Please get me started!

[jbh]

Hooking up various old camcorders. I hit play on the camera, record on the software, let it go for a few seconds, and get absolutely nothing. The instruction manual that came with the device is so tiny I can't read it.

 

[Blackink]

For starters, find the instruction manual for the camcorder online....

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

There are a number of recent threads on similar subject

Quick summary of considerations
- current computers/video assume Progressive video, while old video camcorders (depending on timeframe) may be using Interlaced video.
- Depending on age of camcorder, assuming older/non-digital, you'll likely a capture adapter (or older Firewire outputting camcorder on new Windows PC) .. beware the cheap capture devices
you didn't specific actual camcorder output format, and physical connection methodology to computer... it matters
- My go-to recommendation is to get your Sources (video in this case) working at Operating System level first... OBS Studio not running/started (not just in background). Use native Operating System apps to view/hear Source content, then once confirmed computer properly receiving such input, then
- Operating System security settings to make sure OBS Studio has access to the Source
- OBS Studio Source settings to match Input

 

[jbh]

Well. All that computer gibberish was certainly helpful. I returned it.