How to access my built-in webcam 1.3M on emachines E528-2821

[gnam786]

Hi,
When going to device manager it states that it is installes and working properly.
When clicking device update it states that I have the latest update.
However, I don't have any software to access it.
Search doesn't provide any results.

I have windows 7 32 bit.
The webcam doesn't have any buttons to it.

 

[TVeblen]

Hi gnam786. Welcome to the forum.

This is a common problem. You need software that uses the webcam.

Most people use Skype. There may be a program pre-installed that uses it too, HP computers have "Cyberlink".

Otherwise do a web search for "Webcam software Windows 7" and you will find many!

 

[gnam786]

Which webcam software is for free and works?

Hi,
Thnx for the suggestion.
I have been searching for the past two hours for some webcam software that:

1. Doesn't crash like debut video capturing software does
2. That actually records something moving in front of the camera, such as my head, instead of the slow webcam7 video streaming!
3. That renders a nice decent recording, instead of some blurry capture making me look like a monster from PIXEL PLANET

But so far I have been unsuccesfull.
Why is it so difficult to have my built-in webcam render a picture precision like video?
I am baffled, since everyone uses webcam yet it seems to be so complicated to get it up and running.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Your computer should have come with software for the webcam. When you say "everyone" is using a webcam, as mentioned they are typically using Skype of Google+ Hangouts.

Was it you are trying to do with a webcam? Just take pictures of yourself?

 

[TVeblen]

So sorry. I answered your original question which I thought was: "I can't get my webcam to work".

I did not realize that you meant to ask: "why can't I get my webcam to work well?".

What are the specs for your webcam?
If it is a 0.3 Mpixel camera then you should not expect "video quality" output. If it is a 2.0 Mpixel camera then you could have reason for disappointment.

 

[gnam786]

@deaconfrost:
It did come with software originally. By default this laptop has win 7 64-bit installed on it. Then it crashed and then win 7 32-bit got installed on it without the software to access the webcam. Just the driver is installed.
Purpose of the webcam: I wish to make a video of the house for my family.

@TVeblen:
No need to appologise. The problem with us newbies is that we don't even know where the problem starts from. Initially my problem was just a matter of accessing the Webcam, getting it do record something.
Then after your suggestion, I searched for some software to do as such. The results were very poor.
I don't know how to determine the specs of the webcam. It is the one that comes by default, built-in on emachines laptop E528-2821.
The driver does say it is a 1.3M Webcam. Does that mean it is a 1.3 MPixel?
Thanks.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Down load the software from here....

eMachines Support - Downloads & Support Documents - Notebook / E Series / E528

Just select your OS bit version.

 

[TVeblen]

The driver does say it is a 1.3M Webcam. Does that mean it is a 1.3 MPixel?

Yes. And you said that in your thread title (I'm not thinking very well today).

You should get a fairly decent video from a 1.3MPixel camera. However, if you are trying to get a full screen video then it will be much grainier that if you view it in the small window. It also takes more processing power to render the video large, so you can get more lag.

I have never been impressed by the video quality of built-in webcams and phones. These devices are not built for quality. They are more like toys. A good quality (external) webcam comes with better software and costs a bundle.

 

[gnam786]

Thanks.
I went to the link on
eMachines Support - Specifications
and in a footnote number two it was stating pertaining the webcam that a 64-bit software is required for iot to operate nicely.
Does that mean that since i Hvae win 7 32-bit installed that it is not rendering good quality video?
With good quality I mean what you can se on youtube of people putting on their own video recordings.
Mine doesn't come close to that.

 

[gnam786]

I went for a chat support provided by emachines on the issue.
Even though my warranty is expired, the agent-bot did provide an answer:
Either it is the driver, or either I have to do a system restore and the problem should be fixed.
However, originally, I used to have 64-bit installed on this computer, then the system crashed and needed new HD.
The shop put win 7 32-bit on it, which did not come with any software to deal with the webcam.
Therefore, I really don't see how a system restore is going to help me.
What is your opinion?

 

[TVeblen]

I'd say you need 64 bit Windows installed.
You might take it back to the shop and explain that their installation of 32 bit is not working for you and see if they will install 64 bit instead.

Otherwise, borrow a 64 bit installation disk and use the Product Key on the sticker on the laptop to activate it.

 

[gnam786]

Thank you very much for the reply.
However, I am really not in the mood to have my HD formatted and to go through all of that trouble just for a webcam.
Are there any other alternatives? It doesn't make sense to me that just because of a 32-bit windows the webcam is not operating properly. If that were to be the case, then why isn't the driver complaining? Why isn't there anything explicitely stating that I need win-64-bit inorder to benefit from all the HD in its most optimum performance?

 

[TVeblen]

I actually agree with you. It was the emachines support page that gave you that information. If that is correct then you need 64 bit Windows.

You can go to your eMachines support page and find the driver for the webcam if there is one. If there is, check and see if it has a Windows 7 32 bit version. Or if the only version is 64 bit.

One thing is that a lot of companies do not offer any proprietary driver for the webcam. They rely on the built-in driver in Windows. If that is the case then perhaps the W7 64 bit driver works but the 32 bit one does not. Perhaps. This is all just speculation.

The key for you is that if the webcam worked to your satisfaction under 64 bit Windows and it's performance has degraded since downgrading the OS then it is not at all uncommon for the issue to be the driver. A driver will fail in Windows if it will not install or play nice with the system, but once installed and configured how it works with it's intended device is a whole different matter. We see this with video drivers all the time - an upgrade installs correctly but results in poor video performance.

 

[DeaconFrost]

However, I am really not in the mood to have my HD formatted and to go through all of that trouble just for a webcam.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't understand the anger and frustration. The link provided in post #7 has the software for Windows 7 32 bit.

As for why your OS platformed changed, you shouldn't have taken it to a "shop" for something you could do yourself. You also should have verified and checked that they performed the work expected and restored your computer to the condition it was in beforehand.

With good quality I mean what you can se on youtube of people putting on their own video recordings.
Mine doesn't come close to that.

That's because you are using a built-in webcam. The quality in those is lacking, in terms of the intended purpose. The videos you see on Youtube are likely shot with camcorders or at least better quality webcams (not ones built-in to laptops that are meant for basic video-conferencing).

 

[Renee2009]

okay, so I have a question.
I had the program installed, and it had accidently gotten deleted or something, (I'm better at wiping stuff than at fixing stuff) but I am also technology illiterate. How do I find a program to get my webcam to be recognized or located?

 

[DeaconFrost]

You didn't give much data, but you should look to your computer manufacturer's website to find the drivers for your webcam, assuming they aren't still installed. Then, you'll need a program to use the webcam. Most of the time, whatever junk ships with the computers is removed, and something like Skype takes it's place.

 

[w1dpc]

its common these days with new computers. my new one didn't even show anything in the owners manual about the built in webcam also nothing on the support site about how to use it. i found out how to use mine by trying all the programs listed in the accessary files.