DROIDCAM
Set up your smart phone as a webcam
Nick Peers reveals how to convert your mobile devices into cameras you can use while chatting in Linux.
OUR EXPERT
Nick Peers has been playing around with computers for over 30 years, and has been dabbling with Linux for the best part of a decade.
Need a mobile internet protocol (IP) camera, but don’t have the funds to purchase one? Want to make better use of your mobile devices – even the old ones that are gathering dust at the top of the cupboard in the spare room? Then DroidCam is the answer. This tool enables you to link your mobile to your PC so you can access its video camera as a webcam on your desktop. Whether using it to chat with others or even as an additional camera for video creatives (see the box, facing page), DroidCam has you covered.
Installation
DroidCam exists in two parts: the mobile app that you download from Google Play or Apple’s App Store, and the client software on your PC. This installs a set of drivers – Video4Linux and ALSA loopback – and provides the connection to your mobile.
The 64-bit version of DroidCam is available to install as a binary. Open a Terminal window and then issue the following commands:
$ cd /tmp/
$ wget -O droidcam_latest.ziphttps://files.dev47apps. net/linux/droidcam_1.8.2.zip