Question / Help Will OBS work with my laptop and a Canon Cam?

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travistee

Member
I'm on a HP Laptop. I have a Canon R700 video cam attached using a USB cable that is made for this cam. I select video capture device. Under "devices" I only see the laptop cam. I don't see the Canon Cam as a choice. I have this HP laptop HP Pavilion Laptop 15-cc1xx. What do I have to check to see if it is compatible ? Current log file: https://obsproject.com/logs/daEVuZimip6mr89X What about this youtube video that seems to say that it does work with a DSLR or Cam https://youtu.be/-oyKH_0-HEc This video seems to show that it can work with Sparkocam. This is my graphics: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
 
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koala

koala

Active Member
Most camcorders are not designed to work as video capture device. They are designed to record video to their local storage, and the usb cable is for copying video files from the camera to a PC.
The only video output for these kind of cameras is the hdmi output of the camera. Usually to playback recorded video, and some cameras mirror the camera monitor to hdmi, so you see the live video.To capture the hdmi output, you need an extra hdmi capture device.

A quick glance into the manual of that camcorder gives no indication that this camcorder is able to output live video to its hdmi output. It seems to be used for playback recordings only, so it doesn't seem to be usable as live camera with OBS.
 
T

travistee

Member
koala said:
Most camcorders are not designed to work as video capture device. They are designed to record video to their local storage, and the usb cable is for copying video files from the camera to a PC.
The only video output for these kind of cameras is the hdmi output of the camera. Usually to playback recorded video, and some cameras mirror the camera monitor to hdmi, so you see the live video.To capture the hdmi output, you need an extra hdmi capture device.

A quick glance into the manual of that camcorder gives no indication that this camcorder is able to output live video to its hdmi output. It seems to be used for playback recordings only, so it doesn't seem to be usable as live camera with OBS.
Click to expand...

Do you think the graphics, Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620 in my laptop will work with OBS?
 
T

travistee

Member
koala said:
Most camcorders are not designed to work as video capture device. They are designed to record video to their local storage, and the usb cable is for copying video files from the camera to a PC.
The only video output for these kind of cameras is the hdmi output of the camera. Usually to playback recorded video, and some cameras mirror the camera monitor to hdmi, so you see the live video.To capture the hdmi output, you need an extra hdmi capture device.

A quick glance into the manual of that camcorder gives no indication that this camcorder is able to output live video to its hdmi output. It seems to be used for playback recordings only, so it doesn't seem to be usable as live camera with OBS.
Click to expand...

Sparkocam did not recognize my canon video camera R700. It only recognizes DSLR cameras.
I did use the USB to USB connection.
It did however recognize my old Canon Rebel XTI.
OBS recognized the the sparkocam (Rebel XTI) as a valid input source.

I used the OBS auto configuration . It chose a low bitrate , 575 . Is that because I'm on a WIFI?
Can I select a higher bitrate if I don't use the auto config?
 
Narcogen

Narcogen

Active Member
Probably not. Wireless is not recommended for streaming. If it chose that bitrate, it did so either because of how you answered the questions about your intended use, or because of the result it received when testing the speed of your network connection. If you look at your logfiles you can see the results of those tests.
 
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travistee

Member
I talked to Canon about this. The DSLR solution may work, but they have a fan to keep the sensor cool. When it gets too hot it will shut down.
It's not intended for extended time uses.
So it looks like an actual webcam, or to keep it simple I may use the laptop built in camera, Looking at Logitech.
As for WIFI, looks like I need a long cable to get to the router.
 
T

travistee

Member
Harold said:
Maximum cable length between switches/computers on network cable is 100m (328ft)
Click to expand...
328 feet is a long way. I'm going to try it again using the HD camera in my laptop. Let you know what happens. Maybe the USB cable slows it down. Using a DSLR is a bad idea. Of course I can't use a discreet card in a laptop.
 
T

travistee

Member
This is what Canon told me about the R700.

"
The HDMI terminal is active, whether you're recording, replaying videos or when the camcorder is powered on and idle (not recording). When using the HDMI terminal, since it replaces the camcorder's display, the display will go dark.

As for powering down, just turn off the "Auto Power Off" menu option off. To do this, touch the Home icon, then choose the "Other Settings" (Screwdriver & Hammer icon) tab, then choose "Settings" (Wrench icon). Next, choose "Auto Power Off" and set to "Off".
"

This looks like the best way to go since this camera has much more control than the webcams like Logitech.

Any recomendations for a HDMI to USB converter?
 
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