over the FireWire interface, which provides a very high-quality picture. You can judge the quality for yourself at the end of the article.
Installation is quick and easy. Then you simply plug your camcorder into the FireWire port and launch your favorite video conferencing program. As you can see below, Yahoo Messenger recognized the Panasonic camcorder without any problems. In any video conferencing program, the camera will be visible as "WebcamDV Capture".
Quality comparison
For our quality tests we used the same conditions as in webcam review. In good lighting, two blocks of lamps provided light daylight, which simulated office conditions. In poor lighting, the lights were turned off, and the only sources were the laptop screen and 17" LCD monitor.
We captured footage using the program DV Rack from Serious Magic, which allowed us to obtain maximum quality. We then compared footage obtained using a free USB driver and WebcamDV.
You can easily see that the USB driver produces a terrible picture compared to the WebcamDV program. Additionally, the USB driver's maximum resolution is 352x244, while WebcamDV provides up to 640x480.
The only visible difference between pure frame capture and using WebcamDV is the resolution. When capturing frames it is 720x480 (MiniDV format), and in WebcamDV it is 640x480. We do not show the results in low light because the picture turned out to be black - the Panasonic GS70 could not cope with such conditions. The situation may be better with other video cameras.
Click on the picture to get a larger version.
Conclusion
With the right software, you can turn your camcorder into a quality webcam. The OrangeWare WebcamDV program allows you to “deceive” the operating system and use a video camera connected via FireWire as a web camera. As you can see, the quality of WebcamDV is excellent.
At the same time, the free USB driver gives terrible quality. So we think WebcamDV is the best solution. At $20, WebcamDV is a great opportunity to get a webcam.
If you have a simple digital video camera, then it can be used as a webcam, that's for sure. There are different ways, and below we will talk about two possible methods. This is very convenient, because it allows you to save money on buying a webcam, although it is not very practical, because you have to fuss with the setup. Oh yes, the picture quality is from regular camera will be significantly better than the image quality of almost any webcam.
Method 1: Using TeVeo Video Suite
There is such a program as TeVeo Video Suite. It is completely free and available to everyone. It’s easy to find it on the Internet by simply googling its name. This software is intended for the following tasks:
- Show video from the camera to everyone through the browser interface;
- Show video only certain persons who have a password;
- Communication with users who are registered on the TeVeo website.
Those. The owner of the video camera receives his own Internet address. He can give the link to anyone, and this link will have access to an online image recorded by a video camera. If desired, the link can be “password-protected”, and then the video will only be accessible if the user enters the password. The idea is not bad, but it has shortcomings. The most important thing is that sound broadcasting is impossible. However, the problem can be solved using Skype. You communicate with a friend via Skype by voice and at the same time broadcast video on the TeVeo website using the TeVeo Video Suite program. A little impractical, but the point is that a computer “without magic” does not recognize a regular digital video camera connected via a USB interface as a webcam.
There are also alternative programs to Skype, for example NetMeeting.
Method 2. Use a special virtual driver
Here we will talk about how to “deceive” our computer and hammer into its head that our ordinary video camera is nothing more than a webcam.
This is done using a special driver: it receives a stream from a simple video camera, but outputs it “disguised” as a webcam. The driver itself is available together with the TrackerCam program. There are different versions of this program on this page. Please note: there are paid and free versions. The free functionality will be enough for you.
Download the program, install it, run it. Next, you may need to specify in the program itself which video camera to use as a webcam. This is easy to do: Tuner > Display & Camera > Select camera.
As soon as you specify the desired camera, launch Skype and go to video settings. There, in theory, our virtual webcam should appear, showing video.
TrackerCam is not easy. It is an analogue of the TeVeo Video Suite program mentioned above and also allows monitoring via the Internet. In our case, we only needed a driver. We really hope that our advice helped solve the problem.
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The same question is often asked on the Internet: “How to connect a Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus, Samsung, etc. camera instead of a webcam?” This article may partially clarify the answer to this question, and perhaps help fix bugs associated with the “slowdown” of the video image, freezing of the Skype program or the entire OS during a video broadcast. http://oldoctober.com/
Pictures with a magnifying glass icon can be enlarged by clicking. To return to the article, you must either click on the button Close×, located in the lower right corner, or click past the picture on “dark matter”.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a DPC instead of a webcam?
The benefits depend on the camera used. With many cameras, for example, you can set white balance to a target, which is not available when using a webcam.
The sensitivity of modern digital cameras is higher, and dynamic range wider than most webcams, allowing you to broadcast video with acceptable quality in almost any lighting conditions.
The picture shows a frame captured from a video stream. The room is lit only by the light from the monitor. The arrow points to the reflection of the monitor in the glass of the furniture, which is located on the opposite wall of the room. http://oldoctober.com/
The disadvantages include the relatively high power consumption of a digital camera in video broadcast mode. Additional energy will also be needed if you use constant focus mode (autofocus tracking).
All this, during prolonged operation, may require recharging the battery or connecting the camera to an external power source. The cost of a branded power supply can be comparable to the cost of a budget webcam.
Another disadvantage is the relatively low image resolution when transmitting video. In any case, it cannot exceed 720x576i pixels at 50fps for the PAL format and 720x480i at 60fps for the NTSC format. In fact, the resolution of the video stream at the output of the DSC can be two or more times lower.
Which DSC can work as a webcam.
DFCs are divided into those that have a “webcam” mode and those that do not. As for the former, there may not be any special problems with the connection, except for the usual problems that arise when connecting a webcam to Skype. You just need to connect the camera to a USB socket, and if the camera does not support the UVC protocol, then also install the driver supplied with the camera.
Next, we will talk about DPCs that do not have a “web camera” function, but transmit an analog video signal not only in slide show mode, but also in the mode of transmitting a video image received through a lens in real time.
Before you buy any video capture device, connect your camera to your TV and make sure it is capable of transmitting a video signal of the quality you are comfortable with.
Everyone has digital photos Cameras have a video output that allows you to view photos or videos on your TV screen.
That is why, in addition to the USB cable, the DFC comes with a cable for connecting to a TV.
If, when connected to a TV, your camera is capable of streaming video, then it can be used as a webcam for conversations on Skype or recording video on a computer hard drive.
It’s good if the camera allows you to turn off the information board with data about shooting conditions.
Hardware video capture.
The operation of transferring streaming (live) video from a camera to a computer is called Capture Video.
You can capture video using any video capture device that has a tulip-type composite input (usually yellow color). This device can be a video card or tuner with video input, as well as any built-in or external adapter for capturing video signals.
In the picture, pos. 1 and 2 are built-in and external TV tuners, and pos. 3 and 4 – built-in and external video capture adapters.
Video capture software.
Before installing video drivers on your computer, if possible, create an OS restore point, or even better, an OS backup.
It's easier to recognize some software and hardware conflicts when you can roll back and start over. This, of course, applies not only to installing video drivers. It’s just that conflicts that arise when using all kinds of video software can be a little more difficult to resolve.
Any video capture device comes with a driver program that allows you to record a video signal to a hard drive, but this program does not transmit the video signal to Internet telephony programs. To transmit this video signal directly to Skype, it needs to be intercepted and redirected. For this purpose you can use free program SplitCam.
However, the software supplied with the video capture device must be installed, since without it, the video signal cannot be captured.
The only case where you can do without installing accompanying software is when the video device supports the UVC (USB Video Class) standard. This standard does not require installing drivers in the OS starting from Windows XP SP2. Such a device, for example, could be a webcam, which, however, does not want to “cooperate” with Skype. Similar cases occur, and we will consider them below.
Installation and use of SplitCam.
Installing the program is no different from installing other applications, except that during the installation process the installer offers to install a bunch of related software that is not related to capture. I have not installed any of the proposed software and I do not recommend it to you.
The picture shows the installation process. On pages with options not related to video capture, you can safely click the “Declines” button.
The installation process itself takes only a few seconds.
So, the Split Cam program is installed, and you can start switching the signal.
Switching the video signal when using a video capture device.
If your video capture device, such as an adapter or TV tuner, is located outside of the computer, you must first connect it to the computer.
Then, in the composite input (usually yellow), you need to connect a cable connected to the same output of the digital camera.
U digital camera, to save battery energy, there is an automatic shutdown timer. Set it to the maximum time so that the camera does not turn off at the most inopportune moment.
Using an external power source will eliminate the need to frequently recharge the battery.
Before attempting to redirect a video stream using SplitCam, make sure that your camera's image is being received by the video capture device.
To do this, run the program that came with the video capture device.
Launch the SplitCam program.
In the program menu, select the signal source: File > Video Source > Your video capture device. Do this even if there is already a bird facing your device.
This is a little counterintuitive, since usually when you select again, the bird is removed. But, let’s leave this up to the conscience of the program developer, not forgetting that the program is free.
If you select the option: Options > Advertisements > Exchange ad and video windows, then the picture with the captured video will move to a larger window.
Now that you have verified that the video signal has been successfully intercepted, you can launch Skype.
Latest versions Skype programs themselves offer to check the quality of the video image. But, if this does not happen, then you will have to select the signal source manually.
In the Skype main menu, select Tools > Settings > Video Settings > Select Webcam. Select from the drop-down menu SplitCam Capture.
Possible problems with video signal transmission.
The appearance of a video image in the Skype settings window is not a guarantee that you will be able to successfully transmit this video signal to your subscribers.
The first obstacle on this path is the Skype program itself.
If the video signal successfully passed Skype and went to your interlocutor, then we cannot significantly influence his further travels via the P2P (Peer To Peer) protocol. Here, a lot will depend on a number of circumstances, such as the transmission speed between individual computers on the network (of which there can be many), the magnitude of pings, the number of lost packets, etc.
But it’s even worse if, some time after establishing a connection with the subscriber, the video signal “jams” in the Skype program itself. The cause may be a software conflict due to a specific hardware configuration. This manifests itself as freezing of the picture or even freezing of the Skype program itself. In the worst case scenario, this conflict can cause the OS to freeze and require a computer restart.
Manufacturers know about existing problems and are trying to solve them, but the huge variety of hardware used and its configurations makes this process difficult.
On one of the tested computers, I encountered a similar conflict, which manifested itself in video freezing and Skype freezing. I followed all the manufacturer’s recommendations, from installing the latest drivers for all computer hardware to flashing the BIOS firmware with the latest software version, but nothing changed at all.
If such a conflict occurs, then you can use another program that can also redirect the video stream - ManyCam.
Installing and using ManyCam.
The ManyCam program is a multifunctional software that allows you not only to redirect the video stream in the same way as SplitCam does, but also provides a lot of other equally interesting functions.
For example, using this program, you can show your friends a video recording located on your computer’s hard drive.
The desktop display function has been expanded compared to the similar Skype function, which allows you to adapt the image transmission to the capabilities of the existing communication channel.
Simply put, you can determine not only the size of the transmitted image, but also the resolution of the video image.
With a narrow communication channel, image legibility can be significantly increased by moving the selected area following the movement of the cursor.
Well, for lovers of various baubles, ManyCam was taught to intercept streaming video and add all sorts of effects, like those that allow you to add proprietary software that comes with regular web cameras.
What I liked most was the ability to change the background directly during the video broadcast. Moreover, the background can be not only static, but also dynamic. In the program this effect is located under the button Background.
It works like this. First, ManyCam remembers the background behind you * , and then replaces it with its own static or dynamic background. Of course, upon careful examination of the picture, you can notice artifacts characteristic of mediocre performance of Chroma key technology. But, if you try and match the real and virtual backgrounds by tone, then you can easily.
In general, if you are an active Skype user, then this program may be useful to you, even if everything is already working well for you.
Installing the ManyCam program takes 10 – 20 seconds.
When, during the installation process of the program, you are prompted to install additional software, you can safely click Declines.
* When you try to use the background replacement effect, a pop-up window will appear and you will be asked to capture a photo of your background without you. Clicking the button Take snapshot(Capture photo), you need to leave the field of view of the webcam within 3 seconds.
The background, in this case, must be stationary and the lighting conditions unchanged. For example, if you sit down at a table and even slightly change the flow of light falling on the background, this can cause additional Chroma key artifacts. Naturally, all settings (Focus, WB, Exposure) of the webcam should be in manual mode.
Use digital camera You can use it as a webcam in two ways - 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 focal length cameras. 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.)
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 video capture programs can save video captured by the camera to HDD, but they cannot broadcast this signal to the network - therefore it is necessary to take care of choosing the 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.
