Which webcam software is best?
- posted by Michael Walsh on June 16th, 2008
- (21)
One of the answers to the question I asked in an earlier video was: “I wish Acer would make a much more simplistic webcam program. Something like Mac Os X Photobooth would be nice. SIMPLE to use.”
I’m not sure whether Photo Booth is that much easier to use and in one respect at least, both standard programs lose out to Debut which has virtually everything you could ask for.
Still there’s nothing objective about this. All of them are easy to use, all are free… The choice, as ever, is yours.
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Morris Lee wrote, on June 16th, 2008:
Hey michael, sorry that I might have to warn users for Debut, all you say is pretty much true, smoother framerates if you get the codec right, but, I do realize that the “Sound” is NOT synchronized with the video itself. As for the Acer Aspire 5920, the Crystal Eye webcam sofware ONLY takes pictures, but the acer arcade did provide a webcam recording software that records with synchronized audio but at 320×240(framerates are very good too). Being a early Debut discoverer user myself, i did not like the software over acer arcade even that it takes longer to launch.
Michael Walsh wrote, on June 16th, 2008:
When I downloaded Debut earlier on today, it automatically downloaded two Codecs from the parent site when I first ran it and then just worked first time every time (I had to redo this video a dozen times as it was running at 16 minutes which is why I sound rushed
).
I had no problems and no “camera is in use by another application” messages.
I must say I didn’t notice the sound out of synch on this highly un-scientific test I did although I’m going to have another look at the video and if it is I will update the original post as it’s something that drives me absolutely bonkers!
How weird that the 5920 software is pictures only. If that’s the case (and you are Mr. 5920 in my eyes) then the original reply was a very valid one and acer *should* make a better webcam software.
Having said that, and knowing what Photo Booth can (and can’t) do, do you think Debut is a good all-round webcam application?
Morris Lee wrote, on June 17th, 2008:
Debut is so far the best from all other ones I can find(other then the Acer Arcade specifically for 5920) maybe debut is designed for normal Webcam like my old one which is about 12 FPS I think, maybe it is adjusted for that timing. The “out of synch” only happens when after a few seconds of recording, the recording is extremely smooth for 5920’s webcam, feels like the MacBook Air one you have there, probably at a solid 30 FPS. Even so, i think it is the fact that debut can’t “capture” and “save” the correct frame, since by looking at the FPS (on the top right I recall?) it is not a steady 30.00FPS, the numbers are easily affected when you move too much, or change in brightness for the surrounding light sources. I did try to fiddle with the Acer Arcade recording resolution, but no good out come, one thing did suprised me, Arcade supports recoding from my old USB webcam too(when you have it installed, it will be selectable from the DV Wizard List)
I am writing novels here lol…….or maybe too hard to reduce the details, just trying to get everyone to understand
Mark J. McPhersonm wrote, on June 17th, 2008:
Thanks Acer Guy, for the Debut tip! I have an Aspire 9810 and after upgrading to Vista, the orbi-cam software froze every time I tried to record video. I spent a lot of time un-installing, re-installing, updating etc., and on the phone with Acer, who could only recommend going back to factory install. But I find that the thing works like a charm with Debut!
Michael Walsh wrote, on June 17th, 2008:
Mark,
Glad to help out. Although to be honest I wouldn’t have discovered it myself if the standard OrbiCam program hadn’t generated so much traffic to this blog (do a Google search for “Acer Orbicam”)!
Glad to know you got it sorted
Morris Lee wrote, on July 16th, 2008:
Hello to all, I have just discovered another software for Acer laptop recording software, if you have suyin driver installed, you should be able to navigate to C:\Windows\SUYIN NB Cam\ and start LiveCam.exe to record, this one records at 640×480 at a steady 30FPS, sound and video are synch. if you have Bison installed instead, you might find it under C:\Windows\BISON NB Cam instead
vera wrote, on August 3rd, 2008:
Thank you Morris Lee……after trying everything i could to make video with my orbicam…….i followed your instructions,and found the bison folder….am now able to make a video with my cam….no sound as yet,but im working on that.I have also pinned the shortcut to my start menu…….will try it shortly.
vera wrote, on August 3rd, 2008:
An update……everything is working just fine,although have to set audio every time.The link on the start menu is very handy also.Can only get audio with mike,and not with inbuilt sound….but i am happy with it now.
Francisco wrote, on January 7th, 2009:
Greetings from Las Vegas..I just bought an Acer Aspire one Netbook. Any advice for the webcam recording software? Cheers!
Morris Lee wrote, on January 7th, 2009:
@Francisco,
Have a crack at this http://www.theacerguy.com/2008/06/which-webcam-software-is-best/
Morris Lee wrote, on January 8th, 2009:
Oops, I thoought your comment was made on another page, but debut is quite good, unless you have the linpus edition.
Francisco wrote, on January 9th, 2009:
Thanks Mr. Lee..on another note just bought the 6 cell battery for the Acer..is does make it a little heaver and a bit uglier but the 6 hrs battery life are priceless…cheers!
Morris Lee wrote, on January 9th, 2009:
@Francisco,
Yes, the 6 cell is great, I bought a 9 cell one, but really only with 6600mAH, last soooo long.
Ana wrote, on January 14th, 2009:
Hey
Ive got an Acer Aspire 6920
what’s the best software i can download for my webcam as it only takes pictures but i would like to record and edit pictures with black and white etc
Morris Lee wrote, on January 15th, 2009:
@Ana,
look into C:\Windows\SUYIN NB Cam\ and find LiveCam.exe, give thata shot
Ana wrote, on January 15th, 2009:
Hey Morris
Thanks for your time in trying to help me out!!
just one problem..umm do I type that on google or something? lol
im not sure where to locate that link or which direction to go.
Ive got windows vista by the way
Morris Lee wrote, on January 15th, 2009:
@Ana,
That is the location of the folder on the computer, just click start, computer, then you open the C:\ drive, then you should be able to find the Windows folder then the “SUYIN NB Cam” folder, if you don’t have “SUYIN NB Cam” it might be “BISON NB Cam” or something like that, open that folder and find LiveCam.exe
Ana wrote, on January 15th, 2009:
Morris
I don’t have either of those folders located in the Windows folder :-/
Joanna wrote, on January 26th, 2009:
Hi AcerGuy! I need your help…how come I cannot take pictures from my Acer Crystal Webcam? I tried Chicony, Suyin but its not just working. I can only use the webcam thru yahoo messenger. My unit is Aspire 2920Z. I uninstall each software upon testing so now I only have Chicony installed and its working on Yahoo messenger only
.. There’s no icon that would make me capture photos etc unlike before since I had my laptop reformatted. I can see on my programs the Acer Crsytal Webcam but next to it is just the “uninstall” icon…I can’t see the Bison which I used before on capturing photos/videos.. help..thanks!
Mark Robinson wrote, on January 29th, 2009:
I would like to know if there is any software I can download for my Acer Aspire 8920g because my webcam (crystal eye) does not have a video record function. Thanks!
Mark
Michael Walsh wrote, on January 29th, 2009:
Mark,
Try Debut (mentioned in the main article). It’ll work for sure. Or, if you want fast videos to publish online, try seesmic.