Is it possible to plug my webcam into my Samsung Galaxy?

[Drive-In]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab E. I would like to plug a 1080p webcam into the Tablet so I can use the Tablet as a monitor. At Best Buy, the guy had the adapter and we plugged the camera into the Tablet, but it didn't recognize the webcam.

The Tablet is my son's, so it's new to me. Does someone know if they're compatible and if so, what my next step should be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ralston18]

Is the webcam USB? Would expect that it is USB but wish to be sure.

What the guy at Best Buy probably did is just use a USB to micro USB adapter to physically connect the webcam. And hoped for "Plug & Play".....

However, the pinouts ( physical wired connections) between the webcam and Galaxy Tablet must be compatible. One or the other, or both, could be proprietary.

Plus the Galaxy Tablet would need to have the corresponding webcam drivers installed so the Galaxy and webcam could communicate and the results of that communication would be viewable. So some video and perhaps audio code would be part of the drivers. As well as some User Interface to configure and manage the camera.

USB is limited to about 15 feet so any long distance camera to Galaxy Tablet connection would be limited to that distance.

As for next step a wireless webcam may be viable. Or Bluetooth perhaps.

Here is a link that may help you get started:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/samsung-galaxy-tab-4-10-wifi-and-bluetooth-video/

If you have a wireless network at home then a wireless webcam that can join that network would be needed.

 

[Drive-In]

Is the webcam USB? Would expect that it is USB but wish to be sure.

What the guy at Best Buy probably did is just use a USB to micro USB adapter to physically connect the webcam. And hoped for "Plug & Play".....

However, the pinouts ( physical wired connections) between the webcam and Galaxy Tablet must be compatible. One or the other, or both, could be proprietary.

Plus the Galaxy Tablet would need to have the corresponding webcam drivers installed so the Galaxy and webcam could communicate and the results of that communication would be viewable. So some video and perhaps audio code would be part of the drivers. As well as some User Interface to configure and manage the camera.

USB is limited to about 15 feet so any long distance camera to Galaxy Tablet connection would be limited to that distance.

As for next step a wireless webcam may be viable. Or Bluetooth perhaps.

Here is a link that may help you get started:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/samsung-galaxy-tab-4-10-wifi-and-bluetooth-video/

If you have a wireless network at home then a wireless webcam that can join that network would be needed.

Thanks!

How do I find out if they are proprietary and if so, where I might find that specific adapter/cable?

I've mounted the Tablet to the leg of a tripod with the webcam mounted atop the tripod's camera platform. The connection will be wired, so I've ordered an adapter. I'm going to assume I'll need to download drivers for the webcam (Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920) but until I have the connector, I have no way of knowing if drivers will work on the Galaxy Tablet. Do you see any reason they wouldn't?

Thanks again for your help. If I get it all working, I'll post it up. In the meantime, I'll mark this answered.

 

[Ralston18]

Logitech may provide that information.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/c930e-webcam.

Does appear to be standard USB plugs.

I did some googling and selected this link.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/322992604511841658/

So physically all you need is a USB (female) to USB-micro (male) adapter or cable.

E.g.: https://www.trianglecables.com/usb-20-adapter-a-female-to-micro-b-male?gclid=CN-G6NS06tMCFcxXDQod-w0HgA

As for the Galaxy Tablet I googled "Galaxy Tablet USB pinouts"

Sample results:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Galaxy+Tablet+USB+pinouts&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiUh6CQterTAhWC0iYKHRJrAMsQsAQIMw&biw=1920&bih=963#imgrc=kTEStHJdEKDgeM:&spf=1494594161826

My conclusion is that a standard adapter plug/cable should be all that is needed.

As for the drivers - also go to Logitech:

http://support.logitech.com/en_us/home

Did not note any Logitech drivers for Android per se ("No software available").

Does appear that there are Android webcam apps available.

With a bit of additional googling I found some "How-to's", DIY websites. E.g.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0ml0FIFA_E

Overall your plan seems quite viable and others have already done so.

Just be careful and read the details carefully. Look at all of the specifications and requirements involved.

 

[Drive-In]

I am humbled... Googlefu is strong with you. I only got to Logitec's webcam drivers page and Samsung's tech support page. Thank you for the links. I really appreciate every single one of them.

 

[Drive-In]

Just popped in to say it works. Thanks for all your help!

Just needed the right adapter (female USB3.0 > male micro USB) and there are webcam to Android apps (free) available through the Google App store.

Seems to work like a charm. I'll put it through it's paces and see.

Thanks again Ralston18!