Sunday, May 2, 2010

[How to] Use your Android phone as a web cam for your PC?

One of the key features which is missing in Android phones is the video calling. None of the Android phones available in the market has the front facing camera. However, there are apps like Fring which will enable you to make video calls either by using a mirror or flipping it around while switching from talking to listening. Till an Android device supports front facing camera many would not be interested in these sort of apps and will continue to use PC for video chatting. Almost all the laptops are equipped with in-built web cam. But, if you don’t have one, no worries, you can use your Android based phone as a web cam. Android phone as a webcam Steps to setup your Android phone as a webcam:

  1. Download and install the latest Android SDK from here. This comes up with all the tools needed for development and testing of your application. Make sure the driver ‘ADB interface’ is installed on your machine. In most of the cases, the driver will be installed directly once you plug-in the device.
  2. Connect your Android device to your PC on debug mode. Enable USB debugging on your phone. Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging.
  3. On your phone, install the application “USB Webcam” from the Android market. This application is in its initial stages and might be buggy. The size of the application is around 50 KB.
  4. On your PC, download and install the PC host application from http://www.placaware.com/. After installing, start the application from Start menu > “USB Webcam”
  5. You are all set here. Any application which uses the camera will take the video feeds from the “USB Webcam”.

USB Webcam supports Windows XP / Vista / 7 and also 64-bit Windows. It has support for Linux as well. Read more about USB Webcam from here.

Update: USB Webcam is compatible with Android 2.2 Froyo and is working fine.

Update-1: USB Webcam project is sort of dead now. Check out this new application – DroidCam.

Similar apps: DroidCam, IP Webcam (supports multiple view options)

-- Varun

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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    This application does not show up in the market for me, and the first FAQ entry on placaware.com says it doesn't show up for everyone. Any news on how I can get this app?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Varunkumar NagarajanSeptember 13, 2010 at 11:17 AM

    Which phone are you using? Also, the Android Version.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 25, 2010 at 4:55 AM

    I can not find it anywhere either. I had it on my last phone that broke and it worked. Now I can not download it to my phone. Any Ideas how to get it?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Varunkumar NagarajanSeptember 26, 2010 at 5:18 PM

    @spikespead Which device are you using? It is supported on a limited set of devices only. Check out the compatibility of USB webcam here -- http://www.placaware.com/?page_id=21

    Even, I don't seem to be finding the app on Market now. :( Please check with the developers at http://www.placaware.com

    -- Varun

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousDecember 28, 2010 at 8:22 PM

    Hello guys, Since USB webcam app is not on the market here is the apk file I found which may help
    http://www.mediafire.com/?8fs35ne16hts8fb

    ReplyDelete
  6. aravindSeptember 23, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    hi Varun I'm using gallexy ace .. i tried to use my phone is WEb CAM.. as per your procedure.... but when i connect its shows device offline.. please help me... could you please send me screen shots to my mail id [email protected].

    ReplyDelete
  7. android apps developerApril 18, 2012 at 8:26 PM

    Thanks it worked almost perfectly, i was really just using VH Multicam as a way to make sure everything was functioning. Turned it off but Skype just kept refusing to see any cam.

    ReplyDelete
  8. visit websiteOctober 27, 2012 at 2:28 AM

    Looking forward for more such stuff. Loved your style of providing the information and the nature of the content.

    ReplyDelete