GH4 GH4 For Live Webinars USING HDMI Out?

T

trueacting

New member
Hi Forum Members,

I have started to produce live events for my company and so far, I have used an HD Webcam. I will be now using a more advanced streaming platform for the Webinars and I wonder if I can use my GH4, with the HDMI out, to replace the webcam?

My webinars are typically 90 minutes long. My concern is that the camera will shut down if I just use it live without recording. Is this true? Would I be able to simply record with the camera onto a SD card while I am sending the signal out through the HDMI?

What about audio? Will the embedded audio go with the video via the HDMI?

I would appreciate very much if you can give me some specific settings and best practices to accomplish this. Thanks!!

Larry
 
I believe if you use the power adapter accessory the camera will stay on. Hopefully somebody else can confirm this that has used the power adapter.

If that isn't an option then yes hitting record will keep the camera on. If you use the camera in HD mode, which will likely make sense since you will not be streaming 4k and the camera will be a tiny bit wider, then you could use the 50mbps recording mode and easily fit 90 minutes on a cheaper 32GB card. If you don't need the recording just wipe the card for the next event. Not sure how you are archiving the live stream but you may want to just keep what the camera records so you have a higher quality version of the event to archive.

When I did live web streaming we used a production switcher to switch between multiple cameras and recorded a HD master so we didn't need the raw files from the cameras but we did keep them until we could confirm the HD master recorded properly. Always good to have a backup for a live stream in case the client wants any changes to a on demand version. Our clients would sometimes want questionable things a CEO would say edited out so the on demand version would be less controversial. Sure the live viewers would hear it but things are more likely to come back and haunt the company if people can watch it over and over again.
 
Thanks Thomas,

Yes, I'd love to know about the power adapter and if the camera will stay on. I didn't even know there was a power adapter available for the GH4, I have only used my batteries.

I will be using the livestream studio software and it does make a HD recording of my live events, but you are right, does not hurt to have a master from the camera.

Also, I have never used the HDMI output from the GH4. Does it carry the embedded audio?

Thanks!

Larry
 
Thanks Thomas again, Great about the audio!

Ok, I have it all ordered. So with power adapter, can anyone confirm that the camera will remain on without shutting down when in live mode when not recording video?

Thanks!

Larry
 
Just record the video and stop stressing about it :-). We know for certain recording will keep the camera on, and give your another backup to boot. Seems like your concerned about a something that ain't a problem. Is there a reason why you don't want to record to sd card?
 
No reason really, just thought why record if I am all ready getting a really good HD recording in the software for the live broadcast.

Thanks for the push in that direction! I will just record it and not worry about it.
 
Because software can crash. While a crash may affect the live event you can save face with your client a little bit by having a complete on demand version of the event. Again it is always good to have many forms of backup in a live event like this. You only get one shot.
 
Yes! I get it, thanks Thomas. All the urging in this direction has me convinced to record as a back up, great that I can use my GH4 in this way!
 
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