Mac Software To Use External Webcam

05.08.2020
Mac Software To Use External Webcam 9,5/10 8361 votes

Tired of using the low-res 720p FaceTime camera built-in to your MacBook Air, Pro, or iMac? Canon just expanded its beta software to macOS today that lets you use an EOS or PowerShot camera as your webcam for much-improved video quality.

Apple has taken a lot of criticism for sticking with just a 720p resolution for its MacBook and iMac built-in FaceTime cameras. The iMac Pro does have a 1080p resolution, but the majority of Mac users — including those with the 16-inch MacBook Pro and new 13-inch Pro and Air — are stuck with 720p that often produces grainy video, especially in low-light conditions.

Outside of buying an external webcam, what else is there to do? Well if you have a compatible Canon EOS or PowerShot camera, you can now use it for high-quality webcam video with your Mac.

Canon announced the news in a press release today and created a tutorial video on getting set up.

I have long hoped for a native way to use the iPhone camera as a webcam for the Mac. In my quest to find a decent Mac webcam alternative, I came across Reincubate Camo — a phenomenal piece of software that lets you use the camera on your iPhone or iPad as a webcam for your Mac. Control access to your camera on Mac. Some apps and websites can use your camera to take photos or video. You can decide which apps are allowed to use the camera on your Mac.

Unfortunately, there are some limitations since the EOS Webcam Utility is in beta, like no support for FaceTime or Safari, and you need to use the web versions of Zoom, Skype, etc. It’s also only available for users in the US at the moment. But if that’s not a dealbreaker, it’s definitely worth checking out!

If you don’t have a Canon camera (or your Canon model isn’t compatible) there are some other ways to use your DSLR or mirrorless camera as your Mac webcam.

Cascable Pro Webcam is a good alternative that works with most Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony cameras over WiFi and Canon EOS and Nikon cameras over USB. Cascable offers a free trial then runs $30 as a one-time purchase (this still is in beta).

Another option includes using two pieces of software, Camera Live and CamTwist. Read more about how to get going with this option here.

Finally, Camo is a sharp-looking app that allows you to use your iPhone as your webcam. It’s not fully launched yet but signups for early access are open.

How to use a Canon EOS camera as a high-quality Mac webcam

  1. Download the EOS Webcam Utility Beta from Canon (check that your specific EOS or PowerShot camera is supported here)
  2. After installing you’ll need to restart your Mac
  3. Now you can turn on your Canon camera and set it to movie mode
  4. Dial-in your exposure, then plug in the USB cable to your camera, followed by your Mac
  5. Close out the EOS Utility if it auto opens
  6. Now when picking a camera in a video call app/service (needs to be web-based, Chrome recommended) choose “EOS Webcam Utility Beta”

As mentioned above, at this time, FaceTime and Safari are not supported. And Mac apps like Zoom and Skype aren’t either, so you’ll need to use the web versions to make use of this beta utility for now.

Check out the full video walkthrough below:

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Mac

Now that a lot of people are working from home, more people need to use their webcams during meetings, conferences, or even just to chat with friends and family. While programs like Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, and others are great for connecting, the built-in webcam on your laptop might be lacking a good picture.

You could always get a dedicated external webcam. Still, if you don't want to shell out any money or use up a precious port on your computer, with the help of EpocCam Webcam for Mac and PC and a little know-how, you can use your iPhone as a webcam.

EpocCam Webcam for Mac and PC

Make your iPhone camera into a webcam for all your video conferences via Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, and much more!

How to turn your iPhone into a webcam using EpocCam Webcam for Mac and PC

There are a few different steps you'll need to go through on both your iPhone and your Mac before you'll be ready to load up your favorite video conferencing software. Plus, you need to ensure your iPhone and your Mac or both on the same Wi-Fi network before you get started.

Free webcam software for mac

How to download EpocCam on your iPhone and Mac

  1. Download EpocCam Webcam for Mac and PC on your iPhone.
  2. On your Mac, go to the Kinoni website
  3. Click on Download macOS drivers. You'll need to scroll down the page to see it.
  4. Click onAllow.

    Source: iMore

  5. Click on Downloads. It's the little arrow near the top right corner. You can also open your Downloads folder in Finder.

  6. Double-click on EpocCam Installer_2_0.pkg. This will start the install process.

    Source: iMore

  7. Click on Continue.

  8. Click on Install.

    Source: iMore

Once the program is done installing on your Mac and you've downloaded the app to your iPhone, you'll be able to start using your iPhone as your webcam!

Macbook Use External Camera

How to use EpocCam as a webcam

Free Webcam Software For Mac

Now that you have the software installed on both your iPhone and your Mac, you're ready to turn your iPhone into a webcam.

  1. Launch EpocCam from the Home screen on your iPhone.
  2. Tap OK to allow EpocCam access to your camera.

    Source: iMore

  3. On your Mac, launch your video conferencing software. I'll be using Google Meet through Google Chrome for this example.

  4. Open the video settings in whichever program you're using.

    Source: iMore

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  5. Click on the Camera.

  6. Click on the EpocCam.

    Source: iMore

The video settings for each program are in slightly different places, but the main take away is that the EpocCam will show up as a camera option in the camera settings. I've tried it with Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype, and it functions great!

Upgrade the app for additional features

While you can use the free version of EpocCam (as I did above), it does have its limitations. The free version has ads, only shoots in 720p, and only uses video from your iPhone.

Mac Os Webcam Software

If you want to dish out $7.99 for the upgraded version of EpocCam, you'll be able to replace the background, remove the ads, shoot in full HD (1080p), and use the audio from your iPhone as well.

EpocCam Webcamera for Computer

With audio support, full 1080p HD video, and the ability to replace your background, the paid version of EpocCam is worth it if you intend to use it a lot.

Mac Software To Use External Webcams

Any questions?

Let us know in the comments down below!

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External Camera On Mac

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