Share camera remote desktop

All video-conferencing software works perfect using Webcam for Remote Desktop redirection. The list of supported software includes such popular applications like Skype, Lync, Google Hangouts, GoToMeeting, Webex, Adobe Connect and many others. Webcam for Remote Desktop supports also video chat on social networking services, like Facebook, Myspace, etc.

I've recently purchased a Logitech C920 webcam. For work, I RDP from my personal machine to the work laptop [located on the same LAN - It's just easier for multi-monitor setup, etc, without KVMs]. Both devices are running Windows 10.

When I take part in a call [via Google Hangouts] on my work pc, I am already able to pass the audio and mic back and forth. However, I can't seem to get the webcam to pass through.

The current setup looks like this:

[Headphones + Webcam] --> Personal PC --> RDP --> Work Laptop

I've already enabled the webcam [and PnP devices] on the RDP settings:

However the camera does not appear in the remote session.

Am I missing a step here? It seems like it should be working.

In the light of today's global realities, namely, quarantine and social distance being the new normal, more and more people go remote with every passing day. And about anyone, who’s ever worked with the Remote Desktop, knows that managing resources between the remote terminal and the host can get quite challenging.

For one, when you need to join a video call during your RDP session, you can do it either from the host or from a guest system. While each of these ways comes with its benefits and pitfalls, it’s good to keep your options open, right? So keep on reading to get the full and complete answer to an often-asked question: “How to use my webcam over RDP?”. Also, you’ll find out about the most convenient way to enable a USB passthrough inside the RDP session for remote webcam access.

Webcam remote access: software method

An important aspect of redirecting a webcam over RDP is being able to assign it to a specific user while restricting access for everyone else. This is especially critical if you’re operating in a multi-user environment [e.g. Windows Server] or your RDP server is accessed by a large number of clients.

This is one of the reasons why USB over Ethernet is a top choice when it comes to opening your webcam for remote access. This powerful software tool has a built-in device isolation feature.

And here’s an easy-to-follow manual on how to remotely access a webcam in an RDP session:

1. Download and install USB over Ethernet both on your host machine and on a remote one that needs access to the webcam via RDP.
2. Run the app on a host, find the webcam on the list in the “Devices” tab, and click “Share”. You can change the port number, encryption, etc. if needed.
3. Now, launch USB over Ethernet on a remote computer. The camera will already be on the device list, so all you need to do is click “Connect”.

Some more plus points of USB over Ethernet:

• Full compatibility with every Windows and Windows Server version.
• Works with all brands of USB webcams.
• Supports a host of popular communication apps, such as Skype, Lync, Google Hangouts, GoToMeeting, Webex, Adobe Connect, and many more.
• Is compatible with a range of remote desktop protocols including Microsoft RDP, Teradici PCoIP, Citrix ICA.
• Works perfectly in macOS and most distributions of Linux.
• Easy access to any kind of USB device

Setting up USB Webcam Passthrough to an RDP Session

This method works for external USB cameras, built-in laptop webcams, and monitor integrated ones. But for it to work, your RDP server must be on Windows Server 2019 [or newer] or have RemoteFX configured.

Note: RemoteFX does not work with some webcam models.

So here’s what you need to do to get free remote webcam access in Windows:

1. Run mstsc.exe to launch the “Remote Desktop Connection” manager. Then go to the “Local Resources” tab and click “+” to expand the “Video capture devices” section.
2. Tick the related checkboxes to enable both this section and your camera:
3. Click “OK” to save.

After that, starting from your next RDP session, you’ll be able to access this webcam and join video calls within your remote desktop session.

Note: Unless you have a really good broadband connection, it’s highly advised to adjust your settings to the maximum bandwidth possible.

Along with the camera, you can also pass through your local microphone to use it during the RDP sessions. Here is how it’s done:

1. On the “Local Resources” tab, click “Config remote audio settings”.
2. On “Settings”, find the “Remote audio recording” options and set the “Record from this computer” one.
3. Click “OK” to save.

Now should be able to join meeting rooms inside an RDP session with your local webcam and mic. However, in some cases, this method is not going to work even if you've set everything up correctly, so you’ll have to start all over again. But well, at least it’s free.

It’s up to you to decide between the two methods, and the choice seems pretty clear. You either pay for a never-failing software solution and save tons of nerves and opening hours, or you save some money, at the expense of your time and trouble.

FlexHub does not require any special configuration to provide remote access to a wide variety of USB hardware devices.

✦ Compatibility with popular video conferencing solutions

This webcam for RDP redirection software works with all popular video conferencing applications. The tool supports Skype, Zoom, Slack, Google Hangouts, and many others.

✦ Advanced security

The security of your communication is vitally important and FlexiHub uses 2048-bit SSL encryption to safeguard data transmission. Shared webcams are fully protected from misuse when accessed through FlexiHub and your network.

✦ Redirect webcams to multiple platforms

This flexible software solution supports cross-platform configuration of Windows, Linux, and Mac remote desktops. Any platform can act as the server for clients of any other supported platform. Users on a Windows remote desktop can use webcams connected to Linux or Mac servers.

✦ Webcam drivers are not required

Client computers do not need to have webcam drivers installed to be able to access the shared peripheral. This feature eliminates the troublesome and potentially time-consuming of installing drives for each new device introduced to the environment.

✦ Optimize network traffic

Data transfer compression helps minimize the stress of transmitting video streams through your network. It also speeds up your interaction with the remote desktop cameras.

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USB Network Gate

Share USB over Ethernet on Windows

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COVID19 is changing how we work and will change permanently how we work in the future. Quarantine and social distance will and is normalizing work from home. For those of us who rely on RDP, Remote Desktop, to get work done it’s tricky to manage the resources between the remote terminal and the host.

If you need to join a video call, do you join via your host machine or do you join inside the RDP session? There are both pros and cons for doing one or the other. In this tutorial, we will show you how to use your webcam and enable USB passthrough inside the RDP session and have the remote machine to be able to use your host’s webcam.

To do this you would need to have a webcam, preferably USB connected or your built-in webcam from your laptop or one of the monitor’s display. Open up mstsc.exe or Remote Desktop Connection. Go to the Local Resources tab and expand the section. Under Local devices and resources > More …

Here you should see your USB webcam listed under the “Video capture devices” > “USB2.0 PC CAMERA“. Enable this and save the session.

Next time when you start your RDP session your remote machine will now have access to this webcam and you can use this webcam to join any meeting within your remote desktop session. With my testing, the additional setting adds little bandwidth when used as a remote desktop’s webcam. After all, with a highly optimized RDP protocol in Windows, your normal broadband connection should be able to handle this no problem.

Update: if you also wish to connect to your local microphone you can enable the pass-through via RDP session. Under the same Local Resources > Config remote audio settings. Go to Settings, under Remote audio recording select “Record from this computer” instead of the default “Do not record”. This way you can use local resources while joining meeting rooms inside an RDP session with local webcam and local microphone.