I have a Canon Optura 20 and I wanted to know if it was possible to turn it into a webcam for use on a mac and pc? If so how do I do that? Is there some special software needed? Is there freeware out there that can do the trick? Also, would I need a firewire connection or just a usb 2.0 connection? I need to know this ASAP so any and all help is greatly appreciated.
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Mini DV Camcorder as Web Cam?
- Thread starter jayeskreezy
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Yup, It can be done. It requires a Firewire Connection for Ichat on the Mac. Not sure about the PC but probably USB 2 for Windows.
I have a Canon MVX250i which i think is sort of the euro version of your camera (or something like that)
I wanted to see what it was like as a webcam - it was pretty cool - just plugged it in via firewire, started up MSN, selected video chat, and MSN automagically brought up the video feed from the camera, no probs.
Same as iMovie automatically finds the Firewire feed from any connected camera really.
By the way does anyone know what iMovie etc would do if TWO cameras were connected via firewire?
The only negative was the amount of cabling and equipment on my desk was a bit much - mini tripod, camera, camera power cable, firewire cable.
Since I wasn't recording, the camera kept turning itself off too - had to dig into the manual to figure how to stop that. An easier way would be simply to record over a spare tape, and keep reusing that tape.
hope this helps
tomato - who still can't get used to people on videochat not quite looking me in the eye.
I wanted to see what it was like as a webcam - it was pretty cool - just plugged it in via firewire, started up MSN, selected video chat, and MSN automagically brought up the video feed from the camera, no probs.
Same as iMovie automatically finds the Firewire feed from any connected camera really.
By the way does anyone know what iMovie etc would do if TWO cameras were connected via firewire?
The only negative was the amount of cabling and equipment on my desk was a bit much - mini tripod, camera, camera power cable, firewire cable.
Since I wasn't recording, the camera kept turning itself off too - had to dig into the manual to figure how to stop that. An easier way would be simply to record over a spare tape, and keep reusing that tape.
hope this helps
tomato - who still can't get used to people on videochat not quite looking me in the eye.
A lot of cameras will shut off to save power, which makes using them as a webcam problematic. You should try to enable the demo mode on the camera while you are using it as a webcam. You will see the messages on the viewfinder that they display in the store, but it won't effect the signal that goes to the computer and the camera won't shut off.
Yep, firewire movie cameras work fine as a webcam. I would suggest buying a little tripod for it.....mabye external mic as welll.
