Use digital camera as a webcam?

[Paul]

Is it possible to use a standard digital camera as a webcam? Possible with some cameras, but not others? How can I tell?

I would like to be able to capture still images directly with GdTwain, similar to what can be done with just about any web cam, but with higher quality.

What do I need to be able to do that?

[Loïc]

Hi,

To do that you need to have a Twain driver for your digital camera.

Best regards,

Loïc Carrère

[Paul]

Thank you for your reply.

Where do I get a twain driver for a particular camera?

[Loïc]

Hi,

The twain driver must be provided by the camera manufacturer.

What is your camera model ?

Regards,

Loïc

[Paul]

I have three digital cameras. None of them has a twain driver available.

Can you recommend a relatively low-cost camera with a twain driver that I can use with your software?

Alternatively, I could use a webcam that is capable of taking halfway decent still photos.

[Paul]

Can I use WIA?

[Loïc]

Hi,

If you can see the WIA scanner driver into the dialog box raised by the TwainSelectSource() you can use your digital camera.


Else, if you are looking for a webcam I suggest you to check if it is sold with a twain driver.

Regards,

Loïc

[Paul]

A webcam would be fine, but they take lousy pictures.

As far as I can tell, no digital camera these days comes with a twain driver.


Unless you have a better suggestion, I'll just try to get whichever webcam can take the least crappy photos.

[qinyi]

A webcam would be fine, but they take lousy pictures.

As far as I can tell, no digital camera these days comes with a twain driver.


Unless you have a better suggestion, I'll just try to get whichever webcam can take the least crappy photos.

Hi,

I do have a TWAIN capable digital camera, and that is the reason I come to this forum. Mightex system offers several industry grade digital cameras at very reasonable price, with TWAIN driver (at least for the model I have).

I tried the TWAIN ActiveX control today with the VB example code, and found it took quite long time to capture a single image, no matter it is high or very low (32X32) resolution. My application requires me to get image at high frame rate (30 per second at low resolution). I wonder if it is possible at all to achieve the frame rate with the TWAIN ActiveX?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Yi

[Loïc]

Hi,

The most efficient way to obtain real time video with low CPU usage without using the build-in camera preview interface is to use the Direct Show API which are for me the best way to manage real time video from windows applications.

If you are programming in .NET you can check this project: http://directshownet.sourceforge.net/index.html


Best regards,

Loïc Carrère