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To add a remote guest or a second camera angle, create a Collab Cam source in Streamlabs Desktop, start it, send its invite link to the guest or device, check the incoming feed, and select Show on Stream when you are ready. You can use a phone as the second camera; it needs a camera, internet access, and a browser.
Before you start
Collab Cam is a Streamlabs Desktop source for bringing a remote camera feed into your scene. It can be used for a guest who is joining from another location or for a camera device you control, such as a phone positioned for another angle. The remote device joins through a browser link; a separate app is not listed as a prerequisite in Streamlabs’ guidance.
- Install and open Streamlabs Desktop. The current Collab Cam product page lists desktop availability for Windows 10+ and macOS 12+. Streamlabs Collab Cam
- Make sure the remote guest or device has a camera, an internet connection, and browser access.
- If using a phone, find a stable place to position it. A tripod is convenient but optional; a securely propped phone can also work.
Add and start a Collab Cam source
- In Streamlabs Desktop, go to the Sources panel and add a new source.
- Choose Collab Cam and add the source to your scene.
- Open the Collab Cam source and select Start Collab Cam.
- Copy the generated invite link. Send it privately to the guest or open it on your own second device.
- On the remote device, open the link in a browser. Grant camera and microphone access if prompted, then join.
- Check the incoming video and audio in Streamlabs Desktop. When the feed is ready for viewers, select Show on Stream.
The host controls when the joined feed appears on stream, so you can check the camera before putting it in front of your audience. Streamlabs’ step-by-step guidance is in its Collab Cam support article.
Use a phone as a second camera
Follow the same host setup: add and start a Collab Cam source, then open its invite link on the phone or tablet. Choose which camera to share, join, and inspect the feed in Desktop before showing it on stream. This is useful for a face-to-face camera angle, a close-up of a controller or tabletop, or another view that your main camera cannot capture.
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Position the phone so it remains stable and framed as intended. Streamlabs suggests a tripod, but it also describes propping a device against books; there is no stated requirement for a particular phone model, camera brand, or tripod design. See Streamlabs’ phone camera guide for its mobile-device example.
Remote guest or your own camera device?
| Use case | Who operates the camera? | What to check before showing it |
|---|---|---|
| Remote guest | The guest controls their camera and microphone from their device. | Check framing and audio, and agree on basic on-stream ground rules before going live. |
| Second camera you control | You control the phone or other browser-enabled camera device. | Check framing, stability, and whether the angle adds useful coverage to the scene. |
Streamlabs’ current Collab Cam page says one guest is free and Streamlabs Ultra supports up to 11 additional guests or camera angles. An older Desktop support guide gives a different Ultra limit, so the published sources conflict; check the current plan screen if the exact paid capacity affects your decision. Current Collab Cam page · Desktop support guide
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Protect the invite link and your live scene
- Send the invite only to the intended guest or device. Streamlabs advises: “Only share your Collab Cam link with people who you know and trust.”
- If the link may have been exposed, generate a new one so the old link can no longer be used.
- If you set up Collab Cam while live, avoid sharing your screen during the process; the invite link could appear to viewers.
- Guests remain subject to the rules of the platform where you stream. Agree in advance on what they may show or say.
Troubleshoot common Collab Cam problems
The guest cannot join or the feed does not appear
Confirm that the guest opened the invite link in a browser, joined the session, and allowed camera access. Check that the remote device has a camera and an internet connection, then review the feed in the Collab Cam source before selecting Show on Stream. The reviewed Streamlabs guidance does not establish a complete browser compatibility list or a Collab Cam-specific latency guarantee.
You can hear the guest, but viewers cannot
This can be an audio-routing issue: host monitoring does not necessarily mean the guest audio is reaching the audience. Streamlabs suggests trying an additional microphone source as a possible remedy. Verify the result in your stream mix before continuing; this is one suggested check, not a full diagnosis for every setup.
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The invite link may have leaked
Generate a new invite link and distribute the replacement privately. Do not expose the link in a live screen share while rebuilding the connection.
The phone angle is awkward or unstable
Adjust the phone’s position and framing, or use a tripod to keep it hands-free. A stable improvised support can work if it holds the device securely.
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Network expectations
Streamlabs’ general Desktop system-requirements article recommends Ethernet and cites 3.6 Mbps or better upload for 720p at 30 fps for most platforms. That figure is general live-stream guidance, not a Collab Cam-specific minimum or performance guarantee. Streamlabs does not publish a Collab Cam-specific upload threshold in the reviewed guidance. Streamlabs Desktop system requirements
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Collab Cam is for bringing a guest or camera feed into a Streamlabs Desktop scene. If your separate goal is to keep a prerecorded YouTube channel live 24/7, StreamNeo is a different tool: upload a video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded content from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Every slot streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card; the monthly option is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is YouTube-only and plays uploaded videos rather than a live camera feed. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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