When you personal an outdated webcam you now not use, do not throw it away. The outdated cammy nonetheless has life in it and might proceed to be helpful in one of many following roles.
1
Flip it right into a safety digital camera
Turning a webcam right into a safety digital camera solely requires a pc, some software program, and a USB extension cable if you wish to place it someplace far-off from a pc.
XDA Builders has a handy step-by-step guide on turning your outdated webcam right into a safety digital camera for monitoring your workplace, however if you happen to’ve bought a spare laptop computer or a mini PC, you’ll be able to place this DIY surveillance system wherever you need in your home.
This fashion, you’ll be able to monitor totally different rooms in your home, control your pets whilst you’re away, and even monitor your yard by putting the contraption subsequent to a window or outdoors.
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2
Use it as a secondary digital camera if you happen to’re into streaming
When you’re into live-streaming, you should use an outdated webcam as a secondary digital camera for these cool “meme” moments, or just to file your self from a number of angles. This setup solely requires one thing like a Stream Deck to manage which digital camera is energetic, together with a USB extension cable if you happen to plan to position the digital camera removed from the PC.
8/10
- Dimensions
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5.5 x 5.4 x 4.3in (139.7 x 137.16 x 109.22mm)
- Connective Know-how
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USB 2.0
You do not have to restrict your self to only one digital camera. You probably have a number of outdated webcams, you’ll be able to go nuts and place them throughout your room for a number of cool, sudden angles you could change between with a press of a button.
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3
Use the digital camera to create a multi-touch pad
Now, a DIY multitouch pad won’t be tremendous helpful, however it may be a enjoyable challenge if you happen to’re into tinkering and wish to use that outdated internet shooter as a substitute of throwing it away. The Instructables web site has a neat step-by-step guide on the right way to create a multi-touch pad from an outdated webcam, a cardboard field, and a sq. piece of glass or acrylic.
Simply be aware that one of many two apps used within the information (CCV) is not obtainable anymore. The excellent news is that you should use any free webcam app, such because the built-in Home windows 11 digital camera app, to view the dwell feed from the digital camera and modify the picture choice.
4
Flip the digital camera right into a head and eye tracker
When you’re a fan of simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Assetto Corsa, and DCS World, you would attempt turning the webcam right into a DIY head and eye tracker, permitting you to go searching the cockpit simply by transferring your head or eyes. The setup process is fairly easy and does not require further {hardware}, simply the webcam and some apps.
The apps in query are the Beam Eye Tracker and opentrack, and the excellent news is that each work with most webcams round. The Beam eye-tracking software program helps a bunch of simulators, and whereas it’s a paid app (it prices $30), you’ll be able to attempt the free 3-hour demo that is obtainable on Steam. TheCoreGameplay YouTube channel has a concise step-by-step setup guide that is straight to the purpose and really simple to comply with. The linked information focuses on Star Citizen, however you’ll be able to simply discover setup guides for different video games.
When you’d quite use a free resolution, you’ll be able to mix opentrack with one other free software program known as AITrack. The combo ought to work nicely in most flight and space sims, and you may comply with this very detailed guide courtesy of the Honosuseri YouTube channel to discover ways to full the setup.
5
Repurpose it right into a doc scanner
When you want a scanner to often scan paperwork however do not wish to spend money on one, simply use that outdated webcam! You probably have a Home windows 11 PC, turning your outdated webcam right into a doc scanner does not require any tinkering or further software program. All you want is the Home windows 11 digital camera app.
You are not restricted to simply scanning paperwork. The Microsoft PowerToys software comes with an optical character recognition (OCR) software, permitting you to seize textual content from photographs taken with the webcam.
XDA Builders has a step-by-step guide exhibiting the right way to scan paperwork with a webcam utilizing the Home windows 11 digital camera app, in addition to the right way to use PowerToys’ Textual content Extractor characteristic. It is simple to comply with and does not require any paid {hardware} or software program, solely that beat-up webcam.
Earlier than you exit and purchase a brand new webcam and repurpose your outdated one, take into account getting a light-weight and utilizing it with the outdated cammy, since adding proper lighting can considerably enhance the video high quality of any webcam. If including a light-weight made the outdated webcam usable, however you now have the tinkering itch, you would repurpose your old Android phone, laptop, or monitor as a substitute.
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