Using Webcams and Document Cameras

While the world became very familiar with webcams when the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us into online video meetings, cameras are useful tools to have on computers for many reasons:

• video meetings, yes, but also...

• document cameras (showing something in the real world on a projector or other screen)

• acquiring images for diagram or art creation

• recording or demonstrating actions like science labs, painting techniques, etc.

Every MVS-owned laptop (and pretty much every other laptop out there today) includes a webcam built into the lid. The school also makes available webcams on tripods (small and large) that have a high resolution / quality, an adjustable manual focus, and are more easily poseable and maneuverable than the built-in laptop webcam. If you or your classroom doesn't have one of these webcams already, email techsupport@mvschool.com and we'll get one for your use.

These webcams connect to computers via USB, so they are available to pretty much everything out there, with the possible need of an adapter / dongle for devices without a USB-A port (aka the original, "regular" USB ports). PRO TIP: While MVS has some adapters for short-term loan, if you have a laptop without "regular" USB-A ports, do yourself a favor and acquire one for yourself. Ditto with HDMI (multi-function adapters are available).

Once connected to a computer, you'll need to use some software to access and use a camera (same for built-ins). NOTE: once you start whatever application you use, you may have to switch between the built-in camera on a laptop and the USB camera. Here are some easy recommendations for camera software:

1. for Windows 10

   1. the built-in camera app, called "Camera" - find it in the Start Menu

2. for OSX

   1. the built-in Photo Booth application

However, if you'd like to be able to rotate the camera's image within software, without having to rotate the camera itself (very useful in document camera use cases), use the IPEVO Visualizer software:

3. for either Windows 10 or OSX

   1. the IPEVO Visualizer software is available here

4. for ChromeOS and the Chrome browser running on any laptop

   1. the IPEVO Visualizer web app is automatically installed in Chrome for all employees (when signed into Chrome with their MVS account) and is generally available in the Chrome Web Store

For more help or info on using cameras with computers, please contact the MVS tech department (techsupport@mvschool.com)