How do I connect my camcorder to my computer to stream?

You can connect a digital camcorder with an HDMI, or high-definition media interface, jack directly to a desktop or laptop PC with a matching jack for streaming video and audio. Most high-definition camcorders come with drivers and software on a disk that allow you to view and edit your videos. You must install this software to your computer before you can stream HDMI from the camcorder.

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Camcorders & Video Cameras
How do I Connect my Sony Handycam to my computer to stream?
How do I Connect my camcorder to my computer via USB?
How do I Connect my Canon camera to my computer for streaming?

Insert the software disk into your computer's optical drive. Wait for the disk to begin automatic playback.

Follow on-screen prompts to install the drivers and editing software for your camera. These tools enable your computer to communicate with the camcorder.

Restart your computer when installation completes.

Attach the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the camcorder and plug in the other end to a free HDMI port on the PC.

Switch on your camcorder to playback mode. The PC will recognize the connection and launch your software.

Navigate with the buttons on your camcorder to select a video file for streaming to the PC through the HDMI cable connection. Highlight the desired file and press the playback button. The location varies depending on your camcorder model, but the playback button typically appears as a triangle pointed to the right.

References

HDMI Licensing, LLC: Connecting HDMI Devices

Writer Bio

James Clark began his career in 1985. He has written about electronics, appliance repair and outdoor topics for a variety of publications and websites. He has more than four years of experience in appliance and electrical repairs. Clark holds a bachelor's degree in political science.

To connect your cameras to Livestream Studio, you must have a supported capture device (unless you are using a webcam), a video cable that is compatible with your camera (HD-SDI cable, HDMI cable, etc.), and any necessary cables to connect your capture device to your computer.

Webcams

Livestream Studio should recognize any USB webcam once its drivers are installed. Typically webcam drivers will download and install automatically once you connect the camera to a USB port on the computer.

Built-in webcams will also be recognized automatically.

Camcorders & Video Cameras

For other cameras, you will need a Blackmagic Design in order for Livestream Studio to recognize the input. Magewell devices are also compatible.

Studio hardware products (HD31, HD51, HD550, etc.) all have capture devices and drivers pre-installed. These driver installation steps should be executed by customers who are running Studio on their own computer with their own Blackmagic Design devices.

PCIe cards, Thunderbolt products, and USB 3.0 devices are certified to work with Livestream Studio. See our full list of compatible devices.

Please note that USB 2.0 capture devices are not compatible with Livestream Studio.

PCI Express cards are cards installed directly into the motherboard inside the computer.

Connect the capture device to your computer if the device is not already installed. This example shows a USB 3.0 device (Blackmagic Design UltraStudio SDI).

Go to Blackmagic Design's website. To install the devices drivers, click Capture and Playback on the right side.

Below the product menu on the left side is the Latest Downloads menu. Desktop Video is the device driver that you will need. Find the latest, then click the button that corresponds to your operating system (Mac OSX or Windows) to start the download.

If you are on Windows 10 Pro version 1709, we recommend downloading Desktop Video 10.9.5.

You will be prompted to register your device, which is not required. If you wish to skip registration, click Download Only in the bottom left corner.

When the download completes, open the file and follow the simple on-screen steps to install. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.

Now that the drivers are installed, turn on your cameras and connect them to your Blackmagic devices.

To check that your system is receiving a video in through the device, open Blackmagic Media Express before launching Livestream Studio. This program was installed with the Desktop Video driver.

Click on the Log and Capture tab underneath the player.

Select the device you want to check on the Devices menu.

Next, go to Edit and select the Preferences menu.

Under Project Video Format, select the format your camera is outputting, then click OK at the bottom of the window.

If you noticed your video signal come in before selecting Edit > Preferences, simply take note of the currently configured project video format. You will need to know this in order to see your cameras in Livestream Studio.

Your video signal should now appear in the Media Express player, confirming that you have a video signal coming into your system. Be sure to close Media Express before launching Studio.

How do I Connect my Sony Handycam to my computer to stream?

Connect the supplied USB cable to the camcorder and computer. Turn on the camcorder by moving the POWER switch to the CAMERA position. In the camcorder menu, set the USB STREAMING option to ON. On the computer, start the webcam software.

How do I Connect my camcorder to my computer via USB?

Connect the camcorder directly to an USB port that is build into the computer; do not use a port replicator or USB hub. Make sure the USB cable is securely connected to the camcorder and the computer. Turn the computer on and wait until it has booted completely.