Answers to Your Webcam Questions

Webcam are widely used today for video chat and video email. Video is much more personable than text, and the webcam services today all have a free version. Skype is one of our favorite live video calling tools, and of course we highly recommend using mailVU for video mail. We offer Five Ways To Send Video Email Free. As more people use their webcams, there are often questions on how to add special effects, how to take webcam pics, how to record video, and what software (preferably free) is available.

For this article we’ve pulled together the most frequently asked questions on webcam use, and provided answers and links to many free downloads and services. Most of the resources in this article are free to use and easy to implement. This article is not intended to answer specific YouTube or ooVoo questions, but rather to address general webcam issues and software.

How can I test my webcam?

You can test your webcam anytime by going to mailVU.com and clicking Allow. If the screen is blank you will need to download the free version of Adobe Flash. Record yourself on mailVU and play it back. Note there are webcam and mic icons. If your video isn’t showing up, or you have no audio, be sure to click on the appropriate icon and manually select the right device for your computer.

How do I switch between a built-in webcam and an external webcam?

We showed you how to change webcam selections on mailVU, but you can do the same thing on any webcam program. For example, to change webcams in MSN click Tools, Audio & Video set up, Next. It should give you the option to choose your camera. In Skype you can change webcams by choosing Settings, Camera. Every program has a similar means of allowing you to manually select the camera. You do not need to disable your internal webcam in order to use your external webcam. Simply make the selection in software.

How do I get a USB webcam to work with iMovie?

iMovie is a great program for Mac, but Apple apparently limits you to using the (internal or external) Apple iSight or firewire cameras. There are very few, if any, non-Apple webcams that will work with iMovie. More info on this page: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1059

How can I improve the webcam image quality?

The primary factors that impact the quality of your webcam image are: webcam itself, lighting, and bandwidth. External webcams usually have better specifications than built-in webcams. (For a great guide to webcam specification and features see Which Webcam Should I Buy?) Be sure to use a webcam that supports 1.3Mp or better real image resolution (not “enhanced”) as well as 30 frames per second (fps). An HD webcam is highly recommended. Always have light shining on your face and never behind you. Put a lamp on your table if needed, have your overhead lights on, and make sure any light behind you is muted as much as possible. Try to never have a window behind you while recording on webcam. If you can’t avoid a window behind you at least close the curtains or blinds to block as much light as possible. The better the Internet connection the better the recording, so use a wired connection instead of wireless when possible. Try to be in an area where you are sharing Internet with as few people as possible. Click here for a longer guide to improving your webcam image quality.

What is Webcam fps and how do I improve it?

Webcam frames per second can make a big difference in the image quality. The webcam fps test site provides lots of useful information on what impacts fps, how to test your webcam fps, and things you can do to improve it. The #1 thing to do to improve webcam FPS is to clear the cache in your browser.

How can I share my webcam on multiple applications simultaneously?

The best program we’ve found to do this is ManyCam. This is the best tool we’ve found for when you want to use several webcam chat programs simultaneously. It creates a “virtual” webcam that replicates your currently installed camera. It then lets multiple applications access the video stream without conflict. Without it, a webcam will only work in one application at a time. ManyCam is free and includes many other special effects (see below).

What are the good (and free) special effects programs?

ManyCam and CyberLink’s YouCam 3 are two very good special effects programs. The applications include a bunch of gimmicky features that let you change aspects of the background and foreground. You can map a new pair of cartoon eyes over your face, and they track pretty well to your movements, or you can show the background with flames. ManyCam is compatible with including mailVU, Skype, and ooVoo. Once you’ve installed ManyCam, you need to set it as the primary input for program that you want to use. ManyCam will automatically start when activate your Webcam through that program.

Can I record and send video mail?

mailVU.com allows free video mail recordings.  Simply go to the website and allow camera access. Record a video message up to 10 minutes, and then select the email option which will prompt you to enter recipient email addresses, and then sends the recipient(s) an email with a video image. One job candidate got an interview after using video mail.  It doesn’t send the actual video which would clog up email boxes due to size. It sends a JPG of the person and when you click on it the user can play the video from the mailVU website.  You can also use the free mailVU iPhone/iPad app. And if you want to place a video email recorder on your webcam mailVU offers a video email widget.

How can I get a webcam timer?

Webcams are great for taking snapshots, but sometimes you want to set a timer so you have time to pose prior to the picture being taken. We’ve found CamSnap to be a great free program that has a timer. Click here to download CamSnap for free.

How can I replace a live webcam feed with a static picture?

One of the features in ManyCam is substituting a picture for the live video feed. People will see your selected image while hearing you talk. To see what this looks like set up ManyCam and then record yourself on mailVU.com

How can I change my webcam background?

If you sit in front of a green screen, or any solid color background that doesn’t match the color of anything you are wearing, you can video edit the background and replace it in your recordings. If you want to change your background on a live video chat once again the best choice we’ve found is ManyCam. You can choose from several backgrounds and record your video emails, or chat live, with this background.

My webcam is upside down. How do I fix it?

Either you choose the effect under your webcam options, or your software driver is corrupted and you will need to reload it. Here are the instructions to reload the driver for Windows 7:

1. Download the latest webcam driver for Windows 7 from the manufacturer’s website.

2. Save the contents to desktop.

3. Click the Windows Start icon. Right-click on Computer and select Properties.

4. Select Device Manager.

5. Click on Imaging Devices to show the name of the webcam.

6. Right-click on the name of the webcam and select Properties.

7. Go to the Driver tab. Click on Update Driver and a new window should pop-up.

8. Click ‘Browse my computer for driver software’. Select ‘Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer’.

9. On the next window, it’ll give you the current driver. Click ‘Have Disk’. Click Browse. Browse to the desktop and select the latest driver that you’ve downloaded. It’ll then be added to the list of drivers. Select the new driver and click Next. Follow the prompts to install the new driver.

How can I manually turn off my built-in webcam?

Go to Control Panel, Hardware, Devices and look for your webcam. Go through the tabs until you see the indicator that it is Enabled, and click on it to Disable it.

What do I need to have a video chat with 3 or more people?

Skype’s paid service will allow up to 5 people in a video chat. You can also try using Paltalk for multiparty video applications.

What software do I need to record webcam videos?

On PC Debut Video Capture Software is awesome. The software is free to download and very easy to use for recording webcam videos and taking webcam pictures. Even if your computer came with software, the benefits of Debut make it a great free addition. Photo Booth, the standard software on the Mac, is the best we’ve seen for that device.

How can I record a live webcam video chat?

One of our favorite free tools is CamStudio. It allows you to record your full screen, or a partial screen. You can select a portion of the screen, such as the other person’s video window, or record the entire screen. This allows you to keep a copy of the conversation. Bandicam is another good free screen recorder, but it places their branding on the recording whereas CamStudio doesn’t. Note: please be aware that many locations require one or all party notification that recording is taking place. Please be aware of the laws for your area.

How can I broadcast my webcam on the Internet?

Ustream.tv and Justin.tv are two services that allow you to broadcast your webcam as your own live “television” channel. Try them out. They are free to use.

Can I use the EyeToy as a webcam?

An EyeToy is essentially a webcam with built-in mic, and it can be used on just about any PC or Mac. They are manufactured by Namtai and Logitech, and detailed instructions can be found by clicking this eHow article.

Where can I buy a good webcam, cheap?

For a great guide to webcams read the article Which Webcam Should I Buy? It describes the features and specifications to look for in a webcam, and recommends specific models in a variety of price ranges. We also provide our own webcams, which are thoroughly tested. We guarantee you will like them or your money back. It’s a high resolution webcam with built-in mic that you can purchase from our Webcam page on our Blog.

My ethernet cables are in bad condition.  Will this impact performance?

We always recommend replacing any computer cable where the connection, or cable itself is worn. For rock bottom prices on cables we recommend the following site: Computer Cabling & Accessories

If you have additional solutions to those we mentioned, please feel free to share them. Likewise if you have webcam questions that we did not address, please let us know so we can add them to the list.