I recently shared how I had experimented with a program called WebcamDV. It let’s you use your high quality DV camcorder as a webcam in pretty much any application that supports it; everything from ConquerCam to MSN Messenger.
Using my inexpensive Logitech QuickCam Pro, the image is OK:
But with WebcamDV and my Sony DV camcorder, the image quality is much more clear and the colors more true, even though the room isn’t well lit. On the downside, it seems to squish the image vertically:
Unfortunately, I noticed that when I’m running WebcamDV, my CPU utilization goes pretty much to 100%, slowing my system down to the point where it’s really noticeable in other applications.
This might be better if I had a faster CPU. Sparky current is running an aging 400 MHz Pentium II. When Sparky get’s upgraded (replaced?) later this month, I’m going for a 3.0 GHz P4, so I’ll give WebcamDV another try then. For now, it was a fun experiment, but not practical for day-to-day use.
I have downloaded the trial version of WebCamDV. I am using the software in combination with a PAL Sony DV (100??). I have heard via the support desk that PAL camrecorders are facing some problems with using the software.
Can you tell me if you are using PAL camrecorder ?
The software only displays the WebCamDV logo and is not showing the captured details from the camrecorder.
Thanks and regards,
Carlo Kassam
I had the same issue and I think it was the method of cam corder power on. either the software needs to be up and running first or the cam corder…see if that works…
Have you tried WebCamDV with your upgraded system since Nov 2003? I was wondering if the CPU usage went down with a faster system. I have only found WebCamDV or DVdriver software methods to use with a camcorder as a webcam.
Thanks,