Is It Possible To Use An External Camera With Zoom

Adams Waaked · Monday, May 23, 2022

Thoughcoronavirus vaccines are still rolling out, the spread of the delta and omicron variants ways it may withal be a while earlier we all render to our offices and social gatherings in the same way we used to. That means you're probably all the same spending a lot of time talking with colleagues, family and friends through video-conversation and conferencing apps such as Zoom,Microsoft Teams and FaceTime. (If you're using Zoom, here are xx top Zoom tips, including how to modify your Zoom background.) If the webcams you've been eyeing are yetout of stock or you lot just don't want to buy a new 1, you lot can easily employ your telephone's camera and create one for yourself.

As long as the telephone y'all use isn't more than a few years old, image quality should be better than your laptop's default camera, more functional and easier to position so you're non filming your double chin or straight up your nose.

Here's how to plow your phone into a webcam for gratis.

You lot don't even demand a webcam app

A dedicated webcam app (more below) has special features, but you lot don't take to have ane to use your telephone camera for video chats.

You can also only launch the app of your video chat service of choice, like Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, and chat straight through at that place. However, there are steps y'all can take to make sure that your video quality is the best it tin exist. Read on.

Read more: Best gear for video chats from home: Webcams, lights, mics and more

Discover and download the right webcam app for Android or iPhone

There are dozens of complimentary and paid apps that tin help you lot transform your workhorse smartphone into a webcam.

Webcam apps for Android phones

I tried IP Webcam (free, or $four for the Pro version), DroidCam (free, or $five for the Pro version), and EpocCam Webcam (gratis, or $5 for the Pro version). DroidCam had the most clear instructions within the app, merely only works with Windows or Linux machines. The same was true for IP Webcam.

Because I'thou using a Mac, I went with EpocCam Webcam.

Webcam apps for iPhones

I tried out EpocCam Webcam (free, or $eight or $20 for the professional versions), iCam ($5) and iVCam (gratis). All were fairly easy to ready, once you find the instructional pages on their websites. EpocCam and iCam work for Windows or MacOS machines, while iVCam works for iPhone ($263 at Amazon) users who have Windows computers, non Macs. (Update: Some other pick is the NDI HX Camera app -- information technology costs $20 and allows iPhones to exist used equally HD webcams.)

For any webcam app

Whatever you lot download, read the privacy policy, install it and follow the instructions to connect it to your computer (you might have to download a commuter, or run it through a browser or other viewer.) You'll be asked to give the app permission to access your photographic camera and microphone.

Be enlightened

Running the app frequently may drain your phone battery, so you lot may want to hook up your telephone to an external power bank or position your setup near a wall outlet if you notice yourself in need of a charge.

Read more: Ultimate webcam tips: How to wait and sound great online

Utilize your phone'south main photographic camera

Your phone's main camera will produce a higher quality image than the selfie camera, and with more options for zooming and focusing as well. The iPhone xiii, Samsung Milky way S21 and many other premium smartphones have sharper resolution at 1080p than some of the latest MacBook models, which have a 720p webcam congenital in. For best results for using your phone as a webcam, employ that rear camera instead of the forepart-facing selfie camera.

The webcam apps and video chatting apps will oft allow you to select options like video resolution, quality and orientation, as well as focus, white residue and color effects.

Read more: How to become a YouTuber: Online classes and equipment to go started

Stabilize your phone

Avert cramping your arm or striking an unflattering bending by stabilizing your phone on a tripod, stand or tabletop mount. This will requite you the least shaky and virtually professional person-looking results. (CNET recommends this $30 mini-tripod from Manfrotto.)

Set upwardly some lighting

Whether you're working in a home office, at your kitchen tabular array or on your bed, you'll need some good lighting to make your confront await bright, eliminate shadows and maybe hide a contraction or two. Consider buying a ring light. (CNET recommends this basic $25 model that comes with 36 LEDs, a clip stand and three light modes.)

Invest in a microphone

Your AirPods ($119 at Amazon) or other headphones with a built-in mic volition get the job done, but if you're using your new DIY webcam to record something professionally, you should invest in a good microphone. (CNET recommends this Blueish Yeti USB Microphone for $130 or this Shure MV88+ Video Kit with Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone for $249.)

These tips should help yous create a improve home role and video conferencing setup, now that just most every meeting is a video meeting -- and potentially assistance you find a new apply for your sometime telephone as well. For more means to repurpose your older phones, check out how to turn your old phone into a dwelling house security camera for free, and how to discover new uses for that old Android phone or iPhone.