Question / Help Recommended Camcorder or SLR for YouTube live streams

R

rengel79

Member
Hi guys
I'm looking at buying this camcorder for OBS and use with broadcasting live streams on You Tube - https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/...support-high-definition-camcorders/vixia-hf10

It's very well priced, around $300 second hand. Any other ideas or suggestions that would provide the same level of SLR quality video feeds that OBS supports?

Also is there an alternative to a Camlink USB/HDMI adapter? They are all sold nation wide, trying to find another device that does the same thing here in Australia.

Thanks
 
I would strongly advise AGAINST the Canon Vixia line. I bought one to try to upgrade, and it had lower video quality than my c920 webcam. They're absolute garbage. I was fortunate enough to be able to return mine. Here's a side-by-side example; ignore the weird colors on the right, I'd unplugged my c920 and didn't re-do the white balance. c920 on the right. https://imgur.com/8fmwm4c

The go-to default DSLR for people just making the jump is the Sony a5100. It provides excellent video quality, clean HDMI out, an APS-C sensor, and is very reasonably priced even bundled with a lens, normally going for around $400 USD. You aren't really going to get DSLR quality for cheaper than that. It's also the one I use myself, and has a few foibles, but all are able to be worked around.
You can also generally snag them on eBay for even cheaper... I've seen local ones going for $150-200 USD including the 16-50mm kit lens, which is frankly a steal.

Same with capture cards; the Camlink really is one of the least expensive out there. Avermedia can be a decent one to look into, but it's generally going to be more expensive for something with the same capabilities.
 
Last edited:
Thanks @FerretBomb, firstly I apologise for the duplicate 'request' on the SLR/Camcorder thread :(
There are a couple of Sony 5100 out there on FB marketplace, really well priced, so I'll probably end up grabbing one of those.
Avermedia, haven't looked into that one will do so now... trying to find something that is available.. and in the country!
Any other suggestions? I don't mind spending a little more as long as it's available :)

Are the Sony A6000 any good? there's also a few of these on FB market place.
 
Or this one potentially as well? More of a gamer focused device, but seems like you can connect an SLR (like a Sony 5100 or 6000) to this device and USB 3.0 into my PC, then OBS -> You Tube?

www.avermedia.com

Live Gamer ULTRA - GC553 | AVerMedia

Enjoy ULTRA 4K HDR gameplay at 60 FPS with its lag-less pass-through and record 4Kp30 video with virtually zero latency!
www.avermedia.com www.avermedia.com
 
The best affordable, Canon SL2 or SL3. They are affordable, and have clean HDMI that you will need to input into your capture device. They are DSLR,, and they can use Canon common lenses, which is fine ! Compare before you buy !
 
rengel79 said:
There are a couple of Sony 5100 out there on FB marketplace, really well priced, so I'll probably end up grabbing one of those.
Avermedia, haven't looked into that one will do so now... trying to find something that is available.. and in the country!
Any other suggestions? I don't mind spending a little more as long as it's available :)

Are the Sony A6000 any good? there's also a few of these on FB market place.
Click to expand...
As far as capture cards go, whether it's gamer or camera oriented doesn't generally matter. They all do the same thing, take an incoming video source and convert it to something your computer can ingest.
I'm not familiar with either of the examples you linked, but one thing to look out for is that you want a USB 3.0 device, not a 2.0 device. USB 2.0 does not have the bandwidth needed to transfer 1080p60 video, so has to compress it on-device before transfer, leading to much longer capture delay (some older units were notorious for a full 2 second capture delay!). Internal would be best, but as long as the external is USB 3.0 or better, it should be fine.
The non-Camlink units may be a bit more expensive, but they also generally support a wider range of resolutions, framerates, colorspaces, etc.; I've had to help a number of people with a CL who had a camera that output video at a nonstandard resolution, that the CL didn't support.

The a6000 is an older camera body, and is missing some of the upgrades that the a5100 contains on autofocus speed and the sensor. It will work, if you get a better deal on it. The big draw for photographers on the a6000 is the EVF (electronic viewfinder) which is great for shooting outdoors... but you won't be using in a static facecam application. The a5100 has a flip-up back display that gives you an instant monitor of your framing, which is MUCH more useful on a streaming facecam.

Dihelson said:
The best affordable, Canon SL2 or SL3. They are affordable, and have clean HDMI that you will need to input into your capture device. They are DSLR,, and they can use Canon common lenses, which is fine ! Compare before you buy !
Click to expand...
The Canon SL2/SL3 are about 150% the cost of an a5100, and have several drawbacks. If you have already invested in Canon glass they're definitely an appealing option; for someone just jumping in and without an existing glass collection, not one I would recommend.
 
FerretBomb said:
As far as capture cards go, whether it's gamer or camera oriented doesn't generally matter. They all do the same thing, take an incoming video source and convert it to something your computer can ingest.
I'm not familiar with either of the examples you linked, but one thing to look out for is that you want a USB 3.0 device, not a 2.0 device. USB 2.0 does not have the bandwidth needed to transfer 1080p60 video, so has to compress it on-device before transfer, leading to much longer capture delay (some older units were notorious for a full 2 second capture delay!). Internal would be best, but as long as the external is USB 3.0 or better, it should be fine.
The non-Camlink units may be a bit more expensive, but they also generally support a wider range of resolutions, framerates, colorspaces, etc.; I've had to help a number of people with a CL who had a camera that output video at a nonstandard resolution, that the CL didn't support.

The a6000 is an older camera body, and is missing some of the upgrades that the a5100 contains on autofocus speed and the sensor. It will work, if you get a better deal on it. The big draw for photographers on the a6000 is the EVF (electronic viewfinder) which is great for shooting outdoors... but you won't be using in a static facecam application. The a5100 has a flip-up back display that gives you an instant monitor of your framing, which is MUCH more useful on a streaming facecam.


The Canon SL2/SL3 are about 150% the cost of an a5100, and have several drawbacks. If you have already invested in Canon glass they're definitely an appealing option; for someone just jumping in and without an existing glass collection, not one I would recommend.
Click to expand...

I always was a Canon guy, so I have tons of Canon glasses and a whole set of Canon cameras, which makes easy to exchange lenses between them for some projects. I never used Sony.
 
Excellent - there are a few Sony a5100 avail on Facebook marketplace for $550 AUD. That would be the ticket! I’ll grab one of those.
 
Dihelson said:
I always was a Canon guy, so I have tons of Canon glasses and a whole set of Canon cameras, which makes easy to exchange lenses between them for some projects. I never used Sony.
Click to expand...
Ahhh, yeah, that would be a huge advantage in your case then, and a great reason to go with an SL2/SL3 instead, despite the higher price.
 
FerretBomb said:
I'm not familiar with either of the examples you linked, but one thing to look out for is that you want a USB 3.0 device, not a 2.0 device. USB 2.0 does not have the bandwidth needed to transfer 1080p60 video, so has to compress it on-device before transfer, leading to much longer capture delay (some older units were notorious for a full 2 second capture delay!). Internal would be best, but as long as the external is USB 3.0 or better, it should be fine.
Click to expand...
This one is avail and in stock.. although they’ve said it’s HDMI IN and USB C 3.1 out so could I not just simply use a USB C 3.1 to USB 3.0 cable into my PC?

link is here ..https://cplonline.com.au/avermedia-gc553-live-gamer-ultra-4k-usb-capture-device.html
 
FerretBomb said:
Ahhh, yeah, that would be a huge advantage in your case then, and a great reason to go with an SL2/SL3 instead, despite the higher price.
Click to expand...
Well there is an SL2 avail on FB marketplace for $450AUD! What sort of lens is ideal for broadcasting 1 speaker or presenter?
 
rengel79 said:
Hey @FerretBomb sorry for the constant links to these capture devices... last one I promise!
Would this work?

AVerMedia GC553 Live Gamer Ultra 4K USB Capture Device [GC553] - CPLOnline

Buy AVerMedia GC553 Live Gamer Ultra 4K USB Capture Device from CPL- computer store specialize in PC, gaming PC & gaming laptop, computer parts, fast delivery
cplonline.com.au cplonline.com.au
Click to expand...
Yes, that would work too.
rengel79 said:
Well there is an SL2 avail on FB marketplace for $450AUD! What sort of lens is ideal for broadcasting 1 speaker or presenter?
Click to expand...
That's out of my wheelhouse, on the Canon side. That depends on distance from the camera though, normally I run at 16mm as my cam is within three feet. Again, the SL2/SL3 are only really worth it if you already have a collection of Canon-specific glass. Otherwise, the a5100 with the 16-50mm kit lens is a better call. Glass is expensive AF.
 
rengel79 said:
.. and what about if I wanted to connect two cameras to the broadcast? Would this capture device still work and could I use a HDMI Hub or splitter to connect he cameras?
Click to expand...
No. You will need one capture card for each camera/HDMI source. HDMI doesn't work that way.
 
Does the Sony a5000 also work? Can't seem to find any external power supplies in the country for the a5100.... plenty of a6000's too.. any other ideas on Sony models @FerretBomb ?
 
hmm... biggest issue I am having right now is finding a camera that has an available AC Adapter readily available, as the SL2 is over $200 JSUT for the AC adapter and dummy battery and nothing available country wide for the Sony 5100. Any other ideas? Need something for the my broadcasting by the weekend :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top