- Work for all webcam programs
- Add a variety of effects over webcam
- Download thousands of online effects
- Record video with effects and broadcast on YouTube or your Blog
- Share your screen with friends
- Play movie for friends or trick them with a fake video
- Select Webcam, Screen, Movie or Picture as PinP Source
- Paint on the video box directly
REVIEW
I've been searching for an inexpensive piece of software that would allow me to switch between my USB webcams (Canon GL1, Sony DCR-TRV480, Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000), for the Drummer Cafe live broadcasts ... and I think I've found it in WebcamMax. I had been using a free piece of software called ManyCam, but it just wasn't meeting my needs; not cooperating with switching between multiple webcams.
WebcamMax is compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista 32bit operating systems, and allows you to use your webcam with multiple webcam programs simultaneously. There are options for using a variety of sources including a webcam, screen shot, local movie file and local picture file ... plus using them all as a PnP (Picture in Picture) source.
I tested out the free trial of WebcamMax and it seems to work well; even in combination with uStream. For me, the biggest asset is being able to handle any number of webcams (USB or Firewire) on one computer, then switching between cameras while broadcasting live. This is extremely useful for my Virtual Classroom as well as Drummer Cafe LIVE ... allowing me to use software rather than a mechanical switcher to change cameras during live broadcasts with uStream. I also tested WebcamMax with my Sony Vegas video editing/capturing software, and it worked just fine with all of my cameras (Canon GL1, Sony DCR-TRV480, and Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000).
The one negative that I've discovered is that the software doesn't handle the high resolutions very well. The 320x240 is good, but trying to run 640x480 at 30fps and my computer completely locks up; not good. I run Pro Tools and Sony Vegas, editing audio and video all the time, and never have problems. So the problem is clearly that WebcamMax is a memory hog, pushing the video card to it's max.
Other features that come standard with WebcamMax include the ability to add a variety of effects to the screen shot which appear over the webcam source. You can download thousands of additional effects including animated avatars, backgrounds, masks, distortions and frames.
One final benefit that I can see with this software is the ability to record a video, then publishing it directly to YouTube or your Blog. You just save the recorded videos in non-loss AVI format or ASF format, then play and edit as you wish.There's also a doodle pad which allows me to use the screen like a white board, writing on the actual webcam source picture that is currently being broadcast. And as you might have already expected, you can take screen shots with WebcamMax.
WebcamMax is making webcasting easier and at an affordable price. You can download WebcamMax for free and try it for yourself for 30-days. License options include a 6-month ($19.95), 1-year ($29.95), 2-year ($39.95) and lifetime license ($49.95). All fair, affordable prices for supported software that gets the job done.
To learn more about WebcamMax, download a free-trial or learn more about all the features, visit the WebcamMax website at: http://www.webcammax.com.
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