Webcam Software - Will Skype Record Video?

I would like to be able to record video directly to the hard drive with my T61's factory built-in webcam. The third party YawCam software does a decent job for free software with single frame image captures but doesn't save video to disk.

Lenovo indicates that we are supposed to download the Skype software to use the webcam. I am hesitant to download Skype because I don't want to use the service so if it doesn't allow me to save video to disk I don't have any use for it. I am hoping that someone who has downloaded the software can advise on its functions. Too bad Lenovo doesn't provide any video saving software. My much cheaper HP laptop did!

If Skype won't work, does anyone know of freeware that will save integrated webcam video to disk?

Thanks!

 

I believe you can do this with any video capture software, such as Windows Movie Maker.

I have done this with my Lenovo ThinkPad Z61t.

You could also try the various freeware webcam software available online.

But the best solution, I believe, will be a program like Windows Movie Maker. This also allows you to edit the video and export it in various compressed formats.

Similarly, I have used iMovie to capture with the built-in iSight camera on a Mac.

Elliot

 

Unfortunately, Windows Movie Maker won't work with the built in camera on my T61. When I clicked on it, the software eventually told me that integrated cams often aren't supported. Thanks for the info. though.

 

anyone know if skype does this? i would like to use my webcam to record stuff as well.

 

To my knowledge, Skype doesn't have the record video feature. Not for free anyways.

Windows Movie Maker records video though. I'm doing it right now with the integrated camera.

When you open it Windows Movie Maker, on that left panel under Capture Video, select Capture from video device.

Just go through the wizard until the green light on your integrated camera goes on.

 

this is weird, there is just no option for that in my windows movie maker, not even a wizard. anyone have a different option besides movie maker?

 

You don't see this in your Windows Movie Maker?



Make sure you click that Task panel.

 

Nope that is not an option for me. i have been reading some sites and it says the vista version of windows movie maker no longer supports capture. So if anyone can recommend one for me, that would be great. Im trying Dorgem atm, but it doesnt seem to recognize the cam, so its probably not vista ready either.

So if anyone can help, that would be great.

 

i have a z61t with an integrated webcam, and I can use my webcam to shoot video with it.

it's not the most smooth, i would say it's about 15 fps.

and skype has free video.

 

Skype has free video recording? I thought it was video conferencing.

 

oh oops... i'm sorry, i thought he was talking about video conferencing. sorry about that.

 

Vista doesn't support the integrated webcam yet. You need to install the driver for it but there is only the Windows XP driver at the moment so install that. After that, hopefully it will show up as recognized in programs such as YawCam.

 

There is already a driver for the integrated webcam for vista. So theres no trouble with that. I just need a prog to record the webcam video.

 

As far as I can tell Skype does not allow you to record video. HOWEVER there are third party plugins (i.e. Pamela for Skype) which will allow you to do so.

http://www.pamela-systems.com/

Hope this helps!

 

i have been looking all night and i just found this wonderful canadian download site with a program called active webcam. it works for me, you can capture video, stills and even have a live capture thats constantly saving. you can also set the fps as low as 1/hr so you could do a time lapse.

linkage!---> http://www.canadiancontent.net/tech/download-Active_Webcam.html

 

pamela is a free download, but it costs money to record using it

 

hope my search helps at least one other person

 

active webcam is quite popular..especially if you use multiple IP cameras for security