What Is a Camera Device Detector?
This tool lists every camera your browser can genuinely detect on your system, read directly from the standard MediaDevices API, and lets you preview each one individually with a live video feed. It's particularly useful on laptops and desktops with multiple cameras - a built-in webcam plus a USB camera, for example - where it's not always obvious which device is which without seeing an actual live preview.
How to Use the Camera Device Detector
- Click Scan Cameras to list the video-input entries the browser currently exposes. This first scan does not turn the camera on; some entries may have hidden names.
- If you need actual camera names, choose Unlock Labels (Optional) and approve the browser permission request. The temporary camera stream is stopped immediately after permission handling, then the list is refreshed.
- Click Preview beside the camera you want to inspect. Only your selected device will start a live feed. Use the browser's camera-use indicator to confirm it is active.
- Check the actual stream settings and preview dimensions, plus browser-reported frame rate and facing mode where available. These values describe the active browser stream, not the camera's certified sensor specifications.
- Optionally change Requested Quality and select Apply Quality / Restart. The browser may choose another resolution. Use Mirror or Composition Grid to change the display without changing the camera feed.
- To test another device, click its Preview button. The previous stream is released before the new one opens. Scan Cameras also refreshes the list after connecting or disconnecting a USB camera.
- Use Stop & Release to switch off the preview and release camera hardware. Export CSV downloads only the currently visible device list and optional reported settings, never video, photos or raw device IDs. Clear Results resets the session.
- For privacy, backgrounding the tab or leaving the page stops an active preview. If permission is denied, you may still see a restricted camera list; adjust browser or system camera permissions if preview is needed.
How It Works
This tool calls navigator.mediaDevices.enumerateDevices() to list every video input device
the operating system exposes to the browser. As with microphone labels, browsers hide real camera names
until permission has been granted at least once in the session, so this tool briefly requests camera access,
immediately stops that initial stream without displaying or recording it, and then reads the full labeled
device list. Clicking a specific device opens a new stream targeted at that exact deviceId,
giving you a genuine live preview and its real reported resolution from getSettings().
Understanding Your Results
- All your expected cameras appear with real names - your system and browser are exposing device information normally.
- A camera shows as "label hidden" - usually resolves after granting permission fully; try clicking Detect Cameras again.
- A camera you expect isn't listed - check your operating system's device manager or camera settings first, since this tool can only see devices already recognized at the OS level.
- Preview loads but shows a black or frozen image - could mean another application has exclusive access to that camera; close other apps that might be using it and try again.
Browser Limitations
This tool can only detect cameras your operating system has already recognized and made available - a camera that's connected but not yet installed or recognized at the OS level won't appear here. Some browsers or operating systems also restrict simultaneous access to a camera that's already in use by another application, which will show as a preview failure even though the camera itself is working fine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Denying the permission prompt and expecting device names - without granting camera access, only generic unlabeled entries are returned.
- Testing with another app using the camera - most cameras only support one application accessing them at a time; close video call apps or other camera software first.
- Assuming a missing camera means it's broken - confirm it's recognized in your operating system's own device settings before troubleshooting further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to grant permission just to see a camera list?
Browsers hide real camera names until permission is granted, as a privacy measure against device fingerprinting; this tool requests that permission briefly and stops the initial stream immediately without recording anything.
Is any video recorded during this test?
No. Video is only displayed live in your browser for preview purposes and is never recorded, saved, or transmitted anywhere.
Can I use this to check a camera's resolution?
Yes, once you preview a camera, its real reported resolution appears in the status line, read directly from the active video stream's settings.
Why does switching cameras sometimes take a moment?
Each switch stops the current stream and opens a fresh one for the newly selected device, which involves a brief hardware initialization delay that varies by camera.
Does this tool work with external USB webcams?
Yes, any camera recognized by your operating system, whether built-in or external USB, will appear in this list the same way.
Conclusion
When you're not sure which camera is which, or want to confirm every connected camera is actually recognized, this gives you a direct, real answer with a live preview to match. For a deeper single-camera check including microphone audio, use the Webcam Tester.