Olidtech.com – Working remotely is a kind of new trend for the young generation to make some cash at home. It is convenient to work in this way since the schedule can be flexible and do some attendance before and after completing the task. However, certain meetings with the whole team also usually occur to make clear decisions on teamwork, especially by Zoom with face-to-face interaction. The built-in camera on a laptop usually doesn’t look good with a minimum spec for video calls and taking pictures. Moreover, it also has a low resolution to begin with. So, to fix this problem, your smartphone can be an alternate webcam for Zoom Meeting.
In recent years, smartphones have huge improvise in image processing and hardware enhancement feature. Some of them also could take a better picture than those comparable DSLRs. That’s why we can use phone’s camera as a webcam since it enhances resolution while making zoom meetings. We summarize the step by step to turn a smartphone into a webcam and how to set the configuration with simple tips.
Full Instruction for Change Smartphone uses into a Webcam for Zoom Meeting
Step 1: Download and Install the program
Step 2: Linking The PC and Smartphone
Step 3: Integrate It with the Zoom App
Step 4: Configure the Setting Between DroidCam and Zoom App
Step 1: Prepare The Program
In the first place, there are many programs that could alternate cameras from another device to be used for the webcam. For this moment, we choose DroidCam since it is affordable for use and simple to operate. Both devices need to download and install first. We provide the download link below. Smartphones with Android and iOS systems can use this program. Moreover, PC which uses Windows and Linux systems are able to install DroidCam. However, This App is not available on Mac OS for certain reasons.
Link Download For Smartphone.
Link Download Below For PC depends on the OS you are using.
Step By Step Installing The DroidCam Apps
On Smartphone
- Install DroidCam on Google Play by using the previous link (For example, we use the android phone).
- After finishing the installation, check the app by launching the DroidCam. If the display looks like this, your phone is ready to use.
On PC/Laptop
- Download DroidCam for PC by using the Link (We use Windows for instance).
- Install the Program, all check the component, and wait until done.
Step 2: Make Bridge Link between PC and Smartphone by DroidCam
There are three ways to connect the smartphone with a PC, but we will use two of them since the other option are the same with different conditions. The easiest way is by linking the device with a Wi-Fi LAN configuration. Another way is using a USB cable for better video quality.
Option 1: Set The Link between PC and Smartphone by Wi-Fi LAN
For This option, we recommend using the same Wi-Fi source with high speed. If the internet speed is not strong enough, it could delay while streaming for a few seconds. Furthermore, poor Wi-Fi connection also downgrades the video quality and makes it more blurry. There are certain ways to boost Wi-Fi connection such as arranging the router location, using a repeater, or simply turning off unnecessary background apps that consume up your internet. Before joining to Zoom meeting, you should fix the connection first to make a good video call.
Here is how to connect PC and smartphone by Wi-Fi LAN option in DroidCam
- Check the device IP and DroidCam Port on Smartphone.
- Open the DroidCam Client on a PC, Choose the left one with Wi-Fi Icon, and fill the blank according to the smartphone instruction.
- After pressing Start, it will immediately connect to a smartphone. The back camera will be the default for the first time.
Option 2: Connecting PC and Smartphone by USB Cable
If you have a bad Wi-Fi connection, DroidCam also can use a USB cable as a wired connection without Wi-Fi. However, this option has few restrictions for some phones. To begin with, for Android phones, your phone should enable USB debugging to give permission for using the camera. Generally, this configuration is hidden for normal users and usually beneficial for apps developers. We also make the article for enabling these features in the next issue.
Here is how to use the USB cable option on DroidCam for connection to android and PC/Laptop.
- Use the USB cable and plug it into the smartphone and PC.
- Change the USB preference to a PTP connection.
- Toggle the USB Debugging on the Developer setting.
- Launch DroidCam on your smartphone and wait on standby to establish the connection.
- Press Ok if the phone has a notification about USB Debugging.
- On PC, open the app and choose the middle option, fill in the Port, and refresh.
- If your device name appears, that is the sign of a link between the devices, and click start to use the camera.
Despite this wired connection being better than Wi-Fi, it also has drawbacks. This is vulnerable to cyberattack since USB debugging allows modifying the firmware and reading the sensitive data within the smartphone. Because of that, use this method if you have a secure internet connection. Moreover, use a reliable ISP or consider using VPN to double the protection. So, be careful to use this option.
Step 3: Integrate It with Zoom App
In the previous step, you connected your phone’s camera first to the webcam in DroidCam. The next step is to link the webcam with a video communicator like Zoom App. Since your webcam is active, the Zoom app usually scans the available source on the camera, speaker, and microphone to integrate with it.
Here is how to use the modified webcam by DroidCam to link within Zoom App:
- Launch and sign in to Zoom Apps.
- Make a new meeting to configure the camera setting.
- In a new panel with your name on a blank display, tap on the arrow beside the video icon.
- Select the camera by clicking on DroidCam source 2 or source 3 (both sources are the same, but they have different effects on the background custom layer).
- Your zoom automatically uses the smartphone’s camera on DroidCam as the main webcam source. To change the preference, make the same move and select your preferred source.
Step 4: Configure The Setting Between DroidCam and Zoom App
To maximize the benefit of this feature, we also give you some advice for using the app efficiently. The first one is the preferable camera on your phone. You can switch the main camera on the phone. Commonly, the back camera is used as the default setting, but the front camera also can be used for this app. You can reset the connection, switch the camera on the phone, and reconnect to the PC/Laptop.
The second thing is the audio speaker and microphone. You can also modify the microphone and speaker source depending on the device that actually plugs into the PC. Moreover, your smartphone can have a double job as a microphone as well if you set the mic. Checklist the audio setting on DroidCam before pressing the start it will integrate the sound quality.
The last thing is to use the paid DroidCam for a better experience. DroidCamX offers some professional control to zoom in or out, adjust the lighting and contrast, and many more. If you want to video stream on social media, this app may be a good starting choice for you besides its use for zoom meetings.
Other Programs Besides DroidCam
This app is a lifesaver if your laptop doesn’t have a good resolution or is broken. Turn your smartphone into a backup webcam it is good before you plan to spend some cash on an actual webcam. However, Other programs that have similar uses for emergency webcams also have their specialty and flexibility to give a great experience on video streaming with a smartphone’s camera. There are three apps that good if you want to use apps besides DroidCam.
- AirDroid – The versatile app with a cloud system to transfer files without wired USB. Moreover, it also offers a mirroring display and camera control, but should subscription first before using the features.
- Iriun WebCam – The multiplatform app that also can be used on macOS. Furthermore, This App also supports 4K resolution, yet, it depends on smartphone capability to bring that image resolution.
- Camo – Alternative choice for turning the smartphone into a professional webcam. Even though it supports Windows and macOS, it also has many filters and advances setting for capturing moments while video calling on social media.
Takeaway
Your smartphone can turn into a webcam with a third-party app. It is purely safe and doesn’t strain the phone since it just delivers the image from the phone’s camera only. However, the further option also allows some users to use a speaker and microphone as well. We make DroidCam as a video program example that is easy to use and free with good resolution. The paid version allows the user to unlock professional features that are good for a starter. We hope these tips can help you to make a good webcam that improves your productivity while using Zoom.
