Are you tired of using a basic webcam for your video conferencing or streaming needs? If you have a Go Pro lying around, you can easily convert it into a high-quality webcam. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of using a Go Pro as a webcam with ease.
First things first, there are two ways to use your Go Pro as a webcam. The first method is simple and straightforward, all you need is a USB Type-C cable to connect your Go Pro to your computer and load up the Go Pro Webcam Utility. The second method is a little more complex and requires additional hardware, such as a medium mod HDMI cable and an HDMI capture device, which we won’t be discussing in this guide.
To start, go to the Go Pro website and download the Go Pro Webcam Utility. Install it on your computer, and it will run in the background, activating whenever you plug your Go Pro into your computer. On the Go Pro side, ensure the USB connection is set to “Go Pro Connect” instead of MTP. This step is crucial, as it may cause issues if not set correctly. Also, make sure to update your Go Pro firmware to the latest version to prevent any compatibility issues.
Once you have everything set up, connect the USB Type-C cable directly into your Go Pro and turn it on if it doesn’t automatically turn on by itself. Once connected, it will show a little USB icon on the front. Click the Go Pro Webcam Utility icon in the taskbar, where you have three options: preferences, preview, and lens mode.
Preferences allow you to customize some options, while the preview brings up a screen where you can see a preview of what you see on the camera. Lens mode enables you to change from wide to narrow to linear mode, the three default modes you have on your Go Pro.
If you’re using OBS for streaming, you can point it to your Go Pro as a capture device. You can change the lens mode on the fly, and the Go Pro’s super-wide angle lens is perfect for streaming. It’s much wider than what most webcams and cameras can do, so it’s ideal for streaming and video conferencing.
The Go Pro Webcam Utility provides decent quality, not comparable to a standalone camera, but better than a regular webcam. It’s a great way to make use of a Go Pro that you may have lying around or an excuse to get one. Note that this feature only works with the Go Pro 8, Hero 8, and Hero 9 with the built-in utility, so you may need to purchase one of those if you want to use this feature.
In conclusion, using a Go Pro as a webcam is a simple process that anyone can do. It’s an excellent way to elevate your video conferencing or streaming game and take advantage of the Go Pro’s superior lens quality. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try!