Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? at DVinfo.net

Nick Fotis · January 12th, 2019, 02:39 PM

Hello there,

I wonder if Sony (or Canon etc) offer camcorders with the capability of using these as PC Webcams (albeit with zoom and manual controls), suitable for streaming in events without necessitating a hardware capture system or a WiFi router?

It seems that in the past Sony offered a USB streaming mode, but I haven't been able to find more in a cursory search.

Cheers,
N.F.

Craig Seeman · January 15th, 2019, 05:38 AM

Sony has the instructions online. Now to find a Sony camera with USB streaming port.
https://www.sony.com.my/electronics/...icles/00129676

If you click on the right for Applicable Cameras they're all old Sony DV cameras.

Wouldn't it be cheaper just to use an HDMI to USB3 convertor?
They range in price from just under $100US to about $300.
https://www.amazon.com/MYPIN-Capture...2ZJ//din02c-20
At $75 the only cameras you'd find in that price range are webcams themselves. If you already have the camera using a device like this makes sense.

Donald McPherson · January 15th, 2019, 01:25 PM

You could use something as a simple Elgato hd60 just connect your HDMI.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elgato-Ga...frcectupt=true

Nick Fotis · January 20th, 2019, 09:57 AM

Hello everybody,

I have already a Hauppauge Rocket, but my colleague has a hard time operating it reliably.

So, I thought that a camcorder masquerading as a Webcam would be easier.

I see that models like the CX-440 offer Live streaming via WiFi, but:
- in a crowded conference hall with lots of people using their phones is a recipe for problems
- the streaming system is Ustream only, and we prefer YouTube

Any ideas?

N.F.

Donald McPherson · January 20th, 2019, 02:05 PM

For YouTube, I tried this only to see if I could. Sony X70 and Samsung Galaxy s7edge.

Nick Fotis · January 20th, 2019, 05:29 PM

Yes, I know that WiFi can be used, but I want to avoid it.
Being in a conference room with hundreds of attendees, many with active WiFi in their phones, means very low bandwidth in the WiFi spectrum available.
Hence my interest in a USB solution.

N.F.

Donald McPherson · January 21st, 2019, 03:56 AM

How do you intend to get it to youtube? Can you get an ethernet connection?
I have also tried my Elgato hd60 into my laptop using Xsplt to name one of many then out through the ethernet.

Nick Fotis · January 21st, 2019, 07:25 AM

Yes, Ethernet to the ADSL modem router is the preferred method.
Using the phone and 4G isn't usually reliable enough in such situations (and transmitting video for hours isn't guaranteed to work reliably)

At worst, avoiding a wireless connection to the camcorder reduces the congestion in the shared WiFi spectrum.

N.F.

Donald McPherson · January 22nd, 2019, 06:37 AM

Then I would go for a similar setup of which I posted above.

Chris Harding · January 23rd, 2019, 06:28 PM

We stream almost every day and use a Teradek encoder to do the job ..HDMI from camera to the encoder hardware unit (camera mounted) and then ethernet cable out to the router. Works every time and the last thing you want is a wifi fail in the middle of an important event!! The Teradek Vidui Pro encoder has access direct to YouTube.

January 12th, 2019, 02:39 PM	#1
Nick Fotis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 85	Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? Hello there, I wonder if Sony (or Canon etc) offer camcorders with the capability of using these as PC Webcams (albeit with zoom and manual controls), suitable for streaming in events without necessitating a hardware capture system or a WiFi router? It seems that in the past Sony offered a USB streaming mode, but I haven't been able to find more in a cursory search. Cheers, N.F.

January 15th, 2019, 05:38 AM	#2
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? Sony has the instructions online. Now to find a Sony camera with USB streaming port. https://www.sony.com.my/electronics/...icles/00129676 If you click on the right for Applicable Cameras they're all old Sony DV cameras. Wouldn't it be cheaper just to use an HDMI to USB3 convertor? They range in price from just under $100US to about $300. https://www.amazon.com/MYPIN-Capture...2ZJ//din02c-20 At $75 the only cameras you'd find in that price range are webcams themselves. If you already have the camera using a device like this makes sense.

January 15th, 2019, 01:25 PM	#3
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? You could use something as a simple Elgato hd60 just connect your HDMI. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elgato-Ga...frcectupt=true __________________ A little knowledge goes a long way but not long enough.

January 20th, 2019, 09:57 AM	#4
Nick Fotis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 85	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? Hello everybody, I have already a Hauppauge Rocket, but my colleague has a hard time operating it reliably. So, I thought that a camcorder masquerading as a Webcam would be easier. I see that models like the CX-440 offer Live streaming via WiFi, but: - in a crowded conference hall with lots of people using their phones is a recipe for problems - the streaming system is Ustream only, and we prefer YouTube Any ideas? N.F.

January 20th, 2019, 02:05 PM	#5
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? For YouTube, I tried this only to see if I could. Sony X70 and Samsung Galaxy s7edge. YouTube (Short URL) __________________ A little knowledge goes a long way but not long enough.

January 20th, 2019, 05:29 PM	#6
Nick Fotis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 85	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? Yes, I know that WiFi can be used, but I want to avoid it. Being in a conference room with hundreds of attendees, many with active WiFi in their phones, means very low bandwidth in the WiFi spectrum available. Hence my interest in a USB solution. N.F.

January 21st, 2019, 03:56 AM	#7
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? How do you intend to get it to youtube? Can you get an ethernet connection? I have also tried my Elgato hd60 into my laptop using Xsplt to name one of many then out through the ethernet. __________________ A little knowledge goes a long way but not long enough.

January 21st, 2019, 07:25 AM	#8
Nick Fotis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 85	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? Yes, Ethernet to the ADSL modem router is the preferred method. Using the phone and 4G isn't usually reliable enough in such situations (and transmitting video for hours isn't guaranteed to work reliably) At worst, avoiding a wireless connection to the camcorder reduces the congestion in the shared WiFi spectrum. N.F.

January 22nd, 2019, 06:37 AM	#9
Donald McPherson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Posts: 815	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? Then I would go for a similar setup of which I posted above. __________________ A little knowledge goes a long way but not long enough.

January 23rd, 2019, 06:28 PM	#10
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Camcorder acting as USB Webcam for streaming? We stream almost every day and use a Teradek encoder to do the job ..HDMI from camera to the encoder hardware unit (camera mounted) and then ethernet cable out to the router. Works every time and the last thing you want is a wifi fail in the middle of an important event!! The Teradek Vidui Pro encoder has access direct to YouTube.