Webcam built into external monitor on Chromebook

[alexsmith2709]

I have a customer who bought a monitor with built in webcam and is connecting it to a chromebook (Acer Spin 513) through a cheap ass USB hub which has an HDMI port as the chromebook only has USB-C and she doesnt have an adapter.
She cant get the webcam to work, it just shows black (her words, cant get any more info). I suggested this may be because of the cheap ass hub and to get an HDMI to USB-C cable/adapter and try it, but is there anything else that may be preventing this from working? Could it be that a chromebook cannot handle a webcam built into a monitor and has no idea it even exists?

I cant get on site to this customer at the moment so im trying to diagnose remotely with someone not very tech literate.

I have given her some privacy/permissions things to check. From what she said this doesnt appear to be the issue.

She is trying to use google meet for calls etc.

 

[Blues]

I don't know that any webcam works via HDMI there is probably a USB hooked on the monitor to connect the webcam it might also work via DisplayPort though I am less familiar with what DisplayPort can and does carry. Do you have the model for the monitor?

 

[alexsmith2709]

Good point, the phone line was really bad so i got her to email me the details. I should have known better than to trust a client has set something up correctly! There is a USB cable that needs to be connected so i'll ask her about that.
This is the model https://www.hannspree.eu/hp-248-wjb/ The manual does clearly state to connect this extra cable but im betting this is the cause!

I'll update on the outcome.

Thanks

 

[timeshifter]

Wasn't even aware you could use an external webcam with a Chromebook, until now.

Here's a good overview that I found

Can You Add a Webcam to a Chromebook?

Let’s face it; built-in webcams aren’t always the best. If you are using a Chromebook, your integrated webcam may be plaguing you with fuzzy, low-quality …

sortatechy.com

 

[alexsmith2709]

Turns out this cable was the issue. Thanks @Blues