With remote work becoming the new norm, video conferencing has become essential for staying connected with colleagues, friends, and family. If you're not satisfied with the quality of your PC's webcam, there's no need to spend extra money on a new one. Instead, you can turn your smartphone into a high-quality webcam, especially if you own an iPhone or a mid-range Android device. This guide will walk you through using iVcam to transform your smartphone into a webcam for your computer.

What is iVcam?

iVcam is a software application that allows you to use your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet as a high-definition webcam for your Windows PC. It offers superior video quality compared to most built-in or USB webcams and also provides the option to record videos directly to your computer. Compatible with most applications that support webcams, iVcam makes it easy to enhance your video conferencing experience.

Downloading the iVcam Desktop Application

To get started, you'll need to download and install the iVcam client on your Windows PC. Visit the E2Esoft website and click on the "Download for Windows" button.

After downloading the installer, locate the .exe file in your downloads folder and double-click it to begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Once installed, you'll see a "Waiting for..." prompt on your computer screen until you connect your smartphone.

Setting Up Your Phone as a Webcam with iVcam

Next, you'll need to install the iVcam app on your smartphone. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

After installing the app on your phone, open it and grant the necessary permissions for accessing your camera and microphone.

There are two ways to connect your smartphone to your PC using iVcam:

  • Wireless Connection: Ensure both your smartphone and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • USB Connection: Connect your smartphone to your PC using the USB cable that came with your device.

Wait for iVcam to detect your phone and establish the connection. Once connected, you'll see control icons on the iVcam toolbar on your phone's screen, allowing you to adjust settings.

For better video quality, consider switching to your phone's rear camera, which typically has superior hardware. You can also enable the flashlight for improved lighting in low-light conditions, though you might want to diffuse the light to avoid glare.

Pressing the ‘Camera’ icon within the iVcam app captures a snapshot and saves it directly to your computer. Similarly, tapping the ‘Video’ icon starts recording video, which is also saved on your PC after you stop recording.

Using iVcam with Zoom Meetings

Step 1: Launch the iVcam app on both your computer and smartphone. Open the Zoom desktop application on your PC and click the 'Settings' icon located at the top right corner of the home screen.

Step 2: In the Zoom settings, select 'Video' from the menu on the left. Under the 'Camera' dropdown menu, choose 'e2eSoft iVCam' as your camera source.

Now, your smartphone camera will function as your webcam in Zoom meetings.

Using iVcam with Microsoft Teams

Step 1: Open Microsoft Teams on your PC and click on your profile icon in the upper right corner. From the dropdown menu, select 'Settings'.

Step 2: In the Settings window, click on 'Devices' from the left-hand menu. Under the 'Camera' section, select 'e2eSoft iVCam' from the dropdown menu.

Your smartphone camera is now set up to be used in Microsoft Teams meetings.

Using iVcam with Google Meet

Step 1: Navigate to meet.google.com in your web browser. Click on 'Sign in' at the top right corner to log into your Google account.

Step 2: Once signed in, click on the 'Settings' icon located at the top right of the page.

Step 3: In the settings dialog box, select the 'Video' tab. From the 'Camera' dropdown menu, choose 'e2eSoft iVCam'. Click 'Done' at the bottom of the dialog box to save your changes.

By using your smartphone as a webcam with iVcam, you can significantly enhance the video quality of your online meetings without investing in expensive equipment. Just make sure to use a stable phone stand to keep your video steady during calls and enjoy a more professional appearance in your video conferences.