How to Create Fake Webcam Streams On Linux

One of the most exciting things you can do with Linux and video editing software is to create fake webcam streams. A webcam stream is a video feed from a camera that is connected to a computer.

What is a fake Webcam Stream?

A fake webcam stream also called a simulated WebCam Stream is a video that appears to be from a webcam but is not an actual video stream from the camera. In simple terms, it’s a video file that appears to be coming from a webcam on your computer but isn’t. This video file can be used for a variety of purposes, such as moving around during an office meeting by switching the source to the fake video rather than the live camera that’s attached to the computer.

There are a few steps you must take if you want to create one of these streams.

What exactly we will do?

First, take a video of yourself sitting in front of a camera in a normal posture. Then, using some streaming software, such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), we will change the source of the video file from the camera to the recorded one and output it as a Virtual Camera over the stream, making the video file appear to be directly from the Web Camera.

Steps for Creating Fake Webcam Stream

Step 1: Record yourself in front of the Camera and save the video file.

Step 2: Installing the OBS Studio application for streaming. Run this command to install Virtual Camera Support:

sudo apt install v4l2loopback-dkms

Enter ‘Y‘ when prompted.

Enter ‘Yes‘ for restarting services during package upgrades.

Step 3: Run this command to update the repositories.

sudo apt update

Step 4: Run the below command to install OBS Studio.

sudo apt install obs-studio

Step 3: Now restart the system to make the changes take effect. Type obs in Terminal to initialize it

obs

Close the auto-configuration wizard.

We have successfully installed and configured OBS studio.

Step 4: Now click on + and select Media Source. We can rename the media source as per our need.

We can also create our own Media Source.

Step 5: Now click on Browse and select your video file.

We are selecting a fake webcam video file from local storage.

Make sure to tick the Loop option.

Step 6: Now click on the Start Virtual Camera option from the Controls panel.

Now whenever we want to fake a webcam, we can follow the above steps and select the video source for OBS virtual camera on whichever platform we want to fake the webcam.

Demonstration of Fake Webcam Stream

Here we have used Zoom as a platform to test a fake webcam but the same steps apply to any other platform as well. 

Step 1: Select OBS virtual camera in the video settings.

Step 2: That’s it, now this video file will be on the loop and the audience can see this video on your when you turn on your camera.