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How to Record WebCam in VLC in 30 Seconds or Less

How to Record WebCam in VLC in 30 Seconds or Less

Are you looking for a way to capture videos and audio with your webcam? There are different methods to record your Webcam using VLC Media Player, and the process may vary depending on whether you are using a Mac or a Windows computer.

We’ll show you how to do this in both mac and windows.

Capturing video and audio with cameras connected to computers has been made quite easy; all that is required is the right software. VLC, the popular open-source media player created by VideoLAN, is one of the most commonly used software when it comes to recording audio and video from various sources.

Related: How to Record Your Screen with VLC Media Player

Keep in mind: It is crucial to make sure (before starting) you have the latest firmware update for your webcam, regardless of the model. This is very important and where most errors stem from in my experience.

VLC can also be used to record webcams. It’s free and easy-to-use, so if you have a webcam or other compatible camera, it’s definitely worth your time to try out VLC’s built-in recorder! In this article, we’ll explain how to record webcam using VLC media player.

How to record Webcam video using VLC on Windows

How to record Webcam video using VLC on Windows 1

VLC isn’t just a popular, free open-sourced media player -you can also use it for recording webcam video. With its support for various compression techniques, and streaming protocols, VLC easily captures videos straight from your webcam (with audio).

Here’s how you can capture your webcam on Windows:

  1. Launch VLC and enable the “Advanced Controls” toolbar.
    Record WebCam in VLC Setp 1
  2. Navigate to the “Media” tab and choose “Open Capture Device.”
    CleanShot 2023 09 28 at
  3. Set the capture to “DirectShow”
    Record WebCam in VLC Setp 3
  4. Pick the webcam from the dropdown of “Video/Audio device name”. Select either “Microphone” or “Stereo Mix” and hit “Stream.” for the audio.
    Record WebCam in VLC Setp 4
  5. In the “Stream Output” menu, select “File” as the “New destination” and click “Add.”
    Record WebCam in VLC Setp 5
  6. Name your file and add an extension, choose a video profile, and hit “Stream.”
    Record WebCam in VLC Setp 6 1

Making webcam video with VLC can be beneficial in quite a few situations.

For example, you could use it to record a video message for a loved one, create a tutorial or how-to video for work or school, or even record yourself playing a musical instrument or singing.

VLC will minimize, and your webcam will start recording. When you’re finished, hit the “Stop” button in VLC to save your recorded video file.

Related: 7 Best Budget Tablets with a Good Camera

By following the steps, you can record your webcam using VLC on your Windows device.

How to record Webcam video using VLC on Mac

How to record Webcam video using VLC on Mac

For Mac users, VLC is a powerful media player. Not only is it free, portable, and open- source, but it also offers a wide range of advanced features, including support for multiple file formats, audio, and video compression settings. But you can also use VLC to record webcam video on your Macbook.

To capture a webcam video on your Mac:

  1. Install the latest version of the VLC Media Player
  2. Launch VLC and click on “File” in the menu bar and choose “Open Capture Device.”
  3. Enable video and audio recording by ticking the checkboxes, and click the “Settings” button to adjust the advanced audio and video settings if needed.
  4. Click on the “Open” button to record.

VLC is a versatile media player perfect for Mac users. Next time you need to record your webcam, use VLC, which saves you from the trouble of investing in a dedicated webcam recording tool.

Related: How to Cleanly Rip a DVD with VLC

Alternative Software to record webcam video

Alternative Software to record webcam video

While VLC is a great option for recording webcam video, there are plenty of alternatives you can use to record high-quality webcam videos. These tools also offer many advanced customization and editing features. Here are a few tools you can consider:

Related: VLC Media Player: Is it still the Best Video Player?

Wondershare DemoCreator

Wondershare DemoCreator 1

Wondershare DemoCreator is a user-friendly screen recorder and video editing tool which allows you to customize your recording area, resize and reposition your recording region with ease.

Compared to VLC, Wondershare DemoCreator provides a more intuitive interface, allowing you to capture high-quality footage of yourself and everything happening around you.

My experience: I’ve used a number of Wondershare products and the reason I mention them is because I their support was always responsive. So if the product didn’t work – they were still reliable for me.

Related: 13 Best Video Players for iPad Pro and Air

For example, you can use it to create a tutorial video or an online class to show a process or explain a concept. The webcam recording feature enables you to appear on- screen alongside your presentation, making the video more engaging.

To film webcam video with Wondershare DemoCreator:

  1. Download and install Wondershare DemoCreator on your PC or Mac.
  2. Set up the recording parameters, and enable your webcam and microphone.
  3. Select the recording area, and start recording

You can pause or end the recording process by pressing the F9 or F10 keys.

Wondershare DemoCreator is an outstanding tool for those who need to make high- quality videos quickly. Whether you’re a teacher, gamer, content creator, or business professional, it provides all the features to create engaging and professional-looking videos.

Related: 21 Best Video Players for Mac

QuickTime player

QuickTime player 1

QuickTime Player is a free and user-friendly software which offers Mac users an easy way to record webcam videos. It offers a range of features, including the ability to record screens or webcams from any Apple device and edit the recordings by trimming, copying and pasting, or sharing them with others.

Compared to VLC, the QuickTime Player is more streamlined and integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, allowing you to record high-quality videos and save them in different formats.

For instance, teachers can record lectures or lessons to share with their students, while business professionals can create instructional videos for their employees or clients.

To record webcam video with QuickTime Player:

  1. Launch QuickTime Player on your Mac
  2. Select “New Movie Recording” from the file menu and then click the red record button.
  3. When you’re finished recording, save the video to your preferred location.

Overall, the QuickTime Player is a media player which also allows webcam recording. It’s great for users who want an easy-to-use software for recording webcam videos on their Apple device.

Related: 5 Largest MicroSD Cards

Windows Camera

Windows Camera 1

Windows Camera is a webcam software that comes pre-installed on Windows 10 devices. It serves as a replacement for any existing webcam software and allows you to capture images and videos from your webcam.

Compared to VLC, the Windows Camera’s webcam recording feature is more beginner- friendly because it is easy to navigate and requires only a few steps to record.

To capture webcam video with Windows Camera:

  1. Open the Windows Camera app from the “Start” menu or search bar, select the video camera icon, and click the start recording button.
  2. You can pause and resume recording using the pause button, and stop recording by clicking the stop button.
  3. The recorded videos and photos will be saved in the “Camera Roll” folder.

Windows Camera is an excellent webcam software perfect for beginners with a Windows device. You don’t need to download third-party softwares to record your webcam.

Clipchamp Utilities

Clipchamp Utilities 1

Clipchamp Utilities is an online tool that provides an all-in-one solution for video editing and webcam recording. It allows you to record videos using your webcam and microphone in 1080p. All recordings take place over the web, meaning you don’t need to install any additional software on your computer.

Compared to VLC, Clipchamp Utilities has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to record webcam videos. But the free plan only supports five minutes of webcam recording, and you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to record longer videos.

To record a webcam video with Clipchamp Utilities:

  1. Visit their website and click on the camera record tab
  2. Select the camera and microphone to use
  3. Hit the record button, and save your recording in 1080p HD.

If you want an online webcam recording tool, Clipchamp Utilities is a great choice. It is perfect for scholars, work-related personnel, and anyone who has to make high-grade videos speedily.

Best VLC settings to record webcam

Best VLC settings to record webcam 1

While recording your webcam with VLC, there are a few settings you can play with to get the most out of your efforts. Here are a few settings we found useful after recording many videos:

  1. Capture, stream, and then record with full options but without a live feed.
  2. Capture, stream, and select the “Display locally” checkbox before recording with full options and a live feed.
  3. Capture, play, and then record with default options, AVI format, and a live feed.

During our recording sessions, we encountered a significant amount of lag in the videos. But by adjusting the live-caching setting from 300 to 100, we resolved the lag, and the recording became smoother.

Another issue we faced was blurry or unclear video. But by changing the resolution to 1080, the clarity of the video improved, and appeared more crisp.

Change these settings to enhance the quality of your webcam recordings through VLC.

Using VLC as a document camera for Teachers

Using VLC as a document camera for Teachers

Although a dedicated document camera is recommended, teachers may want to use VLC media player and their webcam as a document camera. Here’s how to do this with the very popular logitech devices:

  1. Click on the Classroom Camera icon on the desktop to open VLC Player and display your image.
  2. Use the Logitech Webcam controller window for focus and zoom adjustments.
  3. Position the windows as needed and use the gooseneck to zoom in and out.
  4. Use the optional VLC settings to improve performance, such as image orientation and video size.
  5. For using the webcam as a standard webcam for webcam uses like Google Hangouts or WebEx, simply open up your sharing program.
  6. For audio amplification, use the Audacity application and set the preferences in recording to software playthrough.
  7. For lecture or video capture, click on the Logitech icon on the desktop, select Quick Capture, and click the Record Movie button. Transfer your saved movie to your Google Drive or YouTube.

When does using VLC instead of a dedicated webcam software make sense?

When does using VLC instead of a dedicated webcam software make sense 1

Using VLC instead of dedicated webcam software can provide benefits in terms of flexibility, control, compatibility, and cost… although it’s not the most powerful option. There are numerous options available and going with your webcams software is ideal. 

But what if you have a built-in webcam? Then VLC may make sense, but it still comes down to preference.

VLC can record and stream video from various sources, including webcams, making it a suitable option for users who need to switch between different video sources.

VLC provides advanced settings and options for video capture and streaming, giving users more control over their webcam footage than default software.

VLC is also compatible with various operating systems, making it a more universal option than the default webcam software, which may not work on all systems. Finally, using VLC to capture and stream webcam footage may be a more cost-effective option than investing in specialized hardware. 

FAQ

How do I test my webcam with VLC?

You want to test your WebCam to see if it works (at all) and VLC can help you do that. This will also help you get a preview before you begin recording or using it on another software.

To test your webcam using VLC media player, first open the application and locate the “Media” menu at the top left corner of the interface. Within this menu, select the “Open Capture Device” option. This will take you to a new menu with various settings for your webcam.

Is VLC Media Player suitable for recording high-quality webcam videos?

VLC Media Player can record webcam videos, but it may not be the best option for those needing high-quality recordings as there are dedicated webcam recording software options available.

Can I put a still picture on the video screen and record?

You can’t put a still picture on the video screen and record in VLC. Yet, there is a workaround that might work. You could try opening the still picture on your desktop and then recording your desktop while providing voice commentary. It’s not the most efficient way to achieve the result you’re looking for. If you want a more straightforward approach, consider alternative software options.

I can’t find my saved file

Before you record or stream on your webcam, you can select the location to save the video file on your device. You can locate the file at the selected location once you finish the recording. If you didn’t pick a specific location beforehand, the file might have been saved to your device’s default folder for recorded videos. If you’re still having trouble finding the file, you can try searching your device for the file name.

My recorded video doesn’t have a sound

If you’re playing back your webcam recording in VLC and there’s no sound, it’s possible the audio codec settings in VLC aren’t compatible with the media format of the recording. Check your VLC settings to ensure it supports the format. You can also uninstall and then reinstall the latest version of VLC, which should automatically update the audio codecs. If the issue persists, try playing the recording in a different media player.

See our post on: 3 Ways to Sync Audio in VLC Media Player

Is there a command for Linux to record a video with my webcam?

Linux offers a command to record video using your webcam. Once you execute this command in the terminal, the webcam will start recording video.

vlc v4l2:// :input-slave=alsa:// :v4l-vdev=”/dev/video0″ :v4l-norm=3 :v4l-frequency=-1 :v4l-caching=300 :v4l-chroma=”” :v4l-fps=-1.000000 :v4l-samplerate=44100 :v4l-channel=0 :v4l-tuner=-1 :v4l-audio=-1 :v4l-stereo :v4l-width=480 :v4l-height=360 :v4l-brightness=-1 :v4l-colour=-1 :v4l-hue=-1 :v4l-contrast=-1 :no-v4l-mjpeg :v4l-decimation=1 :v4l-quality=100 –sout=”#transcode{vcodec=theo,vb=2000,fps=12,scale=0.67,acodec=vorb,ab=90,channels=1,samplerate=44100}:standard{access=file,mux=ogg,dst=output.ogg}”

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a free and easy-to-use tool to record Webcam video and audio, VLC Media Player is a great option. Available for both Windows and Mac, it offers a range of customization options to adjust advanced audio and video settings.

While it may not be the best choice for those needing higher quality recordings, there are alternatives like dedicated webcam recording software available. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to record Webcam using VLC Media Player.

About the author:

Photo of Paul Michael, Founder of MediaPeanut

Paul Michael

Paul Michael is a media and technology expert whose research reveals how technology and media are being used in the world today. He has expertise on computers, the internet, streaming, Roku, electronics, and education. He also enjoys graphic design & digital art. Paul has his Bachelors of Arts and Science(s) from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ