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Problems with webcam study.com proctor need help? - fork - 04-10-2018

I took the final exam for the personal finance class but when I did it the image for my ID was blurry. It's not surprising since the webcam I have has never focused on things that were put up close to it. I proceeded with the exam but when I asked the proctor about it they said I would have to retake the photo. 

I asked if I could send them a scanned image of my ID and they insisted it be taken with a webcam even though I told them repeatedly that the webcam I have will not do a close-up focus on anything. They just told me to get another webcam. I have no idea what webcam to get that will take a clear image of an ID placed as close as they want it to the camera. 

Currently I have the Microsoft Lifecam Show. It's a nice webcam unless you want to put something up close then it's just a blur. There's no focus or zoom buttons or rings on the camera itself so there's no way to adjust it that I'm aware of.

If anyone knows of a cheap webcam that will take quality images up close like they want, can you post or send me a link? Thanks.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com protor need help? - Sapientes - 04-10-2018

I use the Logitech C525 and haven't had any issues so far (ProctorU.) Great little webcam for the price.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com protor need help? - Ideas - 04-10-2018

You might try using that webcam with really good light. My webcam will only do blurry shots of my ID unless I have great lighting, with the camera not blocking part of the light.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com protor need help? - MNomadic - 04-10-2018

There are apps that let you plug your smart phone into the computer to use as a webcam. I haven't tried it yet but it may be worth a shot.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com protor need help? - Ideas - 04-10-2018

Also if your webcam has a good resolution, they might allow an image where the ID only fills half the screen.

Also check to see if you have some less good settings in your webcam software. For example, if auto white balance is off, or some other setting with focus/zoom could be improved.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com protor need help? - fork - 04-10-2018

Thanks I'll see if I can find an ap for the phone. I have a GoPro too but that seems like a lot of trouble to make it function as a webcam, at least I haven't figured it out yet. The OBS software refused to install on my old computer. :/ As for the MS Life cam, I think it's just a really cheap camera. Won't matter how much lighting there is, the lens doesn't focus on anything really close.
On the other hand, would the proctoring software know I'm using a phone as a webcam and shut down? It would be my luck someone would call or txt me during the exam.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com protor need help? - MNomadic - 04-10-2018

(04-10-2018, 03:06 PM)fork Wrote: Thanks I'll see if I can find an ap for the phone. I have a GoPro too but that seems like a lot of trouble to make it function as a webcam, at least I haven't figured it out yet. The OBS software refused to install on my old computer. :/ As for the MS Life cam, I think it's just a really cheap camera. Won't matter how much lighting there is, the lens doesn't focus on anything really close.
On the other hand, would the proctoring software know I'm using a phone as a webcam and shut down? It would be my luck someone would call or txt me during the exam.
You could set it airplane mode for the test, or use an old phone if you have one lying around. Maybe the go pro could work?

RE: Problems with webcam study.com proctor need help? - leland.kirk - 04-10-2018

All of my ID photos are blurry, even with an HD webcam. I haven't run into any problems with it yet, but I do have a couple courses pending longer than normal. Do they make you pay $70 for another test and retake it?

RE: Problems with webcam study.com proctor need help? - dfrecore - 04-10-2018

All of my ID photos were blurry as well, but there wasn't a problem.

RE: Problems with webcam study.com proctor need help? - fork - 04-10-2018

(04-10-2018, 04:42 PM)leland.kirk Wrote: All of my ID photos are blurry, even with an HD webcam. I haven't run into any problems with it yet, but I do have a couple courses pending longer than normal. Do they make you pay $70 for another test and retake it?

I tried to ask that but the person I was chatting with didn't have a very good command of English. I eventually gave up trying to communicate with them, thanked them and left the chat. Supposedly they're going to send me an email with instructions on what to do.