您即将开始会议，需要一个网络摄像头(webcam)，却发现手边没有一个。事实证明，Android或 iPhone 设备上的摄像头可以用作无线网络摄像头；您所需要的只是合适的软件，也许还有一些配件。
小建议
当您将计算机用于其他目的时，您的智能手机完全能够运行Zoom、Skype或Microsoft Teams等应用程序进行视频通话。(Microsoft Teams)但是，如果您需要在通话时同时共享计算机屏幕，则需要使用网络摄像头。
为什么将智能手机用作网络摄像头(Webcam)？
智能手机作为网络摄像头是一个不错的选择，因为手机的自拍摄像头或前置摄像头的图像质量比大多数内置笔记本电脑网络摄像头要好。
购买高质量的网络摄像头，例如Logitech C922 Pro，意味着当您已经拥有智能手机时，要在网络摄像头上花费额外的钱。
与内置笔记本电脑摄像头相比，将手机用作无线网络摄像头可以灵活放置摄像头。
手机的安装选项
一个好的网络摄像头可以安装在屏幕上，独立站立，或具有三脚架安装螺纹。有很多配件可帮助您根据需要安装智能手机。您需要一个用于手机的三脚架安装附件以及一个实际的三脚架。这些通常作为捆绑出售，也可以与单独出售的混合和匹配。
桌面三脚架是一个不错的选择，但如果您已经有一个大三脚架，它可以与智能手机三脚架支架一起使用。
我们使用Joby GripTight Mount和上面所示的GorillaPod三脚架。虽然GripTight折叠起来便于运输，可以独立自由站立，但无法调整角度，只能站立在平坦的表面上。
考虑一个专用麦克风
大多数智能手机网络摄像头应用程序都允许您在您选择的视频聊天应用程序中使用板载电话麦克风，但您应该这样做吗？这真的取决于你的设备。在大多数情况下，手机上的麦克风几乎肯定会比笔记本电脑上的麦克风更好。不过，我们始终建议使用专用麦克风。
但是，在购买独立麦克风之前，请先在手机上测试麦克风，看看您是否对结果感到满意。
您可以在麦克风类型之间进行选择，例如头戴式麦克风、领夹式麦克风和桌面电容式麦克风，它们可能会比手机上的麦克风更好。
有线还是无线？
您还可以通过 USB 连接将智能手机用作网络摄像头。选择有线连接而不是无线连接有几个原因：
- 可靠性
- 表现
- 它可以防止电池耗尽
- (Less)WiFi嗅探器带来的隐私风险更小
我们建议您使用有线连接而不是无线连接，除非您根本无法使用电线。将智能手机用作网络摄像头可能会很快耗尽电池电量，因此请准备好移动电源或充电器。
认识 DroidCam
DroidCam是最著名的应用程序，可让您将智能手机用作网络摄像头。它适用于Android和 iOS 设备，并具有适用于Windows和Linux的客户端。遗憾的是 macOS 用户对DroidCam 不满意(DroidCam)，但我们将在本文末尾讨论一些替代方案。
DroidCam是免费的，但仅限于标清分辨率。如果您想要高清视频源，则必须为Pro升级支付大约 5.99 美元。DroidCam可让您将手机用作无线网络摄像头、IP 摄像头并通过有线连接。因此，您可以选择最适合您的连接方式。
如何将手机用作无线网络摄像头(Wireless Webcam)
设置 DroidCam 很简单：
- 下载DroidCam Windows 客户端(DroidCam Windows client)并安装。
- 安装适用于Android(Android)或iOS的 DroidCam 应用程序。
- 重新启动计算机(Restart your computer)以确保正确集成网络摄像头驱动程序。
- 确保(Make)计算机和手机都在同一个 WiFi 网络(same WiFi network)上。
- 打开客户端和应用程序。
- 在手机或平板电脑屏幕上查找设备 IP 地址( Device IP address)并记下它以在 DroidCam 的Windows客户端上输入。
- 您应该在 PC 客户端上看到此对话框。如果没有，请选择DroidCam >开始。( Start.)
- 确保两台设备上的Droidcam 端口号(Droidcam port number)相同。
- 如果要包括音频(include audio)，请选中该框。
- 选择开始。(Start.)
您现在应该在Windows客户端中看到相机预览。在您使用的应用程序中，选择“DroidCam”作为您的网络摄像头。
适用于 Mac 用户的应用程序
如果您是Mac用户，或者出于任何原因根本不喜欢DroidCam，则有几种选择。
如果您想在Mac上使用 iOS 设备，Camo是一个不错的选择。该应用程序的基本版本是免费的，但您可以付费订阅“ Pro ”订阅，该订阅可以去除迷彩(Camo)水印，解锁一些高级功能，并允许您在两台计算机上使用该软件。如果您足够喜欢它，可以选择终身许可证，但价格昂贵。
macOS 的另一个推荐是EpocCam，由Corsair以Elgato品牌开发。Elgato是流媒体领域的市场领导者，因此您知道他们在该领域拥有丰富的技术专长。EpocCam适用于Mac和 PC，但就像Camo一样，它仅适用于 iOS 设备。
一些用户报告说EpocCam的广告过于侵扰，但这显然是个人喜好问题。幸运的是，由于您可以免费试用，因此您可以自行决定。
如果您想在 macOS 计算机上使用Android手机，您需要一个涵盖Windows、macOS、Ubuntu Linux、Android和 iOS的Iriun 网络摄像头。(Iriun Webcam)基本版是免费的，但付费的“专业”版提供更高级的功能。
您的手机作为网络摄像头(Webcam)是一个额外的选择
使用您已有的相机既方便又划算，但也有一些缺点。将手机用作网络摄像头肯定更复杂，并且需要更多的技术技能来设置。
还有一个可靠性因素需要考虑，因为您可能会发现您的智能手机网络摄像头设置在短时间内无法正常工作。可能是您手机上的操作系统更新或连接问题。幸运的是，您始终可以使用内置网络摄像头，但这对于没有备份的桌面用户来说可能是个问题。
最后，您无法轻松访问手机，在某些情况下，您的通话甚至可能被手机来电打断。虽然这取决于各种应用程序的设置（您可以启用DND ）和确切的操作方法。(DND)尽管如此，拥有选项还是很棒的，将手机用作网络摄像头可能是您的正确选择。
How to Use Your Phone as a Wireless Webcam (iPhone & Android)
You’re about to start a meеting and you need а webcam only to find that you do not have one handy. As it turns out, the camera on your Android or iPhone device can work as a wireless webcam; all you need is the right software and perhaps a few accessories.
Quick Tip
Your smartphone is perfectly capable of running applications like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams for video calls while you use your computer for other purposes. However, a webcam would be necessary if you need to simultaneously share your computer screen while you’re on your call.
Why Use Your Smartphone as a Webcam?
A smartphone is a good choice as a webcam because the picture quality of a phone’s selfie-cam or front-facing camera is better than most built-in laptop webcams.
Buying a high-quality webcam, such as the Logitech C922 Pro, means spending extra money on a webcam when you already have a smartphone.
Using your phone as a wireless webcam allows for flexibility of camera placement compared to built-in laptop cameras.
Mounting Options for Your Phone
A good webcam can be mounted on a screen, stand on its own, or features a tripod mounting thread. There are plenty of accessories available that help you mount your smartphone as needed.You’ll need a tripod mount attachment for your phone as well as an actual tripod. These are often sold as a bundle or can be mixed and matched with those sold separately.
A tabletop tripod is a good choice, but if you already have a large tripod, it can be used along with a smartphone tripod mount.
We use the Joby GripTight Mount with GorillaPod tripod shown above. Although The GripTight folds up for easy transport and can stand freely by itself, there is no way to adjust its angle and it can only stand on a flat surface.
Consider a Dedicated Mic
Most smartphone webcam apps let you use the onboard phone mic in the video chat app of your choice, but should you? It really depends on your devices. For the most part, the mic on your phone will almost certainly be better than the mic on your laptop. Still, we always recommend using a dedicated microphone.
However, first test the mic on your phone to see if you’re happy with the result before you invest in a standalone microphone.
You can choose between mic types, such as headset mics, lavalier mics, and tabletop condenser mics, which are probably going to be better than the mic on your phone.
Wired or Wireless?
You can also use your smartphone as a webcam using a USB connection. There are several reasons to choose a wired connection over a wireless one:
- Reliability
- Performance
- It prevents battery drain
- Less privacy risk from WiFi sniffers
We’d recommend using a wired connection over a wireless one unless you simply cannot work with a cord. Using your smartphone as a webcam will likely drain the battery quickly, so have a power bank or charger handy.
Meet DroidCam
DroidCam is the best-known app to let you use your smartphone as a webcam. It’s available for both Android and iOS devices and has clients for Windows and Linux. Sadly macOS users are out of luck with DroidCam, but we’ll discuss a few alternatives at the end of this article.
DroidCam is free but limited to standard definition resolution. If you want an HD video feed, you’ll have to pay around $5.99 for the Pro upgrade. DroidCam lets you use your phone as a wireless webcam, an IP camera, and via a wired connection. So you have the choice to pick the connection that suits you best.
How to Use Your Phone as a Wireless Webcam
Setting up DroidCam is easy:
- Download the DroidCam Windows client and install it.
- Install the DroidCam app for Android or iOS.
- Restart your computer to ensure the webcam drivers are correctly integrated.
- Make sure that both the computer and phone are on the same WiFi network.
- Open both the client and the app.
- Look for the Device IP address on the phone or tablet screen and note it to enter it on DroidCam’s Windows client.
- You should see this dialogue box on the PC client. If not, select DroidCam > Start.
- Make sure the Droidcam port number is the same on both devices.
- Select the box if you want to include audio.
- Select Start.
You should now see the camera preview in the Windows client. In the app that you’re using, select “DroidCam” as your webcam.
Apps for Mac Users
If you’re a Mac user or simply don’t like DroidCam for any reason, there are a few alternatives.
If you want to use an iOS device with your Mac, Camo is a great option. The base version of the app is free, but you can pay for a “Pro” subscription that removes the Camo watermark, unlocks a few premium features, and lets you use the software on two computers. If you like it enough, there’s an option for a lifetime license, but it’s pricey.
Another recommendation for macOS is EpocCam, developed by Corsair under the Elgato brand. Elgato is a market leader in streaming, so you know they’ve got serious technical expertise in this area. EpocCam works for Mac and PC, but just like Camo it only works with iOS devices.
Some users report that EpocCam has advertising that’s too intrusive, but that’s obviously a matter of personal taste. Luckily, since you can try it for free, that’s something you can decide for yourself.
If you want to use an Android phone with your macOS computer, you’ll need an Iriun Webcam covering Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux, Android, and iOS. The basic version is free, but a paid “Pro” version offers more advanced features.
Your Phone as a Webcam Is an Extra Option
Using the camera you already have is both convenient and cost-effective, but there are some downsides too. It’s definitely more complicated to use your phone as a webcam and requires more technical skill to set up.
There’s also a reliability factor to consider since you might find your smartphone webcam setup fails to work at short notice. Perhaps an OS update on your phone or a problem with the connection. Luckily you can always fall back on a built-in webcam, but that might be an issue for desktop users with no backup.
Finally, you lose easy access to your phone and in some cases, your call could even be interrupted by incoming calls to your phone. Although this will depend on the settings (you can enable DND) and exact operating methods of the various apps. Still, it’s great to have options and using your phone as a webcam might be the right option for you.
