What is TCL?
Have you ever heard about TCL TVs? With their contributions to modern technologies related to electronics, I doubt that you have not. But still, if you do not know or want to know more about them, we have got you covered.
TCL Electronics Holdings Limited, founded in 1981, specializes in the research, development and manufacturing of the most common electronic products, including TVs, smartphones and smart home products.
TCL holds an advantage over other players in that it owns its own Panel Manufacturing Plant and thus controls the entire production of its TV as the panel is the most expensive and valuable part of the TV. Thus after 40 years, you can say that TCL is one of the leading companies in the TV industry.
Does TCL Smart TV Have a Camera?
Recently there have been rumors that TV companies put up cameras in their products. These cameras can be a part of the features they try to sell you, or they may be hidden to spy on you.
So do TCL Smart TVs have a camera? The simple answer to the question is “No”.
TCL Smart TVs are cheaper than other TVs but come with almost all the features those expensive TVs offer. They may not be good for gaming experiences but are just good enough for regular usage.
So with all those features at such a low cost, it might come to you if it has a camera or not. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but no, your TCL Smart does not have a camera.
How To Find Out If Your TV Has a Camera?
Smart TVs, irrespective of being smart, do not always come with a built-in camera. It is an expensive feature and usually is part of the latest brands of higher-end televisions.
These built-in cameras are very hard to find. However, there are some ways by which you can find out if or where your smart TV has a camera or not. Following are some ways.
- Read your Smart TVs manual or guide. It might tell you if your smart TV has a camera or not.
- If not, then there might be other features that direct you towards it. For example, if your smart TV has features like facial recognition or video chat features, it means your TV does have a camera.
- You can also tell if your smart TV has a camera by locating a red light anywhere around your TV while it is on.
This is, however, a very expensive feature, and not all TVs come with it.
Are There Other Ways?
Although TCL Smart TVs do not come with built-in cameras, they have developed an accessory camera known as the “TCL New Full 1080p WebCam”. It is an external camera that you connect to the TV but does not come with the TV itself.
Moreover, you can also connect other brands’ web cameras on your TCL TVs, such as Facebook Portal TV, Logitech Brio 4k and Aukey PC-W3 1080p WebCam and many more.
Once successfully connected, you can video chat with your friends, family or co-workers and stay in contact, and you will not have to connect an external mic as TCL Smart TVs have in-built microphones.
TCL New Full 1080p Webcam: Features
The TCLs New Full 1080p Webcam does not come with the TV, but you will have to buy it separately for 80 dollars. You might be thinking, why this much money for just a webcam. Well, let us explain to you why
- It is a full HD resolution camera that captures a crisp image
- It is a wide-angle with a 70-degree field of view; thus, if you are talking to your family abroad, it can easily capture the whole family
- Although the TCL smart TVs have built-in mics, the Webcam has its own stereo mic array that reduces noise for better audio
- It supports placement on any size TV.
- It connects to the TV via a USB cable.
- It does provide a slide-like cap that covers the camera when not in use to offer you privacy.
- It is exclusively made for Google TVs and Android TVs
How Do I Connect My External Camera To My TCL Smart TV?
TCL’s New Full 1080p WebCam is attached magnetically to the back of the TV and then is connected via the USB Port. It is designed to extend over the top border of your TV for the best placement.
You can connect your TCL Webcam by following the given instructions:
- Connect the USB with your TCL’s New Full 1080p Webcam.
- Insert the other end of the USB into the USB Port on your TV.
- Select the “source” option on your remote.
- Select WebCam.
- Now adjust the WebCam physically so you can see yourself clearly on the TV screen and make sure you are centered.
- Now connect your Smart TV and the Webcam to a secure internet source to have a great experience.
And that’s it. You are good to go. Now you can video call your friends, family and work colleagues and stay connected.
Why Would I Need a Webcam On My Smart TV?
Given that your smart TV is capable of connecting to the internet and allows you to make phone calls, video calls etc. It does make sense to connect an external webcam that allows you to connect to your friends, family or even work colleagues.
Rather than having to bend over a computer screen and struggle to fix details on the screen, you can just turn on the TV and still comfortably stand in front of it while you talk to your family or give a presentation to your office workers.
You can enjoy comfortable video calls, whether it be a call for entertainment purposes or official purposes.
You can also set up an easy way for your parents to video call you or anyone else whenever they want to without needing to get into the technology complications.
SUMMARY
The TCL smart TVs are cheaper than other High-end brands but provide almost all the features that those expensive companies have. But having a built-in camera is not one of them.
Rather the TCL offers an external 1080p Webcam that you have to buy separately from the smart TV that allows you to do all those activities that an expensive TV with a built-in camera would and only for 80 dollars.
