Here’s everything explained about how to connect an external webcam to an android tv or an android tv box.
To make a video call from your Android TV, a webcam is a must. Many latest android Tvs have a webcam but this feature does not come with all TV models. You may have one with no webcam.
So, therefore,
You will need to connect an external webcam in this case, to make video calls on google duo, skype, or attend zoom meetings.
Setting up an external webcam to an android tv, like TCL android tv is not a big deal. This should be done with the easy steps given below.
What to know?
- While you can connect a webcam to both devices, your android TV and android tv box. But, there is a difference between an Android TV os and an android tv box. That is, android boxes run on pure Android OS while android TVs run on Android TV OS.
- That’s the reason, many video callings apps, for instance, the skype app do not detect a microphone on an Android TV OS.
- Android OS running on 9.0 is the minimum version that can support a USB webcam. Any older version will not detect it and might cause disconnecting issues.
- At this moment we can use Skype with a Webcam using Pure Android TV Boxes only. Android TV OS boxes like the Shield TV or Mibox at this moment it’s not possible.
Related: MiBox keeps disconnecting
In this blog post, I will be showing the steps for setting up a webcam for android tv and android box.
Here’s how to connect a webcam to an android TV or box
Step 1. Connect one port of the USB cable to your webcam and the end of the USB cable to the USB port of your smart TV.
Step 2. The power lights on your webcam should be turned on, as soon you plug the USB port into the android TV.
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Step 3. Now you need to open a camera app to check whether the webcam is working or not.
For this purpose, Go to the TV settings> apps> all apps> and see if there is any camera app. Or as an alternative way, there are app stores where you can find such apps. Try this one: Open camera app.
Step.4 When you open the camera app, a set of prompts will be appeared asking for permission to use the webcam. Accept those prompts to move next.
This will allow your TV to accept the external webcam.
Connecting a webcam to an android box
The steps are the same for both devices. If you have learned how to connect a webcam to an android tv, then follow the same methods to connect it to an android box,
Summary:
Plugging the USB port of the webcam into an empty USB port on the android box device is all that needs to be done to connect a webcam to an android box.
To check whether it’s working or not. Open any app that requires the camera’s permission. Apps like Google duo will do the trick.
How do I connect my webcam to my Sony Android TV?
Sony one of the giants in the TV industry manufactures TVs that run on android.
And like other Android TVs, you can use it to make video calls using a webcam.
On Some Sony TVs, you have to enter a special Professional mode to allow the webcam’s permissions and then exit the Professional mode.
Here’s how to connect a webcam to a sony android TV.
- Plug webcam to Sony Android TV.
- Turn on Input on your tv.
- Click on the menu button of your sony tv remote.
- Open the setting and choose the main setting>apps>all apps.
- Now find any suitable app to open the camera app.
- Follow the prompts and give the permissions required.
How to connect a webcam to a TCL Android TV?
The following steps can be used to connect a webcam to a TCL android TV. And it’s worth mentioning that many TCL android TVs have a camera in the box.
Or you can buy a separate TCL webcam from their store, which is of course designed to work with TCL- also can be used with other devices.
- Plug webcam to android TCL TV.
- Go to Input source by pressing the source button on TCL Android TV.
- Open the setting and choose the main setting>apps>all apps.
- Now find any suitable app to open the camera app.
- Follow the prompts and give the permissions required.
An alternative way of video calling on an Android TV.
Method #1: By connecting an android TV to a laptop via HDMI port:
You can link almost all flat-screen TVs to a laptop or other device using an HDMI cable. This will directly link that device to the screen and whatever is shown on that device screen will be put onto the smart TV.
All you then need to do is hook up a webcam, especially easy with laptops. Place it on top of your smart TV and then all you have to do is call someone on your device and they will appear on the screen.
Method #2: Use a mobile phone and cast the screen to the Smart TV.
Connect your phone and your Smart TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
Use any video call application, such as Skype, WhatsApp Call, Zoom, etc.
Hold down the ‘Tap Here to Cast’ button. Your video call will be mirrored on your TV.
Problems with connecting a webcam to an android TV or box.
Problem #1:
I’m using Logitech C270 HD webcam and it’s working perfectly fine. But there is a problem in the camera app of Android 9 which many times stops working and then Duo also fails to detect the webcam.
Solution:
Restart your Android device and it’ll work again. If you prefer to go for a high-quality webcam then use at least Logitech C920. It works for most apps. The duo app is also available on Android TV 8 but the webcam is not detectable. May Google have some other solution for this. We have to wait.
Problem #2
Both the camera and mic in the Logitech C270 webcam are working fine in Google Duo. Party at another end could easily hear my voice even when I’m 9 feet far from the TV and webcam. In other apps like WhatsApp webcam’s mic not working.
Also, most of the time webcam disconnects automatically.
Solution:
It might be a problem due to the camera app in Android TV in which the webcam stops working suddenly anytime or the webcam might not get sufficient power through the USB port I guess. You may also try connecting an external mic if you have one.
