Streaming Video

[Mikey Gribble]

I am trying to get everything set up to stream video this year while I'm out chasing. I have my aircard already so all I need pretty much is a camera. Do most people just use a regular web cam or do any of you guys use a regular video camera like a little Sony handicam to steam video with? I remember hearing last year that you could stream from a regular video camera just as easily as you could from a web cam. Is that true? If not what kind of web cam do you recommend?

 

[John Wetter]

You're correct. I used a close-out model Sony HandiCam for my dash cam. I figured it would do a good job, and also I could record if I wanted to, which was nice. It also is a decent backup camera should something unfortunate happen to my main camera. The color saturation isn't nearly as good as my main camera, but it gets the job done. I had it hooked up via firewire to my laptop for streaming.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

I was testing out my HV-20 camcorder last week and was able to stream with it over Ustream.com. The only problem I had with using the HD HV-20 is that you have to set it to Standard definition mode. Once I ever get my older camcorder back from Best Buy I am going to use it to as my streaming camera this year. While you stream with a camcorder like that, you can still record video to its tape or hard drive as well. The quality and all the functions of a regular camcorder make it an easy first choice over a webcam in my opinion.

You shouldn't have any problems as long as your computer will recognize your camera. I was even using 64-bit Vista to test my stream the other day. You will probably need a 4pin to 4pin firewire, but it will depend on your camera. B&H has a pretty good price on them.

 

[Scott Roberts]

I am trying to get everything set up to stream video this year while I'm out chasing. I have my aircard already so all I need pretty much is a camera. Do most people just use a regular web cam or do any of you guys use a regular video camera like a little Sony handicam to steam video with? I remember hearing last year that you could stream from a regular video camera just as easily as you could from a web cam. Is that true? If not what kind of web cam do you recommend?

I use the FireWire out on the video cam to feed the web stream. That way I can run tape, too. The consumer-grade web cams give out in low light way before the cams we use.

 

[Steve Miller]

I use a couple year old JVC with a firewire output and produce great streaming video with it. Anything though with a composite out or firewire will work. Composite out (line out) will require a USB "dongle" or a Dazzle-type device to digitize the composite signal.
Unless a camcorder has a webcam option, don't plan on using it as a streaming camera through direct USB. Most hard drive cameras have a direct USB but that's only good for transferring files from recorded material.
If I were you, depending on the amount you want to spend, I would hit up a pawn shop for an older JVC or Sony product.

As for a webcam, make sure to buy a good one, but not too good. If you start to get into more expensive webcams with special features, like zoom, you will likely have a less than stellar streaming experience. A medium-grade $50 webcam works fairly well but you should not expect any depth of color and adjusting overall contrast can be difficult. I would personally stick with the video camera option for the simple reason that you can record in great quality at the same time you stream.
Hope this helps.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Unless a camcorder has a webcam option, don't plan on using it as a streaming camera through direct USB. Most hard drive cameras have a direct USB but that's only good for transferring files from recorded material.

Not to hijack this thread, but do you or anyone else know if you can access the file system of a hard drive camcorder while its recording? I assume you are put into this "USB Mode" when you attach the cable and the rest of the camera is not usable.

 

[Steve Miller]

In theory you should be able to but I've researched all the major brands and can't find any of them that allow tx of files while recording new files. The technology should be there but perhaps the demand is lacking. Not sure.

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

I picked up a Logitech Pro9000 this year for streaming and have been amazed at it's quality.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/webcams/devices/3056&cl=US,EN

It uses the same Carl Zeiss lens that Sony Handicam products use. The mount system (swiveling head for the camera and flexible joints for mounting) it uses gives a ton of flexibility for easy adjustment of the viewing angle while streaming and allows an easy mount onto my dash.

It also features "RightLight" technology which adjusts for more accurate colors and image clarity during low light situations.

I found it on Amazon for about 60 bucks. I already have a windshield mount for my HV30 so I didn't want a second big camcorder on the dash so this little guy was the perfect solution.

 

[Adam Lucio]

So Im guessing I cant plug in my old sony 8mm camera and just use that? The arm that ejects the tape drive is broken so I cant put a tape in their to record...thought it would be a good streaming camera if it were possible.

I may jump on the streaming bandwagon this season too, but haven't looked too much at whats involved yet, since Im in the process of getting a whole new laptop first...this thread gave me a few heads up though.

 

[Steve Miller]

That 8mm has a "line out" plug so if you have the wires still, I see no reason why it wouldn't stream just fine for you.
You guys feel free to stop by ChaserTV in a few days and we'll fix you up.

 

[Jason Loving]

I recently boughht a VUPOINT handicam with 4 mega pixels that was on sale at walmart and it works great. I think I paid around 70 bucks for it.

 

[Mikey Gribble]

Thanks a lot for all the replies. I think I'll use a small Sony handicam. I have an old one I keep as a backup while chasing, but it's about the size of a loaf of bread so I guess I'll just invest in a new one. I can mount that on the dash and also have the option of taking it off and shooting out the window if I needed to, which should work great for what I'm doing. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Mikey Gribble]

Here is the camera I want to get for streaming video. I was looking at it at best buy the other day though and the guy kept telling me it wouldn't work. I don't think he knew what in the hell he was talking about because he also said something about streaming through the usb port when I know you need to go through fire wire. Does anybody know if this camera would work alright or do I need to get a sony handicam.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8732605&type=product&id=1201307507741

 

[Lou Ruh]

... he also said something about streaming through the usb port when I know you need to go through fire wire.

I am not familiar with this specific camera. However, you can certainly stream video using a camera's USB connection IF (and I stress IF) the camera supports that ... it needs to send the live picture over the USB port (many only send recorded video or download/upload files over the port). From the specs showing on the ad (and the manual at http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/SDRS7-MUL.PDF), it looks like this camera does not output the live picture over the USB interface. I don't see anything in the specs for that camera that say it has a firewire port so I doubt that is an option (and even if it did, not all cameras send the live picture over the firewire port either). It does seem to say it has an A/V port (probably a composite video and mono audio jack of some sort), but, again, the manual does not mention anything about live picture over that connection either. Unless there's an undocumented feature, this camera doesn't look like it would be good for live streaming video.

 

[Scott Roberts]

something about streaming through the usb port when I know you need to go through fire wire.http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8732605&type=product&id=1201307507741

On my Panasonic PV-GS19, USB streaming is an option, but it locks the camera into webcam mode -- 640x480 resolution and no ability to run tape.

On the PV-GS320 that's the primary camera now, it will stream via firewire and run to tape at the same time. Never had cause to try USB streaming.