Use your Windows phone as a webcam-Vague.

After I published the article on "Use Android Mobile Phone as Webcam- IP webcam" i got a friend asking me how to get such a trick working on he window's mobile phones. Good question-I'll help you i said. I have to admit turned out to be a tricky job for me.

As android has the IP webcam application. Window's doesn't have an app which works as efficiently as the IP does. There are several apps on the window's store which my match the features provided but i can bet none stands up to the description. I'll list two of the best app's i found may serve the purpose of using your mobile phone as a webcam for your computer.

PocketCam

My View: This undoubtedly seems to be the app-for-the job. The description elaborates the purpose. The only worry should be the cost and the reviews. The cost has been fixed at $4.99 and the reviews turnout to be negative. 

PocketCam lets you use your Windows Phone device as a wireless webcam for your Windows-based computer or Mac (OS X 10.7 or above). PocketCam automatically forwards video captured by your Windows Phone device's built-in camera, which can then be used as if they come from a virtual webcam.

PocketCam works with any Windows-based webcam applications, including instant message applications such as MSN Live Messenger, Skype, AIM, etc.  For Mac users, PocketCam works with any Mac applications that use QuickTime for video capturing, including GTalk, Skype, and aMSN.

PocketCam for Windows Phone also supports audio, so you can use the mobile device as a wireless microphone to your computer.

Instructions

1. If you have not already done so, download and install the PocketCam for Windows or Mac software from our website.
2. On Windows, run PocketControl for Windows and make sure the SensticPocketService is running on your computer.  On Mac, run PocketControl from the Mac applications folder and select PocketCam as your preferred webcam.
3. Connect your Windows Phone device to your home network using Wi-Fi.
4. Start PocketCam on Windows Phone device, and the app will find and connect to your computer automatically.
5. Start any program on your computer that uses webcam, and select "PocketCam" as your virtual webcam.
6. Enjoy live images from your Windows Phone camera as your webcam source!


Step by step instructions can be found at support page.

Limitations

1. Currently, PocketCam supports Windows XP/Vista/7/8, Intel-based Mac OS X 10.7 or above.
2. PocketCam does not work with iChat on Mac.
3. There is a minimum delay (~ 1 second) before the images are shown up on the computer. Please do not expect real time image transmission.

Mobiola

Mobiola WebCamera is a great way to share what cannot be recorded with a built-in laptop camera, as it is wireless and can be easily moved around. Imagine talking to your mother on Skype and showing her her grandson taking his first steps. Or sitting in a WiFi hotspot near the Eiffel Tower, and sharing this moment with your friend while giving him a virtual tour of this famous attraction. With Mobiola WebCamera, anything can be shared wirelessly in a simple and fun way.

New! Now with video and audio recording on Mac OS and Windows, and flashlight in iPhone version!

WebCamera works with Skype, Google+, Yahoo!, Windows Live Messenger, AIM, ICQ and many other messaging 

applications
, just as you can with a standard USB webcam. It also works with video production software such as Boinx TV, CamTwist, and Camtasia.


Mobiola WebCamera captures video in different resolutions: 192x144, 480x360, 1280x720, and 1920x1080 on iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. You may capture either individual frames or the whole video stream.

User interface in English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese languages in iPhone version.

WebCamera Plus




WebCamera Plus allows you to connect your smartphone to a PC (or laptop), and use your phone's camera as a webcam. Supporting a raft of different connection options (including various wireless methods), the program makes it easy for you to get up and running with your favourite chat program.

The application's interface is pretty simple, though we couldn't tell if its 'Settings' dialog, which contained only one option, was working correctly. There are other menus for adjusting the resolution and quality of the picture, giving you 

complete
 control over the webcam.


WebCamera Plus is a simple way to get your smartphone's camera to work as a webcam. It doesn't include a large number of features but it does work well.




Pros         


Simple
Lots of connection methods supported



Cons


Not many general program options