Web camera image test. Webcam check: hardware errors

If you like to communicate with people on the Internet and prefer not only to hear, but also to see, then a computer with a video camera is the ideal solution. How to choose a suitable laptop, turn on and check its camera?

Let's start from the beginning. The image quality in built-in laptop cameras varies on average from 0.3 to 3 megapixels. You can also take photos and videos using a webcam. Naturally, you can also connect third-party devices - from the simplest via USB to professional equipment with the latest ports for data transfer ( S-Video, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort and others). Within a range of up to 5-10 meters, the camera and other portable devices are connected via Bluetooth, FireWire etc. So, you already have a laptop with a camera. But where to find it? Open the Start menu and enter the word “camera” in the search bar. If nothing is found, move on to the next point. From “Start” go to “Control Panel”, from there to “Hardware and Sound” -> “View Devices” -> “Manager”. Open the same window by right-clicking on “My Computer” -> “Properties”. Having entered the “Manager” in one of the ways, look for the item “Image processing devices” - it should display the desired camera or similar connected devices. Right-click on the device and select “Enable”. Here you can also disable the camera in the same way, install drivers or update to a newer software version. By going to the last item of the context menu - Properties, we will see whether the camera is working. Let's look at the picture: It's easy to check the camera through any program for video calls, for example, Skype and even Odnoklassniki. Launch Skype, go to “Settings” through the top panel, then “General” and “Video Settings”. If the camera is turned on, you will see the image captured by its lens in real time. How to set up a laptop camera? There are two ways to do this. Some cameras have all control buttons directly on the device (sound, sharpness, zoom, etc.). Just turn all the possible levers on the panel, focusing on the quality of the signal in the same Skype. The second way is to use special programs for configuration. These include SplitCam, LiveWebCam, IP Camera View and many others. Let's take a look at SplitCam. What can she do:

add fun effects to your video without interrupting the call;
change the background in which you are sitting;
work in several applications at once, sharing the video stream;
broadcast videos to popular sites like Livestream and similar;
work with resolutions up to 2048×1536 (HD);
connection to an IP camera;
zoom a section of video without interruption
overlaying audio effects and sound separation.

At the same time, SplitCam is distributed free of charge, without restrictions.

If the video camera does not work, the first thing to do is reinstall the drivers or find a more recent version. The original software is on the disk that came with the laptop. Otherwise, you will have to look for drivers online, on the manufacturer’s official website. For example, for Lenovo t60 laptops it looks like this:

Most laptops have a built-in webcam. It should work properly immediately after installing the drivers. But it’s better to first verify this yourself, using a few simple methods. In this article, we will look at several options for checking the camera on a Windows 7 laptop.

Initially, the camera does not require any settings, but they must be made before working in certain programs. It is precisely because of incorrect settings and problems with drivers that various problems with the webcam arise. You can find out more about the reasons and their solutions in our article.

Problems are most often discovered during testing of the device, so let's move on to looking at ways to check the webcam.

Method 1: Skype

Most users use the popular program for video communication. It allows you to check the camera before making calls. Testing is quite simple, you just need to go to "Video Settings", select the active device and evaluate the picture quality.

If for some reason you are not satisfied with the result of the test, you need to configure it or correct the problems that have arisen. These actions are performed without leaving the testing window.

Method 2: Online services

There are special sites with simple applications that are designed to test your webcam. You don't need to perform complex steps; often you just need to press one button to start the scan. There are many similar services on the Internet, just select one from the list and test the device.

Since the check is carried out through applications, they will work correctly only if you have . Don't forget to download or update it before testing.

Method 3: Online services for recording video from a webcam

In addition to testing sites, there are also services that allow you to record video from a camera. They are also suitable for testing the device. In addition, such services can be used instead of special programs. The recording process is very simple, just select the active devices, adjust the quality and press the button "Record".

There are many such sites, so we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the best ones in our article, which contains detailed instructions for recording video in each service.

Method 4: Programs for recording video from a webcam

If Super Webcam Recorder does not suit you, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of the best webcam video recording programs. You will definitely find the right software for you.

In this article, we looked at four ways to test the camera on a laptop with Windows 7. It would be more rational to immediately test the device in the program or service that you plan to use in the future. If there is no picture, we recommend checking all drivers and settings again.

When purchasing and installing a webcam (or simply during moments of its dysfunction), we may need to check the quality of operation of this device. The implementation of such a task is made difficult by the lack of specialized programs for checking webcams on a standard computer, which forces the user to turn to the capabilities of such products as Skype, Paltalk and the like. At the same time, there are tools on the Internet that allow you to easily and quickly check your webcam online. In this material I will talk about such services and also explain how to use their functionality.

Before checking your webcam online, you should make sure that it is correctly connected to the appropriate connector. Usually this is a classic USB connector on a desktop PC, and also that the appropriate drivers are installed on the computer to operate the camera. Without correct implementation of these conditions, checking a webcam usually fails.

The mechanism for checking a webcam using the resources described below is quite simple. You go to one of these resources, click on the button to start the verification procedure, after which the resource requests access to your webcam. You allow such access, the image broadcast by the webcam appears on the screen of your PC, after which you can form your opinion about the quality of work of the specified device.

The best services for testing your webcam

Let's look at the list of services that will allow us to take photos or videos from a webcam.

Webcammictest.com

The webcammictest.com service will allow you to test your webcam and microphone online. Working with it is absolutely free, does not require a registration procedure, and can be recommended to everyone who wants to easily and quickly check their device.

To work with the service, go to it, then click on the green button “Check my webcam” (or “Check a microphone” to check the microphone).
Your browser will then request access to your camera.
If necessary, click on the arrow on the right, select your webcam from the list of devices, and then click on “Allow” in this window.
A window will open in which the image from your webcam will be broadcast.
You can take a screenshot by clicking on “Take a snapshot”, or check the microphone by clicking on “Check a microphone”.

By clicking on “Check my webcam” you will be able to view the image from your webcam

Webcamtest.ru

This service works according to a similar algorithm to the webcammictest.com service I have already described. You go to the website webcamtest.ru, which automatically asks you for access to the microphone. Click on “Allow” and view the image received from the webcam.

Click on “Allow” to grant the resource access to your webcam

If the image does not appear, then you either incorrectly connected your webcam to the PC, or did not install (or installed incorrectly) the drivers, or you have incorrect settings for the flash player. In the latter case, it is recommended to move the cursor over the video area, right-click, and select the “Options” option. There, click on the option with a webcam image, click on the arrow, and select your webcam from the list.

Toolster.net

This English-language service will allow you to simultaneously check the functionality of your webcam and microphone online.

Working with it is symmetrical: you go to the toolster.net resource, click on “Allow” (thus giving the resource access to your webcam and microphone).
And then you watch the video from your webcam.
To the right of the picture there is a sound scale, which, if there is a sound source, will show the corresponding sound level from the microphone.
If video and sound are recorded correctly by this resource, then you will see the inscription “Your webcam works fine!” at the bottom. (your webcam works fine).

The inscription “Your webcam works fine!” indicates normal operation of your device

Onlinemictest.com

Although the English-language service onlinemictest.com is intended primarily for microphone testing, it will also allow you to test the operation of your webcam online. Working with it is identical to other services of this plan - you go to this resource, click on “Allow” to provide access to the webcam, and observe the visual result on the right side of the screen.

At the same time, a feature of this service is the ability to demonstrate the number of FPS (frames per second), the number of which you can see on the screen.

The resource “onlinemictest.com” allows you to see the number of FPS from your webcam

Testmycam.net

And the last English-language service for online webcam testing that I want to talk about is testmycam.net. In addition to the standard procedure for such services for demonstrating images from a webcam, this site also allows you to play “The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors”, refracting and multiplying the image from your webcam in every possible way.

To work with it, go to this resource and click on “Allow”.
You will see an image from your camera, below it are the “right” and “left” buttons, the current status of the image (by default it is “Normal”), and a button with a camera image (allows you to take a screenshot).
By clicking left and right you can change the image from your webcam.
If you like any effect, click on the camera button and save the image to your PC.

Conclusion

Checking the operation of a webcam on the Internet online can be done using the services I described above. When carrying out such a check, I recommend, first of all, that you pay attention to the correct connection of the webcam to your computer, and also install the appropriate drivers for your webcam (they are often included with the device itself). The correct implementation of these two conditions in most cases guarantees the correct operation of your device, and you will enjoy its functionality.

In order to check the webcam, you can use the Skype settings. To do this, go to the column “ Tools»

In the window that opens we find “ Settings", after which we find " Video settings«

A window will open with the necessary parameters and settings for using the webcam. The cell itself with the image appears on the screen. If you're satisfied quality images, then you don’t need to do anything further.

Verification with third-party applications

If proprietary developer software is installed on the computer (for example, when installing Logitech), all that remains is run program and you will see in the window image from webcam. If no image— the device is not connected or there are connection problems.

If you own a laptop HP, then consider yourself very lucky. The package usually includes a program MediaSmart. HP has released MediaSmart, which includes the ability to use batch check video cameras with a bunch of settings. HP MediaSmart Webcam software boasts the ability records videos, as well as creating instant pictures, adds text and animation to an image, works with avatars and edits the specified controls on the webcam scales.

We use online services

If there is no application on your computer, then you can use one of the online services. There are many services on the Internet that allow not only check webcam, but also write down video, photography and editing. One of them is Test webcam. A simple website with an excellent interface to activate just need work allow access to the camera. If the video works, the device is ok, but if not, it’s worth check webcam work.

The following resource will allow you to check not only the operation of the camera, but also the microphone. Webcam&MicTest- a unique program with an accessible interface and clear functions.

Toolster– an entertaining project with very interesting execution. To work you will also need confirm access. If the device is not in order, the picture from the camera will be no access. The following message will appear: “There is no data from the camera or there is no signal present.” You can also check your work here sound, the sound level will be displayed on a visible column - a scale in the right area of the working window.

I am often asked how to check webcam on the computer. It would seem like a strange question, but there is nothing strange in it - it’s really not that easy for an inexperienced user to do.

The fact is that if there is not a single program installed on the computer that directly works with the webcam (for example, Skype or Viber), then there is practically no place to turn it on to check its functionality.

It’s just that usually only the camera driver is written into the system for its operation, but it does not have a graphical interface.

Of course, some manufacturers supply special utilities along with the driver, but firstly, not all of them, and secondly, is there a separate program in the system to check (once every hundred years) the functionality of the webcam? Well, I don’t know, I don’t know.

How to check a webcam programmatically

If you plan to participate in video chats or communicate with friends and relatives online, install the appropriate communication programs. Such products always have a webcam setup item where you can easily check its operation.

It so happens that you have no one to communicate with and there is no need for such programs - no problem, there is another way to check the camera programmatically.

Just yesterday, I described a wonderful free WebCam On-Off program, which increases the security of your computer connected to the Internet and at the same time can check your webcam for functionality with just one click.

Also, this program will help those users who do not have an Internet connection (are there really such people?).

How to check your webcam online

You can also check the operation of the webcam without installing any programs on your computer - using special services on the Internet.

There are a lot of similar sites - I will describe, in a nutshell, the top three from the search engine results.

http://ru.webcammictest.com/

...and that’s it - you will see yourself on the screen (if the camera is working properly, of course). You can also check your microphone on this site - the “Test Microphone” menu item.

Click on “Play” and a heartbreaking sound will begin to broadcast from the speakers, which will be immediately recorded by a microphone - a straight line will turn into a nervous curve. This means that the microphone works wonderfully and is working properly.

http://webcamtest.ru/

The same algorithm of actions - you allow access to the camera and microphone...

...and look at your beloved self on the monitor. Here you can also check the built-in microphone...

http://toolster.ru/cam_checker

Again we allow access to the camera and get the result of the check...