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    "720p" Webcam Only Works At VGA Resolution?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by K_Wall_24, Oct 1, 2012.

  1. K_Wall_24

    K_Wall_24 Notebook Evangelist

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    On my W530, I only just now realized that the so-called 720p webcam only works at VGA resolution, or 640x480. Does anybody know why, or if there's a driver or a fix or something?
     
    K_Wall_24, Oct 1, 2012
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  2. power7

    power7 Notebook Evangelist

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    Fn+F6 -> Manage settings -> Camera Settings -> Size: 1280x720 -> Take a snapshot

    Whether you'll see more details on the image, compared to 640x480, or whether a particular app can use 720p video, is a separate issue. But the camera is certainly capable of producing an image 720 pixels high.
     
    power7, Oct 1, 2012
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  3. K_Wall_24

    K_Wall_24 Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't see a "Size" option, nor do I see one in Advanced Settings.
    size.png
    size2.png
     
    K_Wall_24, Oct 1, 2012
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  4. power7

    power7 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have a (much) older version of the utility, and settings are different. Try unchecking the "camera plus (VGA resolution maximum)" checkbox, perhaps more options will be available.
     
    power7, Oct 2, 2012
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  5. K_Wall_24

    K_Wall_24 Notebook Evangelist

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    That seems to have worked. Thanks.
     
    K_Wall_24, Oct 2, 2012
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  6. hmmwv

    hmmwv Notebook Consultant

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    I'm having exactly the same problem with my T430, so I'll have to downgrade to a much older version of the communications utility to get that functionality?
     
    hmmwv, Oct 4, 2012
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  7. hmmwv

    hmmwv Notebook Consultant

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    I'm asking because I don't even see the "camera plus (VGA resolution maximum)" checkbox option, I only have the automatically hide my image when the computer locks checkbox.
     
    hmmwv, Oct 7, 2012
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  8. Iron Eagle

    Iron Eagle Notebook Evangelist

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    This is the latest Communications Utility on the X220. I imagine it looks the same on other ThinkPads.

    Select "Manage Settings at the bottom:

    1.png

    2.png
     
    Iron Eagle, Oct 7, 2012
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  9. Mr.Koala

    Mr.Koala Notebook Virtuoso

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    I remember reading somewhere that it is a driver issue, and can be fixed easily. So don't worry. Your hardware is fine. I'll try to find the source tomorrow.

    BTW, in case you didn't notice, the face tracking option only comes with VGA. For 720p you will need 3rd party tools for that function.
     
    Mr.Koala, Oct 7, 2012
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  10. Mr.Koala

    Mr.Koala Notebook Virtuoso

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    Can you find something called "virtual camera driver" in your system? Try remove that one.
     
    Mr.Koala, Oct 8, 2012
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  11. hmmwv

    hmmwv Notebook Consultant

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    Mine shows 640x480 in the first pic, and I don't have that option in the second pic of yours.

    I think I do have that Thinkpad Virtual Camera installed because it's one of the options in Skype, so I'll try to remove that one and see if it helps.

    Right now the camera is stuck at 640x480 and Skype video quality is crap even with sufficient bandwidth.
     
    hmmwv, Oct 8, 2012
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  12. Mad*Max

    Mad*Max Notebook Consultant

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    I got 720p by installing camera driver v. 1.2.1.18
    And disabling "vga plus resolution maximum" in: Connection utility->manage settings-> Details settings
    restart then you will have a choice of resolution in connection utility
     
    Mad*Max, Feb 1, 2013
    #12