How to Convert an IP Camera to a Virtual Webcam
By Alexander Poirier
An IP or network camera is a camera connected to an online network. IP cameras can be configured for live video recording or can be scheduled to record at specific times. There are a number of programs that create a virtual webcam on your computer, allowing you to stream live or previously recorded recordings captured with an IP camera to multiple webcam programs, something impossible without a virtual webcam. If you wish to convert your IP camera into a virtual webcam, you can do so in a few steps.
ManyCam
Open the computer's Web browser and navigate to the "ManyCam: Download" website. Download ManyCam and install the program onto the computer.
Launch ManyCam. Double-click the "ManyCam" icon to open the "Options" window. Under the "Video Source" subheading, browse for and locate the video source you want to use as the virtual webcam. This video source can either be a prerecorded video from the IP camera or the IP camera itself. Click "OK" to apply the changes.
Launch the webcam program you wish to use with a virtual webcam. Click the "File" tab and select the "Preferences" option, followed by the "Camera Source" option. Select "ManyCam Virtual Webcam" from the drop-down menu and click "OK," followed by "Apply" to save the changes. Depending on the webcam program you are using, the exact procedure for changing the camera source may be different. With the changes saved, the recording or live stream from the IP camera will now be used as a virtual webcam for the webcam program.
Repeat the previous step for as many other webcam programs as you wish.
Simulate WebCam
Open the computer's Web browser and navigate to the "Simulate WebCam: Download" page. Download and install the program onto the computer.
Launch Simulate WebCam. Click the "File" tab, select the "Play Movie" option and locate the IP webcam recording you want to use as a virtual webcam if you want to use a prerecorded video. If you want to use a live stream from the IP camera, click the "File" tab and select the "Switch to Real Camera" option.
Launch the webcam program you wish to use with a virtual webcam. Click the "File" tab and select the "Preferences" option, followed by the "Camera Source" option. Select "Simulate WebCam VirtualCamera" from the drop-down menu and click "OK," followed by "Apply" to save the changes. Repeat for any other webcam programs you want to use with the virtual webcam.
Magic Camera
Open the computer's Web browser and navigate to the "Magic Camera: Download" website. Download and install the program onto the computer.
Launch Magic Camera. Click the "Capture Camera" option under the "Tasks" subheading. Click the "Select Your Camera" drop-down menu in the "Capture Camera" menu and select the IP camera you want to use as a virtual camera.
Launch the webcam program you wish to use with a virtual webcam. Click the "File" tab and select the "Preferences" option, followed by the "Camera Source" option. Select "MagicCamera Capture" from the drop-down menu and click "OK," followed by "Apply" to save the changes. Repeat for any other webcam programs you want to use with the virtual webcam.
Tips
Programs and files downloaded from the Internet should be downloaded at the user's own risk.
References
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Writer Bio
Alexander Poirier began writing professionally in 2005. He worked as the editor-in-chief of the literary magazine "Calliope," garnering the magazine two APEX Awards for excellence in publication. Poirer graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in English.