How to Use 2 or More Webcams on Skype
Can You Use More Than One Camera on Skype?
The above is a question that comes in mind regularly. which is, how do you make use of more than one camera on Skype, all from the same machine?
The official Skype application does not allow you to make use of more than one camera at a time. There are several approaches that you can take to go around this issue; one is definitely easier than the other.
1. Make use of a webcam application to create multiple webcam inputs, then use the webcam application as the Skype video input, or
2. Connect to the Skype call by using several different devices, with each of them using a different account.
3 Webcam Apps for Multiple Skype Camera Inputs
Let’s start by using a webcam app to create an extra webcam input for Skype.
1. ManyCam: The free version of ManyCam allows you to create a camera on your camera. That is to nest one webcam stream inside another, allowing you to broadcast from two webcams at the same time. The free version of ManyCam adds a limit to the additional webcam inputs to one extra, but you can make use of the full version to create extra camera inputs, 3D masks, different backdrops, and other visual effects, and more.
2. CyberLink YouCam 9: CyberLink YouCam 9 is a feature-packed webcam app you can use to create a dual webcam view on Skype. Like ManyCam, there is a free and premium version of YouCam 9. The free version allows you to select two webcam inputs and arrange them in a few different ways. Particularly handy is the ability to position your webcams in parallel, giving each camera equal screen space.
3. SplitCam: SplitCam is a broadcasting and video streaming software application that you can use to create several camera inputs for a Skype conversation. Since it is a streaming and video creation platform, It offers you the widest range of options for making use of more than one camera with Skype.
You can also add several layers of media to your screen, resizing each input to the size that you want. In this, you could have up to four webcams sharing the screen in equal quarters, or you can portion it up however you see fit. Also, you can add media streams to your screen from other inputs, such as a web browser or a pre-recorded video file.
Use Multiple Devices to Create Multiple Skype Webcams
If you cannot get to grips with the multi-cam webcam applications, or you want to configure your webcam views with a very configuration that is specific to you, you might consider creating Skype accounts to use with the different bits of hardware.
For example, if you have a laptop, a tablet, and a smartphone, you could create a Skype account for each device, then connect to the Skype call together with each device.
If you opt-in for this method, there are a number of things to consider. The most important is your time. Setting up and connecting to a Skype call with several devices is kind of time-consuming. However, once you have set up each Skype account, your next multi-device-webcam Skype streaming would be very much easier, as you are all ready to connect.
The second thing yo consider is your internet connection speed. An HD Skype video call makes use of around 1.2 to 1.5Mbps for a one-to-one conversation. Once you start adding in extra video streams all from your home network, you will require extra network capacity.
You Can Use More Than One Camera with Skype!
You now three applications that you can use to create an extra camera view on Skype. Better still, one of these options, like SplitCam, allows you to create multiple webcam inputs and arrange them in the viewer as you see deem fit. Enjoy!
