"New" camera every time I reconnect my CamLink 4K. Why?

[Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre]

MacBook Pro, OS 10.15.7. Running a Sony ZV-1 through an Atomos Ninja V recorder, to an ElGato CamLink 4:

Not really an OBS issue per se, but:
Almost every time I reconnect my CamLink 4k the OS seems to see it as a "new" camera: "CamLink (4)", or "CamLink (5)", etc., rather than seeing it as the same device I've used before.

So, in my OBS scene, I have to replace the "absent" Camlink 4 source with the "new" Camlink 5. Not the end of the world, but disconcerting.

Another odd thing: I find the CamLink often isn't seen until I select it in Facetime. So, if, for example, I launch Quicktime and select the CamLink, I get a black screen, but if I go to Facetime, select the Camlink, and return to Quicktime, the CamLink functions.

Any idea how to fix these issues?

 

[twindux]

Ya, I get that too. Same with my Elgato HD60 S+

I never have to choose Facetime. I just choose a "new" Camlink or HD60S+ (appended with a new #) and all is well.

Happens every week, so probably 100+ times that I've livestreamed or tested since we've began livestreaming in March.

And the camera/elgatos have never failed, so I don't know what to tell you but it always seems to work fine.

 

[Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre]

Well, at least I'm not alone :-)

Thanks.

 

[twindux]

Ya, it's frustrating. I'm trying to get assistance once in awhile, but people always have to call me and say, "Where's the camera"...and I have to walk them through re-acquiring the signal.