🌍 MapMyCam User Guide
Discover the world through live streaming cameras - Your gateway to real-time global exploration
📖 Table of Contents
🎯 About MapMyCam
MapMyCam revolutionizes how you explore the world through live streaming. Instead of browsing through endless pages of cameras, we consolidate thousands of live streams onto a single, interactive world map. Whether you're seeking travel inspiration, checking weather conditions, or simply curious about life in different corners of the globe, MapMyCam makes global exploration accessible from your device.
🚀 Platform Statistics
10,000+ active streams worldwide | 150+ countries covered | 24/7 live content
🗺️ Global Coverage
Streams from every continent, covering major cities, natural wonders, and hidden gems worldwide.
⚡ Real-Time Updates
Live feeds update in real-time, showing current weather, traffic, and local activities.
📱 Cross-Platform
Works seamlessly on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices with responsive design.
🚀 Getting Started
System Requirements
- Browser: Chrome 70+, Firefox 65+, Safari 12+, Edge 79+
- Internet: Broadband connection recommended for HD streams
- Device: Any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone
First Visit Checklist
- Navigate to mapmycam.live
- Allow location access (optional) for nearby streams
- Explore the interactive map by zooming and panning
- Click on your first stream to start watching
- Create a free account to save favorites
🌍 Navigating the Interactive Map
Main Interface Overview
The MapMyCam interface consists of three main components:
- Left Sidebar: Search & Filters panel with advanced filtering options
- Central Map: Interactive world map showing all live streams
- Top Navigation: User account, FAQ, Contact, and Go Live button
🎛️ Left Sidebar - Search & Filters
Search Options
- Main Search Bar: Search by camera name, location, or tags
- Show Only My Streams: Filter to display only your registered cameras
- Active Instant Streams: Show only currently broadcasting streams
- IPTV/TV Channels Only: Filter for television and IPTV feeds
Status Filtering
- All Status: Show streams regardless of online/offline status
- Online Only: Display only active, broadcasting streams
- Offline Streams: View inactive or temporarily unavailable cameras
Category Filters
- Topic: Primary categories like Nature, Cities, Transport
- Subtopic: More specific classifications within each topic
- All Topics/Subtopics: Comprehensive dropdown menus
Stream Type Selection
Filter by streaming platform:
- ✅ YouTube: YouTube Live streams
- ✅ Facebook: Facebook Live broadcasts
- ✅ HLS: HTTP Live Streaming feeds
- RTMP/RTSP: Professional streaming protocols
Geographic Filtering
- Country/Region: Filter streams by specific countries
- All Countries: Global view or regional focus
🌟 Special Features Panel
The sidebar includes curated collections:
⏰ Time-Based
- Golden Hour Only: Sunrise/sunset streams
- Follow the Sun: Always daylight cameras
🎯 Activity-Based
- Silver Transport: Traffic and transit hubs
- Tourist Attractions: Famous landmarks
🏢 Business Types
- Food & Drink: Restaurants and cafes
- Hotels & Stay: Accommodation views
- Shopping & Entertainment: Commercial areas
- Essential Services: Public and utility services
🗺️ Map Controls & Elements
Navigation Controls
- Zoom Buttons: + and - for precise zoom control
- Mouse Wheel: Scroll to zoom in/out
- Pan/Drag: Click and drag to move around the map
- Right Sidebar: Map layers, fullscreen, and location controls
Understanding Map Markers
- Numbered Clusters: Orange/yellow circles showing stream count (e.g., "15", "50", "114")
- Individual Pins: Single stream locations when zoomed in
- Red Location Markers: Special featured streams or user location
- Color Coding: Different colors indicate stream categories or status
📊 Bottom Filter Bar
Additional filtering option at the bottom:
- "Filter Streams by Business Type": Quick access to business category filters
- Expandable Interface: Click to reveal more filtering options
💡 Advanced Navigation Tips
- Combine Filters: Use multiple filter types for precise results
- Save Filter Preferences: Your filter settings persist across sessions
- Quick Access: Special Features provide instant themed collections
- Global to Local: Start with continent view, then zoom to specific regions
- Real-time Updates: Stream counts update automatically as streams go online/offline
🔍 Finding the Perfect Stream
Search Methods
- Location Search: "Tokyo", "Times Square", "Eiffel Tower"
- Category Search: "beaches", "mountains", "traffic cams"
- Activity Search: "sunset", "skiing", "harbor", "wildlife"
- Language Search: Find streams with descriptions in your language
Advanced Filtering
🎥 Stream Quality
- 4K Ultra HD
- 1080p Full HD
- 720p HD
- Standard Definition
📡 Stream Type
- YouTube Live
- Facebook Live
- HLS Streams
- RTMP Feeds
🏷️ Categories
- Nature & Wildlife
- Cities & Urban
- Beaches & Coastlines
- Mountains & Landscapes
- Transportation Hubs
- Tourist Attractions
Special Collections
- Follow the Sun: Automatically shows streams in daylight hours
- Golden Hour: Streams during sunrise and sunset times
- Weather Watch: Cameras showing current weather conditions
- Seasonal Highlights: Content relevant to current season
- Popular Now: Trending streams with high viewer engagement
⭐ Platform Features & Stream Interaction
🎥 Stream Popup Interface
When you click on any stream pin, a detailed popup window opens with comprehensive information and controls:
Video Player Features
- Embedded Video: YouTube, Facebook, or direct stream playback
- Standard Controls: Play/pause, volume, quality settings
- Fullscreen Mode: Expand video for immersive viewing
- Platform Integration: Direct links to original YouTube/Facebook streams
Weather Integration
- Current Conditions: Live weather display (e.g., "☀️ 25°")
- Real-time Updates: Weather data refreshes automatically
- Location Context: Helps viewers understand current conditions
Interactive Stream Controls
❤️ Favorites System
- "❤️ 15": View favorite count from other users
- "Add to Favorites": Save streams to your personal list
- "Remove from Favorites": Manage your saved streams
🚢 Travel Integration
- "🚢 Float": Maritime/water-related streams
- "✈️ Book Flight TLV → MRU": Travel booking integration
- "📍 Share": Social media sharing options
📋 Detailed Stream Information
Each stream popup provides comprehensive details:
- Status: Online/Offline indicator
- Topic & Subtopic: Category classification (e.g., "Nature → Landscapes")
- Tags: Searchable keywords (e.g., "golden, Island, Landscape, Le Morne Cam, Mauritius")
- Stream Manager: Contact information for stream owner
- Location Details: Precise geographic information
👤 Stream Owner Features
If you're the stream owner, additional management options appear:
- "Edit Stream": Modify stream details, description, and settings
- "Delete Stream": Remove your stream from the platform
- "Add Business Info": Include business details and contact information
- Personal Greeting: Custom message from stream owner (e.g., "Hello, Daniel Zetetnitski")
💬 Community Interaction
Comments System
- User Comments: Logged-in users can leave comments
- Comment History: View previous visitor messages
- Real-time Updates: New comments appear automatically
- "Submit Comment": Share your thoughts about the stream
Stream Information Toggle
- "More Info": Expand detailed information panel
- "Less Info": Collapse details for minimal view
- Responsive Design: Information adapts to screen size
👤 User Account Benefits
- Personalized Greetings: Platform recognizes registered users
- Favorites Management: Access your saved streams anytime
- Stream Ownership: Full control over your registered cameras
- Comment History: Track your community participation
- Viewing Preferences: Customized filter and display settings
📱 Mobile Optimization
- Touch-Friendly: Large buttons and easy navigation
- Responsive Popups: Stream windows adapt to screen size
- Gesture Support: Swipe, pinch, and tap interactions
- Offline Capability: Basic functionality without internet
- Quick Actions: Fast access to favorites and sharing
🚀 Power User Tips
- Multiple Streams: Open several popups simultaneously for comparison
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Use space bar to play/pause, arrow keys to navigate
- Quick Favorites: Double-click the heart icon for instant favoriting
- Context Menus: Right-click streams for additional options
- URL Sharing: Each stream has a unique URL for direct sharing
📹 Registering Your Stream - Complete Guide
Share your unique perspective with the global MapMyCam community. Our streamlined registration process at mapmycam.live/register-stream.html makes it easy to add your camera to the world map.
🚀 Step 1: Access the Registration Page
Navigate to the registration page where you'll see two main options for adding your stream:
🔗 Use Stream URL
Best for existing streamers
- Connect existing YouTube Live streams
- Link Facebook Live broadcasts
- Add HLS, RTMP, or RTSP feeds
- Perfect for established streaming setups
📱 Go Live Instantly
Start streaming immediately
- Built-in streaming tools
- Countdown options
- Quality settings control
- No external platform needed
📡 Step 2: Choose Your Streaming Method
If you selected "Go Live Instantly," you'll see three streaming options:
- 🔴 START LIVE STREAM: Basic live streaming from your device
- 📍 START LIVE STREAM + ROUTE: Live streaming with GPS tracking for mobile streams
- 🏠 START LIVE ROUTE (WITHOUT LIVE CAMERA): Share your route without video (location tracking only)
💡 Which Option Should You Choose?
- Fixed Location: Use "START LIVE STREAM" for balcony, rooftop, or stationary views
- Mobile Adventures: Use "START LIVE STREAM + ROUTE" for walks, bike rides, or road trips
- Route Only: Use "START LIVE ROUTE" to share your path without showing video
📝 Step 3: Fill Out Stream Details
Camera Type Selection
Choose the category that best describes your stream:
- 🏠 Guest Hosting: Airbnb, hotels, vacation rentals
- 🏢 Business: Restaurants, shops, services
- 🌍 Personal & Community: Personal use or public interest
Required Information
- Camera Name: Descriptive title (e.g., "My Rooftop Cam")
- Stream URL: Your YouTube, Facebook, HLS, RTMP, or RTSP link
- Contact Email: For notifications and support
- Topic: Primary category from dropdown menu
- Subtopic: More specific classification
- Tags: Comma-separated keywords (e.g., "urban, night, landmark")
⚠️ Stream URL Requirements
- YouTube Live: Use the full watch URL or embed link
- Facebook Live: Public stream URLs only
- HLS Streams: Must end with .m3u8 extension
- RTMP/RTSP: Ensure URL is publicly accessible
- Test Stream URL: Use the green "Test Stream URL" button to verify
🗺️ Step 4: Set Your Location
The registration page includes an interactive map where you can:
- Search by Address: Use the search bar to find your location
- Click to Place: Click directly on the map to set your stream's position
- Zoom for Accuracy: Use + and - buttons for precise placement
- Use Location Services: Click the location button to use your current position
📍 Location Accuracy Tips
- Zoom in as much as possible for precise placement
- Place the pin exactly where your camera is located
- For mobile streams, set your starting point
- Double-check coordinates before submitting
✅ Step 5: Legal Agreement and Submission
Before submitting your stream, you must agree to:
- Terms of Service: Platform usage guidelines
- Privacy Policy: Data handling and user privacy
Once all fields are completed and you've agreed to the terms, submit your stream for review.
⏱️ What Happens Next?
- Immediate Confirmation: You'll receive email confirmation of submission
- Review Process: Our team reviews streams within 24-48 hours
- Approval Notification: Email notification when your stream goes live on the map
- Stream Management: Access to edit your stream details anytime
✅ Approval Criteria
- Working stream URL
- Appropriate content
- Accurate location
- Complete information
❌ Common Rejections
- Broken or private URLs
- Inappropriate content
- Incorrect locations
- Incomplete forms
💡 Best Practices for Success
🎥 Video Quality Guidelines
- Resolution: 1080p minimum for featured placement
- Frame Rate: 30fps for smooth motion
- Stability: Use tripods or stable mounts
- Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting, especially for indoor views
- Audio: Good audio quality enhances viewer experience
📍 Location Selection
- Unique Views: Offer perspectives not available elsewhere
- Public Interest: Choose locations with broad appeal
- Legal Compliance: Ensure you have permission to stream
- Privacy Respect: Avoid private property or personal spaces
- Safety First: Don't compromise personal safety for content
📝 Content Optimization
🏆 Top Performing Streams Include:
- Detailed, engaging descriptions
- Relevant, searchable tags
- Regular updates and maintenance
- Interaction with viewer comments
- Consistent streaming schedule
🌍 Popular Content Themes
- Sunsets/Sunrises: Time-specific beauty that draws viewers
- City Life: Bustling streets, landmarks, urban activity
- Nature: Wildlife, landscapes, changing seasons
- Weather Events: Storms, snow, seasonal changes
- Cultural Events: Festivals, celebrations, local traditions
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues
🎥 Streaming Problems
Check if your stream is still under review. Review process takes up to 24 hours. Ensure your stream meets technical requirements and community guidelines.
Verify your upload speed meets requirements. Check camera settings and ensure adequate lighting. Consider upgrading your internet connection or camera hardware.
This usually indicates network instability. Check your internet connection, restart your router, and ensure no bandwidth-heavy applications are running.
👁️ Viewing Issues
Clear browser cache and cookies. Try a different browser or device. Check if ad-blockers are interfering with playback.
Ensure JavaScript is enabled. Try disabling browser extensions. Check internet connection stability.
📱 Mobile-Specific Issues
Enable data saver mode. Close other apps to free memory. Ensure good cellular or WiFi signal strength.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, viewing streams is completely free. Account registration is optional but provides additional features like favorites and recommendations.
Currently, we don't offer direct monetization. However, you retain full ownership of your content and can monetize through your original platform (YouTube, etc.).
All streams undergo manual review before publication. We have community reporting systems and automated monitoring for inappropriate content.
Offline streams are automatically marked as inactive but remain on the map. They'll reappear as live when your stream resumes.
Yes, registered users can update stream details, descriptions, and settings through their account dashboard.
Absolutely! We welcome streams from every country and support multiple languages. Our global community is our strength.
🤝 Community Guidelines & Support
📋 Community Standards
- Respect Privacy: Never stream private property without permission
- Legal Compliance: Follow all local laws and regulations
- Family-Friendly: Keep content appropriate for all ages
- No Harassment: Treat all community members with respect
- Authentic Content: Only stream genuine, live footage
🛡️ Safety and Privacy
- We don't store personal viewing data
- Location data is used only for map functionality
- Report inappropriate content using the flag system
- Block or filter unwanted content types
💬 Getting Help
- Help Center: Comprehensive FAQ and tutorials
- Community Forum: Connect with other streamers and viewers
- Email Support: Direct assistance for technical issues
- Social Media: Follow us for updates and community highlights
🌟 Join Our Community
Become part of the global MapMyCam family! Share your unique perspective, discover new places, and help others explore the world from home. Together, we're creating the most comprehensive live view of our planet.
Start Exploring Now →