Question / Help Capturing Powerpoint from Second Computer

[John Ramstad]

I am using OBS on a PC to stream a church service. The church uses PowerPoint on a Mac Mini to project text and images on a large screen in the sanctuary using an HDMI connection separate from the Mini's main screen. I want to capture the HDMI output from the Mac Mini on the PC so I can use it as a video source for the streaming. Any advice?

 

[Boildown]

Use a video capture card in the PC, and probably an HDMI splitter so that both the projector and the PC can get the output from the Mini.

On Windows if you have two video outputs, you can send the same stuff to both of them at once using Duplicate Screen, but I don't know if the Mini has two video outputs and I don't know if its OS can do that. So that's why I'm recommending an HDMI splitter.

 

[John Ramstad]

Thank you Boildown. Is it possible to use an USB device to capture the split HDMI signal versus adding a capture card? Is there an advantage to either option? I am a bit hesitate to be adding cards to this PC because it is not mine, but the organization I am helping.

John

 

[Boildown]

You can use USB, especially if its USB 3.0 (make sure the computer supports it, and the device) instead of 2.0, but generally USB capture devices have inferior results and are more problematic at 1080 resolution. If your camera is at 720 or less, USB capture devices should be fine.