How it works
Open the camera of your choice with the resolution and frames per second that you request, and show live what it really delivers: the effective image size may be smaller than the requested one if the sensor does not support it, and the real fps drop when there is low light because the sensor lengthens the exposure time.
In addition to the preview, the settings applied to the video track and the capabilities declared by the device are listed: resolution range, frames per second, focus mode, zoom, white balance or flashlight on phones. It is the fastest way to know what can be asked of that camera from a web application.
All video is processed in the browser and does not leave your computer: nothing is uploaded or recorded. The screenshot you take remains on the page until you download or discard it.
Examples
1920 × 10801280 × 720The resolution is requested as an ideal value: if the camera does not support it, the browser delivers the closest one instead of failing.30 fps15 fps measured in low lightAlmost all sensors slow down to expose each frame for longer. I turned on a light and measured again to confirm.facingMode"user" · "environment"On phones it indicates whether the camera is the front or the rear; on desktop webcams it is usually not reported.Use cases
- Check the camera before a video call or important interview.
- Check that a new webcam reaches the resolution and frames per second that the box promises.
- Discover which of the connected cameras the system is using when there are several.
- View the capabilities of a device while developing an application with video capture.
- Adjust framing, focus and lighting with a large preview before recording.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't my camera names appear?
The browser hides names until you grant permission at least once, so pages can't recognize you on your connected devices. Start the camera and the list completes itself with the real names.
Why does it fail with “device in use” or won't open?
On Windows and macOS, the camera is usually taken over by another application – a meeting open in the background, for example – and does not support two simultaneous uses. Close the rest of the programs and tabs that use it and try again.
Is my image recorded or uploaded somewhere?
No. The video is displayed directly on the page from the browser stream and is never streamed. The capture is generated on your computer and is only saved if you choose to download it.
Why isn't the actual resolution what I asked for?
Constraints are sent as ideal values and the camera delivers the closest mode it supports. The driver also influences: some webcams only offer 4K at a few frames per second, so when requesting 60 fps the browser lowers the resolution.
Can I use it on the phone?
Yes. The phones have front and rear cameras—sometimes also secondary ones—and the capabilities include data such as zoom or flashlight. The page must be opened over HTTPS for the browser to allow access.