# scrcpy Camera Sources and Configurations: Complete Command Reference > Explore scrcpy camera sources and configurations. Stream front, back, or external cameras with custom resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, rotation, and cropping. Full command reference. - Repository: [Genymobile/scrcpy](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy) - Tags: api-reference - Published: 2026-02-25 --- **scrcpy supports streaming from any Android camera (front, back, or external) with configurable resolution, frame rate up to 240fps high-speed capture, aspect ratio constraints, rotation, and cropping via the `--video-source=camera` flag and associated camera-specific options.** scrcpy, the popular Android screen mirroring tool from Genymobile, extends beyond display mirroring to support direct camera streaming through the Android Camera2 API. When you select the camera video source, scrcpy exposes a comprehensive configuration API that lets you enumerate available cameras, constrain capture parameters, and apply real-time transformations. This guide covers every camera source and configuration option implemented in the scrcpy server codebase. ## Selecting the Camera Video Source The foundation of camera streaming starts with the video source selector. In [`server/src/main/java/com/genymobile/scrcpy/video/VideoSource.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/server/src/main/java/com/genymobile/scrcpy/video/VideoSource.java), scrcpy defines two video source types: `display` (default) and `camera`. To switch from screen mirroring to camera streaming, use the `--video-source` flag: ```bash scrcpy --video-source=camera ``` When camera mode is active, the server initializes `CameraCapture` instead of `SurfaceCapture`, routing video frames from the Android Camera2 API rather than the display buffer. ### Enumerating Available Cameras Before selecting a specific camera, you can list all available devices and their capabilities. The `LogUtils.buildCameraListMessage()` method in [`server/src/main/java/com/genymobile/scrcpy/util/LogUtils.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/server/src/main/java/com/genymobile/scrcpy/util/LogUtils.java) generates formatted output showing camera IDs, facing direction, and supported resolutions. Run these commands to inspect your device: ```bash # List all cameras with facing and basic capabilities scrcpy --list-cameras # List valid resolutions and frame rates for each camera scrcpy --list-camera-sizes ``` ## Camera Selection Methods scrcpy provides two primary methods for selecting which physical camera to use: explicit ID selection or facing-based automatic selection. ### Explicit Camera ID Selection For precise control, specify the camera hardware ID directly using the `--camera-id` option. The value is stored in [`Options.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/Options.java) (lines 43-51) as the `cameraId` field: ```bash scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-id=1 ``` If no ID is specified, scrcpy defaults to the first available camera (typically ID 0). ### Facing-Based Selection Alternatively, use `--camera-facing` to select by lens orientation. The [`CameraFacing.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraFacing.java) enum defines three values: `front`, `back`, and `external`. The `CameraCapture.selectCamera()` method queries `CameraManager` to locate a camera matching the requested facing: ```bash # Use the front-facing (selfie) camera scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-facing=front # Use the back-facing camera scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-facing=back ``` ## Resolution and Frame Rate Configuration Camera capture resolution follows a hierarchical selection process implemented in `CameraCapture.selectSize()`, considering explicit size requests, maximum size constraints, and high-speed mode requirements. ### Explicit Size and Maximum Size Constraints Set a specific resolution using `--camera-size`, defined in [`Options.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/Options.java) (lines 44-53) as `cameraSize`: ```bash scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-size=1920x1080 ``` If you omit an explicit size, the `--max-size` (or `-m`) parameter acts as a bounding box, selecting the largest supported resolution that fits within the specified dimension while maintaining the requested aspect ratio. ### Frame Rate Control Control capture frame rate with `--camera-fps`, stored in [`Options.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/Options.java) as `cameraFps` (lines 47-48). By default, scrcpy uses the device's default frame rate (typically 30 fps): ```bash # Force 60fps capture scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-fps=60 ``` ### High-Speed Capture Mode For supported devices, enable high-speed recording via the `--camera-high-speed` flag. This activates the constrained high-speed capture API in [`CameraCapture.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraCapture.java) (lines 60-63), allowing frame rates up to 240fps on compatible hardware. Note that high-speed mode only works with specific resolution and frame rate combinations supported by the camera hardware: ```bash # 240fps high-speed capture (device-dependent) scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-size=1280x720 --camera-fps=240 --camera-high-speed ``` ## Aspect Ratio and Orientation Controls scrcpy provides fine-grained control over the camera stream's geometric properties through aspect ratio constraints and rotation parameters. ### Aspect Ratio Constraints The `--camera-ar` flag accepts either a ratio (`16:9`), a floating-point value (`1.77`), or the keyword `sensor` to use the sensor's native ratio. The [`CameraAspectRatio.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraAspectRatio.java) class handles parsing and validation: ```bash # Force 16:9 aspect ratio scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-ar=16:9 # Use sensor native aspect ratio scrcpy --video-source=camera --camera-ar=sensor ``` ### Orientation and Rotation The `--orientation` flag (shared with display mirroring) rotates the captured video in 90-degree increments. For additional rotation, use `--angle` to specify arbitrary degrees in float format. In [`CameraCapture.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraCapture.java) (lines 32-35), these values are combined to build the capture transformation matrix: ```bash # Rotate 90 degrees clockwise scrcpy --video-source=camera --orientation=90 # Add 15 degrees of extra rotation scrcpy --video-source=camera --orientation=90 --angle=15.0 ``` ## Advanced Camera Configuration Beyond basic capture parameters, scrcpy supports region cropping and audio source management when streaming from the camera. ### Region Cropping The `--crop` flag selects a rectangular sub-region of the camera image using the format `width:height:x:y`. This is stored in [`Options.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/Options.java) (lines 39-42) and applied through the OpenGL pipeline: ```bash # Crop a 1280x720 region starting at origin scrcpy --video-source=camera --crop=1280:720:0:0 ``` ### Audio Source Management When `--video-source=camera` is active, scrcpy defaults the audio source to the microphone (`--audio-source=mic`). You can override this or disable audio entirely: ```bash # Camera video with device audio output (mixed sources) scrcpy --video-source=camera --audio-source=output # Camera video without audio scrcpy --video-source=camera --no-audio ``` ## Configuration Pipeline Implementation Understanding the internal flow helps diagnose configuration issues. The scrcpy server processes camera options through a specific pipeline: 1. **Option Parsing** – `Options.parse()` in [`Options.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/Options.java) reads all `--camera-*` arguments into corresponding fields (`cameraId`, `cameraSize`, `cameraFps`, etc.). 2. **Camera Selection** – `CameraCapture.selectCamera()` uses `CameraManager` to resolve the requested camera by ID or facing direction. 3. **Resolution Selection** – `CameraCapture.selectSize()` evaluates the explicit size request, `--max-size` limits, aspect ratio constraints, and high-speed requirements to choose the optimal `Size` object. 4. **Capture Initialization** – `CameraCapture.init()` opens the camera device, creates a `CameraCaptureSession` (regular or high-speed depending on the flag), and builds a `CaptureRequest` that sets `CONTROL_AE_TARGET_FPS_RANGE` when a specific frame rate is requested. 5. **Post-Processing** – If orientation, angle, or crop are configured, the server instantiates a `VideoFilter` that builds an OpenGL transform matrix. Frames pass through an `OpenGLRunner` before reaching the encoder, applying the geometric transformations in real-time. ## Summary - scrcpy supports camera streaming via `--video-source=camera`, selecting from front, back, or external cameras using `--camera-id` or `--camera-facing` as defined in [`CameraFacing.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraFacing.java). - Resolution configuration cascades through explicit `--camera-size`, `--max-size` limits, and `--camera-ar` aspect ratio constraints, processed by `CameraCapture.selectSize()`. - Frame rates are controlled with `--camera-fps`, with high-speed modes up to 240fps available via `--camera-high-speed` in [`CameraCapture.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraCapture.java). - Geometric transformations including `--orientation`, `--angle`, and `--crop` are applied through the OpenGL pipeline in `VideoFilter` and `OpenGLRunner`. - Audio defaults to microphone when using camera video but can be overridden to capture device output or disabled entirely. - Available cameras and their capabilities can be enumerated using `--list-cameras` and `--list-camera-sizes`, which call `LogUtils.buildCameraListMessage()`. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can scrcpy stream from multiple cameras simultaneously? No, scrcpy currently supports only a single video source per session. You must choose either the display (`--video-source=display`) or one specific camera (`--video-source=camera` with `--camera-id` or `--camera-facing`). However, you can combine a single camera video stream with any audio source, such as `--audio-source=output` to capture device audio while streaming from the camera. ### Why does high-speed camera mode fail on my device? High-speed capture requires specific hardware support and only works with certain resolution and frame rate combinations, typically lower resolutions like 1280x720 at 120fps or 240fps. The `--camera-high-speed` flag in [`CameraCapture.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraCapture.java) activates the Android Camera2 constrained high-speed session, which throws an error if the requested configuration isn't in the camera's supported high-speed size list. Use `--list-camera-sizes` to verify compatible high-speed configurations for your specific device. ### How do I rotate the camera feed independently from the device orientation? Camera orientation is controlled independently of device rotation using the `--orientation` flag (accepting 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees) and the `--angle` flag for arbitrary float values. These parameters are processed in [`CameraCapture.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraCapture.java) and applied through the OpenGL transformation matrix in the video filter pipeline, allowing you to stream the camera in portrait mode while the device remains in landscape, for example. ### Does scrcpy support external USB cameras on Android? Yes, scrcpy supports external cameras connected to Android devices, provided the Android Camera2 API enumerates them. Use `--list-cameras` to see if your external camera appears with an ID and facing direction (usually `external`). Then select it using `--camera-id=` or `--camera-facing=external` as implemented in [`CameraFacing.java`](https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/blob/main/CameraFacing.java) and processed by `CameraCapture.selectCamera()`.