People commonly install webcam software for various purposes, including live streaming, video recording, surveillance, and more. Among the many options available, Yawcam stands out as an excellent webcam streaming and security application designed specifically for Windows users.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Yawcam app, providing a detailed review of its features and functionalities. Additionally, we’ll introduce the best Yawcam alternative for those who need more advanced recording capabilities, particularly for creating high-quality video content like tutorials or presentations. Whether you're a casual user or someone in need of a reliable security tool, this guide has everything you need to get started with Yawcam.
What is Yawcam?
Yawcam, short for "Yet Another Webcam Software", is the free webcam software designed primarily for Windows users. This lightweight application provides essential webcam functionalities like live streaming, surveillance, and motion detection. Yawcam stands out because it turns your webcam into a powerful surveillance tool by automatically starting video streams when motion is detected. It also allows for online streaming and remote monitoring, making it ideal for security purposes.
Yawcam features image-to-video conversion, snapshot creation, and FTP uploads, catering to those who need more than just a standard webcam tool. Although its recording feature is limited to saving clips upon motion detection, it's still a reliable choice for users looking to set up a basic live streaming or surveillance system.
Is Yawcam Safe?
Is Yawcam safe? The answer is yes. Yawcam is considered safe for use because it meets key security standards:
- Clean application: Yawcam is free of malware, spyware, or bundleware. It does not come with any unnecessary software during installation, ensuring a safe user experience.
- Password protection: Yawcam allows you to password-protect your streams, ensuring only authorized people can access your webcam video feed.
With these features, Yawcam provides a secure environment for video streaming and surveillance.
Also Read:Â 6 Best Hidden Webcam Recorder for PC >>
How to Download Yawcam on PC?
To perform a Yawcam download on your PC, begin by visiting the official Yawcam website, where you’ll find the latest version of the software. Before starting, it's essential to ensure that Java is installed on your computer, as Yawcam depends on Java to function properly. Without it, the software will not run smoothly.
Here are the steps to download and install Yawcam:
- Download the Yawcam setup file from the official Yawcam website.
- Run the installation file by double-clicking on it once the download is complete.
- Follow the installation prompts to complete the setup. The process is straightforward, and you simply need to agree to the terms and click 'Next' through each step.
- If Java is not yet installed on your PC, the Yawcam setup will prompt you to install Java before proceeding. Follow the provided instructions to get Java installed, then continue with the Yawcam setup.
- Once Yawcam is successfully installed, you’re ready to start configuring it for live streaming, surveillance, or any other task you need.
Please note that: Annoying ads on the download page may lead you to download another software. Confirm the right link and download.
How to Use Yawcam on PC?
Yawcam has a set of features. Here we focus on the most commonly used features and show the guide of how to stream and record using it.
How to Stream Video with Yawcam
After Yawcam is launched, you can see Stream on the Control panel. Before enabling it, you need to set up the software for the best result.
1. Click File > Enable Stream-output
2. Click Settings and choose your webcam device. Yawcam will automatically detect the current video device. If not, use Detect webcam... to scan and find the video capture device on your computer.
3. Click Settings > Edit settings > Stream.Â
- Set the port number of the web server for stream.
- Choose the stream type, via JavaScript, MJPEG or a Java Applet.
- Scale the size of the output on the webpage.
- adjust the image quality.
4. After all settings are done, start the stream by clicking the Enable button. Yawcam will generate a URL link that you can share with others for live viewing.
How to Record Video with Yawcam
1. Click File > Enable Motion Detection.
2. Click Window > check Motion detection to access the real-time surveillance window.
3. Click Enable button to activate motion detection. Now, Yawcam will automatically start recording as soon as it detects movement within the camera's field of view.
4. Adjust the motion sensitivity settings to ensure the system reacts appropriately to significant movements, reducing false triggers.
Note: Yawcam only records video when motion is detected, so it doesn’t support continuous video recording. This feature makes it ideal for use as a surveillance tool but less practical for tasks requiring constant recording.
What is the Best Yawcam Alternative for Webcam Recording?
As a matter of fact, Yawcam doesn’t have a webcam recording feature but specializes in real-time streaming and motion detection. If you need to record yourself via webcam on PC, you’d better use a professional webcam recorder, for example iTop Screen Recorder.
iTop Screen Recorder is originally designed to record your desktop, from your activities to online content. It offers the support for recording microphone and webcam empowering you to record screen with yourself at the same time for create tutorial or training videos. What’s more, it enables you to record webcam only to create a video presentation for education, business and more. You remove/blur webcam background or use a virtual background, customize the overlay size/shape and adjust brightness to get a better viewing experience. The auto-scroll teleprompter helps you read the script during reading as a pro.
iTop Screen Recorder is an easy-to-use free screen recorder for PC. Thanks to the straightforward interface, you can quickly create a webcam recording with no guess work.
Here's a simple guide of how to use the Yawcam alternative to record webcam.
Step 1. Download and install iTop Screen Recorder on your PC.
Step 2. Go to Record > Screen. Select recording area. Turn on Webcam and Mic if you want to record screen and webcam with audio simultaneously. Click the setting icon next to Webcam to customize background effect and webcam shape/size/position if needed.
Go to Record > Webcam if you want to record webcam only. Turn on Mic to record yourself with your voice. Change background if needed.
Step 3. Click REC to start recording.
Step 4. After you finish the recording, click Done button on the mini control bar. The recorded video file will be automatically saved to Files > Video. Play, edit and manage it at will.
Conclusion
Yawcam, the free webcam software, is commonly used for live streaming and as a security camera tool. However, it lacks a continuous recording feature, which limits its capabilities for tasks like recording long presentations, tutorials, or video reviews. If you need to record full-length videos with better control, the best alternative is iTop Screen Recorder. It allows you to easily capture high-quality webcam videos, complete with audio, and offers additional features such as background customization and built-in editing tools. This makes iTop Screen Recorder a more versatile option for users seeking a comprehensive webcam recording solution.