How To Use A Document Camera With Zoom

There are two main ways you can use a Document Camera in Zoom:

Connect to Zoom using a dedicated Document Camera, like the IPEVO HD from Amazon. I personally had set this one up with ease. It comes with a dedicated app for annotation & drawing over your lessons/presentations.
Alternatively, connect to Zoom with an iPad or iPhone attached to a basic iPhone/iPad document camera stand

There are some further steps that need to be taken to connect a document camera in Zoom for sharing a presentation, remote learning or teaching lessons. These steps will be different depending on if you’re using a tablet/phone or a dedicated doc cam.

If using dedicated document camera with Zoom:

Connect your document camera to your laptop or computer through a USB or WiFi. (Wifi document cameras aren’t very common.)
You’ll also likely need an app; some doc cameras come with an app. The best app I’ve used is IPEVO iDocCam as it allows you to draw and annotate over a lesson or presentation.

If using iPad/tablet/phone as document camera with Zoom:

You can connect your document camera to zoom by putting your iPad/iPhone on the iPad document camera stand and joining Zoom via WiFi on the iPad/iPhone/tablet.
You can alternatively mirror your iPad, tablet, or phone via airplay or USB to your laptop… then use Zoom’s ‘share’ feature to present that mirrored display. There are numerous apps for iPad that do this. One is IPEVO… and there are many other related online whiteboards.

Related: See the best online whiteboards.

Let’s take a look at each steps in detail.

1. Choose a Document Camera App to be used with Zoom

When choosing a document camera app for zoom for teaching or presenting; there are two main apps to choose from. I’ve used IPEVO’s iDocCam App and GradeCam with success for presenting lessons online.

The iPEVO iDocCam allows you to turn your phone or tablet into a document camera and allows for one of the best document camera experiences. You may also just use your phone or tablet’s standard camera and share that to Zoom to Google meet.

If you’re using a dedicated document camera (and not a tablet or phone), then you can simply use the software your document camera comes with that connects to Windows or Mac. Alternatively, you can use the “Grade Cam” software, which connects to most doc cams.

2. Connect the Document Camera to Computer (USB or WiFi)

Once you have your camera and software set up, you’ll connect the document camera to the computer via USB or WIFI. Android, iPhone, or tablets can connect similarly, as shown below.

Instructions for using a dedicated doc cam in Zoom

1. First, connect via USB and follow your doc cams instructions. Also, view the best doc cams post we have. Most doc cams don’t have WiFi, the ones that don’t work as reliably as USB and could ruin your teaching lesson quite easily.

2. Next, connect to Zoom or Google Meet and select the share screen button on the bottom hidden by the three dots.

How to connect a Document Camera to Zoom

3.Finally, click on advanced and look for the “content from 2nd camera” if your Doc Cam App isn’t functioning properly.

If you really need a wireless solution then an iPad will work best. I personally have used both… here is the one I prefer most for teaching: IPEVO HD (Amazon).

Instructions for using iPad, Tablet or Phone as document cam in Zoom

Place the iPad, tablet, or phone on a document camera stand and use the camera or apps such as IPEVO. From this point, you have two options:

1. Connect tablet or phone by joining directly to Zoom over a WiFi connection on tablet. You can use the meeting’s ‘share screen button’ This is the most common method.

2. Mirror iPad screen to a computer via USB or Airplay with IPEVO app on the computer, then cast/mirror your screen to the computer using USB or Airplay

3. Lastly, share that screen from zoom by clicking the share button on zoom (be sure to mute the iPad on Zoom since your connecting as a second screen!

If you’re using Zoom with a document camera, you may want to simply use an app on and iPad to convert handwriting to text instead. I personally prefer to do this on an iPad. You’ll likely need a good stand if you’re using an iPhone, iPad, Android, or a large tablet.

3. Share Doc cam to Zoom using the proper share option

To share a document camera on Zoom follow these steps:

Open the zoom app on your computer. Note: The Web app does not have the same advanced features the desktop app has.
Click the ‘Share’ button at the bottom of the screen
Select the advanced tab for sharing content from a second camera, (document camera or tablet/phone doc cam).
Use the ‘basic’ tab, to share the screen of a mirrored iPad or doc cam app screen.
Congrats your Document camera can now be used with Zoom!

See our post on the 7 Best Document Camera Stands for iPhone for proper setup.

What to do when your phone or tablet won’t connect to Zoom

Keep in mind- If you are using an iPad or iPhone, then you can either join zoom with the tablet or mirror your tablet to your pc. This will create a “display” on your computer of the camera’s content. Now, you are able to can select this display when using Zoom’s share button.

If your having issues be sure to restart your computer, then reconnect all devices. The most common errors consist of different google chrome tabs. A reboot is typically the necessary fix in these scenarios. Alternatively, you could attempt a different doc cam app, such as Zoom cloud meetings.

If you’re a teachers or small business that uses fax, its actually possible to do this from a computer now.

Document Camera draw and Annotation in Zoom for teaching or presenting

If you’re using a dedicated document camera, then you will have software that will allow for annotation of the camera’s contents live during the zoom call.

If you’re using a Phone or Tablet for Zoom, then you can annotate and draw using software like IPEVO’s iDocCam. See other free doc cam apps here.

This is great for remote learning and teaching over Zoom and google meet.. Alternatively, there are other dedicated apps for teaching, such as ExplainEverything, educreations and flipboard.

Most doc cam apps will also allow you to do a side-by-side comparison with annotation when sharing your document camera, which can be extremely useful for remote learning and tutoring.

How to use your Phone as a document camera in Zoom or Google Meet

If you are a using an iPhone or Android and want to use it as a document camera in Zoom or Google Meet, then you are in luck.

You can use a Document camera in Zoom by following these steps below:

Install Zoom app using iPhone or Android.
Decide if you’ll need Zoom cloud meetings or iDocCam (if annotation is needed).
Open Zoom app and join your Zoom meeting call as ‘guest’ using your phone.
Disable Audio upon joining.
Use the ‘Share Content‘ option at the bottom of your screen
Decide if you’ll be sharing your phones display, or the camera’s.
Congratulations, you can now share your phones camera as a document camera in Zoom!

Faq

It should come as no surprise that there has been a large shift in creating new and better document cameras via 3d printing for remote learning over apps like Zoom and Google Meet. (source)

What are the best document cameras for annotating

The best document cameras for annotating are those that can connect to software such as GradeCam & IPEVO. Many of these can be found here. These work great for drawing over a lesson and annotating for remote learning or in the classroom.

Alternatively, you can also use the iPad and Apple pencil to annotate when recording & streaming teaching lessons on Google Meet, Zoom, and Loom.

How do I side by side doc cam on Zoom

To use the side-by-side function on Zoom, click share and select your doc cam app screen. Next select the side-by-side feature on your document camera app. You’ll now be able to compare the side-by-side options.

How do I annotate on Zoom using a document camera

You can annotate on Zoom by using a document camera app like GradeCam or IPEVO. Simply launch the application with the document camera connected to your Computer and select the draw option in the software. You can do the same when using a tablet or phone and can annotate directly on the devices touch screen.

How do I annotate on zoom using iPhone or iPad

You can annotate and draw on a teaching lesson or slides by locating the meeting (basic) and confirm that ‘annotation’ is enabled. Next, select view option and click annotate at the top bar. This function can be locked by your account level and can appear ‘grayed out’. In this case, You’ll need administration to enable annotation.

How do I use Google Meet with doc cam

Open meet. Go to settings, go to microphone drop down menu under audio tab. Under camera select your document camera. Once you join a meeting your document camera will automatically load. If you need to switch back to a standard video output, simply click on the three vertical dots for options to swap back.

Is there a Document Camera Zoom hack?

The document camera zoom hack consists of using an iphone or ipad as a document camera on zoom and/or google meet. This can be done by downloading a doc cam software and attaching the tablet/phone to a document camera stand to record from above. This is great for distance learning.

Why is my document camera on MS Surface Pro not working with Zoom?

The MS surface pro not working with a document camera on zoom is a fairly common complaint amongst forums. The fixes we’ve seen include switching your document camera app and making sure your device is up to date. Other solutions include using another tablet or phone instead; along with a tablet document camera stand.

How Do I share a second camera in Zoom or Google Meet?

Here’s how to share a second camera in Zoom or google meet:

You can share a second camera in Zoom or Google Meet by using a second device such as a iPhone, iPad or document camera and connecting it to your computer via an application such as IPEVO.
If using an iPhone or iPad, you will simply connect a document camera app (such as IPEVO iDocCam or gradecam),
Next, share the apps window on your Zoom call as a second camera (in addition to your first camera) by opening up a second window in Zoom or Google Meet, joining, and selecting the share button are the bottom of the screen.

How to use your phone as a document camera on Zoom or Google Meet

Here’s how to use your smartphone as a Document Camera in Zoom or google meet:

If only using a phone or tablet; then you can download the ‘Zoom cloud meetings’ app and join by entering the meeting ID.
If using an iPhone, iPad, phone, or tablet, then you can join by downloading a document camera app such as “IPEVO iDocCam”.
You can now join the meeting using the meeting ID and share your connected phone to Zoom or google meeting using the ‘share’ options on the respective apps.

What are the best apps for a Document Camera

The best apps for a document camera are the ones that allow annotation, ease of use, and compatibility amongst any doc cam device (such as iPad or iPhone). This includes the best document camera apps for teachers who are using iPhone, Android, Mac, or Windows.

Here’s a list of the best document camera apps:

iDocCam (IPEVO)
GradeCam
Twiddla
Educreations
Native app from your Document Carmer Device

Conclusion

Connecting a Document Camera with Zoom appears complicated at first, but it is really quite simple when you understand the difference between a dedicated Document Camera and using Android, iPhone, or an iPad as your doc cam.

The choice of device matters when connecting a document camera on Zoom (or Google meet). This is because a iPad or smartphone connects differently on zoom by joining as as second screen. Whereas a device made specifically as Document Camera, like the IPEVO, comes with a native app and much more tailored features, including a stand.

When it comes to distance learning or presenting a lesson over Zoom, a Document Camera of your choice that is the most convenient will likely do just fine! Convenience comes first, especially when the specs of the new tablets are outstanding, an iPad or iPhone may be the choice of many tutors, whereas classroom teachers may want something with more utility; like the IPEVO.

How to Use a Document Camera with Zoom | Guide