Thinking of creating some informative vlogs to post on your website or YouTube? You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t need to get an expensive DSLR or mirrorless camera to start recording videos on your computer. In fact, all you need to get started is a webcam.

This guide will help you record epic videos of yourself using a webcam. By the end, you should have enough knowledge of how a webcam works and what to do to record some great videos with your webcam on your Windows PC or Mac.

webcam for recording

How to Use Your Webcam for Recording Videos on a Windows PC?

The easiest way to use a webcam to record video on your Windows PC is to use the Camera app that comes with all the latest Windows versions, including Windows 10 & 11. The Camera app has a simple interface that provides enough control over the focus, exposure, and video quality of your webcam.

By the way, check out the 6 Best Laptops for Webcamming.

Here are the steps to ensure that you have a hassle-free video recording experience with your Webcam on a Windows PC:

#1. Connect the Webcam to your PC

The first step is obvious. If it’s not already built-in, connect the webcam to your PC using a USB connection.

#2. Ensure that Webcam is Enabled

The next step is to make sure that the webcam is enabled. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Click on the Windows Start button and then click the Settings gear wheel.
  2. Once the Settings window opens, click on Privacy.
  3. Under App Permissions, click on Camera.
  4. Then, under Allow apps to access your camera, toggle the button to On.
  5. From the list of Microsoft Store apps make sure that the Camera app is set to On.

In addition, if you also want access to the microphone – which may either be built into the webcam or a USB mic – click on Microphone under App Permissions in the settings app. Then, under Allow apps to access your microphone, toggle the button to On, and from the list of apps make sure the Microphone is toggled to On.

#3. Open the Windows Camera App

Click on the Windows Start button. Scroll down to Camera in the list of apps and click on it. Alternatively, you can also type “Camera” in the Cortana search bar and click on the Camera icon. Once the Camera app opens, you can choose between taking photos or videos. For video recording, click on the video camera icon, and record a video by clicking on the circular video camera button. While recording, the button will change into a circle with a red square in the middle. Press the button again to stop recording.

#4. Functions of the Camera App

There are three things you can do with the Camera app:

  1. Start or Stop a video recording
  2. Adjust the Camera’s settings
  3. Review your video

As mentioned before, you can start recording a video by clicking on the circular video camera button. While recording, the button will change into a circle with a red square in the middle. Press the button again to stop recording.

You can also pause your recording at any time by clicking on the pause button. To resume, click the pause button again. This can be helpful if you want to record your video in short sections without having to edit the separate clips together. Once you’re done, a square thumbnail will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click on that thumbnail to review your video.

You can access your camera’s settings by clicking on the gear wheel within the app. Here, you can adjust some camera settings like brightness, framing grid, focus, video quality, and more.

Wonder what webcam to buy for your video recording and youtube? Check out this article with Top 7 Best webcams for youtube.

And if you are a fan of new technologies and would love to try AI webcam insta360 just has a right option for you. Read about it in the article: insta360 Link: The Best AI Webcam.

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How to Use Your Webcam for Recording Videos on Mac?

You can make a movie using the built-in camera on your Mac, or by using your iPhone, iPad, or a webcam. While you make a movie, controls appear that allow you to start recording, control the volume and choose recording options.

Here are the steps for video recording with your Webcam on a Mac computer:

Using the built-in Camera (Webcam) on your Mac

#1. In the QuickTime Player app on your Mac, choose File > New Movie Recording. When the recording controls appear, you see a green light next to the built-in camera on your Mac.

#2. Click the Options pop-up menu, then choose any of the following recording options:

  • Camera: Choose a camera if you have more than one camera available.
  • Microphone: Choose a microphone if you have more than one microphone available.
  • Quality: Choose the recording quality. Maximum-quality recordings produce uncompressed files, which can use large amounts of storage space. Choose High for H.264 video and 44100 Hz AAC audio. Maximum offers Apple ProRes 422 video and Linear PCM audio.

#3. Adjust the volume control to hear the audio you’re recording.

#4. Click the Record button to start recording; click the Stop button when you’re done (or use the Touch Bar). To pause recording, Option-click the Record button; click it again to resume recording.

#5. Choose File > Save to save and name the recording.

Using an iPhone, iPad, or Webcam Connected to your Mac

#1. Connect your device to your Mac.

#2. Open the QuickTime Player app on your Mac. Choose File > New Movie Recording.

#3. Click the Options pop-up menu, then choose any of the following recording options:

  • Camera: Choose your connected iPhone, iPad, or webcam.
  • Microphone: Choose a microphone (if you have more than one available).
  • Quality: Choose the recording quality. Maximum-quality recordings produce uncompressed files, which can use large amounts of storage space. Choose High for H.264 video and 44100 Hz AAC audio. Maximum offers H.264 video and Linear PCM audio.

#4. Adjust the volume control to hear the audio you’re recording.

#5. Click the Record button to start recording; click the Stop button when you’re done (or use the Touch Bar). To pause recording, Option-click the Record button; click it again to resume recording.

#6. Choose File > Save to save and name the recording.

 

Ready To Set Up Your Webcam?

Regardless of which kind of computer you own, and whether you want to use your computer’s built-in webcam or an external webcam, recording videos using a webcam is a cheap and best way to get some amazing videos that you can use for vlogging. Follow the above-mentioned steps based on your device to have a hassle-free video recording experience.

If you want to see affordable and easy set ups for vlogging available for beginners click here.

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you learn how to record some epic videos of yourself using a webcam. 🙂

 

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