DVX as webcam???

G

groveChuck

U-matic Member
Hi all,
My client (who I shoot corporate videos for) wants to conduct a high quality web conference.
They have traditionally used a Webcam plugged into a PC laptop, and connected to Windows Live Meeting.
Instead of a low res webcam, I want to use my DVX100b.

I'm probably using an HP Pavillion dv6500.
It has:
S-video out (for a monitor)
Firewire
USB
Ethernet
ExpressCard slot and card reader

The webcam would normally connect with USB.

The DVX has, of course, firewire, S-video and composite out.
I connected a firewire, and "Import live video" opened on the HP for live capture from the camera to the hard drive.
I'm wondering if there is any way to get the firewire to connect to Live Meeting?
And it has to be Live Meeting.
I don't have Live Meeting, so I can't try it yet.

I go to the client Monday for a test, would like to have some options.
At this point, I'm wondering if my best option would be to rent a friend's HVX200, and connect via USB.

Any ideas for the DVX though?

Thanks!!!
 
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I believe that HVX's USB port is for file transfers only. It does not output live video. My bet would be on firewire, or some sort of an external input device hooked up to the HP (TV card thingy).
 
I have used my DVX as a webcam, but with Mac. The test you have scheduled should show if the computer/software recognize the camera within a video conferencing context... which it should. But test it first, so that you know what to expect. It depends on the software, and since I'm not really that adept at Windows, I can't tell you how to set it up.

In theory, it should work.
 
Thanks guys.
I ordered an S-video to USB cable adapter at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O5RIWO

It seems to be used mostly for transferring VHS to hard drives for making DVDs.
Not sure if it works for video conferencing.

Voy, thanks for the (bad) HVX news.
C2V, how did you connect to the Mac?
And how did it look?

Thanks again!
 
On the mac, I use a little program called CamTwist. It will automatically recognize the firewire and then it will go over java to any web streaming software or site. The software is free and you can add in text, effects or the telestrator.
 
Well if you're not on firewire then you should be fine with whatever the program has. But if you need to end up on firewire, I have heard Vista has had issues recognizing the DVX. Will the computer be running XP?
 
Andy- Vista Business 32. It's my wife's PC, so I'm not real familiar with it.
Like I said, I plugged in via firewire, and whatever the default capture app is opened.
Question is, if I can connect to Live Meeting by firewire or USB...
C2V- thanks
My test is rescheduled for Tuesday, i'll have the S-video to USB adapter cable Monday, hopefully between it and firewire I can connect.
Thanks again guys.
 
groveChuck said:
C2V- thanks
My test is rescheduled for Tuesday, i'll have the S-video to USB adapter cable Monday, hopefully between it and firewire I can connect.
Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...

Just remember that, if you do somehow get the S-Video>USB to work, you lose audio connectivity.
 
C2V- If I "somehow get the cable to work"... thanks for your optimism! ;^)
I was going to try audio out of either the RCA jack or headphone jack. Any suggestions there?

Voy, thanks, looks intriguing!
 
groveChuck said:
...

Any ideas for the DVX though?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

I have used my DVX100 as a webcam on with Windows XP with Firewire for a number of applications such as Skype with good success. You can also switch it to play mode and play a tape that will be seen by the end user too.
 
Hi Paul, I had mixed success...
A successful test, with firewire for video only, audio out of the DVX headphone jack into the mic in on the computer.

Then at the actual shoot, 3 mics into a mixer into the DVX.
Audio out of the headphone jack.
A fairly clear image, but pretty stroby- especially because they wanted me to pan from one side of the room to the other taking questions. I said we shouldn't they said do it anyway.
Then the connection was lost, reconnected, then video was lost 4 or 5 times while audio continued.
They tried to blame the camera or computer, but their IT guys admitted they have a notoriously unreliable connection.

They're debating doing it again next financial quarter.

mvetanen and Grippage, thanks for the info.
Chuck
 
Hey yeah I use my DVX as a webcam all the time. Plug it in through firewire...and thats pretty much it! Most programs that allow webcam chatting should recognize it as a camera.
 
Thanks Benjamin, what program do you use, and how jittery do find camera (or subject) movement, or do you keep the camera locked down?

Wish I could nail down that the problem we had was due to their connection.
 
i have heard that in windows firewire cameras do not appear as selectable cameras sometimes in other programs such as for webcams. Theres a program called ManyCam (freeware) that has a windows driver that sends out to the other programs, basically like camtwist on the mac. It doesnt have as many features as Camtwist, and it seems to be a bit cartoony, but all the effects can be turned off and you can use it just as a driver. Select manycam to use the dvx100, then open up your conferencing software and select manycam as your cam.
 
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