WebinarGeek currently does not offer the possibility to use a virtual background, but this can be achieved with the use of third-party software.

mmhmm and ChromaCam offer you the ability to create virtual backgrounds without needing to own a green screen. If you do have a green screen, you can use software like OBS for even better results.

mmhmm is a software that allows you to create a ‘virtual webcam’. This is a modified webcam output that you can select in software such as WebinarGeek. You can download it here.

The free version of mmhmm allows you to modify the look of your webcam for 40 minutes a day. If you want more time to configure your webcam in the mmhmm application, you will have to purchase unlimited access.

To configure the webcam, simply open mmhmm, create an account if you don’t already have one or log in to your existing mmhmm account.

Navigate to the ‘Rooms’ tab to choose your background. The ‘Presenter’ tab allows you to modify how you, the presenter, appear.

Once you’ve finished configuring your camera, paste this link into your Google Chrome browser:

chrome://settings/content/camera?search=camera

You’ll find a dropdown menu with a list of available cameras. Select the ‘mmhmm Camera’.

This will ensure that Google Chrome automatically selects the ‘mmhmm Camera’ when you open the (test) webinar environment in WebinarGeek.

Now that Google Chrome automatically selects the ‘mmhmm Camera’ as a webcam when you open a (test) webinar environment, you’re ready to test and/or host your webinars in WebinarGeek. Just open the (test) webinar and the modified camera with virtual background will automatically be selected!

Please note! Only one program can use the virtual camera at a time. If you’re using the same camera in multiple programs, you may receive an error message.

If you ever want to use a different camera than the ‘mmhmm Camera’, navigate to chrome://settings/content/camera?search=camera again and revert the selection to your usual camera.

Want to know more about the options in the mmhmm application? Read our blog article!

ChromaCam is a software that allows you to create a ‘virtual webcam’. This is a modified webcam output that you can select in software such as WebinarGeek. You can download it here.

The free version of ChromaCam allows you to modify the look of your webcam, but there will be a watermark on your camera screen. If you’d like access to the locked features (such as custom backgrounds) and want to get rid of the watermark, you will need to upgrade to the ‘Pro’ version.

To configure the webcam, simply open ChromaCam, create an account if you don’t already have one or log in to an existing account.

Navigate to the ‘Backgrounds’ tab to choose your background. You can also choose to blur the background.

Once you’ve finished configuring your camera, paste this link into your Google Chrome browser:

chrome://settings/content/camera?search=camera

You’ll find a dropdown menu with a list of available cameras. Select the ‘ChromaCam’ option.

This will ensure that Google Chrome automatically selects the ‘ChromaCam’ camera when you open the (test) webinar environment in WebinarGeek.

Now that Google Chrome automatically selects the ‘ChromaCam’ camera as a webcam when you open a (test) webinar environment, you’re ready to test and/or host your webinars in WebinarGeek. Just open the (test) webinar and the modified camera with virtual background will automatically be selected!

Please note! Only one program can use the virtual camera at a time. If you’re using the same camera in multiple programs, you may receive an error message.

If you ever want to use a different camera than the ‘ChromaCam’ camera, navigate to chrome://settings/content/camera?search=camera again and revert the selection to your usual camera.

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free software that allows you to modify camera and streaming outputs. It’s slightly more difficult to use than mmhmm and ChromaCam. You can download it here.

It has many features, but this help article will focus on the ‘virtual webcam’ feature. This is a modified webcam output that you can select in software such as WebinarGeek.

The first time you start up OBS, the software will ask what you’d like to use it for. For the purpose of using a virtual background, select ‘I will only be using the virtual camera’. This will automatically configure the software to use the optimal settings for your system.

Please note! OBS only supports virtual backgrounds when using a green screen. If you don’t have a green screen, please use mmhmm or ChromaCam instead.

At first, you will see a black screen.

Under ‘Sources’, press the ‘+’ button and select ‘Video Capture Device’.

Press ‘OK’ and then ‘OK’ again. The camera will appear in the black square. If the camera doesn’t cover the entire black square, resize the camera video to fit.

Now right-click the ‘Video Capture Device’ you just added and select ‘Filters’.

In the window that opens, press the ‘+’ button on the bottom and select ‘Chroma Key’.

Press ‘OK’. A window will pop up where you can configure the values. Modify the sliders until enough of the green is gone and then press ‘Close’.

Now, find the image you want to use as a background and drag it into the ‘Sources’ box. Click and drag the image to be below your ‘Video Capture Device’ source.

Your camera has now been set up for the virtual background.

In the bottom right corner of the window, press the ‘Start Virtual Camera’ button.

The virtual camera is now active and can be used. Paste this link into your Google Chrome browser:

chrome://settings/content/camera?search=camera

You’ll find a dropdown menu with a list of available cameras. Select the ‘OBS Virtual Camera’.

This will ensure that Google Chrome automatically selects the ‘OBS Virtual Camera’ when you open the (test) webinar environment in WebinarGeek.

Please note! Don’t see the ‘OBS Virtual Camera’ in your list of cameras? Try running OBS as administrator and disabling ‘hardware acceleration’ in Google Chrome at: chrome://settings/system

Now that Google Chrome automatically selects the ‘OBS Virtual Camera’ as a webcam when you open a (test) webinar environment, you’re ready to test and/or host your webinars in WebinarGeek. Just open the (test) webinar and the modified camera with virtual background will automatically be selected!

Please note! Only one program can use the virtual camera at a time. If you’re using the same camera in multiple programs, you may receive an error message.

If you ever want to use a different camera than the ‘OBS Virtual Camera’, navigate to chrome://settings/content/camera?search=camera again and revert the selection to your usual camera.

Want to know more about what you can do with OBS? Watch our YouTube video!

Keywords: blur, blurring, greenscreen