Attach digital camera to PPC or smartphone?

Mike G. · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 02:17 PM

I have a question for anyone who would like to help. Is it possible to attach an external digital camera to a ppc (preferable Sprint Mogul) ? I think it would be pretty cool for video conferencing and to add webcam usage. Since most ppc's and smartphones don't have front camera's, it would be useful to see who you are talking to with programs like Oovoo or Qik. Is this at all possible?

**JAVIERBOND007** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 02:29 PM

I dont think it can be done.

Initially I thought you wanted to use the camera on the Mogul as a webcam as you have it connected to a computer ... that can probably be done.
But i dont think you can't connect an external device to the USB port on the Mogul and expect it to be able to control it. The driver doesn't exist. Not to mention, the device also won't be able to power the webcam through the USB port.
You have better luck if you find a BT webcam and connect it via BT instead.

Mike G. · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 03:16 PM

I was wishing on a star that it would work somehow. Even with certain programs like Barcorama, the main problem with most phones are that the internal camera sucks and isn't good enough to take quality pictures. I was just hoping that there would be a way to work around it with an external device. My issue with using programs like Qik is that it allows you to stream live video to whoever goes to your profile page but if the camera is on the back of the phone, you can't see the person your broadcasting to. I figured that if the phone is advanced enough to have an external GPS port that just maybe I can get an digital camera with better resolution and auto-focusing to expand the functionality of the phone. It seems like it would be a cool idea. The phone can be used as a webcam if your close to a real computer, but in my opinion is that the future of cell phones is mobile video communication.

Mike G. · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 03:19 PM

And i was thinking more like a digital camera that can power itself rather than a webcam that draws it's power from what it's connected to.

Mike G. · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 03:22 PM

I didn't think it would work, but it's good to share idea's and concepts to bring the spotlight to useful ones.

Mike G. · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2009, 03:29 PM

If a bluetooth webcam can connect to a ppc, that would be great but I just don't see myself carrying a webcam on the bus. For people that travel alot, it would be more common for a person to have their cell phone and a digital camera in their pocket than a webcam. Who want's to carry around a actual webcam from place to place casually?

psiphi · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:09 PM

Whats the quality on the SD Webcam cards? I know they existed at one point, but I haven't seen one for a while...

**JAVIERBOND007** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike G.

I didn't think it would work, but it's good to share idea's and concepts to bring the spotlight to useful ones.

Totally agree with you on that my friend