Mac Mini Server (Mid 2011) webcam & microphone?

[b2387692]

Hello all,

I need to hookup a webcam & microphone to my old MMS (Mid+2011) so I can use it to take a course that will be streamed live online using Blackboard Collaborate and/or Zoom.

A couple of questions:
1) I connected a wired microphone to the Audio in port, but how do I test it to see if it's working?
2) As for a webcam, I have the following ports available: 2 USB, HDMI & FireWire 800, what would you recommend?

I appreciate your feedback!

 

[dazey]

To test its working, just go to system preferences, Sound, Input, select relevant input and you should see audio on the meter when talking. You can also check audio in the settings for zoom, teams, webex whatever. Generally they all have test audio settings and meters for the mic.

Most webcams will include a mic. Virtually any webcam will work. You will struggle to find any that are anything other than USB (apple did make a firewire one but FW400 IIRC)

At the moment I use two.

NDI- its free and uses the NDI camera app on a phone/ipad/whatever and streams the camera over your local wifi to NDI virtual input. (https://www.ndi.tv/tools/). I wouldn't recomend it as a microphone, but it can even be used that way.

Sony virtual input- uses my sony mirrorless as a webcamera.

In another location I have a Logi something (Logitech at the tiime).

For mics I tend to use a bluetooth speaker (which also works over USB as mic/speaker), or a USB mic that has an audio output (as it puts my headphone socket close) but there are so many options.

 

[b2387692]

To test its working, just go to system preferences, Sound, Input, select relevant input and you should see audio on the meter when talking. You can also check audio in the settings for zoom, teams, webex whatever. Generally they all have test audio settings and meters for the mic.

Most webcams will include a mic. Virtually any webcam will work. You will struggle to find any that are anything other than USB (apple did make a firewire one but FW400 IIRC)

At the moment I use two.

NDI- its free and uses the NDI camera app on a phone/ipad/whatever and streams the camera over your local wifi to NDI virtual input. (https://www.ndi.tv/tools/). I wouldn't recomend it as a microphone, but it can even be used that way.

Sony virtual input- uses my sony mirrorless as a webcamera.

In another location I have a Logi something (Logitech at the tiime).

For mics I tend to use a bluetooth speaker (which also works over USB as mic/speaker), or a USB mic that has an audio output (as it puts my headphone socket close) but there are so many options.

Thanks!

It’s good to know that most webcams will include a microphone, because I tested mine the way that you recommended in preferences, but I didn’t see any audio showing up on the meter when talking.

I don’t intend to use my iPhone and don’t have an iPad, so I’m not sure that NDI would be an option for me; and I’m not familiar with Sony virtual input.

I have been looking at several Logitech webcams, specially the C920s HD Pro, which seems like it’s reasonably priced & sells well.

 

[StoneJack]

C920 is what I use. Very good audio/video quality.
FYI, it will give better mic audio than Airpods Pro *if you use them.