IT - webcam guys, I have a question

[Ozarkdawg]

My son is in school at MSU. A specific class is set up online and requires a webcam. The professor told them a usb cam will not work. For the laptop, how is the "built in" camera and "usb camera" not treated the same? Why would it make a difference?


Also, the laptop does have a camera but water damage from their last apartment has left it useless. Thinking of having a new one installed, but a $15-$20 plug and play would be cheaper and easier than a new internal camera or a new laptop.

 

[dorndawg]

Webcam guys, you say?

 

[Mobile Bay]

I am 99% sure that professor is wrong.

 

[Xenomorph]

That's a load of bull.. Let me guess.. it's a business school professor who probably doesn't know what to do when a light bulb goes out in the office.

Just go Device Manager>Imaging Devices> right click the laptop cam and Disable. Then Plug-and-play the new webcam. Whatever software they're videoconferencing with will recognize it as the new default camera.

 

[00Dawg]

It won't make a difference, and I can't think of a meeting software...

that will tell the host any information about what camera you're using.

 

[Ozarkdawg]

Forestry major, not sure which class, but a senior level one.

Thanks for the info.

 

[SheltonChoked]

My son is in school at MSU. A specific class is set up online and requires a webcam. The professor told them a usb cam will not work. For the laptop, how is the "built in" camera and "usb camera" not treated the same? Why would it make a difference?


Also, the laptop does have a camera but water damage from their last apartment has left it useless. Thinking of having a new one installed, but a $15-$20 plug and play would be cheaper and easier than a new internal camera or a new laptop.

It won't matter. My company never standardized on a video conference platform, so I've used 5-6 since this started. I've switched between cameras (Built in, USB) during meetings without issue.

 

[mcdawg22]

Second. I’ve had the same experience.

 

[OurPrideAndJoySnots]

Tech wise, there is no difference however, it is much easier to point a USB cam towards a photo of yourself while sleeping during class.

 

[Shmuley]

Forestry major

Well, hell, he's got a deer camera, right?

 

[Ozarkdawg]

I like where you are headed with this. That saves me another $15.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

I am 99% sure that professor is wrong.

I’ll add the extra 1%, make it 100%. I’ve used both for work purposes. There really isn’t much of a difference. Only thing for USB camera is you have to install the drivers(it does this when you plug it in) and may have to choose the USB camera in the application you are using for video conferencing.