Many Internet users dream of a webcam, which gives a lot of prospects for live network communication via Skype and other video messengers, but not everyone knows that an ordinary digital camera can be turned into a webcam.
Necessary
- -digital camera;
- -computer;
- -cables and adapters;
- -special software
Instructions
Step 1
To set up your camera as a webcam on your computer, first find out if it has a default webcam mode or not. If the camera supports the webcam mode, then its installation will not cause you any difficulties - just connect the camera to the computer via the USB port.
Step 2
If the camera does not support the webcam function, but can broadcast a video image, you can try to connect it to a computer and use it for communication.
Step 3
Check the quality of the video signal transmitted from the camera by connecting it to the TV with the special cable supplied with the camera.
Step 4
If the video signal is working correctly when connected to a TV, you can buy an additional device for capturing video (Capture Video) or use an existing one if your video card or TV tuner supports this function and has a cinch input.
Step 5
You will also need to install a video capture program, as well as install the video driver for it that came with the device.
Step 6
In order for the signal to be transmitted not only to the hard drive, but also to the Internet via Skype, install the free utility SplitCam, which redirects the video signal to the network.
Step 7
After installing the program, make sure your video capture device is connected to your computer. Insert the cable connected to the input of the digital camera into the yellow composite input of the device.
Step 8
If possible, connect the camera to an external power source to save batteries, and also disable the automatic shutdown timer when the camera is idle.
Step 9
Open the software that came with your video capture device and make sure the image is getting to your computer properly. After that, turn on SplitCam and in the File menu open the Video Source section, in which you need to specify which video capture device you are using.
Step 10
To enlarge the window of the displayed video image, go to the settings, in the Advertisements item, select Exchange ad and video windows and click OK.
Step 11
Launch Skype, open the video settings in the parameters and select SplitCam capture from the list of offered webcams. Also, if you have problems using this program, you can use other programs to redirect the captured video signal, such as Active WebCam.
