really cheap webcam with built-in flash

[seth125]

Hey. Hi. Hello! well... I've got this really, really cheap webcam from an unknown brand. The only info the box says is literally "PC Camera". No brand, no model, no serial number... But It was cheap, and it works, which is nice.

 

It has built-in mic and flash and records a pretty decent video. Not the big deal, but I think I've got what I paid for. The only problem is: The flash lights are always on! I thought it happened at first because of it was the first time I plugged it and needed to install some drivers or my system needed to prepare to use the device, but once it was done, I found no way to turn the flash off. The funny part is: a friend of mine got what I thought it was the very same webcam, but it has another logo printed on it (USA-NET), and despite they both share the same shape, mine has a mic with its 3.5mm jack (and the USB cable, of course), while his has no mic, but a built-in wheel to control the light intensity. 

 

Do you guys happen to know any way to turn on and off the flash, with some app? and if available for Mac, the better. And if not, any suggest? perhaps how tu modify the cam to add a switch? As I told you, it's a cheap camera and I might experiment with It

[KayTees]

Hey. Hi. Hello! well... I've got this really, really cheap webcam from an unknown brand. The only info the box says is literally "PC Camera". No brand, no model, no serial number... But It was cheap, and it works, which is nice.

 

It has built-in mic and flash and records a pretty decent video. Not the big deal, but I think I've got what I paid for. The only problem is: The flash lights are always on! I thought it happened at first because of it was the first time I plugged it and needed to install some drivers or my system needed to prepare to use the device, but once it was done, I found no way to turn the flash off. The funny part is: a friend of mine got what I thought it was the very same webcam, but it has another logo printed on it (USA-NET), and despite they both share the same shape, mine has a mic with its 3.5mm jack (and the USB cable, of course), while his has no mic, but a built-in wheel to control the light intensity. 

 

Do you guys happen to know any way to turn on and off the flash, with some app? and if available for Mac, the better. And if not, any suggest? perhaps how tu modify the cam to add a switch? As I told you, it's a cheap camera and I might experiment with It

DIY FOR DAYZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

[seth125]

DIY FOR DAYZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

 

This is quite the answer I was afraid of. Any tip to do such task? I'm thinking of a headphone volume control wheel. Might it work to adjust the intensity of the light?

[Bsmith]

i personally doubt there is a way to turn of the light, since you said yourself that it is a cheap, no brand webcam with probably is the reason the lights don't turn off, cheap things(so far i know) just work, or they don't, there is no between with options.

i doubt that adding a volume control wheel helps since the lights are powered by the USB connector and not the 3.5mm audio jack with is just for audio.