I'm trying and failing to install a webcam camera (turn on, screen, HD)

[ellenrr]

I hope someone can help.
It appears to be ridiculously simple, but....

I have an older desktop, so bought an external webcam. "A full HD 1080P"
Very basic, cost about $25., so we are talking anything fancy here.
I wanted one which would be simple to install and no software.

It comes with a USB which I plug into my computer. (whew. that is simple.)
I checked on my control panel- yes, now I have a webcam.

The "Installation steps" that came with it say:Turn on the camera mount and point the camera toward the frost of the display.
WTF?!
What is the camera mount?
There is a diagram of the parts and in that diagram is nothing that is labeled a camera mount.

I think a camera mount would be the thing that the camera is attached to?
There is nothing that can be "turned on"

then it says: 2. "Press down on the Camera Mount and snap the rear end of the screen mount to the back of the screen"
?
I have not a clue.

This would be easier if I could have a friend look at it, but my friends are not coming close!

Perhaps someone can help. I realize it is difficult to help over the internet.
and probably extremely simple if someone could see it.

thanks.
1.

[Hemlock140]

One of the problems with Chinese products is their instructions. I would guess (with high confidence) that the "frost" of the display is a misspelling of the "front." That type of camera usually has a mount to slip over the top of your monitor, and only fits on a modern flatscreen, not an old CRT monitor. There is usually nothing to turn on. Use Skype, Teams, or other software and try it, the camera should be active when you click "camera on" in your software.

[jaypee]

So ... what happens when you try to use your camera?

[gguerra]

There are a number of web sites that will allow you to test web cams.

Here is one of them, you search for more.

https://webcammictest.com/

[ellenrr]

I don't know. I haven't tried it.
I have a zoom meeting tomorrow.

Originally Posted by jaypee

So ... what happens when you try to use your camera?

[ellenrr]

Cool. thanks. I'm going to do that right now.

I also found a site with instructions for attaching the webcam. hopefully instructions which are not mis-translated from Chinese.

I didn't have a chance to look at that yet.

Originally Posted by gguerra

There are a number of web sites that will allow you to test web cams.

Here is one of them, you search for more.

https://webcammictest.com/

[ellenrr]

oh my gosh, i'm there! it works!

Now, tell me how not to look so old on camera. lol.

thanks.

Originally Posted by gguerra

There are a number of web sites that will allow you to test web cams.

Here is one of them, you search for more.

https://webcammictest.com/

[ellenrr]

so what happened- even tho I showed up on the test camera site, when I went to a zoom yesterday, No video!

People at the meeting had me click on the lower left - for video, but there was nothing there which would bring my camera in.
A friend suggested I try to find a setting on the zoom page to add camera, but I did not see anything re attaching and using a camera.

Any suggestion?

thank you.

[gguerra]

There should be a way to test it through zoom. I don't use zoom but plenty of people here do.

Just as a guess, go to zoom.com or whatever their web site is. Download and install the browser extension and there should be a way to test your camera and mic.

Here's a bit more.
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/art...Test-My-Video-

[ellenrr]

thank you for the link. Good to have.
My friend was able to help. It was a change on the zoom settings that was needed.

thank you again, much.

ellen