How to Share Webcam over Network: Windows, Mac, and Linux [GUIDE]

Universal Solutions for Webcam Sharing

A universal software solution provides the most effective and efficient method for implementing webcam sharing over a network. The following commercial utilities utilize virtualization technology, enabling you to share a webcam simply and securely.

OS-Specific Methods for Webcam Sharing

You can utilize built-in operating system capabilities to share a webcam without requiring a third-party software solution. These tools are free and will work if you don’t require cross-platform support.

Step 1: Download and Install SplitCam

1. Open your browser and go to the download page for SplitCam.
2. Click the download link for the version compatible with your computer.
3. After downloading, run the installer file and execute any instructions flashed on the screen to install SplitCam successfully.
   
   

Step 2: Configure Webcam Settings

1. Launch SplitCam.
2. On the “Media Layers” pane, click “Add a new capture source layer” (the plus button).
3. From the menu, choose “Webcam” and select your webcam from the list of available cameras.
4. In the “Add Camera” dialog, expand the resolution and frame rate drop-downs and select your preferred webcam parameters.
5. Click “Add Camera.”
   
   

Step 3: Choose a Streaming Service

1. In the upper right, expand “Stream Settings.”
2. From the pop-up menu, click “Add channel.”
3. In another dialog, select your preferred streaming service and click “Settings.”
   
   

Step 4: Obtain Streaming URL or Key

After selecting a service, obtain the corresponding stream key from your streaming channel. This will enable your service to access your webcam through the network.

1. In the streaming channel settings on SplitCam, click the “Stream Key” text field and paste your stream key.
2. Click “Encoding.”
3. Configure your encoding preferences as needed and click “Save and close.”
   
   

Your streaming service can now access your camera.
If you want to share it across multiple services, such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, go to “Stream Settings” > “Add channel” again and repeat the process for the other channels.

Webcam Networking on Linux

Setting up webcam streaming on Linux is more convenient with VLC player.

Step 1. Install VLC
Debian/Ubuntu/Mint:
sudo apt-get install vlc

Fedora (enable RPM Fusion):
sudo yum install vlc

CentOS/RHEL 6 (enable EPEL):
cd /etc/yum.repos.d/
sudo wget http://pkgrepo.linuxtech.net/el6/release/linuxtech.repo
sudo yum install vlc

Step 2. Verify Webcam
ls /dev/video*
vlc v4l2:///dev/video0

Step 3. Stream Webcam

1. Open VLC → Streaming.
2. Select /dev/video0 (and audio if needed).
3. Choose HTTP, port 8080, path /stream.wmv.
4. Select profile: Video - WMV + WMA (ASF).
5. Start stream.

Check if running:
sudo netstat -nap | grep 8080

Step 4. Watch Stream
vlc http://❬ip❭:8080/stream.wmv
mplayer http://❬ip❭:8080/stream.wmv

Webcam Networking on Mac

Mac users can use various specialized applications designed for macOS, such as CamTwist. These solutions provide reliable and simple methods for setting up private streaming or video surveillance.

1. Find an app to stream your webcam; for example, it could be CamTwist.
   
   
   Note: Compared to online streaming platforms, YouTube or encoders these apps are usually less functional, i.e. they have less features, less customization options and the streaming quality is lower. They work perfectly fine though if you need them for monitoring your house or office, as they are simple, easy-to-use and reliable.
   
   
   
2. Download and install the app.
3. Allow the app to access your webcam. Note that you might need to update your Flash plugin for this to work.
4. Start streaming!
   
   "Go Live" button starts streaming video from your webcam to a video player at a designated URL. You can view this URL on your browser or through the app on your mobile device.
   
   Go to the app's settings and change the values to get the video quality and resolution you want.
   
   
5. Share the URL on social media to get an audience for your live stream.
   
   

The best thing about using the app is that it is simple – download, install, stream, and share. All it takes is a few minutes and a couple of clicks.

Just like with other live streams, you can manage viewers of your video – remove background, those you do not like; or watch it yourself – set it as ‘private’ in the Settings."