How to connect a webcam to a laptop

Today, when the problem of stable and fast access to the global network for most users has been solved by unlimited and high-speed Internet, one of the most popular types of communication on the network is visual communication, when both interlocutors see each other. Thanks to a huge number of specialized programs, video communication has become even more accessible, and in order to see a friend living even on another continent, today all you need is a special application and a laptop with a webcam. Connecting the latter will be discussed in this article.

How can I connect a webcam to a laptop?

There are several ways to visualize network communication using a laptop. Among them the most popular are:

• Communication via the laptop's built-in webcam
• Communication via a specially connected USB webcam
• Using your smartphone camera

In order to use the “native” laptop device, you need to use a search in the system to find an item called “Image processing devices”. The desired application is usually indicated by a small camera icon by right-clicking on which you must select “Enable” from the drop-down menu.

Reference! You can simply enter the word “camera” in the search bar, select “equipment and sound” in the search results, and select a method for connecting a particular device in the proposed menu.

In cases where we are talking about Windows 10, you will also need to check the camera status in the privacy settings. You can access them through the start menu by going to the “Settings” tab and selecting “Privacy”. The slider notifying the user that the webcam is disabled must be moved to the opposite position.

Reference! Integrated cameras, unlike plug-in ones, usually do not require downloading and installing drivers on them, which makes access to their use somewhat easier.

However, even most connected webcams do not cause problems for the user, and the system itself selects and downloads the necessary software for them. In cases where this does not happen, the user can independently install the “firewood” for the device by looking for it on the developer’s official website or on the CD, if one was included with the camera.

How to connect your phone as a webcam?

If the device does not include an integrated webcam in its design, and you don’t want to spend money on purchasing a connected one, then virtually any modern smartphone can serve as a worthy alternative to the first two options. Most smartphones running Android OS are supplied by the manufacturer with a micro-USB connector for charging. However, the USB cable in this case can also be used as a “wire” to transfer data from the phone camera to the laptop. In general, to conduct a “video broadcast” session via a smartphone, you will need:

• Laptop and smartphone itself
• Standard USB data cable
• Special application (one of the most popular is DroidCamX)
• Software client for Windows OS (freely available on Google Play)

After connecting the smartphone to the laptop via cable, you need to select the data transfer mode and enable the “USB debugging” function through the phone settings. After this, all the necessary software (client on the laptop and application on the phone) is launched, and the item with the USB icon is selected in the client. After this, you need to check the box next to the Video line and click on the Start button. If all operations are carried out correctly, the user will see a picture displayed on the screen from the phone’s camera.

There is an even simpler option for connecting your phone to a laptop to broadcast video. In this case, a cable will not be needed at all, and the devices will be synchronized using the wi-fi network to which they are both connected. In order to make such a connection, experienced users use the IP Webcam application, which is also available for download on Google Play.

As for the owners of Apple smartphones, the procedure for connecting them to a laptop or any other mobile device for the same purposes will be similar, and only the name and type of software for them will be different. The iVCam application, also available for free on the AppStore, helps users turn a regular iPhone into a webcam.