Tip: learn how to test your webcam before you use it.
Requirements
Before you can use your GoPro as a webcam, make sure you meet the following requirements:
Windows 10 or later or macOS 10.14 or later installed USB-C cable to connect the camera to your computer GoPro Hero 8/9/10/11 Black camera Microphone for audio, as currently this is not supported on the camera itself in webcam mode.
Optionally, you may want special mounting equipment to position your GoPro as needed. One major advantage of using a GoPro as a webcam is that you can use a variety of GoPro mounts and long USB-C cables to get various angles.
Setting Up the Webcam on Windows
Have a webcam that’s not working with Windows? We have a few fixes for you.
Setting Up the Webcam on macOS
Adjusting the Picture
Whether you’re using Windows or Mac, you can use the desktop utility to change the “lens” of the GoPro camera. All this does is crop the full frame of the camera in different ways, with some correction for distortion caused by the wide-angle lens. Click on the app icon in the Status bar (macOS) or notification area (Windows) and choose “Digital Lens” from the menu. Choose between several different framing options. Try them all to see what effect each has, then decide which is best for you. Unfortunately, in webcam mode, you don’t get access to the various image settings when taking regular footage with your GoPro. You’ll also note that if you go to “GoPro Webcam App -> Preferences -> Resolution,” you only have the choice of 720p or 1080p. At the time of writing, there’s no 4K webcam support, despite the camera being a 4K device. In practice, this won’t matter to most users, and even at 720p, the GoPro will produce a better image than the built-in pinhole camera on your laptop.
Tips and Tricks
You can do several things to get the most out of your GoPro webcam experience, as outlined below.
Make sure your battery is fully charged. While a USB 3 port should provide enough power to prevent battery drain, some computers or USB hubs may not, and the battery will slowly drain. For long streaming sessions, this can be an issue. GoPros love having enough light. If you ensure good lighting, you’ll see significantly better image quality and less visual noise. Take advantage of GoPro’s mounting options and the versatility of longer USB cables. Try interesting or wider angles that show more of what you’re doing. Remember, since you’re not using the onboard GoPro microphone, it doesn’t matter how far away the camera is.
Don’t have a GoPro? It’s not a problem, as you can use your old iPhone as a webcam as well. Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Sydney Butler.
