Using Blackmagic Camera as a Webcam
To have impressive zoom and autofocus capabilities when using apps such as Skype and Zoom, you need to have a good webcam.
However, a good webcam can be hard to come by, mainly due to the pandemic, and manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand.
So, if you have a hard time getting on at a relatively affordable price, there is no need to panic; you can use a professional camera as a webcam.
If you’re a shutterbug and have a Blackmagic camera lying around, borrow a trick from YouTube personalities and use it as a webcam.
You can use a Blackmagic camera as a webcam in two ways first is via Blackmagic’s video assist firmware. This software has been updated, and now you can use your Blackmagic camera as a webcam using the video assist monitor.
Also, you can use your Blackmagic camera as a webcam using a video capture device. Let’s look at the step-by-step processes of using a Black magic camera as a webcam.
Using Blackmagic Camera as Webcam with Video Assist Monitor
What Do You Need?
To use your Blackmagic camera as a webcam with the video assist monitor, you’ll need some equipment and software. The equipment and software you need are as follows:
Tripod/Mount: You’ll need a tripod/mount to fasten your camera and mount your video assist monitor. You might want to get small tripods/mounts that can fit on a desk.
Power source: You can just run your Blackmagic camera on power when using it as a webcam; the battery will drain very fast because it’s not designed to capture continuous footage over long periods. You can find dummy batteries that allow you to plug your camera into power.
Video Assist monitor: Blackmagic has approved the webcam update for Video Assist 3G and Video Assist 12G HDR models.
The Setup Process
- Firmware is automatically updated on the Video Assist Monitor. However, if this is not the case, you can download it manually on the black magic website.
- Then, connect an HDMI or SDI cable on one end to your Blackmagic camera and the other to your Video Assist Monitor.
- Next, connect the Video Assist Monitor to your PC using a USB-C cable
- Finally, select your Blackmagic camera as a webcam device on your platform, such as Skype for Business, YouTube, Zoom, etc.
Using Blackmagic Camera as Webcam with a Video Capture Device
What Do You Need?
Video Capture Device: Your Blackmagic camera has an HDMI port that outputs clean video. For this reason, you’ll need a video capture device such as the Elgato Cam Link 4K.
The signal will be channeled into the capture device and rendered into usable output, then proceed to your computer.
HDMI Cable: In the setup process, you’ll use the HDMI output on your Blackmagic camera. But, the HDMI port on the camera is not a standard size. As such, you’ll need a micro HDMI-HDMI cable to connect your camera to the video capture device.
Tripod Stand: You’ll also need a tripod to mount your camera and face it to the desired position. The Tripod also gives you space to organize your cables.
Power source: Once again, your camera is not built to withstand long Zoom or Skype calls that run for about 5 hours. As such, you’ll need to get a power source such as a dummy battery because the battery inside the camera won’t run for that long.
The Setup Process
- Start by plugging in the power source (dummy battery) into your Blackmagic camera to get extended use.
- Next, turn on your Blackmagic camera.
- Plug the smaller end of the MicroHDMI-HDMI cable into the HDMI port situated on the side of your Blackmagic camera.
- Then, connect the larger end of the micro HDMI-HDMI cable to the video capture device.
- Next, connect the video capture device to an unoccupied USB port on your PC
- Fasten your Blackmagic camera on the Tripod.
- Launch the video conferencing app you are using and choose ‘USB Video’ as your video source. Now, your Blackmagic camera is configured as your computer’s webcam.
Final Thought
All in all, professional cameras, including those made by Blackmagic, have had their functionality expanded, and now you can use them as webcams.
The steps involved are easy, and if you follow them carefully, your webcam setup should be up and running in no time.
See Also
Blackmagic Cinema Camera Live Streaming
How to Connect Blackmagic to Computer
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