Use a Digital Camera to Video Conference or Live Stream
With daily Zoom conferences, it’s become clear that sometimes regular web cameras are insufficient. It’s not just that webcamera have comparably low-resolution; it’s the super-wide angle lenses make the human face look like a cartoon.
In this short text, I’ll explain how to connect the existing technologies to dramatically improve your video quality. This works with MacOS Catalina, Windows 10 and video conferencing software: Bluejeans, Zooms, Cisco/Webex, Google Hangouts, Youtube, Twitch, Facebook.
Tools:
Computer (laptop or desktop)
OS: Windows, MacOS, or Linux
OBS
Digital video camera with signal out (ideally HDMI, with AC adapter)
HDMI cable
HDMI to UVC (USB Video Standard class) adapter
Tool Caveats & Suggestions:
COMPUTER
Your computer should have at least 4GB of ram but 8GB or more is recommended. This is because you’re going to be running at least two video applications–OBS and your video conferencing platform–at the same time. If you’re running MacOS Catalina or later, the above requirements are already met. With Linux or Windows, please check.
OBS
There may be other broadcasting software, but OBS is free and there’s lots of documentation about how to use it.
DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA
A DSLR or still-photography camera that can shoot video is not idea due to power usage, as many don’t have an AC adapter option. Digital video cameras are intended to run an hour or more. You’re not going to record to the camera, so no storage is required
HDMI CABLE
Not all cables are created equally. You usually get what you pay for in the cable world.
HDMI TO UVC
There are lots of Digital video to USB video converter boxes. They range from $8 on AliExpress, to hundreds of dollars at B&H. These dongles are essentially portable capture cards that once plugged into your motherboard. I personally got the Atomos Connect but I’ve read it’s essentially a cheap AliExpress with the Atomos logo printed on it. Works fine. Streams 4K, which I’ve never needed.
Problem:
The idea is that you have to connect your camera to your computer. But how do you get your video conferencing or livestreaming software to identify your camera?
How To:
Your computer should have at least 4GB of ram but 8GB or more is recommended. This is because you’re going to be running at least two video applications–OBS and your video conferencing platform–at the same time. If you’re running MacOS Catalina or later, the above requirements are already met. With Linux or Windows, please check.
- Turn on your computer. Good start.
OBS, Open Broadcasting Software, is a free application that has quickly become the lingua franca of livestreamer everywhere. Quick caveat: it’s not the most intuitive software, so please be patient with yourself. Consider OBS as a your free introduction to virtual cameras.
2. Turn on your digital camera (I’m assuming you have a lens on the camera) and connect the HDMI cable and connect it to the HDMI to UVC adapter, plug into a USB port on your computer.
3. Install and open OBS.
Just click “ok” on the initial configuration page. If they are asking for a streaming key, just skip it (a streaming key can be added later, and is only necessary for live streaming, not video conferencing).
4. Set up OBS
In the lower left corner of the OBS window ‘Scenes’ click ‘+’ and give it a random name. In the ‘Sources’ window click ‘+’ then select ‘Video Capture Device’ then ‘Create New’ (you can name your camera), ‘ok’ then select the Device from the drop down. Click ‘Start Virtual Camera’
Read this Quick Start for more details if you’re lost.
5. Launch Your Video Conferencing App (Zoom, Bluejeans, Webex, Hangouts, etc.)
In a meeting you should see a little chevron next to the Video icon, allowing you to choose another camera. You can also choose this in the application’s Preferences, you can under ‘Video’ or ‘Camera’ depending on the app.
Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to use a virtual camera (OBS).
6. (OPTIONAL) Live Streaming
If you’re streaming to Twitch or Youtube, log into your account and copy the streaming key from your profile, then paste that into OBS Preferences under ‘Stream’.
