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Android 14 adds support for using smartphones as a webcams (www.esper.io)
submitted 1 year ago by ono@lemmy.ca to c/technology@beehaw.org
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[-] SamVimes@beehaw.org 81 points 1 year ago

The fact that phones haven't been able to to this easily/natively/what have you is wild. Similarly, the fact that you can't use old tablets as external monitors without, in my experience of quite a few, significantly buggy software that's got significant lag in the best of times, is pretty wild. Sure, the technical hurdles aren't small, but damn.

I've got a reasonably high end newish tablet (Galaxy S7+) that I can use miracast to use wirelessly as an extra PC monitor. It works quite well... if I'm near to a high quality new router. But can I just plug the tablet in and use it as a monitor with my laptop? Not remotely well.

It's been a year or two, maybe I should check for new software again.

[-] ono@lemmy.ca 16 points 1 year ago

I hope we'll see more of this as USB type C DisplayPort Alt Mode catches on.

[-] Flax_vert@feddit.uk 1 points 1 year ago

Not available on Pixel

[-] Esqplorer@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 year ago

Duet display works well

[-] andrew@lemmy.stuart.fun 13 points 1 year ago

You can plug an iPad to a MacBook via usb c and use it as an external monitor and it works really well in my experience. Kinda makes me wonder if there isn't a patent somewhere preventing it from wider use.

[-] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 5 points 1 year ago

It should work wirelessly as well

[-] andrew@lemmy.stuart.fun 4 points 1 year ago

Yeah it does, but definitely not as well. I've had much better results with the USB connected directly.

[-] abhibeckert@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Huh? It works perfectly without a wire.

It doesn't use your wifi router, it uses a direct (peer to peer) wifi connection between your computer and the tablet, which if they're next to each other (e.g. a laptop and a tablet), will be faster than USB.

If it's a tower PC under a timber desk with a crappy wifi antenna, then yeah that won't work as well as a cable. Timber is pretty effective at blocking wifi.

[-] andrew@lemmy.stuart.fun 3 points 1 year ago

My statement is based on direct experience of janky frame drops between an iPad pro and a MacBook pro sitting next to each other on the couch. I suspected some potential interference issues so I went back to USB and it was buttery smooth again. Might not match your experience but in my environment that's how it went down.

[-] BCsven@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Depends on USB gen. Because 3.2 can transfer data faster than WiFi 6

[-] JazzDoggo@lemmy.fmhy.net 6 points 1 year ago

Ive been using an app called SuperDisplay. It allows to connect an android device through cable. It only requires to install their software on the PC first. It's a paid app with 3-day trial, so you can test how it works.

[-] muhyb@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago

A Philips phone did that and it wasn't even Android, probably like 15 years ago.

[-] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago

Lenovo has a few tablets with HDMI input, but yeah it should be a basic feature over usb-c for all devices.

[-] TheOakTree@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

I would suggest trying spacedesk. It's not great, but when it works it even works over USB.

[-] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 19 points 1 year ago

Well... this is gonna make one of the only apps I ever bought obsolete.

[-] jarfil@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

Bought? I've been using this one for like the past 10 years:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pas.webcam

[-] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The one I paid for (iVCam) works with OBS and Twitch, can do full 4K@60fps and stuff. I had never seen a free one that worked with my other apps, allowed even just full HD, and didn't have a watermark. I definitely would have preferred something totally free tho.

IP Camera looks like it only works with VLC or a browser according to its description. The built in support for it on Android might not actually do what I want either... 🤔

[-] jarfil@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

It's arguably an old app (est. 2010), but I think OBS should be able to consume a VLC streaming source?

No idea about the max rez@fps, my main uses for it over the years have included things like tying an old phone to a rope and lowering it into a pipe to locate a stray kitten, attaching it to a RC car for a "VR experience", and using it as an enhanced mirror to take a splinter out of my foot 🤷

[-] CjkOvPDwQW@lemmy.pt 1 points 1 year ago

Basically see the wiki below but I would like to add is Linux only.

Don't know if there is something like v4l2loopback for windows.

https://github.com/umlaeute/v4l2loopback/wiki/FFmpeg#using-an-android-device-as-a-webcam

[-] gnufudgecc@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

Main reason why ALWAYS hesitate buying apps and services online.

[-] lichtmetzger@feddit.de 17 points 1 year ago

There's been an app for that for ages: DroidCamX.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dev47apps.droidcamx

[-] candle_lighter@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 year ago

But now it's native! :D

[-] bdonvr@thelemmy.club 11 points 1 year ago

Probably a response to Apple's "Continuity Camera", which is pretty slick and seamless

[-] 18107@aussie.zone 8 points 1 year ago

It's about time.

[-] Blackmist@feddit.uk 4 points 1 year ago

Makes sense, especially now working from home is a thing that we're allowed to do.

[-] chemicalwonka@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago

and how about Desktop Mode on older Google Pixels, Google?

[-] artemisia@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Native bluetooth trackpad would be nice too.

this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2023
198 points (100.0% liked)

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