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Using an HD Camcorder as a Mac Webcam (Updated 2018)

9 years ago
mac, presenting, reviews, training
95 Comments
My Home Office Setup - 2014
My Home Office Setup

I do a lot of webcasts and training videos (here’s an example), so I wanted better quality video. Sure, MacBooks come with a built-in webcam, but it’s over the laptop display, and that doesn’t really help much when I’m using a desktop monitor. I’ve tried USB HD webcams like the Mac-friendly Logitech C615, and the results were okay, but not amazing.

After a lot of experimenting, here’s the combination of parts that worked well for me:

Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen2 - USB 3.0 HD Video Capture Dongle Model 32060 (Replaces XI100DUSB HDMI)
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Gen2 - USB 3.0 HD Video Capture Dongle Model 32060 (Replaces XI100DUSB HDMI)
Price: $299.00
Price Disclaimer

The Magewell XI100DUSB converts an HDMI input to USB. It really is just that easy – plug it in, and suddenly your camcorder is usable as a webcam in apps like Skype:

Skype with the Magewell

Same thing with WebEx:

WebEx using the Magewell as a webcam

It just works. You’re done.

For a camera and a cable, here’s what I used:

Canon VIXIA HF R800 Portable Video Camera Camcorder with Audio Input(Microphone), 3.0-Inch Touch Panel LCD, Digic DV 4 Image Processor, 57x Advanced Zoom, and Full HD CMOS Sensor, Black
Canon VIXIA HF R800 Portable Video Camera Camcorder with Audio Input(Microphone), 3.0-Inch Touch Panel LCD, Digic DV 4 Image Processor, 57x Advanced Zoom, and Full HD CMOS Sensor, Black
Price: $350.12
Price Disclaimer
BlueRigger Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable (15 FT, 4K 60Hz, HDR, High Speed, Ethernet) - Compatible with GoPro Hero 7/6/5/4, Raspberry Pi 4, Sony A6000/A6300 Camera, Nikon B500, Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, Yoga 710
BlueRigger Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable (15 FT, 4K 60Hz, HDR, High Speed, Ethernet) - Compatible with GoPro Hero 7/6/5/4, Raspberry Pi 4, Sony A6000/A6300 Camera, Nikon B500, Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, Yoga 710
Price: $11.89
Price Disclaimer

But If You Wanna Use Thunderbolt…

If you’d rather take a Thunderbolt approach, I like the Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder, but its drivers are much more fussy.

Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder - Thunderbolt
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder - Thunderbolt
Price: $164.00
Price Disclaimer

The Mini Recorder does not make your camcorder a USB webcam – life is not quite that easy.

Step 1 – Plug everything in. The UltraStudio is powered by Thunderbolt, but you’ll want to plug your camcorder into an electric outlet if it’ll be running for hours on end.

Step 2 – Turn Off the Canon’s Output Displays. By default, the camcorder’s HDMI output shows things like the time and the recording status onscreen. That’s ugly. Go into the Canon’s onscreen menus where it says “Output Onscreen Displays” and turn that off:

Canon Menus
Canon Menus

Step 3 – Set the UltraStudio Mini Recorder defaults to HD.

After installing the Mini Recorder’s drivers, it defaults to standard definition video. I know, right? Go into Apple, System Preferences, Blackmagic Design, and change the input to HDMI video:

Changing the default to HDMI input
Changing the default to HDMI input

If you don’t do this, the Mini Recorder just outputs a black video stream.

Step 4 – Fire Up Your Webcam App.

In Google Hangouts, for example, when I go to choose a camcorder, Blackmagic is listed as one of the input sources. You have to know the exact resolution, frame rate, and color depth of your input device (camcorder), and choose that from the list:

Google Hangouts resolution list
Google Hangouts resolution list

The Canon Vixia outputs 1080i 59.94 in 8 bit color, so when I choose that from the dropdown list of capture devices, I see my camcorder’s output. Same thing with WebEx:

WebEx support for Blackmagic
WebEx support for Blackmagic

Unfortunately, not all apps offer native support for video capture devices.

Skype Camera List
Skype Camera List

Skype’s camera list just shows “Blackmagic” as an input device, with no resolutions or color depths, and it just displays a useless black screen. It appears to be application-dependent – for example, earlier versions of Skype worked, but the current (6.14 as of March 2014) version doesn’t, as shown at right.

Here’s the apps I’ve tested the UltraStudio with on OS X 10.9:

  • Google Hangouts – works.
  • Screenflow v4.5 and v5.0 – works.
  • Skype v7.6 – works.
  • GoToMeeting v7.1.5 – doesn’t work.
  • GoToWebinar – doesn’t work.
  • Cisco WebEx Meeting Center v29.13.4 – does not work.

If you want to spend even more money (around $500), and you’re willing to put up with high CPU usage, check out Telestream Wirecast. It takes takes the Blackmagic UltraStudio’s input and acts like a USB webcam for most software. It’ll even let you add additional effects live, like removing backgrounds or overlaying text. Unfortunately, during my testing, it constantly used 100% CPU of one core, and I don’t like having my laptop fan going while I webcast.

I’ve also tried a few other software products that purport to do the same thing, like Camtwist and Manycam, but I’ve had really bad stability results. The software has been buggy and crashtastic – the one thing I can’t have when clients are paying me for webcasts.

For now, I still end up with two cameras – my Logitech C615 for GoToWebinar, and the Canon/Blackmagic combo for everything else.

My Home Office Setup - 2014
My Home Office Setup – 2014

About My Office Video Setup

If you read this far, you’re probably interested in the other gear I use these days:

Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
Price: $139.13
You Save: $92.87 (40%)
Price Disclaimer

The Focusrite Scarlett lets you plug pro microphones into your computer with USB. For a microphone, I use this, but fair warning, it ain’t cheap:

Electro-Voice RE20 Microphone Kit with Shockmount, Two-Section Broadcast Arm and Microphone Cable
Electro-Voice RE20 Microphone Kit with Shockmount, Two-Section Broadcast Arm and Microphone Cable
Price: $499.00
Price Disclaimer

The ElectroVoice RE20 lets me get right up on top of it without a noise filter, and the bass sounds fantastic. Really gives you a lot more presence than the cheesy microphones that come built into webcams & computers.

CowboyStudio Photography & Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit
CowboyStudio Photography & Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit
Price Disclaimer

Cowboy Studio lighting kit is a great price for 3 lights, tripods, and umbrellas. They’re not spectacularly robust, but I don’t take them out of the house, so it’s not a big deal. I put one on either side of my desk, and then when I’m doing green-screen techniques, I use one to light up the wall and reduce shadows. This is important though:

LimoStudio [4 Pack] 85W 6500K CFL, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb for Photography Studio, Day Light Balanced Pure White, AGG120
LimoStudio [4 Pack] 85W 6500K CFL, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb for Photography Studio, Day Light Balanced Pure White, AGG120
Price: $54.90 ($13.72 / Count)
Price Disclaimer

LimoStudio 85W CFL bulbs – the bulbs included with the Cowboy Studio kit are alright, but in my new condo, I’ve got one wall of windows in my office. Despite thick blinds, I couldn’t light my office evenly, and these monster bulbs make all the difference. They don’t get hot when they’re on, either.

Why go to all this trouble? Well, here’s an example end result. Good stuff.

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95 Comments. Leave new

  • john
    April 29, 2014 9:45 am

    Hi Brent,

    nice setup.

    What Palm Rest do you use for your 15″ MacBook Retina? Had you any problems like describe in this KB: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4384

    Best!

    Reply
    • Brent
      May 1, 2014 2:37 pm

      John – I use the Twelve South leather one, and I also use a 3M privacy screen protector when I travel. Between those two, I’m sure I’m way outside of the narrow design tolerances, but I haven’t had any issues.

      Reply
  • Keith
    May 23, 2014 8:02 am

    Thanks for this info! I already have access to the Blackmagic recorder so will try this out with Google today and my Panasonic GH4 today!

    Reply
    • Efrain
      February 1, 2015 5:42 pm

      Hello Keith, I was wondering if you ever got the GH4 to work with the Blackmagic intensity shuttle?

      Reply
  • Cody Nowels
    May 23, 2014 6:14 pm

    Hi Brent! i have a blackmagic thunderbolt express and a canon vixia HF R500. my goal is to use this setup for livestreaming, but the feed is not showing up in any application, including blackmagic’s own media express. i have everything set on Hdmi and 1080p 59.94, but all i get is a black screen. do you have any tips? its really important that this works. i’ve been contracted to do some livestreaming and it’s naturally not optimal for this to be dysfunctional. Thanks!
    -Cody

    Reply
    • Brent
      May 27, 2014 6:35 am

      Cody – sorry, but I can’t really do tech support here on the blog. Your best bet is to contact the vendor.

      Reply
  • Jeppe Sondergaard
    June 23, 2014 5:30 am

    Hi Brent!

    Did you try the ultrastudio with adobe connect?

    Thanks for a nice blog!

    Best

    Jeppe

    Reply
    • Brent
      June 24, 2014 9:54 am

      Jeppe – no, how’s the pricing on that?

      Reply
  • Star BeGlitched
    August 16, 2014 1:55 pm

    Thanks for this post. I was able to get my r500 hooked up to my computer by following this post. I had no idea it would be so difficult and expensive. It seemed like it should be as simple as plugging the camcorder into the computer via USB or HDMI. The video quality is amazing! FYI, if you are having a hard time getting your computer to recognize your camera, uninstall BlackMagic software, restart and reinstall. I had some issues on the first install but uninstalling and reinstalling seemed to do the trick. I tested this with QuickTime 7 and FaceTime and they both work. For some reason, QuickTime 10 doesn’t work.

    Reply
    • Brent
      August 18, 2014 6:30 am

      Star – you’re welcome, glad I could help.

      Reply
  • rene
    September 7, 2014 11:48 pm

    I’ve been trying to make this same set up work with webinars on air using google hangouts but I get a mirror image of the camera video… Has that ever happened to you? Also, seems to be pretty unreliable…sometimes it works and then other times hangouts won’t see the output of the mini recorder. Has it been solid for you?

    Reply
    • Brent
      September 9, 2014 4:47 am

      Rene – sorry, I don’t use Google Hangouts On Air. I’ve had bad experiences with that with video, audio, browsers, crashing, you name it.

      Reply
  • Andy
    September 17, 2014 12:46 pm

    Does the UltraStudio Mini Rec. still work after the Webex update?

    Reply
    • Brent
      September 18, 2014 6:50 am

      Andy – it’s working for me.

      Reply
  • Carine
    September 21, 2014 7:48 am

    Thank you so much for your information on this website!!
    After hours of struggling with a european Sony HDR-CX550 camcorder, I discovered that I have to reboot the UltraStudio Mini Recorder after each modification on the camcorder (unplug-plug). Otherwise the new camcorder state is not detected by Screenflow nor by MediaExpress.
    The image quality is best for me at 720p.
    Hangouts works perfectly fine as well.

    Reply
    • Ricardo
      September 6, 2015 11:23 am

      Hello Carine,

      Does your Sony HDR-CX550 output both audio and video on the mini-HDMI connector? I have a Sony HDR-CX450 with a mini-HDMI but all I get is video. I have not been able to get audio output on the mini-HDMI.

      thank you
      Ricardo

      Reply
  • Jaclyn
    October 11, 2014 7:16 pm

    Hi there, I’m also trying to Live Stream using my Canon Vixia HF R42. The website we use to lifestream is upstream.com. If I purchase the BlackMagic Ultra Studio device, and connect everything as you mentioned, would I also be able to record to my SD memory card at the same time of streaming to the computer? Thanks! Need help with this!

    Reply
    • Doug Lipman
      March 20, 2015 4:54 pm

      You can record to the SD card or not, just as you can view on a monitor using HDMI while you are recording, or not.

      Reply
  • Jaclyn
    October 11, 2014 7:16 pm

    Hi there, I’m also trying to Live Stream using my Canon Vixia HF R42. The website we use to lifestream is upstream.com. If I purchase the BlackMagic Ultra Studio device, and connect everything as you mentioned, would I also be able to record to my SD memory card at the same time of streaming to the computer? Thanks! Need help with this!

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 12, 2014 7:59 am

      Jaclyn – I don’t use Upstream, so I can’t really say.

      Reply
  • Lindsey
    October 20, 2014 9:23 pm

    Great information thanks! I have a Canon Vixia that I’m trying to use as a WebCam for the Google chrome capture application. I’m trying to capture a lecture series with the video camera set in the corner of the room and allow screen capture of slides for immediate upload to website for students further review. The Google Chrome capture allows the slides to be recorded via screen capture and a small video box in the bottom right-hand corner for students to follow. Do you know if this capture software would work with your set up? Do you know of any similar software that might work? It’s been pretty hard to find…

    Thanks!

    Reply
  • Brian Moffet
    October 29, 2014 1:12 pm

    You just saved my butt, been searching all day for a way to make the canon vixia hf g20 work with a blackmagic intensity shuttle usb 3.0. My last ditch effort turned up your page!

    Reply
  • Kyle Nguyen
    December 4, 2014 1:43 pm

    Hi, Thanks for posting this information. I’m using the same BlackMagic Decklink recorder and Canon R400 camera for GoToWebinar and It’s working fine. I used ManyCam software as the video feed. GotoWebinar recognizes the video feed under the Webcam preferences. I’m able to use the optical zoom (Canon) which is great compared to USB webcams. The only snag so far, is the video feed’s resolution is SD and not HD on the client side. I’m not sure how to fix this.

    Reply
    • Brent
      December 5, 2014 7:41 am

      Kyle – I’d check what’s going on with ManyCam – I don’t use that, and I get HD just fine.

      Reply
  • Wil
    January 12, 2015 1:29 pm

    I am currently using a logitech desktop webcam to live stream our pastor. I have just up graded the camera to a VIXIA HF R50. I need to connect this to a mac mini. I am assuming that i would need the blackmagic device. However i need to know if it will work with Flash media live encoder.

    Reply
    • Brent
      January 12, 2015 1:34 pm

      Will – I don’t use Flash, sorry.

      Reply
  • PR
    January 28, 2015 2:21 pm

    Hi Brent,

    A while back I bought the Canon Vixia HV40, I loaned it to someone one and they were able to live stream with it. They said they used it on google hangouts. I ave not been able to get it to work anywhere. I’ve connected it via firewire and usb, no difference. Any help or suggestions on this? I really don’t want to buy a new camera if I don’t have to.

    Reply
    • Brent
      January 31, 2015 7:12 am

      PR – sure, absolutely. Find that friend and have them walk you through it. 😉

      Reply
  • Luke
    February 28, 2015 4:55 pm

    Great article, thanks! I have a question about latency between the Ultrastudio Video recorder and the Yeti USB mic. Is there any delay between the audio and video? I’m looking to stream a live show over youtube using a 7D/Yeti and sync issues seem to be the major problem. Any help would be appreciated!

    Reply
    • Brent
      March 1, 2015 1:11 am

      I haven’t seen any latency or sync issues at all – I’d say that you wanna be using a relatively recent computer, though, because the Ultrastudio Mini Recorder pushes out a *lot* of data. I’m using the current MacBook Pro Retina with a 2.6GHz i7 and PCI Express SSD.

      Reply
  • Ryan Rhoades
    March 12, 2015 2:26 am

    Hi Brent,

    I have a Canon Vixia HFS20 and have been trying to figure out how to use it as an input in Screenflow – do you happen to know if I’m able to do so?

    Reply
    • Brent
      March 15, 2015 9:14 am

      Ryan – this entire article is about that. Enjoy!

      Reply
  • D
    March 24, 2015 3:36 am

    hey, very useful article. thank you!
    has anyone tried zoom.us / zoom presence app with this hardware setup?

    Reply
  • David Whitlock
    April 4, 2015 5:47 pm

    Thank you, Brent, for putting this post together. I was looking for a better setup for WebEx video and this did it. The folks on the other end of the connection raved about the video quality and your directions were spot on.

    Reply
  • Edwin
    April 23, 2015 9:03 am

    You just saved me hours of testing as I’m embarking to do the same, so appreciate the information. You mention that unit does not work Cisco WebEx Meeting Center v29.13.4, but screenshot shows that capture card is being recognized. Was that a previous version of the Meeting Center? I’m trying to see if version 28.12.20.10001 will recognize the capture card.

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 23, 2015 10:44 am

      Edwin – yeah, I don’t update the screenshots, but I update the blog post version numbers as I try updated versions.

      Reply
  • Denis Connolly
    April 28, 2015 6:46 am

    Excellent post! On the point of following your recipe to the word but before I buy the material, hoping you could give your opinion:
    We are new-media artists who have often made installations with live camera/computer/projector setup. Recently asked to show an older work (2005) which worked with DV camera connected by firewire to a mac, hoping to upgrade to a HD cam like you show. Our software is “Max”:
    Max seems to recognize firewire camera and webcams like the logitech. Am wondering if you think there will be any problem with the Blackmagic? Thanks again for the post. Denis

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 28, 2015 4:45 pm

      No, sorry, I haven’t used that software, but I’ve had horrible results with similar software.

      Reply
  • Martin
    April 28, 2015 10:16 am

    Hi Bernt,
    how long the battery works?
    We have webinars for 1:30 hours long. Is the battery sufficient for this? Or is that possible to charge the battery when broadcasting?
    Thank you,
    Martin

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 28, 2015 4:48 pm

      You can charge the battery whole broadcasting. That’s why I talk about the skeleton case – you can have USB plugged in for charging. Data doesn’t go over the USB port for this.

      Reply
  • Pete
    April 30, 2015 4:19 am

    Great post Brent!
    Will the same process work with other cameras such as
    Canon LEGRIA HF R606,
    Canon LEGRIA HF R68,
    Canon HF R306?
    I have no access to Canon Vixia HF R400 HD… Thank you!

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 30, 2015 6:46 am

      Pete – I don’t have access to those other cameras, so you’ll need to try yourself.

      Reply
  • Charles
    May 29, 2015 8:21 am

    Thanks for the post Brent.
    I have a very similar setup, with a BMD ultrastudio minirecorder + macbook pro + Screenflow… But I can’t make it work (can see the preview, but nothing is recorded by Screenflow). Did you have a problem like this one at the beginning ? I have written to Screenflow’s support and they told me “at this time ScreenFlow does not support capture cards.” Can you confirm that you made it work with a BMD minirecorder ?
    Thanks
    Charles

    Reply
    • Brent
      May 29, 2015 8:27 am

      Charles – yep, make sure you’re on a current version of ScreenFlow.

      Reply
  • Mattias Petter Johansson
    June 10, 2015 12:00 pm

    Charles, I’m having the exact same problems as you do – I can see the preview, but does not record. I have version Version 5.0.1 (23744) of Screenflow and Mac OS X 10.10.3.

    I wonder if it might be related to this?
    http://forum.telestream.net/forum/messageview.aspx?catid=42&threadid=16335

    Reply
    • Charles
      June 11, 2015 3:27 am

      Yes Matt, and here is the last answer I got from Screenflow’s Support : “It is in the hands of engineers now. They have the details they wanted.Basically ScreenFlow does not technically support capture cards or devices, but if the video shows in the Video Preview window, it should be recorded.” The BM support helped me to check my BM card was working, but I still can’t connect it with Screenflow…

      Reply
    • lucaberta
      March 7, 2016 5:05 pm

      Hi MP,

      it’s now March 2016 and the situation after 9 months seem to not have changed much at. Still no support for Screenflow 5 and the Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini Recorder.

      The workaround I have just tested with great success is a downgrade to Screenflow 4, the latest version 4.5.4 seems to be working well on El Capitan 10.11.3, and the video is captured just fine.

      Brent, thanks for a great post, I have decided to buy the Mini Recorder after reading it, and my initial tests have been quite successful, except for the snafu with Screenflow 5, which is quite odd.

      Thanks,

      Luca

      Reply
  • oscar
    August 10, 2015 6:10 am

    Hi

    Thanks for the post. if we plug the camera into the HDMI port directly without the blackmagic product, can we use it directly? I am using google hangouts and zoom.us

    Right now i record the videos to the sd card and then i upload it to vimeo or youtube but the advantage of streaming with youtube is that you save the upload part

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Brent
      August 10, 2015 8:28 am

      Oscar – no, that doesn’t work.

      Reply
  • Ricardo
    September 6, 2015 11:21 am

    Hi Brent,

    I have been using a BMD UltraStudio Mini Recorder with a Sony HDR-CX450 and it works pretty well. My big problem is that I have not been able to get audio out of the HDMI on that camera. I think it only outputs video.

    I’m assuming that your Canon has no problem with that, both audio and video are output on the mini-HDMI connector?

    Another question, for the a/v HDMI output on your Canon, must you be in record or playback mode, or does it work in “monitor” mode when not doing either of those? I asked Canon Sales and they said it only works in playback mode.

    Also, any other suggestions on HD camcorders that have both audio and video working on the HDMI connector?

    Thank you
    Ricardo

    Reply
    • Brent
      September 6, 2015 11:22 am

      Ricardo – I wouldn’t use the video output from the camcorder. They’re generally not very good, and they’re not close enough to you for good audio. I use a separate microphone when I’m recording video training, or a wireless headset when I’m working with clients.

      Reply
      • Ricardo
        September 6, 2015 11:27 am

        Ok, thanks. But in any case, does the Canon output audio via the mini-HDMI – if I’m in an environment where the audio pickup is pretty good?

        Reply
        • Brent
          September 6, 2015 11:28 am

          Ricardo – I have absolutely no idea.

          Reply
          • Ricardo
            September 6, 2015 11:31 am

            Alright, I guess you never tried capturing both a/v on the BMD connected to your Canon then. I have not way of testing other than buying without knowing, I was just wondering if it works.

        • Simon
          September 12, 2015 4:47 am

          I don’t think that camcorders output Audio on HDMI unless they are playing a previously recorded video. In the event that you were to connect your tv to your camcorder with the microphone active you would get a feedback loop and maybe blow the speakers on the TV.
          This is a problem I have run into with streaming.

          Reply
  • Wafi
    October 13, 2015 3:53 pm

    Hi
    I need immediate help, and would appreciate your response.
    I am in Aurora as a matter of fact, so we can possibly meet too!
    I need help with the best camera and setup i can have to broadcast a Lecture/class.
    My uncle has a class/lecture he give, and wants to broadcast it.. he is doing it using a webcam but the quality is pretty bad, so he wants something he can use so the people watching online can listen to him clearly, and can see what ever hes typing or doing on the board.
    Please help me out, need to get this done before friday.
    We just bought a Canon Vixia HF G20 but i dont think that is good so might return and get the stuff you have mentioned here. but really looking forward to your help.

    Thanks,
    Wafi.

    Reply
    • Brent
      October 13, 2015 4:09 pm

      Wafi – unfortunately I’m not available this week. Doggone jobs. 😉

      Reply
      • Wafi
        October 13, 2015 4:14 pm

        oh! thats alright. if you can help me out with this, would be really great.
        First i thought of getting a PTZ camera, but didnt think it would fulfil the requirements.
        So then went on to get the HF G20.. so theres no way to get it to stream without using the blackmagic thing right? device used for streaming would be a mac and on google hangouts.

        Reply
        • Brent
          October 13, 2015 4:15 pm

          Correct. That’s what this post is about. Make sure to read that post carefully. Thanks!

          Reply
          • Wafi
            October 13, 2015 4:16 pm

            Alright!
            Thankyou so much! 🙂

  • Dan Kaminsky
    December 4, 2015 7:03 pm

    How’s latency, if I may ask?

    Reply
    • Brent
      December 5, 2015 10:42 am

      Dan – that’s a great question! The latency’s invisible to me. It’s gotta be some insanely tuned compression in there.

      Reply
  • Graham Dunn
    February 24, 2016 1:51 pm

    Just a small point about the “Output Onscreen Displays” setting, that seems to only affect playback, not preview, on my Vixia HFM40, seems odd that it would have a different function than your model.

    Reply
    • Graham Dunn
      February 24, 2016 2:08 pm

      Just to follow-up, you can clear all onscreeen items by selecting the “decorations” icon in the preview screen (the little hand drawing a swirl).

      Reply
  • Sabre
    March 31, 2016 6:53 am

    Hi Brent,
    Amazing article by the way, I need expert advice on this. I just bought a Sony HDR-PJ440 handy cam and I plan to use it in both schooling and connecting with friends. I am on a limited budget and would like to know if I can use the Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder and Apple Thunderbolt Cable to connect and use it a webcam. I know the article is about that but I do not have enought money to buy a new handy cam. Thanks

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 1, 2016 1:35 am

      Sabre – sorry, I have no experience with your camcorder.

      Reply
  • David Busey
    May 19, 2016 7:33 pm

    Hi! I purchased the ultraStudio mini-recorder after reading your article. It arrived yesterday and I’ve been tinkering for the past hour. For the life of me, I cannot seem to navigate to the preferences screen shown in your step 3. I noticed it’s v 9.9.3. Can you kindly update the instructions for v 10.6.1 of their “Desktop Video Utility”. That’s what the icon on the System Settings pane links too. Same app can be accessed from the Applications folder.

    HUGE thanks!

    Reply
  • David Busey
    May 19, 2016 7:51 pm

    Hmm. Strike my last. They’ve dumbed the preferences way down to about 1/3 the options and the UI no longer looks anything like that preferences pane you show.

    I was originally testing with Skype but switched over to Screenflow 5 (which is ultimately the app I truly want to use. Skype didn’t recognize a Blackmagic device but Screenflow does. Well at least in the Recording Setup dialogue, it lets me select it and shows a live feed from that camera. Once I actually record, however, it picks up no video track. I’ll keep tinkering. At least I’m closer than I was before. Great article. Thanks for the referral to this Blackmagic product.

    Reply
    • Brent
      May 20, 2016 6:28 am

      OK, great, glad I could help.

      Reply
  • David Busey
    May 20, 2016 5:58 pm

    Bummer. Looks like this will be a no-go. As of this date, the official response from Telestream is, “…ScreenFlow 5 currently only works with webcams. Please do make the feature request for camera support. I know there’s significant user interest. …”

    (Just FYI.)

    Reply
  • Conrad
    June 3, 2016 11:40 am

    Hi
    With great interest have I red your article about use a video camera as webcam
    I bought the converter and use my own Panasonic camera.
    Unfortunately I don’t get the same results as you are. ;-(
    I have downloaded the drivers. But don’t get that much preferences as you did. ;-(
    It works perfect with Skype. So I take the software part is Oké.
    But…
    Or doesn’t work in Google hangout. Your image shows the possibility to choose a video camera. Where can I find that list?
    I know get the webcam from my Macbook Pro.
    In facetime I don’t get any video at all. Even not the build in camera.

    Maybe you have experienced the same problems as I do now. Our do you have a solution to help me out.

    I really hope that you will answer my question.

    Greetings
    Conrad van Pruijssen
    The Netherlands

    Be Happy, Stay Happy

    Conrad van Pruijssen
    De ouderfluisteraar
    Download mijn ebook, In 11 stappen op weg naar een Happy Parent
    http://www.happyparentshappykids.nl
    +31(0)615042410

    Reply
    • Brent
      June 3, 2016 11:42 am

      For the list of videocameras, check with Blackmagic Design’s documentation.

      If you don’t get any video with Facetime using the Mac’s built-in camera, head to the Genius Bar for support.

      Reply
  • Conrad
    June 3, 2016 2:44 pm

    Hi brent
    I had hoped for a more in depth answer.
    I get video within Skype so the video camera works.
    I am looking for a solution why I can’t choose the camera in other apps.
    Normally facetime works perfect.
    but not when my video camera is connect.

    Reply
    • Brent
      June 3, 2016 2:48 pm

      Ah, okay, so if you want to know which apps are compatible with the Blackmagic right now, check out the documentation:

      https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/ultrastudiothunderbolt/techspecs/W-DLUS-04

      Reply
  • Belinda Gantz
    January 9, 2017 1:39 pm

    Hi Brent

    I am thinking of getting the Black Magic Ultrastudio mini recorder, but I want to use it with my Macbook Pro as a webcam during Zoom sessions, rather than Skype. Have you ever tried it with Zoom?

    Reply
    • Brent
      January 9, 2017 2:47 pm

      Belinda – no, sorry, I don’t use Zoom.

      Reply
  • Peyton
    March 4, 2017 7:23 am

    For the Zoom or zoom.us folks

    https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201504265-Wired-HDMI-Screen-Share-via-Capture-Device

    Reply
  • Wolf
    March 15, 2017 5:12 am

    Thanks for the informative article. Glad I happened upon this to find the Magewell device. I hope that you, your wife, and your four legged family member are enjoying life to the fullest.

    Reply
  • mbauer
    April 12, 2017 3:30 pm

    I am using Blackmagic Studio Express and it is not working for me. How did you get all those other capture device options in the camera selection dropdown? I only seem to have one Blackmagic camera selection option and it does now work.

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 14, 2017 6:12 am

      The Ultrastudio Express is a different product. Make sure to read the article carefully to understand what product to buy. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  • Nate
    April 19, 2017 10:01 pm

    I have a newer MacBook Pro running ScreenFlow 6.0. I have a Canon HFG20 HDMI into Magewell USB Capture HDMI. I’m having latency problems where I have to detach the audio because it is ahead of the video by about 0.25s. I’ve used an external mixer/mic set up as well as internal mic with similar results. It’s a constant latency, thankfully, so it isn’t that difficult to line everything up. I don’t do podcasting, just recording for later use. I’d prefer not to have to detach audio every time. (I clap on camera to help me line everything up later.) Telestream had me clear out caches and set everything back to default settings but no change. Same result with OBS software, so something is slowing down the video. Blackmagic thing didn’t work at all so went to Magewell on the recommendation of the Telestream folks. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • Brent
      April 20, 2017 5:18 am

      I can’t really do personal troubleshooting here, but from a big picture, here’s what I’d think about: first, make sure you’re not using a USB hub. Then, try other recording software to rule out a ScreenFlow problem. Next, check CPU usage on the computer. Best of luck!

      Reply
  • Marlene Johnshoy
    June 7, 2017 2:00 pm

    Hi Brent,
    Have you tried this setup since WebEx updated their software this spring (2017)? We had another setup that still works with other video programs, but no longer works with WebEx…

    Reply
  • Chris
    June 15, 2017 4:47 pm

    is there anyway to use the camcorder through OBS (Canon Vixia R700)

    Reply
    • Brent
      June 15, 2017 4:49 pm

      I don’t know what OBS is. My way of doing it is documented in the post above. Thanks!

      Reply
  • Eric Padget
    August 2, 2017 4:34 pm

    Hi Brent,

    I was wondering if it was possible to have the camcorder record as normal AND output to HDMI at the same time. In other words, I would like to stream live to the web and capture a recording of the video on the camcorder at the same time. Make sense?

    Reply
    • Brent
      August 3, 2017 6:53 am

      Yep! I just wouldn’t recommend it because you probably want the computer screen, audio, and video synced at the exact same time. If you try to merge them later, you’ll need a pro tool like Final Cut Pro to get them synced properly.

      Reply
      • Eric Padget
        August 3, 2017 7:59 am

        I don’t think it matters. I’ll try to be a little more specific. I am planning to live stream and broadcast our high school football games and the high school team needs a video for further analysis later on. Do you think that will work?

        Reply
        • Brent
          August 3, 2017 1:00 pm

          Live streaming is pretty tough without a good wired connection. If you’re talking about games out in the field, that’s not something I’d recommend via high definition video capture.

          Reply
  • Tim
    September 16, 2017 11:49 am

    Hey Brent, I have a similar set up with the yeti and BM ultra studio mini recorder. I have latency issues where my video is delayed. I know this can be fixed in OBS and wirecast. Do you have latency issues with your current set up? If so, how do you fix it? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Brent
      September 17, 2017 7:58 am

      Tim – no, no latency issues here.

      Reply
  • Andy
    March 22, 2018 7:07 pm

    Thank you!!! You made my weekend with this post!

    Reply
  • sheila benton
    February 13, 2019 2:47 pm

    Brent, are you still around? We want to FaceTime between an individual and a group of approx 75 ppl. But it needs to be personal, like the individual is walking amongst the people and talking with them. We did it last week with an iPad and Bluetooth portable speaker and an individual following with a microphone. Is there a way of doing this, but use a video camera in the group and that image is projected on the leader’s iPhone and also be connected to a projector so the leader’s image is projected on a large screen for the group.

    Reply
    • Brent
      February 13, 2019 3:34 pm

      Sheila – sorry, I don’t have any experience with that, no.

      Reply
  • Best 6 Cameras for Classroom Video Lectures and eLearning - General Guide - SRC 2020
    October 12, 2020 8:18 am

    […] working in a webcam mode, so you won’t be able to make calls and use it for conferences without special equipment and additional […]

    Reply

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Hi. I’m Brent.

That's me, Brent.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm on an epic life quest to have fun and make a difference.

I co-founded Brent Ozar Unlimited to help make your SQL Server go faster. I also maintain sp_Blitz® and the open source First Responder Kit repo.

My current car collection includes a Jaguar XKR-S, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356 Speedster replica, and a Ferrari 328 GTS.

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