Webcam and video conferencing FAQs
Review frequently asked questions about sharing your webcam.
How is GoTo Webinar video conferencing different?
We provide the highest resolution video conferencing quality currently available among web conferencing providers – up to 50 streams at 640p x 480p for a maximum resolution of 1920p x 960p.
What are the system requirements for sharing and viewing webcams?
- Internet connection with cable modem, DSL or better
- Windows 7 or newer, Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or newer
- Dual core 2.4GHz CPU or faster with at least 2 GB of RAM
- Most recent 2 versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge
- 700 Kbps or more bandwidth recommended per participant for simultaneous screen sharing, audio and video conferencing
Which webcams are recommended?
Video conferencing will work with most standard video conferencing webcams. From our testing, we highly recommend the following webcams:
- Logitech® HD Pro Webcam C910
- Logitech HD Webcam C510
- Logitech HD Webcam C310
Which webcams are unsupported?
GoTo Webinar does not support the following webcams:
- 4eyeGrab
- Hava Remote Video Device
- Hava Video Device
- BT878 VfW to WDM mapper (32-bit)
- Live! Cam Notebook Pro (VF0400)
If the maximum number of video streams are being shared and I turn off my video stream, can another participant share their video?
Yes, panelists and organizers can stop and share video streams at any time. Organizers can also disable a panelist video stream so that another panelist can share their webcam.
How many webcams can be shared?
You can share up to 50 webcams at once.
Can I temporarily stop my webcam without giving up my webcam slot?
Yes. You can pause your webcam temporarily by clicking the Pause button on the top-right corner of your webcam feed.
How do I set up my webcam to use during a webinar?
Install your webcam using the manufacturer's installation instructions. You can set your webcam settings from the GoTo Webinar Preferences. We recommend using a headset with mic and speakers (VoIP) instead of your webcam's built-in mic and speakers.
What happens if I install a webcam during a session?
In most cases, GoTo Webinar should be able to detect your new hardware and allow you to use it during the same session.
What is the supported video frame rate?
GoTo Webinar supports up to 30-frames/second. The frame rate depends on your webcam, lighting, network and computer.
Can I share/view webcams from an Android or iOS device?
Yes, you can share and view webcams from a supported Android or iOS device.
What are some video conferencing tips and best practices?
- Secure your webcam on your computer to make sure it's stable and won't move around.
- Choose a location with adequate lighting. If you're sitting directly in front of a window, try moving to another spot; otherwise, your webcam may only capture your silhouette.
- Position your webcam so that your entire face fills up at least half of your webcam viewer.
- For optimal performance, open Preferences > Webcam > Advanced. If you have a high-performance webcam, you can enable high-quality features, such as "face recognition" or "right light," to enhance your video conferencing experience.
How do I select a different webcam if I have more than one plugged in to my computer?
To select a different webcam, open Preferences > Webcam. If more than one webcam is detected, simply choose which webcam you'd like to use from the Your Camera section.
Why can't I see other participants' webcams?
Your webcam viewer may be minimized, but you can bring the viewer back up again from your taskbar or dock. If you previously selected the Hide Webcams from the Webcams drop-down menu, select Show Webcams. Only staff members can show their webcams.
Why can't other attendees see my webcam?
Double check to see if your webcam is connected to your computer and then try selecting the Share My Webcam button if you haven't already done so. To see if your webcam has been detected, open
.What should I do if I'm experiencing poor video quality?
Make sure you have adequate lighting in your room. If you have low bandwidth, you should make sure you have nothing else running that might use up bandwidth. If your webcam is out of focus, turn off the auto-focus setting on your webcam. You can also check to see if you're using one of our unsupported webcams.
What should I do if my webcam stops working?
If you have low bandwidth or CPU issues, you may see a "Low Bandwidth" or "Computer Overloaded" message. You'll be prompted to hide all webcams and/or stop sharing your own webcam. If you select Yes, all webcams and/or your own webcam will be hidden.
To improve bandwidth and CPU performance, close all other programs on your computer, and switch to a high-speed cable Internet connection (if you haven't already).
Can attendees share webcams?
No, only organizers and panelists can share webcams. If you want an attendee to share a webcam you may promote them in-session to a panelist or organizer, which will give them the ability to share their webcam.