While that's definitely a good idea, SOME cameras can be activated without the LED indicator, and regardless, even if you do see that they've turned it on, you would only notice after they were already able to record you. Which might suck if you're jerkin' it.
That start-up period isn't enough time to react. I recorded how long it takes my Logitech C920 to start up, here's the video. Even then, there have been cameras that can be activated without the LED showing.
Must depend on the camera. But my camera starts out black for like 3 seconds then displays the content it shows. Also your camera isn't a laptop camera which is the point of the thread which will make it obviously faster or better than a laptop cam.
It'll definitely vary camera to camera, I'm just saying that it's not something that can be relied on as the main thing to keep you safe. And if you wanted to go full conspiracy-nut, there's no reason they couldn't make the camera seem to take longer than it actually does to start up(Hell, Windows intentionally takes longer than needed to load, if you have an SSD), so they could start it sooner than you thought possible if they intended to spy on you. But that's too far into conspiracy-nut to be reasonable.
I tested my camera(Canon Powershot A2500), phone(LG 900G), and tablet(Nvidia Shield Tablet, rear-facing camera) as well. My camera takes about one second to start, my phone takes about one second to start, and my tablet goes from having no apps open, to having the camera image displayed on screen in about two seconds. Cameras are cameras, the tech isn't going to vary vastly between integrated and standalone, the biggest bonuses are just going to be more room for better optics and built-in microphones, neither of which would affect the time it takes to translate an image from light into something that the computer can read.
Oh I agree 100% that you shouldn't rely on it at all. My point is there is a delay nonetheless.
They could but isn't it still just an application on a computer? So it will still require some startup time even if they make it look like they are delaying it. And if they did make it look like it was being delayed you would still notice it being turned on due to the indicator. I am more worried about the built in microphone that is "always ready" and has no indicator which is honestly more scary to me than my stupid face on screen for less than a second.
You are right. But it also relies on where you are and when the camera is activated. As I said it is still using an application to function. So at some point if your computer is hogging or if you are in a dark area it will take longer for it to view the image that is up.
view the rest of the comments →
praivo ago
Or get a laptop that has a LED indicator of the webcam being on (or has no webcam) and you won't need any ugly tape.
timsandtoms ago
While that's definitely a good idea, SOME cameras can be activated without the LED indicator, and regardless, even if you do see that they've turned it on, you would only notice after they were already able to record you. Which might suck if you're jerkin' it.
HomerSimpson ago
Cameras don't just activate. They have a startup period. And in that time you have plenty of time to cover the camera.
timsandtoms ago
That start-up period isn't enough time to react. I recorded how long it takes my Logitech C920 to start up, here's the video. Even then, there have been cameras that can be activated without the LED showing.
HomerSimpson ago
Must depend on the camera. But my camera starts out black for like 3 seconds then displays the content it shows. Also your camera isn't a laptop camera which is the point of the thread which will make it obviously faster or better than a laptop cam.
timsandtoms ago
It'll definitely vary camera to camera, I'm just saying that it's not something that can be relied on as the main thing to keep you safe. And if you wanted to go full conspiracy-nut, there's no reason they couldn't make the camera seem to take longer than it actually does to start up(Hell, Windows intentionally takes longer than needed to load, if you have an SSD), so they could start it sooner than you thought possible if they intended to spy on you. But that's too far into conspiracy-nut to be reasonable.
I tested my camera(Canon Powershot A2500), phone(LG 900G), and tablet(Nvidia Shield Tablet, rear-facing camera) as well. My camera takes about one second to start, my phone takes about one second to start, and my tablet goes from having no apps open, to having the camera image displayed on screen in about two seconds. Cameras are cameras, the tech isn't going to vary vastly between integrated and standalone, the biggest bonuses are just going to be more room for better optics and built-in microphones, neither of which would affect the time it takes to translate an image from light into something that the computer can read.
HomerSimpson ago
Oh I agree 100% that you shouldn't rely on it at all. My point is there is a delay nonetheless.
They could but isn't it still just an application on a computer? So it will still require some startup time even if they make it look like they are delaying it. And if they did make it look like it was being delayed you would still notice it being turned on due to the indicator. I am more worried about the built in microphone that is "always ready" and has no indicator which is honestly more scary to me than my stupid face on screen for less than a second.
You are right. But it also relies on where you are and when the camera is activated. As I said it is still using an application to function. So at some point if your computer is hogging or if you are in a dark area it will take longer for it to view the image that is up.