Question / Help Multi-cam Skype piano lessons. Is OBS the right tool?

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Starman

New Member
Hi. I'm a newbie at all this, don't know correct terminology etc., so please be gentle with me!

I plan to give piano lessons using skype. I will want my students to see 3 different (live) cam images simultaneously in their skype screen, these being of my face plus two different views of my piano keyboard.

So... I'll need to connect three cams to my PC (Windows 7) and then, using appropriate software, position and size the image from each of these cams to create a suitable live skype view for the student.

So my initial question is: Is OBS is the right product to achieve this?
 
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Starman

New Member
Thanks for reply.

I understand 'no'! But don't understand why OBS would need to simulate a cam. Would be interested in an explanation suitable for a novice such as I! :) Want to learn all I can that might have some relevance....

And... if OBS is not the right tool, any ideas of what might fit the bill? I keep reading about 'Manycam', but also read reports that it has elements of scam about it...
 
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Starman

New Member
My intention is to use three webcams! Two of these will show different views of my piano keyboard (so students can see different hand positions etc.) and the third will show my face.

So I'm wanting to find out here if OBS will allow me to adjust the size and position of the 3 live images from these webcams - so as to produce a suitable view for the student on the other end of the skype call.

Sorry, maybe I should have typed webcams (rather than 'cams') in my original post - that's what I meant!
 
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Banyarola

Banyarola

Active Member
In the SOURCE list in OBS just select the + on the bottom of the source list and select VIDEO CAPTURE device and add your cams that way..
 
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Starman

New Member
Thank you, Banyarola. :)

It's looking like I could well end up with a couple of logitech webcams + a Sony HDR CX240 camcorder. I'd like to check that OBS will do what I want to do with such a combi of cams? Could someone kindly confirm?

Specifically, can I use the Sony camcorder with OBS as one of my inputs for use in skype calls, as mentioned?
 
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Banyarola

Banyarola

Active Member
Well Starman..I can't speak for using a camcorder with OBS but I use 3 cams..2 C-920's and one Microsoft Lifecam studio cam.
It's all about the bandwidth for each cam.

I use a 4 Port PCI Express Card with 4 DEDICATED 5Gbps Channels. StarTech Model # PEXUSB3S44V
The purpose of the 4 DEDICATED Channels is that they do not share bandwidth with any other things plugged into the card.

Of course other factors like how powerful your PC is etc..will make a difference..

Also, keep in mind, the Logitech software will only control ONE webcam and not 2 at the same time. You will be able to use and see the two C-920's but only be able to control one of them. That's why I use the Microsoft cam with my C-920 because they have different drivers and software.

You just have to experiment and find what works for you.
 
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Caerdwyn

New Member
With multiple Logitchech C920 or C615, I've found that with OBS Studio you need to ensure the cameras are each plugged into a different USB controller. You won't want to use a hub, and (assuming Windows and a desktop PC) you'll get best results plugging one into a USB2 port and one into a USB3 port, or one into a front panel USB port and the other into a back panel USB port; that will ensure each camera has its own USB controller channel.

I am able to control one C920's zoom, focus, etc., without changing the other's; I tend to do so only on one particular camera, so I don't know if I can control the other too (I am at work at the moment).

Note that USB2 is fast enough for the C920, as the MPEG compression of the video from the camera is done on the camera itself rather than in software on the PC.

I run two C920 and two C615 at the same time in my streams, and after moving from OBS Classic to OBS Studio I ran into all kinds of problems (green blocks instead of video, and "blue screen" crashes). It wasn't until I did the one-camera-per-controller trick that I was able to get all four cameras back on-screen at the same time.

Best of luck!
 
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Starman

New Member
Thanks so much, Caerdwyn. After many delays, I'm now about to get going with all this, so your help is most timely!
 
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