One of the problems you can have using the Yawcam application, is a black (preview) screen.
Those black (preview) screens can be caused by different sources.
Before you ask, there are several things you can check.
- No source is/can be selected in Yawcam - You don't have a web camera :
You should see something like this :
Device (none)
Connect a web cam and select it.
How you connect to a web cam ? See Yawcam - On-line help. - No source is/can be selected in Yawcam - Check physical connection :
You do have a valid video source connected to your computer.
But the (preview) screen stays black.Q: Which webcams/video devices does Yawcam support?
(Extracted from the Yawcam - FAQ)
A: Yawcam version 0.3.0 and above works with all DirectX compatible webcams and video capture devices. This means almost all modern usb webcams and TV-cards.- Connectors / cable(s) are damaged :
Replace the damaged cable and reconnect the web camera.
How you connect to a web cam ? See Yawcam - On-line help. - Connectors / cable(s) are not damaged :
If you are using a USB splitter / Mini HUB then remove those items and retry with a simple connection.
Disconnect / reconnect the video source.
- Connectors / cable(s) are damaged :
- No source is/can be selected in Yawcam - Check webcam driver :
Your webcam is connected to your desktop as it should be.
In spite of this, you can't select your webcam in Yawcam.
See -> Windows - Check driver installation - Device is in use by another application :
A black (preview) screen can be caused by the lack of available recourses.
You have a video camera connected to your computer, but it's already in use by another application.
Starting Yawcam, you should have recieved an error :
Check wich application uses the webcam.
Solutions :How to check wich application is running ?- Applications running as a service :
See -> Windows - Consulting / start / stop windows services - Applications minimised to system tray :
Right click the application icon and select the exit or the close option.
- Applications open in taskbar :
Use the Alt+Tab combination to select / go to the application.
Or use the taskmanager to consult the list of running applications.
See -> Windows – Start / stop applications via task management
- I have another webcam connected to the PC :
Close the application that uses Yawcam and prevent it from running at next computer start-up.
Or you can Switch to another source.
How can you prevent applications from running / where do you have to check ? - I don't have another webcam connected to the PC :
Close the application that uses Yawcam and prevent it from running at next computer start-up.
Identical list as above
Such application permits you to use your video source in different applications at the same time. - Applications running as a service :
- More instances of Yawcam running at the same time :
Close one instance of the Yawcam application.
So this is just a first possible step to solution.