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Handy software that helps you turn your tablet or smartphone into a webcam

Handy software that helps you turn your tablet or smartphone into a webcam

Vote: (334 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: e2eSoft

Version: 7.1.2

Works under: Windows

Also available for Android

Vote:

Program license

(334 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

e2eSoft

7.1.2

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Android

Pros

  • Easily connect numerous devices to your computer that function as webcams.
  • Many different settings for video quality, viewing mode and so on.
  • The interface is simple and everyone should understand it.

Cons

  • The free version has a watermark that some users might find annoying.
  • You might see ads every now and then when using the free version.

IVCam is a program that transforms your smartphone or tablet into a dedicated webcam. This can be used to create different angles when you're streaming, or it can replace the webcam already found in your desktop or laptop. This makes full use of the camera in your device as you can choose different resolutions and whether you want to use the front or back camera.

Basic Features

The main feature of IVCam is to connect your mobile device to your computer as a webcam. Nearly every laptop and desktop comes with a dedicated webcam now, but their usually have poor resolution and quality. The camera might be fine for conference calls, but it's not ideal for recording yourself or streaming. The camera found in your mobile device is usually a much higher quality and offers better resolution without forcing you to buy another accessory for your computer.

Some people use USB webcams that you can directly connect to your computer. While these give you different angles and are usually somewhat higher quality than the dedicated webcam in your computer, they still aren't as good as your mobile device. Not only that, but you have to buy the USB webcam whereas IVCam allows you to use a device you already have.

Settings and Resolution

IVCam is surprisingly customizable. The first thing you should know is that you can connect multiple devices to your computer as webcams. While most users will only connect one smartphone or tablet to their computer, you can connect as many devices as you want to give you different views.

You can also set the video quality for each device depending on their camera. IVCam currently supports the following video qualities: 360p, 480p, 540p, 720p, 1080p and 4K. This should cover nearly every device currently is existence. You can set each device differently if you'd like, or have them all at the same video quality setting.

You can also toggle between viewing modes on your device. IVCam allows you to choose either the front or rear camera on your phone or tablet. You can also choose landscape or portrait orientation, night mode and nearly any other setting naturally found on your device. You can change this in real-time through the IVCam interface.

Wireless or Wired Connections

Some people prefer wireless connections while others prefer wired. They both have their pros and cons. Wireless connections are move convenient and allow you to go anywhere while wired connections are more stable and reliable. IVCam allows you to choose either during the setup process. You can also mix and match with some devices being wired and others being wireless.

Wired connections are established by connecting the device to your computer with a USB cable. Wireless connections are established through WiFi, which tends to be more stable than Bluetooth. A wireless connection allows you to place the device in another room and it will still work. This means you can even use the device as an in-home security camera or baby monitor.

Audio Support

You might be wondering about audio support. Whether you're using the device for conference calls, streaming, recording or anything else, you probably want to know if you still need to rely on the microphone found in your computer. IVCam also provides audio support. You can choose to use any or all of your connected devices as the dedicated microphone for your computer.

Much like with the webcam in your computer, the dedicated microphone on your computer usually isn't that great. It's fine for conference calls or talking to friends, but it's not good for professional or creative work. Your mobile device often has a much better microphone and IVCam can make use of it. Simply select which microphone you want to use from the interface and you're good.

Connecting Devices

Connecting devices through IVCam is very easy. Start by downloading and installing the program on your computer along with any devices that you intend on connecting to the computer. Open IVCam on your computer and select which devices you want to add to the computer as a webcam.

If you want to have a wired connection, then IVCam can easily find the device by looking through any connected accessories. If you want a wireless connection, then make sure both the computer and device are on the same WiFi network and then run a search. IVCam will display the located devices. Simply choose to connect whichever devices you want and they will begin functioning as a webcam on your computer.

The entire process should only take a few minutes. You can easily stop the connection by closing the app on your device, closing IVCam on your computer or disconnecting the device from the computer.

Interface

IVCam has a simple and user-friendly interface that anyone can use. There are many different settings for video quality, enabling or disabling devices, choosing the audio source and more, but this is all very easy to juggle. Even newcomers should only need a few minutes to figure out how IVCam works.

There are some advanced settings to choose from, but even they are straightforward. This includes setting when and if certain devices activate, which device is considered the primary one and so on. IVCam offers a lot of features without a steep learning curve.

Free and Paid Versions

You can choose between either the free or paid version of IVCam. Like with most other programs, the free version does have some drawbacks. The good news is that the drawbacks aren't that bad compared to other programs. There will be a watermark whenever you use the program or record from it. The watermark is fairly small and in the corner, so most users won't even notice it.

The other drawback is that you'll get the occasional advertisement. You aren't bombarded with ads, but they will come up every now and then. Choosing the paid version of this program removes all ads along with the watermark.

Pros

  • Easily connect numerous devices to your computer that function as webcams.
  • Many different settings for video quality, viewing mode and so on.
  • The interface is simple and everyone should understand it.

Cons

  • The free version has a watermark that some users might find annoying.
  • You might see ads every now and then when using the free version.