Hd camcorder as a webcam

[Marc Remillard]

Hey guys,

I've seen a lot of chasers using their camcorders to film AND to stream at the same time. What's your setup and how do you set it up?

Thanks

 

[Mike Peregrine]

If you're streaming, it needs to be in SD mode (if you're using an HD cam that is). Can't stream that HD stuff at such low rates and fps. I use a smaller Sony for streaming (better in low light too), and keep my good camera separate. I've been trying to figure out how to take recorded video from the stream cam (since it's on the dash while I'm moving) and capture/render it spliced in with HD video (not sure it can be done). Streaming is a pain anyway. I'm half tempted not to even do it (plus it's easier to get in trouble in here ... lol).

 

[Rejean Boudreau]

Hello Mike, the idea is to know if the new camcorders can be the source for streaming and how to achieve it (hardware wise). Everything that goes on the net is mashed by the encoder and reduced to the proper size - basically it will be a HD aspect ratio from the encoder after he had cropped the images - not a real HD image. Still, a camcorder image as a better image quality (sharpness, focus, etc.) then any webcam on the market.

Actually the question is more an hardware issue where about all the new camcorders on the market are now using the USB connection to only transfer video file (no more video feed/images on USB). The video is either on HDMI or S-Video or A/V out (RCA). We're curious to know how some are using there HD camcorder to stream. Older HD cam had a firewire connection where the images could be sent to the laptop - not anymore. Firewire is gone from all the new cam's hardware configuration.

Unless they have a HDMI port on there Laptop, there as to be another hardware component in the midle to transfer the images feed from the cam to the laptop, to get encoded and then stream to the server.

Or they're only using old camcorders lol.


ADDED: I'm also using a mini Sony to stream - and it does the job. But if i add another camcorder (higher end), the front seat starts to get really crowded - so streaming with that higher end camcorder would be practical.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Hmmm ... if you had a DVI port, you might be able to get an HDMI to DVI cord. I've been looking around to see if there is such a thing as an HDMI expansion card for a laptop, but not having any success so far.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

OK...Let's say one can make it work.
I'm sure it can be done.

The real problem as I see it - would be the amount data one would eat up on their air card - as an example. Greater resolution will demand more date throughput.
Yes/no?

That being said...
Since I now use the Verizon air-card for $59.95/mo for 5 gb data usage; the real question would be: how much is this camera going to munch up my allotted data use before I get charged for more data? Just what are people being charged presently for non-HD format streaming. Is it practical - and what is the cost?

Maybe money is no object for some. But then again, is it practical to stream in this HD format? I appreciate the question posed in this thread and wonder how this all works out as well. Especially with the available data plans offered.

???

 

[Mark Blue]

Streaming is a pain anyway. I'm half tempted not to even do it (plus it's easier to get in trouble in here ... lol).

It's funny that you mentioned that Mike. I was 95% ready to pull the trigger and sign up for streaming at Chasercon in February, then after hearing Chris Novy's presentation and his making light of the fact that everyone can see what you're doing and they WILL have something to say about it, I decided to hold off for the time being. I'll be the first to admit that both my wife and I are spirited drivers, so the last thing I want is someone ripping on me here in the forum over running a stop sign or something similar. Maybe someday I'll change my mind, but for now we're chasing incognito style.

 

[Marc Remillard]

Turn the cam to your car's side when you are approaching a stop sign.

Just kidding

Thanks mike, we'll check this out

 

[Rejean Boudreau]

Rob, the idea is not to broadcast full HD - you would need at least three multiplexed 3G HSPA+ connections to get the first frame on the stream. Maybe some day after winning the super lottery jackpot, i will - or rent the Channel 9 chopper to chase around.

As i said above, the idea is to have only one cam installed in front - the encoder is doing the job for setting up the format of the streamed video. but in no way that is a true HD image.

Looking for a solution now that firewire is not part of the new camcorder generation.

 

[Jean-Marc Rioux]

Most of the time, laptop DVI \ HDMI connection ports are used to OUTPUT video. I think the best would be to use an external USB TV Tuner.

 

[Rejean Boudreau]

Thanks all. From J-M R's remarks, i searched the net and found some solutions depending on the camcorder's output (instead of looking for built in solutions).

SVideo : less quality but easy and cheap to setup. When i say less quality, that is vs full hd of course. If i compare that to a webcam feed, Svideo is by far better then the webcam. For less than $40 you can find cable/adapter that will take the svideo signal to the USB 2.0 connection. Cannot accept more than 720p input signal. But it works.

Component (red, blue green connectors) : solutions for such connection can go up to 1080p depending on the converter. Cost more, but great quality. Price starts at about $200 (up to $800) to get a box that will take the component signal and convert it to a USB connection. Quality is near perfect.

HDMI : well, be prepare for very big $$$ if you don't have a HDMI port on your laptop. Boxes to convert hdmi signal are from $400 to more than $1k. Still, you can find PCI card for desktop capturing video on hdmi port for less than $300 - go figure..

You might be able to find a better deal, let us know if it's the case.

Thanks all.