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Welcome to Techsurvivors => Tech => Topic started by: kimmer on May 01, 2020, 03:51:44 PM

Title: Zoom camera view
Post by: kimmer on May 01, 2020, 03:51:44 PM
Is there a way to modify what the camera shows in Zoom? Right now the only option I see is:

FaceTime HD Camera (Built In)
16:9 Widescreen or Original Ratio

Original ratio is the same as 16:9 widescreen. I'd prefer the camera view to be the same as FT, which is portrait instead of landscape-widescreen, and it only shows a portion of the room. I don't want to broadcast my entire craft room to the zoom world.

I’m using my 27" iMac, running 10.13.6.
Title: Re: Zoom camera view
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 01, 2020, 04:20:23 PM
Beats me. I don't even know where you got that info; maybe in System Info...? If I open FT, I get a square window with a list of people along the left and a 'portrat' image of myself in the main view. I can't remember the last time I used FT, so I don't remember what happens when one actually connects with a person or even 4. I do assume that's where you are seeing a 16::9 image. Sitting ~24 inches from the camera, I can't even see my complete shoulder width. If anything, the simple start up image is 9::16; a vertical rectangle, not like the regular screen at all.

Hopefully, some one will come along and 'splain thangs!!! :dntknw: Perhaps I can connect with SWMBO or my GD... That thing runs on iPads, right? How 'bout I screen share my wife's MBP and set up FT on it...

Hhmmm... First I got her on her iPhone and nothing happened to my window; it's still the vertical image of me. I figured her phone might be limiting the image to that vertical display, so I screen-shared to her MBP.

Same thing, a vertical image. But, since she wasn't in front of the machine, I did get a view of the opposite side of the room.

Is that what you're talking about; too much background stuff and not enough people view?

If so, I think the only solution is to sit closer to the camera. Maybe a dose or two of Retinol or Botox to blur out any wrinkles, should you have any! I can't see any way to improve my appearance except with some tape over the lens!! :coolio:

I did try changing the "Scale" in System Pref->Displays, but it didn't change the image dimensions/ratio. BTW, I'm running the same OS on the same size iMac.

I see some buttons/controls in FT Help, "Change your view of a call" that don't appear in my iMac window. My wife's iPhone did have some of those buttons, however. Clicking the green window button does make the image/window re-size to the maximum vertical screen size, but it retains the 'portrait' layout.

Good luck, young Will Robinson!
Quote
"Oh, the pain ... the pain!"
Title: Re: Zoom camera view
Post by: kimmer on May 01, 2020, 04:42:19 PM
Ummm, I like the way FT displays and I want to switch Zoom to do the same. Vertical with me and a small portion of the room behind me. Apparently it's a Zoom default to do horizontal and show the entire room behind me. I tried with a few friends and one person was sitting in their pjs on the bed, and I got to view the unmade bed and dirty laundry ... and YUCK!

This may not be possible, so I'll use one of their horrid "backgrounds". It's like using a green screen on tv.
Title: Re: Zoom camera view
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 01, 2020, 05:15:43 PM
I think you have to register before doing so, but you can, supposedly, upload your own background image (preferably with a green-screen). Zoom Background Instructional Video (https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/210707503-Virtual-Background) Of course, none of your work will prevent others from embarrassing themselves. :whoosh: :doh: :laughhard:
Title: Re: Zoom camera view
Post by: kimmer on May 01, 2020, 09:33:50 PM
Thanks, xABD, I saw that. So far in my settings it looks like I'd need a paid account to use anything other then their backgrounds. I can live with that. ;)
Title: Re: Zoom camera view
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 02, 2020, 08:03:34 AM
If it Is not obvious by now, I misinterpreted “Zoom” to mean “zoom” the FaceTime camera. :wallbash: :tears: Sorry to have wasted your time reading my useless, stream-of-consciousness gatherings! :blush-anim-cl: