SmartCam

Smartphones, apart from being flexible and versatile communication devices, can also be used to take pictures or record video, thanks to the built-in camera.

SmartCam is a nifty application that has been designed to convert the camera on the mobile phone (Android) into a webcam.

Using the application is very simple, especially since the installation process does not pose any trouble. Nevertheless, you need to equip the mobile device with the bridging app.

The main screen is straightforward and includes only the most necessary functions. It shows if the phone camera is currently connected or not, the resolution and the FPS (frame per second) value. Obviously, the largest part of the interface is occupied with the actual video stream.

There is the possibility to record the video and as soon as the command is given the product prompts you to select a storage location for the output result (AVI file).

Setting up SmartCam so that it establishes the connection with the phone’s camera is not a difficult endeavor. The developer included the possibility to connect either via TCP/IP by using a specific port or through Bluetooth, which should be the most comfortable approach for most users.

Additional options available refer to the video capture codec. The product can use either Cinepak or, if installed on the system, DivX. Granted, this is a small list of choices.

Even if modern portable computers come with a built-in webcam, SmartCam’s applicability is not to be diminished because the wireless functionality allows streaming from a wider area.

Also, the product is a great alternative if the phone’s camera has better specifications than the webcam built-into the computer.