网络摄像头对于个人和专业交流都变得越来越重要。比以往任何时候都更多的人使用视频会议来代替纯音频通话。
在进入通话之前能够看到您的网络摄像头将向其他人显示什么很重要。也许你想确保你看起来还不错，或者让你凌乱的卧室远离镜头。
在使用网络摄像头之前，您可以通过以下几乎所有方法对其进行测试。
在线测试您的网络摄像头
如果您已连接到 Internet，在使用网络摄像头之前测试网络摄像头的最简单方法可能是Online Mic Test 网络摄像头测试器(Online Mic Test webcam tester)。这些网站是从您的网络摄像头在线录制视频(record video from your webcam online)的最简单方法之一。
打开页面并单击屏幕右侧媒体框中的播放图标。您的浏览器将提示您允许使用您的网络摄像头。单击“允许(Allow)”后，您将获得实时预览。您可以窗口或全屏查看实时预览，并在图像的左上角获取实时帧速率计数。
使用 Skype 测试您的网络摄像头
Skype 仍然是许多人的首选，而不是 Zoom(Skype is still preferred by many over Zoom)，它允许您在应用程序设置菜单中预览您的相机：
- 打开 Skype
- 打开设置(Settings)菜单
- 打开音频和视频(Audio & Video)
您将在音频(Audio)和视频(Video)设置窗口中获得网络摄像头的即时实时图像。
使用 Zoom 测试您的网络摄像头
Zoom 在 2020 年的受欢迎程度急剧上升(Zoom has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in 2020)。虽然无法通过设置菜单检查您的视频，但您可以在没有其他成员的情况下开始会议以检查您的网络摄像头输出：
- 登录您的 Zoom 帐户
- 选择开始会议(Start a Meeting)
- 选择从视频开始(Start with Video)
您将在Zoom(Zoom)视频通话中预览您的网络摄像头对其他人的外观。
在 Windows 10 上检查您的网络摄像头
Windows 10 有一个本机相机(Camera )程序(Windows 10 has a native Camera program)，用于使用附加或嵌入式相机拍摄照片和视频。您可以通过开始(Start)菜单访问相机(Camera)程序。
相机(Camera)应用程序还具有多种用于控制网络摄像头工作方式的选项。单击(Click)窗口左下方的 设置转盘以访问您的网络摄像头设置。(Settings)
在 macOS 上测试您的网络摄像头
借助本机Photobooth应用程序，在(Photobooth)Mac上检查网络摄像头非常简单。如果该应用程序在您的底座上(on your dock)（它看起来像一组护照照片），单击它将打开Photobooth窗口并为您提供网络摄像头的即时直播。
如果它不在您的扩展坞上，您可以通过两种方式打开它。
- 单击应用程序(Applications)
- 选择照相亭(Photobooth)
或者更快的方法：
- 使用键盘快捷键CMD + Space打开Spotlight
- 类型照相亭(Photobooth)
- 从列表中选择Photobooth应用程序(Photobooth)
在 Ubuntu Linux 上测试您的网络摄像头
由于包含免费的照相亭应用Cheese ，在(Cheese)Ubuntu中测试您的网络摄像头很容易。
- 按Windows/Option键打开搜索菜单
- 搜索并打开Cheese
您将立即获得网络摄像头可以看到的实时视图。
如何在 Chromebook 上检查网络摄像头(Your Webcam)
近年来，Chromebook大受欢迎，为所有预算提供了大量不同的选择。Chrome OS提供了一个用于捕获图像和视频的本机应用程序，称为相机。 (Camera. )
打开相机(Camera)应用程序是一个简单的过程：
- 单击屏幕左下方的启动器按钮，或按(Launcher)启动器(Launcher)键
- 在对话框中输入相机(Camera)
- 选择相机(Camera)应用
您将看到网络摄像头的实时预览，您可以使用它在重要通话之前检查您的周围环境或拍摄照片或视频。
使用 VLC 媒体播放器(Use VLC Media Player)测试您的网络摄像头(Webcam)
VLC 媒体播放器是最好的免费媒体工具之一(VLC media player is among the best free media tools available)。VLC的一个鲜为人知的功能是能够从各种不同的来源实时流式传输媒体。虽然它通常用于流式传输在线媒体，但您也可以使用它来监控您的网络摄像头当前正在接收的内容。
您可以使用以下步骤使用VLC检查您的网络摄像头。(VLC)
- 打开 VLC
- 单击File > Open Media Device
- 从视频设备名称(Video device name)下拉菜单中选择您的网络摄像头
选择网络摄像头后，您应该会在VLC的视频播放部分看到网络摄像头的实时播放。或者，您可以使用“高级选项(Advanced Options)”菜单（位于“打开媒体设备(Open Media Device)”对话框中）更改捕获帧速率，以获得更流畅的实时播放体验。
使用 OBS 测试您的网络摄像头
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) 是最受流媒体和视频制作者欢迎的软件(Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is the most popular software for streamers and video makers)。它易于使用、功能强大、开源且免费。
Linux 命令行网络摄像头测试
不是每个人都使用网络摄像头开会。许多DIY 安全系统(DIY security systems)使用现成的USB网络摄像头来节省资金。如果您发现自己处于相机无法工作的位置，您可能无法轻松访问运行它们的计算机。更糟糕的是，许多服务器以“无头模式”运行，没有GUI来帮助调试问题。
在这些情况下，使用FFmpeg从命令行捕获相机片段可能是一项有用的技能。
- 使用键盘快捷键 打开终端(Terminal)
- 使用命令sudo apt-install ffmpeg 安装 FFmpeg(sudo apt-install ffmpeg)
- (Find)通过输入v4l2-ctl –list-devices(v4l2-ctl –list-devices)找出您的网络摄像头连接到哪个端口
- 键入命令ffmpeg -f v4l2 -framerate 25 -t 10 -video_size 640×480 -i /dev/video0 output.mkv 拍摄 10 秒的视频剪辑
您将得到一个名为output.mkv的 10 秒文件，您可以从远程计算机上进行检查。
从您的网络摄像头中获取更多信息
网络摄像头比以往任何时候都更加重要，如果您的计算机没有摄像头，则有许多优质廉价的选择(there are many high quality cheap options)可供选择。
除了进行视频通话之外，您还可以使用网络摄像头做更多事情。您可以使用各种应用程序(using a variety of apps)远程访问您的网络摄像头，而旧的网络摄像头可以成为纯 DIY 安全系统的核心部分(old webcam can be the central part of a purely DIY security system)。
10 Ways To Test Your Webcam Before Using It
Webcams have become incrеasingly important for both personal and professional communication. More people thаn ever are using video conferencing in place оf audio-only calls.
Being able to see what your webcam will show other people before entering into a call is important. Maybe you want to make sure you look alright or keep your messy bedroom out of shot.
Here is almost every way you can test your webcam before using it.
Test Your Webcam Online
If you are connected to the internet, perhaps the simplest way to test your webcam before using it is the Online Mic Test webcam tester. Sites like these are among the easiest ways to record video from your webcam online.
Open the page and click the play icon in the media box on the right-hand side of the screen. Your browser will prompt you for permission to use your webcam. Once you click Allow, you’ll get a live preview. You can view your live preview windowed or full screen, and get a live framerate count on the top left corner of the image.
Test Your Webcam Using Skype
Skype is still preferred by many over Zoom, and allows you to preview your camera in the application settings menu:
- Open Skype
- Open the Settings menu
- Open Audio & Video
You’ll get an instant live image of your webcam in the Audio & Video settings window.
Use Zoom To Test Your Webcam
Zoom has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in 2020. While there’s no way to check your video via the settings menu, you can start a meeting with no other members to check your webcam output:
- Sign in to your Zoom account
- Select Start a Meeting
- Select Start with Video
You’ll get a preview of what your webcam will look like to others in a Zoom video call.
Checking Your Webcam on Windows 10
Windows 10 has a native Camera program for taking photos and videos using an attached or embedded camera. You can access the Camera program via the Start menu.
The Camera app also has a variety of options for controlling how your webcam works. Click on the Settings dial in the bottom left of the window to access your webcam settings.
Test Your Webcam On macOS
Checking your webcam on Mac is simple thanks to the native Photobooth app. If the app is on your dock (it looks like a set of passport photos), clicking it will bring up the Photobooth window and give you an instant live stream of your webcam.
If it’s not on your dock, there are two ways you can open it.
- Click on Applications
- Select Photobooth
Or for an even quicker approach:
- Open Spotlight using the keyboard shortcut CMD + Space
- Type Photobooth
- Select the Photobooth application from the list
Test Your Webcam on Ubuntu Linux
Testing your webcam in Ubuntu is easy thanks to the inclusion of free photo booth app Cheese.
- Press the Windows/Option key to open the search menu
- Search for and open Cheese
You’ll get an immediate live view of what your webcam can see.
How To Check Your Webcam On a Chromebook
Chromebooks have exploded in popularity in recent years, offering a huge array of different options for all budgets. Chrome OS provides a native app for capturing images and videos called Camera.
Opening the Camera app is a simple process:
- Click the Launcher button at the bottom left of the screen, or press the Launcher key
- Type Camera into the dialog box
- Select the Camera app
You’ll be greeted with a live preview of your webcam, which you can use to check your surroundings before an important call or take photos or videos.
Use VLC Media Player To Test Your Webcam
VLC media player is among the best free media tools available. A lesser-known feature of VLC is the ability to stream media live from a variety of different sources. While it’s typically used for streaming online media, you can also use it to monitor what your webcam is currently picking up.
You can check your webcam with VLC using the following steps.
- Open VLC
- Click File > Open Media Device
- Choose your webcam from the Video device name dropdown menu
After choosing your webcam, you should see live playback from your webcam in the video playback section of VLC. Optionally, you can use the Advanced Options menu (located in the Open Media Device dialog box) to change the capture frame rate for a smoother live playback experience.
Use OBS To Test Your Webcam
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is the most popular software for streamers and video makers. It’s easy to use, powerful, open-source, and free.
Linux Command Line Webcam Testing
Not everyone uses a webcam for meetings. Many DIY security systems use off the shelf USB webcams to save money. If you find yourself in a position where a camera isn’t working, you might not have easy access to the computer running them. Even worse, many servers run in “headless mode” with no GUI to help debug problems.
In these situations, using FFmpeg to capture a snippet of your camera from the command line can be a useful skill.
- Open the Terminal using the keyboard shortcut
- Install FFmpeg with the command sudo apt-install ffmpeg
- Find out which port your webcam is attached to by entering v4l2-ctl –list-devices
- Type the command ffmpeg -f v4l2 -framerate 25 -t 10 -video_size 640×480 -i /dev/video0 output.mkv to take a 10 second video clip
You’ll be left with a 10-second file called output.mkv you can check from your remote computer.
Get More From Your Webcam
Webcams are more important than ever, and if your computer doesn’t have one there are many high quality cheap options to choose from.
There is a lot more you can do with a webcam than make video calls. You can access your webcam remotely using a variety of apps, and an old webcam can be the central part of a purely DIY security system.
