Mastering Video Meetings on Your Smartphone

With the increasing popularity of devices like Notebooks, Smartphones, and Tablets, having a camera at our fingertips has become commonplace. However, when it comes to desktop environments, built-in cameras are not standard. This means that if you want to capture your image, you'll need a webcam or an external camera. While these accessories are readily available nowadays, many PC users never saw the need for a webcam on their desktops. But with the shift to remote work, having a webcam has become essential. Video chat solutions have become the norm for work-related meetings, and if you're attending from a PC, a webcam is a must-have. However, there is a way to use your smartphone as a webcam. (Source)

A Clever Alternative to Webcam: Your Smartphone

Whether you've never owned a webcam or find yourself suddenly in need of one, there's a clever workaround that can save the day. You can use your smartphone as a webcam for video meetings and various other needs. This method works regardless of whether you have an Android smartphone or an iPhone. In this article, we'll show you how to turn your device into a webcam for your PC.

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Turning Android Phones into Webcams for PC using DroidCam

If you're an Android user, you can try the free app called DroidCam. The free version has all the necessary features to get you started. However, if you opt for the paid version for £5.99, you'll get 720p/1080p HD video recording and an ad-free experience. The basic version should be sufficient for most users.

To get started, install the DroidCam Android app from the Play Store and the Windows client from Dev47Apps. Once both apps are installed, establish a connection between your computer and your phone. Make sure they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. The DroidCam Android app will display an IP address, which you can enter in the desktop app to connect the two devices.

If you don't have a microphone on your PC, be sure to check the Audio box. Click Start, and the connection should be established. Most video chat apps will recognize DroidCam as a valid webcam. However, in some cases, you may need to restart certain apps for them to recognize the webcam properly.

Consider USB Connection and External Microphone

Once everything is set up, find a suitable placement for your smartphone. You can either hold it or use a stand to make it resemble a regular webcam. Keep in mind that there may be a slight delay in images, and using the smartphone's internal microphone for audio may not yield the best quality. For better audio, we recommend using an external microphone.

The DroidCam app offers additional options, such as choosing between the front and rear camera, selecting the microphone source, and various battery-saving features. It's even possible to connect your phone to your PC via USB instead of using Wi-Fi if you follow the specific instructions provided by DroidCam.

Keep in mind that using DroidCam over Wi-Fi can drain your smartphone's battery quickly, especially during long sessions. It's advisable to keep your device connected to a charger to avoid battery depletion.

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It's important to note that using your smartphone as a webcam is not a perfect replacement for an actual webcam. In many cases, a dedicated webcam will provide better performance than this "life-hack."

Turning iPhone into a Webcam for PC using EpocCam

For iPhone users, EpocCam is a great solution to turn your Apple device into a webcam. The paid version of the app offers an ad-free experience and additional features such as microphone support, HD video, USB connection, and Zoom/Focus adjustments.

Beware of the Free Version

To use EpocCam, download the app from the App Store and install the drivers for Windows or macOS from Elgato's official website. You may need to restart your computer after installing the desktop software. Once everything is set up, launch the EpocCam Viewer app on your computer and the EpocCam app on your iPhone to check if the devices are connected properly.

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Both devices should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or they can be connected via USB. These are the minimum requirements for turning your iPhone into a webcam. The EpocCam app works seamlessly with popular video chat apps such as Zoom and Hangouts.

Final review: A Viable Alternative

As you can see, there are simple and straightforward app-based solutions to transform your smartphone into a webcam for your desktop PC. However, it's important to note that despite the advancements in smartphone cameras, there are limitations to this workaround. For instance, if your Wi-Fi connection is unstable, you may experience delays in images. While using your smartphone as a webcam can be a convenient option in emergencies, it's still recommended to invest in a dedicated webcam and a high-quality microphone for regular video conferences.

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