Using your Smartphone as a Computer Webcam

[TylerD]

When our congregation started using Zoom, I was often looking at different sites to purchase a webcam. With this being a high demand item, every store was sold out, even to this day here locally in GA. Even on the popular site B&H Photo had all their webcams on back-order, many until Jun or Aug. I use a desktop computer because I assist with the congregation Zoom meetings and it is one of the recommended devices for those assisting. For awhile I was not able to be seen. Only when I had the Digging for Spiritual Gems part. A brother heard that I was have trouble finding a webcam. He told me there's an app that allows you to use your phone as a webcam. He sent this website.

 

https://www.kinoni.com/  (From research, although iPhone and Android works with this app, iPhone seems to be the best with this app)

Installing an driver on your computer (Windows or Mac) and then installing a app on your phone (Apple Or Android) will allow you to use your phone as a webcam for your computer.

The website has 4 simple steps to help you set up the app.

 

You're able to connect using WiFi or the USB Cable. I connect my iPhone to USB so I don't have to worry about battery power. Unfortunately, the website says the feature to using USB cable is for iOS only. So if you're on Android, you will need to use WiFi.

 

It seems to work out fine for me. With the free version, it does show an watermark advertisement for a brief time at the programed interval and then disappears. It will just advertise "EpocCam- Turn iPhone into Mac/PC Webcam". There is a paid version which will show no watermark advertisement and more features. It cost 7.99 USD in the Apple App Store.

 

Occasionally, I do see the app disconnect during the meeting but it connects back very fast. I will be looking into the problem to see if it's the app, the computer, or USB cable.

 

After the day of the midweek meeting. I did hear from some it was good to see me. So it worked out pretty well for me. For some, the results may vary.

 

Android users

After doing additional research, If you have an Android device, it looks like the best app would be DroidCam http://www.dev47apps.com/

It is compatible with Windows and Linux computers and Apple and Android.

Here is the instruction on how to set it up http://www.dev47apps.com/droidcam/connect/

 

If you have any experiences with these apps, or any other webcam app recommendations, please drop a comment.

Edited May 18, 2020 by TylerD

[Tortuga]

I used DroidCam and it worked very well. I recently bought a webcam so I don't use it now. There is an option to use a USB to connect your device to a PC with DroidCam but it was easier to just use Wifi. 

 

I used a small piece of wood (1×3) and put a couple of plastic mirror clips on it so it could hang on the PC monitor, then I used a rubber band to hold my device on the wood. It looked and acted like a webcam...

Edited May 18, 2020 by Bro Richard

[TylerD]

1 minute ago, Bro Richard said:

I used DroidCam and it worked very well. I recently bought a webcam so I don't use it now. There is an option to use a USB to connect your device to a PC with DroidCam but it was easier to just use Wifi. 

Were you using iPhone or Android?

[Tortuga]

8 minutes ago, TylerD said:

Were you using iPhone or Android?

I used an Android device. 

Edited May 18, 2020 by Bro Richard

[TylerD]

4 minutes ago, Bro Richard said:

DroidCam is for AnDroid.

From the name of the app, I originally I thought it was Android as well. They actually do have it for Apple. Here is the link from the dev47 website.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/droidcam-wireless-webcam/id1510258102

13 minutes ago, Bro Richard said:

I used DroidCam and it worked very well. I recently bought a webcam so I don't use it now. There is an option to use a USB to connect your device to a PC with DroidCam but it was easier to just use Wifi. 

 

I used a small piece of wood (1×3) and put a couple of plastic mirror clips on it so it could hang on the PC monitor, then I used a rubber band to hold my device on the wood. It looked and acted like a webcam...

Very nice! A creative solution!

[Tortuga]

2 minutes ago, TylerD said:

Very nice! A creative solution!

I thought DroidCam was just for Android. My bad!

 

The wood mounting piece worked very well. I originally had an external microphone hooked up to it too because I was concerned that any lag in the signal from the device to the PC would cause a problem, however I experimented using the device for sound and audio and it worked fine.

[TylerD]

3 minutes ago, Bro Richard said:

I thought DroidCam was just for Android. My bad!

 

The wood mounting piece worked very well. I originally had an external microphone hooked up to it too because I was concerned that any lag in the signal from the device to the PC would cause a problem, however I experimented using the device for sound and audio and it worked fine.

No problem!

 

I believe I found some type of phone holder/mounting solution on Amazon. I'll report back when I receive it. For now at the meetings, I'll have my phone on top of my desk. It shows an alright viewing angle.

[Tortuga]

2 minutes ago, TylerD said:

No problem!

 

I believe I found some type of phone holder/mounting solution on Amazon. I'll report back when I receive it. For now at the meetings, I'll have my phone on top of my desk. It shows an alright viewing angle.

I had an old selfie stick that I use to take video inside of walls, the clamp part screws on to a camera tripod so I have used that several times when giving parts because I can move it around for the best location. 

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

I used the droid version on my Zoom meeting. This allowed me to have control of the camera angle seperate to the screen angle.

I think (as you mentioned in another thread) it impacts on Wi-Fi bandwidth, as it uses the same Wi-Fi. I work off cell data, and cannot hardwire, so I discontinued the use. (I used Samsung S7 phone as webcam)

I have no experience with the Apple system.

(For more discussion on webcams - see the Zoom Q&A thread ~ #100 - 106 March 2020)

 

Old (Downunder) Tone

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dove]

Is anyone having a problem opening the posts ?

[TylerD]

Update

Here is a good phone tripod to put your phone on

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y2VP3C7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one worked best for me. I had this on top of my desk.

 

For me, using my phone as a webcam did have a problem. Being involved with assisting the Zoom meetings, some need to text message me. I would only be able to see the messages if I checked my phone.

 

Last week, I did manage to buy a Logitech webcam from B&H. So if you're on the look out for a webcam, just keep checking regularly on different websites and you'll eventually find one like I did.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

If you have a laptop, try this.

You need to be very tech-savvy and good at DIY home projects, this YouTube clip shows how. 

It sets up a usb camera behind a one-way mirror - so you ALWAYS have eye contact with your camera/zoom contact. It's a clever idea.

It uses a US$6-7 2nd hand component for the camera. You need to be able to solder it onto a usb plug so you can plug it in to your laptop's usb port.(hence tech-savvy) 

You also make and fit a collapsible screen shade that holds the one-way perspex mirror you make. (hence DIY handy) 

I did order the lights that go along the top, so you are not dependant on the room lighting, but make your own light bar. 

I love the idea. 💡 

If anyone makes one - please let me know how you go. (I'm having trouble sourcing the camera Downunder) 

It is a 13minute view:

https://youtu.be/2AecAXinars

Edited July 6, 2020 by Maʹher-shalʹal-hash-baz
Add pic

[IliasBosman]

Hello Brothers ands Sisters,

 

May i make a suggestion,

 

im using iriun on weekly basis.

its very easy to use and never bugs or hangs.

 

here is the website: https://iriun.com/

 

Greets,

 

I.Bosman

[jayrtom]

17 minutes ago, IliasBosman said:

Hello Brothers ands Sisters,

 

May i make a suggestion,

 

im using iriun on weekly basis.

its very easy to use and never bugs or hangs.

 

here is the website: https://iriun.com/

 

Greets,

 

I.Bosman

That's my choice too

 

Vantages over droidcam:

You can have up to 1080p in the free version

No lags (droidcam, in my experience, varies between slightest to serious lag)

much less resources eater for those with low end pc's --> I'm using it with surface go