How to Set Up a Web Camera

Web cams are hardware/software combinations that stream live video or transmit frequently changing still images to a Web page. These instructions assume you already have a Web site up and running.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Modems
• Web Cameras
• Computers

1. Evaluate the speed of your current computer and modem - sending video images takes a lot of bandwidth and processing power. Get a server computer and a digital modem if you plan to stream live video.

2. Get a videoconferencing camera, digital still camera or digital camcorder to use as your Web cam. (See the Related eHow "How to Choose a Web Camera.")

3. Buy a video digitizing card if you plan to use a camcorder.

4. Select an inexpensive Web cam program or download a shareware program; various Web sites recommend WebCam32, I-Spy, WebCamToo and SpyCam.

5. Connect your Web camera to the computer.

6. Install the Web cam software.

7. Install server software if you plan to transmit images in real time.

8. Connect to your Internet service provider (ISP).

9. Follow the instructions in the Web cam software to begin transmitting images.

Tips & Warnings

• For convenience, use a camera that does not require a connection to the computer's serial port if possible.

[cyn777]

on 10/27/2007 How do you save snapshots with a built in webcam as jpegs? I can't find a save option on my Toshiba webcam in options/settings/properties.

[manikb]

on 4/13/2007 I have installed web camera (e-CAM (100K) JIL-2209) of frontech. Once it worked but after reistalling it again it did not work. I even tried with the downloaded driver but the device could not be located. I tried the camera to another computer and it worked but not at my machine. Please let me know the steps to enable my web camera.