Windows 11 Insiders Android device as a webcam

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lapimate

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#312088 15-Mar-2024 17:01

Is anyone having full success using this new Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview feature? Android mobile as webcam

Laptop and Samsung mobile 'phone (Android 14): the 'phone camera is capable of up to 2160p UHD video. The only resolution exposed by the Windows Virtual Camera is HD 720p which is the same low resolution as the laptop's own built in camera.

plehmann

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#3213650 3-Apr-2024 13:57

Same here- I thought it was just me but brothers in arms!!!.....not that this fixes the problem :(./... I guess that this is just part of the rolling it out further and limiting its 'impact' -heres to hoping that the stream resolution/bitrate is upped...

sidefx

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#3214058 4-Apr-2024 09:08

Might have to sign back up for the insiders channel - sounds useful! (If\when it works properly) But haven't been on insiders since windows 8.

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lapimate

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#3214266 4-Apr-2024 17:16

sidefx: ... sounds useful! (If\when it works properly) ...

Even though the resolution is the same low 720p for both cameras, the image displayed is certainly subjectively superior from the mobile camera. The laptop's camera image seems to have compression-like artifacts, soft smeared patches.

freitasm

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#3214270 4-Apr-2024 17:43

lapimate:

Is anyone having full success using this new Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview feature? Android mobile as webcam

Laptop and Samsung mobile 'phone (Android 14): the 'phone camera is capable of up to 2160p UHD video. The only resolution exposed by the Windows Virtual Camera is HD 720p which is the same low resolution as the laptop's own built in camera.

To be clear, what is your problem?

Phone camera not showing up in Windows or
Phone camera shows up but 720 HD?

I have tested, it works, didn't pay attention to resolution as I will just continue to use laptop anyway.

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gzt

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#3214271 4-Apr-2024 17:53

I seem to recall this ability was delivered through store update recently and insider is not required. Could be wrong.

gzt

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#3214272 4-Apr-2024 17:57

lapimate: The laptop's camera image seems to have compression-like artifacts, soft smeared patches.

Sounds like a lower resolution camera upscaled badly plus a dirty lens. Misleading camera advertising is common. It could be a lower resolution set for the application for that camera. Take a look using Microsoft Camera and the properties and settings in there.

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lapimate

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#3214342 4-Apr-2024 22:26

freitasm: ...

To be clear, what is your problem?

Phone camera not showing up in Windows or
Phone camera shows up but 720 HD?...

2. The 'phone camera settings in the Windows app offer only 720p; none of the higher qualities of which the 'phone camera is capable.

lapimate

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#3214592 5-Apr-2024 14:19

gzt:
lapimate: The laptop's camera image seems to have compression-like artifacts, soft smeared patches.

Sounds like a lower resolution camera upscaled badly plus a dirty lens. Misleading camera advertising is common. It could be a lower resolution set for the application for that camera. Take a look using Microsoft Camera and the properties and settings in there.

Thanks. Checked the lens is clean. The artifacts appear related to the same actual objects (eg book spines) when the laptop camera is aimed differently. I am using Microsoft Camera (have also tried another) and have checked the options. Certainly maybe bad upscaling if that is how the laptop camera achieves its 720p. Maybe the lens capability itself eg depth of field.

However the main issue for me is the lack of options exposed for the mobile camera when an important benefit claimed by Microsoft for this feature is "enjoy the high quality of your mobile device’s camera on your PC".

afe66

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#3214669 5-Apr-2024 14:54

Thanks for link, my 2022 Dell xps laptop camera never worked but as I have confidential information on it there is no way I'm letting my laptop leave my presence to get it fixed.